Yesterday one entertainment site claimed to have information that Warehouse 13 was being renewed for another season. Although Syfy didn’t respond to our requests for information, we were nevertheless pleased and hopeful. Then came today’s report from the same site – Eureka was being renewed for a “final six episodes” – NOOOOO!!!! But that is just the beginning of the story.
First, here’s the report about Warehouse 13 from Deadline:
I hear Syfy is finalizing a deal to renew Warehouse 13 for a fourth season. No surprise here — Warehouse 13 remains Syfy‘s flagship scripted series, most recently drawing 2 million viewers.
Along those same lines, Syfy‘s press release headline today was this: “Powered by New Monday Scripted Programming Block, Syfy Rises 8% Among Total Viewers in July Prime” but its subtitle was “Alphas and Warehouse 13 Premieres Grab 3.6 Million Viewers Each Based on Live +7 DVR”. Eureka‘s number was 2.8 million. So, were they giving a basis for a final farewell to Eureka?
Could be. Here’s today’s Deadline report about Eureka, which has apparently — but maybe not — well, you’ll see:
Syfy‘s Eureka will be coming to an end. I’ve learned that the cable network is close to ordering six more episodes, which will mark the end of the sci-fi series starring Collin (sic) Ferguson and Salli Richardson-Whitfield. Syfy is currently airing Season 4.5 of Eureka, while the show is filming the 13 episodes from Season 5. I hear filming is expected to wrap as planned at the end of the month, with the cast and crew coming back in October to shoot the final six episodes.
But wait! Within a few hours, the following came out from EW:
In a statement issued to EW, Mark Stern, president of programing at Syfy, says: “[Producers] Bruce Miller and Jaime Paglia have brought a creative vitality to Eureka that has kept it fresh and inventive. Although we do not have a commitment beyond six episodes for the sixth season, we are hopeful that this will not be the end of the franchise.”
EW interprets this as meaning that Syfy is taking issue with Deadline‘s report that it will be the final six, but also points out the use of the word “franchise” instead of “show” or “series.”
Adding to the confusion, Colin Ferguson tweeted this:
colinferg Colin Ferguson
This is gonna be a great ending to a show that changed my life. I’m grateful, humbled and appreciative and will never forget it. Luv u guys.
Which sounds like a confirmation, right? But in this world of people learning their professional fates online, he only knew what he read in that same website post:
It wouldn’t be the first time that such a thing has happened; SGU‘s cast found out about their cancellation from entertainment news tweets.
But maybe the primary cast is ready to have an end in sight. When I spoke with Colin Ferguson and Salli Richardson-Whitfield last month, Colin brought up the longevity of the show out-of-the-blue. We were talking about Comic-Con, and suddenly this happened:
Colin Ferguson: And what do you feel, Sal? What do you want to call it a day?
What?!! Where did that come from? Either he forgot what I asked or he was just dying to talk about this. It went on like this:
Salli Richardson-Whitfield: You know, it’s such a hard thing. I can’t see it going on. You know, I don’t think we’re going to be there for 15 years…
Colin Ferguson: Right.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield: …but I think that maybe one more after this. I don’t know.
Colin Ferguson: Yeah.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield: But I didn’t think I’d be here this long, but…
Colin Ferguson: No, exactly. It’s not in our court at all. It’s always the network, but it’s been so great and it’s been such a special experience for us and now that we’re doing the main ballroom at Comic-Con it’s really nice. It’s been a great journey and there are a lot of really good memories for us, and that’s…
Salli Richardson-Whitfield: Yeah.
Colin Ferguson: …going to be one of them.
Of course, they were nearing the end of a rigorous shooting schedule in Canada, and may have just been feeling the strain. Who knows. A friend of mine said he thinks that in most cases it’s hard for sci-fi shows to sustain a high level of quality after five seasons. But he’s a Doctor Who fan, so there’s at least one exception to that rule. I’m hoping Eureka is another.
Like I said, who knows. We’ll keep you posted as official (and hopefully crystal clear) word is given about the fate of Syfy‘s summer scripted shows.
Eureka airs Mondays at 8/7c, followed by Warehouse 13 at 9/8c, both on Syfy.
