Barbee: CBS Looking At Big 'Jericho' Picture

Eight episodes would not be a miniseries, showrunner says

By MICHAEL HINMAN Jun-5-2007

Fans shouldn't be angry about the rumored eight-episode order that CBS is going to give "Jericho," because that's just the beginning, said showrunner Carol Barbee.

"The idea would not be to bring it for eight and out, but to bring it back for eight with the hope that it would keep going," Barbee told the Los Angeles Times following reports first made by TV Guide's Michael Ausiello that CBS intended to bring back 'Jericho' for mid-season. "They're making deals with the actors, and there's other logistical stuff to work out, too."

One of the roadblocks is the fact that the new series "Swingtown" is scheduled to take over the sets that were vacated by "Jericho," and it appears that it will take a bit of scheduling finesse to work out how the two shows will share, Barbee told the newspaper.

In the meantime, the Internet has exploded with both jubilee and reserved judgment from fans upon hearing the still unconfirmed reports that the post-apocalyptic drama will return.

"All the high-fives and slapping on the back is great, but it doesn't mean anything," one poster by the name of Quad96051 wrote on the official "Jericho" message boards. "The rumors have no impact but raising morale and hope. I hope CBS makes an announcement in 24 hours or less. I don't want to be set up for another disappointment."

"Well, we have overcome what looked like to me was going to be an impossible feat," said another poster named Brendan, referring to the campaign members as "Rangers."

"This is a major accomplishment to all Rangers and deserves congratulations," he said. "However, this does not mean our fight is over. When the show is renewed, the CBS execs will want this top be the top show on the market. If not, we will only get the eight episodes and no more."

Many of the actors on the show have been providing encouragement to fans as they continued their campaign that started just before Memorial Day weekend in the United States.

"Truly your support and passion for 'Jericho' is very humbling," said Lennie James, who played the mysterious Hawkins. "You have stood up when all around you, including myself, gave up. You have reminded all of us involved in this rarefied world of making TV just who we are making it for."

Skeet Ulrich, who played Jake Green, said that if he hosted a party to thank the fans for their efforts, the deck at his house would collapse.

"I have been fortunate to tell many stories in my career, but none has created the kind of discussions that this story has," Ulrich said in a post. "Whether it was us in the lunchroom or people we would meet at events or people at the grocery store, invariably the discussion would turn to things much larger than the show, much more pertinent. And to me, that is a success."

CBS has yet to confirm any of these reports, so it should continue to be treated as rumor.

About the Author: Michael Hinman is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha and the entire BlipNetwork. He owns Quantum Global Media Inc., the parent corporation of the BlipNetwork. He's a print journalist by day, and lives in Tampa, Fla.
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