It's official: TNT picks up 'Southland'

"Southland" lives!

John Wells' gritty cop drama, unceremoniously canceled by NBC before its second season premiere, has been picked up by cable network TNT as many a TV insider expected.

TNT made the news official this  morning, announcing that it would air the first seven episodes (which aired earlier this year on NBC) as well as the six already-produced Season 2 episodes, which were completed before NBC decided not to bring the show back at all.

"Southland" will premiere on TNT on January 12.

Whether or not TNT will continue to produce new episodes beyond those that already exist will depend on how the show performs in the ratings. Also to be determined: Should the show's life get extended by the cable network, will Wells be able to turn it into the darker, riskier show he wasn't able to make for NBC?

-- Denise Martin

Comments

[Gordon]

TNT is doing neither the show's cast and crew nor the viewer any favors by picking up "Southland." This show isn't darker and grittier - it's just bad; a trite, hackneyed and sad portrayal of the LAPD by writers who seem to think the Chief is still Darryl Gates. NBC had good reasons to cancel "Southland" before it saw air this season: the ratings tanked after the first episode last season, and John Wells is a washed-up producer who hasn't had a success since "Third Watch" (I don't count "West Wing, since that was Aaron Sorkin's work.)

TNT's viewers are far more discerning than they're given credit for being by Warner Brothers. I'd wager there was a good bit of arm-twisting done by TNT's owners in order to find the show another home in order to (hopefully) recoup a lost investment. But the sad reality is that it's not TNT's style any more than Bruckheirmer's odious "Dark Blue" is. Maybe Spike would like to take a stab at it when it dies a second time on TNT.

[Justin S]

Hell yeah! Great cop show, such a relief from the 'dark blue's of the world. Closest thing network ever got to "The Shield". The writing is very current, and IMHO will prove timeless as well. Didn't take the bait and come off "anticop" like so many do, but showed real people trying to live up to superhuman standards in the less than ideal LAPD environment. Will definitely tune in. Tivo or else!

[slippy]

This is GREAT NEWS,we'll finally get to see more of the GREAT WORK of Michael Cudlitz as a gay cop

[VIXEN22]

What a pleasant surprise. NBC's gutless cancellation decision will be TNT's glory. The overall quality of this program is certainly equal to any of TNT's original series. Southland's edgy presentation values fit right in. For those of you who missed the initial airing, please do yourself a favor and watch when it re-airs on TNT...and no, I don't work for TNT. Working at an educational instituiton in N. Arizona.

[VIXEN22]

What a pleasant surprise. Southland fits right it with TNT's excellent series programming. The acting, writing and production values are well above average. NBC's gutless cancellation decision will be TNT's glory. I can only hope viewers tune in to ensure a continuation of the series. Looking forward its "premiere".

[Barnacle Bob]

Get off, Southland!! :-) Hopefully, TNT will be in the market for Dollhouse, too.

[Mark Mohr]

This is great news! Score another viewer for TNT.

[D]

fantastic news! this great show lives and hopefully it will prosper on TNT now that the leash is off.

[Priscilla]

I love this show and have been waiting for it to return. Thanks for the update!

[matthew]

To quote Professor Farnsworth from 'Futurama': "Good news, everyone!"

[Danforth]

Look forward to this show!

Anything will be better than Dark Blue, with lame ass, 5 o'clock shadow wearin poser Durmot McDurmot...

[jim calocci]

Is sombody surprised by TNT
NBC dumped a show,with an AUDIENCE,really???
Southland had viewers,imagine that
NBC stays with JAY AND KEVIN creative,THAT?