[ChrisCook]

If you haven't already heard, and as being discussed in their respect threads over on the TV and HDTV Programming forum, the USA Network has officially cancelled both these series, leaving fans with no resolution to either series. What's worse is it looks like the cable network has no interest in providing fans closure, whether that be in a form of a mini-series or a TV movie. But there's a slim chance that either another network might pick them up or they may go the direct-to-DVD route (ala "Futurama" and "Stargate SG-1").

This may be the only chance to get these series resolved. As I mentioned on the thread discussion for the fourth season of "The 4400", one way to contact CBS/Paramount is through CBS' online store. If anyone has any additional contact feedback for CBS/Paramount or Lionsgate, which handles "The Dead Zone", please post back in this thread and the current discussion threads for these two series on the TV and HDTV Programming forum.

These two are a perfect fit for producing original content for the DVD market. USA Network is making a grave mistake by canceling these sci-fi genre series and not allowing closure for loyal fans who've been watching from the very beginning or that have been introduced via DVD.

[Elena S]

I agree that this kind of thing is done too often to viewers. A prime example would be the show "Reunion," which was a murder mystery, cancelled before the killer was revealed. Unfortunately the rest of the season wasn't filmed so it couldn't continue after the cancellation. Stupid, stupid move on the part of the network that canceled it. A better solution would have been to let the show play out its entire first season or film the remaining episodes for DVD.

[Corey3rd]

if there was enough of an international market to buy the new episodes, it would make perfect sense to go straight to DVD in America. But it's too much of a risk to put up a budget without having upfront payments.

The sad thought is that both of these shows could have easily found a new home on a different cable channel - except that's the Sci-Fi Channel, owned by NBC Universal.

The best thing is for the folks behind each show to just write books that wrap up the show. if the novels sell well enough, they'll create movies based on them.

[TravisR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elena S

Stupid, stupid move on the part of the network that canceled it. A better solution would have been to let the show play out its entire first season or film the remaining episodes for DVD.

I completely understand that you want to see a resolution to the story but if the ratings were low enough to cancel the show, why would they spend more money on producing more episodes for a DVD that would not sell very well?

EDIT: To clarify, I'm talking about Reunion. The sci-fi/cult status of The Dead Zone and The 4400 would probably make a two hour wrap up movie something that would be profitable.