John from Cincinatti Cancelled

The Hollywood Reporter says HBO has declined to order a second season of David Milch's surfing apocalypse drama... which, off the top of my head, is the first time HBO has failed to give a second run to one of its hourlong dramas. (Can anyone think of another example?)

Anyway, Milch is currently in the process of developing several new projects for HBO. No word on those Deadwood movies, but my hunch is that they're a pipe dream.

What is John from Cincinnati About?

“I don’t know what it’s about. I don’t know the bottom line,” “John From Cincinnati” mastermind David Milch told Craig Ferguson Thursday night. “But if God were trying to reach out to us, and if he felt a certain urgency about it: That’s what it’s about.”

And why, pray tell, would He feel a certain urgency? For the traditional reasons, one expects (and hopes).

The second season, if it materializes, should be very interesting.

Ferguson also asked him if there would be more Deadwood. Last week, new HBO original programming chief Richard Plepler told those assembled for HBO's TCA presentation that it was "50/50" -- and he wasn't even sure Milch wanted to do it. Which was obviously bullshit. He's not sure *he* wants to do it, because it's something his predecessor (Chris Albrecht) committed to.

"Will there be more “Deadwood”?

“One hopes,” Milch told Ferguson and his CBS late-night audience. “It’s kind of a fluid situation over [at HBO] right now.”

No shit.

Hat tip: Aint It Cool News

Deadwood Movies & Other HBO Notes

Notes of interest from last week's HBO presentation to the television critics association.

In the wake of original programming chief Chris Albrecht's departure (amid allegations that he beat the crap out of his girlfriend in Vegas), HBO is waffling on its promise of delivering closure to Deadwood fans in the form of a pair of original movies, which were to shoot late this summer for an early 2008 premiere.

[HBO co-president Richard] Plepler put the odds for greenlighting a film at "50-50," citing the fact that members of the cast are committed to other projects and the willingness of the series' creator, David Milch, to pursue it.

"If David is game for this and we can figure it out, we'll figure it out," [HBO co-president Michael] Lombardo said.

Those cocksuckers-by-choice. I knew they were gonna pull this shit.

Another factor that will play a part in resuming production in "Deadwood" will be the fate of Milch's new series, "John From Cincinnati," which Plepler spoke supportively of but stopped short of a renewal announcement.

"The show is really finding an audience, and the audience is staying consistent," he said. "I think it's important to see where it goes, where David takes us, and we'll make that decision at the end of the season."

If the show--which I think is absolutely brilliant (though still not a substitute for a proper Deadwood Season 4)--was doing *that* well, they would've renewed it already, as they've done in the past with other series.

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Meanwhile, HBO announced that the Extras Christmas Special (a one hour episode that will serve as the series finale) is currently shooting. HBO will also likely air a Ricky Gervais stand-up special (he's been on tour for months--mostly in the UK).

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Finally, HBO has commissioned a spin-off of sorts to Little Britain.

HBO has handed out a six-episode order to "Britain" stars Matt Lucas and David Walliams. In the original series, the two play a variety of recurring characters in sketches that spoof contemporary life in the U.K.

"The new series will be a sketch show set in contemporary America," Walliams said. "We are taking some existing characters and writing new material for them, as well as introducing new characters and ideas."

The HBO series, which will be filmed in the fall for a 2008 debut, will be produced by HBO Entertainment in association with 19 Entertainment and MBST and Little Britain. Fuller is executive producing with Larry Brezner, David Steinberg, Lucas and Walliams.

John from Cincinnati

This is what they cancelled Deadwood for? The best series of the last 15, maybe even 20 years?

Cocksuckers.

I recognized a few of the names on the writing staff -- Ted Mann, for example. Meh. He's done some good work -- mostly cop-show related, obviously, but some magic realism, too (first season of Millennium, which was pretty good stuff).

Bill Clark, from NYPD Blue, is also back on board with Milch (though he wasn't involved with Deadwood).

I'm definitely disappointed not to see more Deadwood names on the staff, both writers and directors.

I hated Rebecca DeMornay--Tough and ornery broads are fine, but where's the charm that induces us to like and root for her despite her leathery, reptillian demeanor?

"Fuck all of you -- I wish I was a tree!" --Trixie, Deadwood.

Actually, It's too bad they couldn't get Paula Malcolmson for this. (Maybe she's too young -- But someone who could do what she did so well, anyway. Instead, they went for a name. Well, sort of a name.)

Deadwood was unusual for Milch because it had so many strong, incredibly interesting female characters (and, btw, female writers, such as Elizabeth Sarnoff, now on Lost). Before Deadwood, the misogynist label followed his shows around (NYPD Blue), and I'm afraid this series will revert to form in that regard.

If that happens, it'll probably drive me off no matter how intriguing the magic realism element gets.