Alias - not being picked up next season...Could be...

[Hand of Evil]

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/news_brief.html

ABC announced pickups of several series for next year, but not its spy drama Alias, Zap2it reported. The network could make more announcements in advance of May's upfront presentation to advertisers.

 

[Assenpfeffer]

What this really says is that ABC hasn't announced Alias' renewal yet. In a sane world, that would mean exactly that - it hasn't been announced yet.

However, given that Alias is about the only decent thing on the Big 4 Networks, I'm sure it will be cancelled.

 

[Shalimar]

Angel and The X-Files veteran writer/producer Jeffrey Bell will join ABC's Alias next season as part of his new two-year, seven-figure overall pact with Touchstone Television, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Bell will be a writer and co-executive producer, and his deal calls for him to be upped to executive producer in the 2005-'06 season.

I don't think that its going to be cancelled if they are already planning its 2005/2006 season.

 

[John Crichton]

I would be shocked if Alias doesn't come back for a fourth season. Jennifer Garner confirmed that plans are already being made for season 4 including guest stars and new characters.

 

[Psychotic Dreamer]

I think it's a case of ABC just being evil and waiting to announce it.

 

[takyris]

I also think it's coming back, although I'm not sure I'm going to keep watching it. It's gotten sillier and sillier lately, and what used to be "okay, it's absurd, but put that aside and it's a great drama that doesn't take itself too seriously" has started, well, getting less great and taking itself too seriously. It's not off my Tivo list yet, but it's slipping.

 

[John Crichton]

I also think it's coming back, although I'm not sure I'm going to keep watching it. It's gotten sillier and sillier lately, and what used to be "okay, it's absurd, but put that aside and it's a great drama that doesn't take itself too seriously" has started, well, getting less great and taking itself too seriously. It's not off my Tivo list yet, but it's slipping.

Wow, I couldn't disagree more. It's not as shocking or fresh as it was when it first aired but it's one of the only genre shows (that I watch) left that delivers every week. I know when I turn it on that I will be enthralled for that hour. Some of the stuff is a little bit out there but not in a bad way. I wouldn't call it silly, but that's just me.

Edit: I think the show is coming full circle, with everything that is happening between Vaughn & Lauren. Add in the Sloan story coming to fruition, not to mention that the Rambaldi stuff is always cool and the show is still pumping on all cylinders. There are also signs that there is another big shake up on the way. Probably around the season finale. Nothing stays static too long on the show except the core relationships of Jack & Syd and Syd & Vaughn.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I also think it's coming back, although I'm not sure I'm going to keep watching it.

I never got into Alias - if I see an episode, it's usually because it happens to be on while I'm in the room.

But I watched some of an episode this week, and was struck with the thought that Kevin Weisman (Flinkman) would make a decent Miles Vorkosigan...

He's a little old for The Warrior's Apprentice... but even then, it's noted that people often overestimate Miles' age...

-Hyp.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Hey, I have seen more good TV killed than bad (maybe because I watch good TV) when everything said a show was coming back. Last minute changes, contracts, just stupid decissions.

I do think it will be back but I wonder if it will not be moved, say to Monday before Football.

 

[LightPhoenix]

While I don't watch the show, I have several friends that say it's a great show and I'm willing to believe them. I would be more surprised if it wasn't back than if it was. And Garner is just cute, saw her on Leno last night...

Cuteness aside though, the cast and crew can plan and plot for multiple seasons all they want, but that doesn't mean the network will give them another year. It's just that plans for future seasons need to start early so there can be a tight production schedule. Even hiring on new people and promising multiple seasons, I'm sure there's a clause in the contract that says ABC has the right to pull the plug whenever they want. Nothing is written in stone until the network says there will be more seasons, and not even then is it guaranteed.