CANCELLATION ALERT!

False Start for NBC's Heroes: Origins

Fears of a writers strike may have already contributed to a decision NBC made Wednesday to pull the highly anticipated spinoff miniseries of its hit "Heroes" from a midseason launch.

NBC declined comment, but "Heroes: Origins" is not going to get its six-episode run, which was expected to start as early as late April. While the network hasn't officially canceled the spinoff, producers of the series have been given no indication of when it might get a spot on the schedule.

Sources indicated "Origins" may be just the first of many projects lined up at the broadcast networks in 2008 that will get downgraded as a result of the potential strike, which could severely affect the TV industry. Budget allocations made months ago for a range of scripted programs, many of which will not be feasible without sidelined writers, will likely be reconsidered and potentially shifted to strike-proof material like reality and news programs.

"Origins" had been highly touted as a midseason addition since NBC's upfront in May, when then-entertainment president Kevin Reilly envisioned spelling "Heroes" when it took a late-season hiatus. The network had been promoting "Origins" well in advance of its premiere, noting the enlistment of such top directors as Kevin Smith and Eli Roth to write and direct select episodes.

However, it is also possible that NBC, now under the creative direction of Ben Silverman, may have seen its enthusiasm diminish for an expansion of the "Heroes" franchise given a pronounced ratings drop-off in recent weeks for the flagship series.

It is unclear at what stage "Origins" was in the preproduction process, though it is unlikely scripts had been completed.

Heroes has been doing pretty terrible in ratings lately so this doesn't surprise me. What sucks though is that the spinoff series might have done better because it wouldn't be the exact same thing as season 2, which happens to be the exact same thing as season 1 for the most part in terms of plot devices. (Claire tells one person in school about her power, paintings which tell the future, Hiro off on an adventure in the past, Peter sees the future and knows it is doomed, etc.) I love this show, but it's been really boring this season I'm afraid.. the writers really better bring it soon, because the general public is starting to let go of the show.

I'm pretty positive it's Mohinder. Also; tazer because he got one from Bob and the line is jagged and white.

Are you talking about the smoke from the gun??

I never saw the point in Heroes Origins anyway. We already saw their origins. Or are they adding new heroes? In that case, who cares?

Heroes Origins was a gimmicky little thing where they were going to introduce like ten new heroes or w/e and the public would vote on which makes it to the main show. Sort of lame that it's getting dropped because it'd probably generate some unique new powers and some interesting episodes but really it doesn't bother me that much.

I actually thought that 7/8 was Nathan when they showed it in the show but looking at the still image I agree that it's Mohinder.

I thought Origins would follow, like, the first people with powers. Or follow the older generation when they first got their powers (Godsend Society: Sulu, Mrs. Petrelli, etc.). But it was just a gimmick, meh, no-lose.

The problem is that Heroes is going really generic really fast. We're already seeing pretty much a remake of Season 1. Only this time instead of a nuke it's a virus.

Heroes was boring at the start of Season 1. Now it's boring at the start of Season 2, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I swear to god I think Alejandro is the worst fucking character in this show. It's like he always gets Maya and himself in some kind of trouble! I hope he dies very early in this season (season 2).

He's the reason that they met the guy with the car, that led to the encounter with Sylar. His stupidity is helping evil! I hate him much worse than Sylar. :D

The cockroaches are just Sylar's trademark. Not like he puts them their after he kills his victims, but like symbolic.




EDIT: Something's been bothering me about Peter and I just found out what it was. Peter still has all his powers, but he can't control them properly, so why isn't he battling to keep from exploding again?

next episode looks like it'll be pretty interesting ;)

Excellent, excellent episode. I forgot to tape it last night so I spent all morning looking for a copy online but it was worth the wait. I had always expected Kensei to be Adam/the Bad Guy. Also Mohinder got a gun (not a tazer I guess!), Noah is betrayed, Matt got cooler powers, Hiro's back (yay!), and no Mexicans.

Something's been bothering me about Peter and I just found out what it was. Peter still has all his powers, but he can't control them properly, so why isn't he battling to keep from exploding again?

I bet Monhinder kills Noah, he's pretty pissed off at him now.

Finally Hiro's storyline actually matters. Although now we can see that it was just a glorified seven-episode introduction of the villain.

And Matt and Noah have been fighting over who's my favorite character- after this episode Matt definitely- and deservingly- takes the stop.

Yeah. Noah WAS mine, but all of a sudden.... Those words.... 'He's gotten sloppy.' I thought he was like this genius guy but now not anymore! Hiro, Nathan, and Matt are my home dogs.