Though NBC has axed Southland before its second season could premiere, the producers aren’t giving up on it. They just need to find the drama a new home.
If you weren’t watching last season, Southland revolves around a bunch of cops on the LAPD. Armed with their experience and firearms, they take on all manners of problems on the streets of Los Angeles. The series stars an ensemble of both new faces and TV veterans like Benjamin McKenzie, Kevin Alejandro, Arija Bareikis, Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, Emily Bergl, Patrick Fischler, Lex Medlin, C. Thomas Howell, Emily Swallow, Carla Jeffery, Lori Alan, and Roxana Brusso.
Southland made a decent debut last season but viewership cooled as the season progressed. NBC renewed it for a second season even though the programmers knew they didn’t have an appropriate place for it on the schedule. After looking at some of the second season episodes, the network execs decided they were too dark for network TV and pulled the plug. Executive Producer John Wells pledged to shop the series to other outlets.
According to the LA Times, Southland was pitched to A&E but they passed on it. The cable channel runs its own dark dramas but is partially owned by NBC so there could be political reasons. It’s a similar situation for USA though Southland’s much darker than their usual programming like Psych and Monk.
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A move to FX would have the opposite problem. While the cable channel runs its own gritty programming, FX shows go much further than Southland. AMC could be an alternative but they tend to run more artistic original programming like Mad Men. Pay channels like HBO and Showtime favor shows with offbeat premises and likely wouldn’t touch a network’s castoffs.
Most agree that TNT is Southland’s best chance at a second life. Warner Bros. TV produces the cop drama and TNT is owned by Turner. Both fall under the Time Warner corporate umbrella.
THR is reporting that TNT and Warner have held discussions and that they are “advancing.” In a statement, TNT said, “We continually look at all programming opportunities that fit our portfolio of brands.”
Though any channel is reluctant to take another’s leftovers, the acquisition could make sense for TNT. They regularly air original cop-based programming like Saving Grace (which was recently cancelled). The channel’s most recent offering, Dark Blue, hasn’t been a big success and its fate hangs in the balance. TNT could opt to replace Dark Blue with Southland which already has some viewer recognition and has attracted some decent press.
TNT could also likely get a good deal on the series. Six episodes have already been shot and paid for so Warners would likely offer the cable channel a discount on the 13 episode season.
If they took the deal, TNT would be a hero to Southland fans but it remains to be seen if that would translate into real numbers. Fans have worked to get shows renewed in the past but only a percentage have shown up to watch the fruits of their labor.
What do you think? Would you follow Southland to TNT?
I hope TNT pick Southland.
I will Follow Southland to any channel they move to. Guaranteed!
Once again, NBC cancels a great show and advertises shows like “Trauma” and “Mercy” which are complete crap. I hope TNT does the right thing. The only thing NBC has going for it is “The Office” and “30 Rock”. “Heros” needs to get a better storyline.
Yes I would be elated to see it on TNT and would turn in to watch. What a great production and cast. Boo to NBC!
Yes. I was looking forward to it’s return. NBC needs to fire all the people making their programing decisions and rebuild what used to be a functioning network.
I LOVED SOUTHLAND AND WOULD FOLLOW IT ANYWHERE! I have been waiting to hear about the new season and was heartbroken when I found out it was cancelled. TNT, SAVE THIS SHOW!
Fantastic show—I would watch wherever it lands.
NBC should just fire Connan, pay him off, and put Leno where he belongs on The Tonight Show.
I read where NBC has less original programming now than FOX, and that’s sad.
Southland going to TNT sounds great, but the show should be on FX. At least the dialogue won’t be bleeped like on NBC.
Absolutely would watch Southland on TNT. Was one of the best things on network TV in a while. Seems like every time we find something good the short-sighted networks guys cancel it. Sigh…
I loved the first season of Southland! One of the very few shows that I find worth watching and I would certainly follow it to TNT or anywhere. A great show in my book!
I would ABSOLUTELY follow SOUTHLAND to TNT……please please pleaseeeeee
I have been waiting for the show to return since the season finale in May! I will be so upset if TNT doesn’t pick up the show. NBC will regret giving Jay Leno the 9pm central slot Monday-Friday. Southland isn’t appropriate to show at an ealier time, and now they have to pass on the seies to show yet ANOTHER late night talk show.
I most certainly would follow Southland to TNT. I didn’t start with the beginning of the series, but got in toward the end and was sorry I missed the others. I had been looking forward to the new season. If it goes to TNT and I can’t pick it up right away, I would hope that it would be on the On Demand – TV Entertainment so we wouldn’t miss any of the shows. I thought it was an excellent and pretty realistic cop drama. Fast paced and interesting content not without humor. Hope TNT picks it up.
P. Hooper
yes i would love that show.NBC just sucks they have no good shows anymore when they do have a good show it dont last long like LIFE AND MY OWN WORST EM.and now Southland
they love jay leno to much but everyone knows he sucks.who wants to watch a talk show at 10
Fox is getting to be like Nbc too.No more good shows after prison break and Terimator went off i have not watched a thing on fox..Looks like i will do the same with nbc when heros and trauma are gone.
I WILL BE THRILLED IF SOUTHLAND RUNS ON TNT.