Power to the people
Behold the power of TV fans. Less than three days after NBC cancelled its time-travelling drama Timeless, the network reinstated it — in large part, it seems, because the show’s regular viewers cried foul.
Granted, NBC and producer Sony Pictures TV faced tough negotiations, notes Deadline. And Timeless was a bubble show — one that could just as easily be cancelled or renewed based on ratings, behind-the-scenes dealings and other considerations.
But fans were the deciding factor in Timeless’s fate, network chairman Robert Greenblatt explained to reporters on the weekend. As he told it, he and NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke were distraught last Wednesday when they told show creators Shawn Ryan and Eric Kripke that the series was done.
“And then we woke up the next morning, heard the outcry (from fans),” Greenblatt said. “We went back to the drawing board, with our partners at Sony, and we found a way to bring it back. It’s extraordinarily well produced and deserved to come back.”
A 10-episode second season of Timeless will air sometime next year.
“So huge thanks to @nbc for supporting us,” tweeted Kripke. “And THANKS for the fan support. It’s a MAJOR reason we’re back. It worked, guys!”
Celebrity fans also expressed their support for the series. Saturday Night Live star Leslie Jones, who spoke about her love for Timeless in a Weekend Update segment, tweeted, “I see they made the right decision to bring my show back damnit.” To which Kripke replied, “You are SO going to guest star in Season 2.”
Kripke also tweeted a direct message he received from William Shatner that read: “Krispy!!! Amazing news! That last time that happened at NBC could have been Star Trek!”
Timeless stars Abigail Spencer, Malcolm Barrett and Matt Lanter as a trio who try to stop a former NSA asset from altering the course of American history through time travel.