Strike one for the Catholic Church’s eternal battle against the forces of evil — Fox has renewed “The Exorcist” for a second season!
And that’s not the only good news that came out in the last couple of days, but it was really touch-and-go for this surprisingly excellent series. As you may recall, I thought the updated TV interpretation of William Peter Blatty’s classic 1970s book and movie started out well and ended with a bang.
It came down to the wire — the broadcast networks announce their new fall schedules next week in New York — but we’re keeping Old Scratch on the run.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
The Exorcist had also been somewhat on the bubble after its 10-episode first year run. However, the Friday night fright fest had enough time during its short-order run to build a solid buzz if not a decent viewership a, collecting 5.5 million total viewers and a 1.2 in the demo.
Produced in-house by 20th Century Fox Television, the series based on the feature of the same name will be back as Fox hopes the IP can build buzz and breakout with a second run. The description for season two teases “a new chapter of the iconic franchise.”
In cable news, one of my favorite shows, USA’s “Psych,” is also coming back for a “holiday” — Christmas, not National Pineapple Day, in case you were wondering — movie, called, in a burst of imagination, “Psych: The Movie.”
The series ended in Spring 2014 after eight seasons, but it looks like they’re getting the band back together. “Psych” creator Steve Franks will direct the movie, co-written with star James Roday. It starts production in late May to air in December.
In “Psych: The Movie,” fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and his best friend, Burton “Gus” Guster (Dulé Hill), will team up once again. Lassiter (Timothy Omundson), Juliet (Maggie Lawson), Henry (Corbin Bernsen) and Chief Vick (Kirsten Nelson) will also return for the movie, which picks up three years after the series finale. The friends, along with some returning fan-favorite characters, come together during the holidays after a mystery assailant targets one of their own.
“‘Psych’ is a beloved part of our USA family, and what better time to reunite with family than the holidays.” said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “Steve and James have taken the unique brand of comedy that the series honed over eight seasons and packed it in to a two-hour movie that successfully rekindles one of the greatest bro-mances in television history.”
“‘Psych’ has an absolutely phenomenal and constantly refreshing fan base. We couldn’t be more thrilled to gift our Psych-os this holiday season with ‘Psych: The Movie,’” added Jeff Wachtel, Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, and President, Universal Cable Productions. “Steve, James, Dulé and the rest of the gang are all returning for a delightful holiday movie that will not – nay, dare not – disappoint!”
And in possibly the best news yet, ABC has axed “The Real O’Neals” after two seasons. Loosely based on the life of gay sex columnist Dan Savage, its initial anti-Catholic tone was reportedly somewhat toned down after vociferous complaints.
From Deadline.com:
ABC has canceled sophomore comedy The Real O’Neals. The family comedy showed enough promise in its midseason launch last spring to get a second season but has delivered disappointing ratings in its second year. Due to its sluggish ratings, The Real O’Neals only a three-episode back order.
On the other hand, this cancellation frees up Jay Ferguson to appear in the CBS pilot, “Living Biblically,” if it goes to series.
UPDATE: The pilot has indeed been ordered to series, only now it’s called “By the Book,” and will co-star David Krumholtz (“Numb3rs”).
Produced by “Big Bang Theory” star Johnny Galecki, it’s based on A.J. Jacobs’ bestselling book, “The Year of Living Biblically,” in which an agnostic Jewish man tries to live by all of the tenets of the Bible, in particular the Old Testament. The book isn’t overtly hostile to faith, but God only knows what the pilot, or possible series, will be like.
As always, I hold out little hope, while hoping to be pleasantly surprised (as I was by “The Exorcist” and “The Young Pope”).
But, CBS has renewed the kinder Catholic-family comedy “Kevin Can Wait,” starring the very devout Kevin James.
Happy TV!
Image: Courtesy Fox/USA Network
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