. . .Fox is playing games again. . .'Prison Break' might just have a 2 hour finale. . .
. . .last season for 'MadTV'. . .
Report: FOX May Break Up with 'Prison Break'
Trade paper says a two-hour series finale may be shot
Have the expert escapees of "Prison Break" broken into and out of their last hoosegow?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show's cast has been told that two additional episodes may be shot after production ends on the series' midseason finale. The trade paper speculates that those two episodes could be a resolution to the fourth year drama.
"Prison Break" began production this week on what was intended to be its fall finale. That episode, set to air on Dec. 22, would be Episode 16 out of a 22 episode order for the season. FOX's disorienting midseason schedule, unveiled last week, said only that the remaining six episodes would be scheduled in the future.
The Hollywood Reporter story doesn't say for sure that the two extra hours would be a series conclusion (it uses the words "speculation is" ) and it notes that FOX hasn't committed to air the additional episodes at all. That means that the two hours, should they exist at all, might be a DVD bonus, or a two-hour telefilm aired next spring or fall. And it may, in fact, all be just "speculation."
One thing that isn't speculation is that ratings for "Prison Break" have dropped every season since its first. After averaging an already disappointing 8.2 million viewers last year, "Prison Break" has averaged only 6.4 million viewers through its first eight airings of this season. . .
'MADtv' Ending on FOX
Saturday comedy will end after 14 seasons and 326 episodes
FOX formally announced on Thursday (Nov. 13) that this will be the final season for "MADtv" on the network.
Currently airing in its 14th season as a late-night alternative to NBC's "Saturday Night Live," "MADtv" will end its run with its 326th episode, airing in May 2009.
"'MADtv' has been one of the longest running series in recent television history," says FOX Entertainment President Kevin Reilly in a network statement. "The fact that this Emmy Award-winning show has been a FOX mainstay in late-night for 14 years is a testament to the creativity and dedication put forth each week by the talented cast, writers and crew. This was a very difficult decision and we would like to give our heartfelt thanks to everyone at 'MADtv' for making us laugh for over 300 irreverent episodes."
Since it launched in the fall of 1995, "MADtv" had won four Emmys and picked up 41 nominations. In its run, "MADtv" has served as a launching pad for comedic talents including Michael McDonald, Alex Borstein, Orlando Jones, Mo Collins, Debra Wilson, Frank Caliendo, Artie Lange, Nicole Sullivan, Will Sasso, Stephnie Weir and Aries Spears.
"Fifteen years ago, 'MADtv' was sold to FOX as a multicultural wall-to-wall pop culture parody series, and now it resonates more than ever given our changing nation," says series executive producer David Salzman. "We thank everyone at FOX for believing in 'MADtv' for an unprecedented 326 episodes, and particularly applaud the artistry and passion of the most gifted cast, writers and production team anywhere. We hope that the great interest in this show allows it to carry on in the years ahead."
For its season, "MADtv" has averaged 2.7 million viewers per week. That figure is stable from last year, prompting speculation that producers may shop the property to cable.
"MADtv" is the second long-running FOX comedy reaching the end of its run. It was revealed late last month that "King of the Hill" will stop production after its 13th season.
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I reject your reality and substitute my own!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2008 02:00PM by NewtonMP2100.
