Search for TV Listings, Movies, Celebrities, Photos & More
| | |
Home > News & Views Home > TV Guide News
TV Guide News

In This Section

TV Guide Spotlight

Also on TVGuide.com
« TV Guide News Report

Heroes Spin-off Canceled by NBC

071101heroes.jpg
Dania Ramirez, Zachary Quinto and Shalim Ortiz in Heroes by Chris Haston/NBC Photo
NBC has pulled the plug on Heroes: Origins, the Heroes spin-off that was slated to run next April. The network declined comment, but sources said the possible strike by the Writers Guild of America — which could happen after the guild's contract expires midnight Thursday — played a role in the decision.

"Looking at everything in context of the strike, we’re evaluating all of our production commitments," said one insider. "Scripts haven’t been written yet."

Origins was designed to provide fans with six episodes of a fresh Heroes-related show in place of repeats in the spring. If the labor situation changes quickly, the network could revisit the decision to scrap the show. — Reporting by Stephen Battaglio

Leave a Comment
TVGuide Links:
Posted by TV Guide News
Oct 31, 2007 8:28 PM
Isn't another possibility the fact that the mothership series really hasn't been performing that stellar in the ratings this year? I mean, its ratings are still far from bad in the key demos, but compared to last year its literally lost millions of viewers.

I haven't really heard much reporting on this, which is odd, since when Lost lost (pardon the pun) viewers last spring that was a lot of analysis on what the producers were doing wrong with the show. I think the general consensus among fans and critics alike this year however is that Heroes is hitting a bit of a sophomore slump (following last season's anticlimactic finale) and the ratings are reflecting this.

Regardless of this opinion, I'm curious why if they were going to cancel the series because of the strike, why not just wait until tomorrow night, when we'll all know if there's a strike or not? Wouldn't that make a lot more sense than to cancel it literally the week before a decision is made? (Though I'm the first to admit the network exec mind is a complicated thing.)

That said, with the ratings in mind, personally I think that regardless of the strike we won't be seeing the spinoff any time soon. But just my opinion.
Posted by HuskyLives
Oct 31, 2007 9:41 PM
Oh *searches for sincerity but fails miserably* darn... Can they cancel Ben Silverman?
Posted by scoobysnacks
Oct 31, 2007 10:22 PM
This writer's strike seems to be affecting more than just their wages....
Posted by Marcus Dixon
Oct 31, 2007 10:28 PM
i was kinda looking forward to origins so i hope they dont scrap it!!
Posted by jppuertorico85
Nov 1, 2007 10:01 AM
That really bites. I was looking forward to this show... and I know others were as well.
Posted by bantling14
Nov 1, 2007 11:35 AM
Yeah. Like I was looking forward to learning the Secret Origin of Alejandro. No big loss. Let's concentrate on making the real show great again, please?
Posted by achyfakey
Nov 1, 2007 11:49 AM
People have already complained about too many new characters so a spin-off designed to add another may have played a factor in the decision too.
Posted by wildbill
Nov 1, 2007 12:13 PM
well isnt this typical? the only show I was REALLY looking forward to has been scrapped. awesome. great. :|
Posted by blueseed1
Nov 1, 2007 12:39 PM
Thank God for small blessings. The 2nd season of Heroes has added too many characters--many of whom are annoying or boring--and it's getting harder to keep the subplots straight. I can only think that a Heros spinoff would be another mess.
Posted by mspixel
Nov 1, 2007 3:07 PM
They have their best possible excuse built in so that they don't have to discuss the fact that "Heroes" has been a whimpering dud this year. This decision has to do as much with their dwindling viewership as it does with looming strike. This show has gotten considerably worse this year. I bet Brian Fuller is happy he left this mess for "Pushing Daisies". The world is thankful to him for that move as well!
Posted by bhm1304
Nov 1, 2007 4:48 PM
Oh please bring it back! As a huge fangirl of the show this breaks my heart.
Posted by tardisbunny
Nov 3, 2007 11:49 PM
How can anyone fathom canceling this show? Millions of viewers are addicted to this, it just might cause a viewer strike...
Posted by hollywababy
Dec 18, 2007 12:12 AM
Advertisement