'Moonlight' is dead, for real this time

Like the final minutes of a vampire movie where you think the creature is dead until it lunges up for one last attack, online reports have kept making fans of the canceled CBS drama "Moonlight" jump out of their seats.

"Moonlight" might be picked up by the CW.

By TNT.

By DirecTV.

By ... anybody, dammit. Just give us more "Moonlight," more Alex O'Loughlin, more vomance!

Sorry, fans. Sources close to the show said Monday that all those last-ditch efforts to bring "Moonlight" back from its final resting place have now concluded. The sets have been dismantled. The stage is being taken over by CBS' upcoming drama "The Mentalist." The billowy shirts are packed up. It's done. 

Did the show ever stand a real chance of revival? Sure, sources say there was significant interest from various parties. Every option to keep the show alive was explored. But the math didn't compute. As with "Jericho," it's  tough to shrink a broadcast show's budget to fit a nonbroadcast network. The "Moonlight" ratings might have seemed ideal for another outlet, but there's no guarantee the same number of viewers would have followed the show to a new home.

So, yes, dearest "Moonlight" fans, for a while there, you kept the dream of "Moonlight" alive. And the dream really appreciates your time together. It learned so much and wouldn't trade those months for anything. But now the dream is looking for opportunities elsewhere and talking about you in the past tense. The dream has moved on, changed its Facebook relationship status to "single" and is politely yet firmly asking you to quit calling.

"Moonlight" is over you. Now it's time for you to move on, too.

UPDATE:  

Boy oh boy, “Moonlight” madness in the comments section!

To answer some of the recurring questions from below:

Yes, I was the first to break the news that cult fave “Moonlight” was canceled by CBS in May; this post is an update about the studios' much buzzed-about efforts to get the show picked up elsewhere.

Yes, I am certain those significant efforts have concluded and that the show is over. The sets, stage, etc., have very little to do with it, as some of the more informed readers suspected. I cannot tell you my sources. Check The Live Feed blog over the next couple weeks; I’ll update when I can provide more detail.

Yes, much of the post was in jest, please do not take it too seriously or, heaven forbid, personally. “Moonlight” fans have a very loyal and intense relationship with the show. The idea was to write as if the show itself broke up with its fans. I understand not everybody was amused. But the post was not meant to be mean. We all have our underrated favorites -- I cried into my Sierra Nevada over the recent cancellation of GSN’s “High Stakes Poker” – but … it’s only TV.

Comments

[Sherron Ostrander]

So is this a good thing or a bad thing for the future of the Canadian produced vampire show, Blood Ties, which is not going to be picked up for "season 3" by Lifetime?

[sherry]

I think it was a HUGE mistake not picking up MOONLIGHT

[Tami]

Thank god. And to paraphrase a character from a better vampire show, "Can we rest now, Moonlight fans? Can we rest?"

[Tami Graham]

Whose the source for this article, theres no name on it? Also what sources say its over, I mean if its over then they should at least come forward and say they are from Joel Silver Productions or WB since the viewers have worked so hard for this show. I think that whomever posted this needs to back it up. If those in the know really say its over then they should stand up and give their names in respect for their viewers.

Please provide more detail. Thanks.

[Deborah]

Sorry THR, until we hear it from Silver Productions, we WILL NOT MOVE ON! It just is not going to happen! We will continue the good fight! WE WANT MOONLIGHT!

[CanukMoonlighFan]

Who is your source for this article? You might want to get your facts straight. All Moonlight fans know that the sets have been taken down. They have been STORED since late May-Early June. And who cares if CBS is using the stage for another one of their shows? Moonnlight fans never wanted CBS to pick up Moonlight. They had their chance and they blew it.

You might want to do a little more research before you write about Moonlight again. Moonlight is currently the subject of a DirectTV poll - see the following link:(http://forums.moonlightline.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9676)
DirectTV is VERY interested in picking up Moonlight and is conducting a poll to determine how many people would switch. At last count, almost 1500 would switch in addition to the nearly 500 people who already have DirectTV.

So Moonlight is not dead. Its alive and kicking.

And please, if you insist on writing negative articles about Moonlight (with incorrect information, might I add) then please do us Moonlight fans the courtesy of leaving your fake sympathy out of the article. We don't need it.

[Natalie]

Sorry, but I'm not giving up on Moonlight!!!
It's not over!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Danielle]

So sick and tired of all vampire shows being staked! why is this happening? Buffy is over so is Angel! We Need More Vampire Television!
Shame on you Lifetime which I will never watch again and shame on you CBS you have lost me and I will never watch any of your shows again

[Natalie]

Sorry, but I'm not giving up on Moonlight!!!
It's not over!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Missy]

I can fully accept the fact that every avenue to bring back MoonLight in a FEATURE capacity may be dead.

Fine. Good.

What I won't accept is anyone talking to me - as a fan of MoonLight - as if i'm some love-torn tweenie.

Exactly how many blood drives/bone marrow registrations has the Hollywood Reporter organized lately...or ever? How about donating food to the L.A. food bank?

I hope the studios..the networks...the people that write about all of that...have a wonderful Fall season....watching their new shows......

I have a feeling you'll be the only ones...

My tv WILL BE DARK and all that lovely money paid by advertisers will be watched by one less person....who happens to have plenty of disposable income....

Peace.
M.

[Tami Graham]

Again lol? I believe an article on THR said it was dead everywhere in May 2008 so why are we talking about it again? Well, I'd like to hear who the sources were since I believe true sources should respect the viewers enough to tell us that it is over and give their names.

I am one of the many viewers who are fighting for this show because it was a refreshing piece of entertainment in a desert of reality and forumla television. I will not stop campaigning until someone at WB or Joel Silver Productions state that it is truly over and even then I won't stop trying to get Moonlight back in some form (Movie etc.)

I finally found something worth watching that brought my entire family back around the TV set together. We watched every friday, we discussed the show, laughed at Josef's comments, it was our Friday viewing night. I believe that the show was never allowed to achieve its full potential due to the network trying to alter its premise and not really advertising the show. So if you're story is based on facts, then go back to those sources and have them identify themselves to the viewers who have more than earned that small piece of respect.

Thank you.

[Overdamoon]

Sorry, this article doesn't have an author's name and at the bottom, it says...

"Posted on June 23, 2008 at 11:37 AM in CBS | Permalink"

Why would CBS know or care about anything Moonlight, much less be in-the-know about the latest?

[Terry Martin]

Whether Moonlight is dead or not, talking down to people who have sincerely loved a piece of entertainment (isn't Entertainment the business you are in?) enough to fight for it with time, a heck of a lot of money, and their own blood, is low class and unnecessary. And you, whoever you are, don't even sign your name but we are supposed to. Have you ever given blood for a cause? And no one but you have "politely and firmly asked us to quit calling". Pretty tacky comments.

[Mark Jeffries]

Morons.

The heading for the blog page at the top reads:

"THR LIVE FEED--TV RATINGS--NEWS--ANALYSIS
BY JAMES HIBBERD"

And the link is to Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood blog for LA Weekly. Her name's right at the top.

I repeat, fanboi geeks--morons.

[mmzmolgab]

I hate mean people.

Every article I've unfortunately read from Hollywood Snarky Report is right up there with everything else in TV world that these days degrades and drains what little imagination was left in TV land. Yuck.

Like I said, I hate mean people.

[Marissa]

Is this supposed to be something new as far as news goes? Is this supposed to make us stop doing what we've been doing for months now? Do you REALLY think that this is going to stop the fans from getting what they want? Think again.
We are the people, we have voices, we know what we want and it's obvious you know we will eventually get it. Is this why you are telling us to give it up and go away? Because your afraid of the 8+ million fans this show has?
Well be afraid, BE.VERY.AFRAID.

BECAUSE WE AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE!!

[La]

I appreciate some official word on the status of the sets and the show itself, but this definitely could've been written in a more polite manner.

You were very rude and that disgusts me more than the fans of this show ever could (even though you appear to want everyone to mock the fans, which they probably won't). They are at least polite with their campaigns and charity and you are the lesser person for writing this the way you did.

[Cindy]

It's sad to see the fans going into autopilot: "we are not going to stop", yadda yadda yadda.
The show is deader than disco. Gone. The fat lady has sung. Curtains down.
There is nothing to fight for anymore, no matter how hard you try to deny reality and chant "I'm not hearing / reading this." Keeping up beyond this point would just be pathetic.

[Angie Hilburn]

Sorry, I've seen too many reports come out of a suposed 'insider' that turned out to be nothing more than the family vet's cousin's brother so to speak. When word comes from Silver Productions, then I'll believe it.

[Nancy O']

I really have never had much use for the Hollywood Reporter but had heard on a Moonlight support site that there was this article about Moonlight being gone for good. Moonlight, if not another episode is written will never be gone for good - it's spirit will live on in the hearts of all who love the show and its cast. Moonlight was and is a breath of fresh air in the stale air of Today's TV which has become a wasteland were useless Reality shows rein and so called TV experts can hail the merits of a show about a Serial killer who is unrepentive as being worthy of an Emmy, when a show about a soul searching man who just happens to be a Vampire seeks to right wrongs he committed in the past that were beyond his control is disregarded as not good enough and the persons who admire the wonderfull redempting qualities of this one of a kind show are dismissed as Rabid Fans. Your article even if its true could have been presented without mocking distain and without your false sympathy. We Moonlight fans need none of that - We are the lucky ones, because we got to experience the beautiful of Moonlight - when most of who watch TV TODAY have become nothing more then sheep, mindless watching the trash that is given to them. Long live MOONLIGHT!

[Beth]

Sorry but you are not a very good authority on telling FANS of any show to quit trying to bring their show back.
We are not quitting in any sense of the word until we hear from JOEL SILVER,WB,OR any of the cast.

And just because you all don't like the program doesn't mean the rest of us 8 MILLION don't.

you need to keep your opinions to yourself about the show if you don't like it because those of us that do know it's worth fighting for in EVERY sense of the word.

VAMPIRE SOLIDARITY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Allison]

It saddens me that an industry trade (blog or not...it still bears the THR name) needs to speak down to the very people who put the food on their tables. I think we can all agree that TV today pretty much blows and when a show is good it either dies or is on cable. Network tv is run by companies like Toyota and GE and commercial advertisers. Which is fine because the money needs to come from somewhere but give a little courtesy to the people who sit down to watch your "programming" and buy your advertised "products". How dare I get talked to like a child and ex-lover because I enjoy a show. If Moonlight was my ex then it wouldnt treat me like this so why should you? The who production was great to its fans. Some fans may be a little extreme but heck dont you want those people to buy your bubble gum or tiolet scrub or whatever it is you want me to buy this week. If it would me...I'd embrace the rabid fans who would do anything for a show because they are going to be watching your network and reading your magazines and newspapers. The casual watcher would care less. If Moonlight is dead then it is but never talk down to me again.

[bakednudel]

I don't remember any 'billowing shirts' on Moonlight. But then I don't imagine you've actually watched the show regularly or talked to any of its fans as to why they like it.

Your info about the end of the show may be correct, but your tone is ridiculously condescending to your presumptive readers.

[maria]

I am sick and tired of these "outsiders" commenting on a show they hate.
I would never waiste my time reading articles and opinions of people regarding a show I deslike. If you don't like it get a life, skip this and every news related to Moonlight.
Who do you think you are to call other people morons or pathetic?
Have you realised that the real morons and pathetic ones are those you see whenever you look at a mirror?

[UKMoonlightFan]

So, Moonlight is over because the sets are down and another show is being filmed on the stage? The sets were stored late May/early June - that's old news. Of course they're going to use the stage for something else. And if DirecTV aren't interested, why did they request a poll at MoonlightLine.com to see how many fans would switch to their service if they picked up the show?

When the show was cancelled by CBS, within hours someone closely connected to the show posted confirmation at the MoonlightLine forums. (It was either the writers or the producers, but it was definitely someone DIRECTLY involved with the production). I would think that if this report was accurate, we'd have had a similar message posted by now.

If I were the author of this article, I'd check just how reliable my "source" was before posting old news like this and then jumping to conclusions based upon it!

[LisaS]

Until I hear it officially from Silver Pictures, I'm not buying what you are selling in this blog.

First let me tell you I am a divorced 40 year year old female who just recently returned to college and I am a current subscriber to Direct TV Moonlight has a huge fanbase with over 8 million viewers who would follow the show where ever it goes. I can tell as one of those 8 million plus viewers I will take money and viewership to whatever network picks it up. We are consistant and loyal fanbase and we will continue to fight for our show until we are told officially by Moonlight's PTB that it's over. Moonlight is a show that appeals to everyone it has mystery, action, adventure, romance, the vampire lore with a modern day twist and even deals with the human condition. Moonlight has it all and that is what makes it so unique. Moonlight goes to a time and a place where we as fans can escape the pressures of eveyday life for just a little while. That is quality televsion. In a age of post 9-11 where all we have is news headlines about the war in Iraq, other world disasters not to mention reality type tv shows,comedies, and dramas like CSI and other spin offs; We need quality shows like Moonlight where we can we can leave real life behind. Moonlight has earned an deserves a second season. We the fans have earned it as well with our continued and unwaivering support of our show by fans not only in the here in the USA but others around the the world in other countries banning together to and raising money to place ads in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. There are billboard ads coming up in July and print ads coming out as well. Last month fans who were in LA for MoonlightCon even had a rally outside of the WB studios, Moonlight Picnics & Rallies were held last weekend at various cities across the USA in a show of solidarity & support for Moonlight & it's Cast & Crew. Fans have also showed their continued support also by making blood & platelet donations to the Red Cross, signing up to be tested to be bone marrow donars and doing charity blood drives in the name of the Moonlight and even trying do what we can to help the victims of the cyclone in Burma, and most recently trying to help out the victims of the Midwest Floods and Tornadoes, etc. We are everyday people from all walks of life who happen to love a great show with a great cast & crew who want to see Moonlight continue. Moonlight Fans have shown that we are in this for the long haul, we aren't going anywhere. We will not give up, we will not surrender and we will not let Moonlight die

[aly]

I have sources too, and they say this is false.

[annie58]

Mr. Jeffries - maybe the information you listed showed up on your screen but it did not on mine. And I can really do without the condescending, sarcastic attitude. The fans that have been fighting for this show are bright, talented and amazing people. As for wanting to know the source, I still haven't seen anyone referenced who I believe would actually know if Moonlight was or was not picked up. Until such time as we hear from a reliable source that Moonlight won't be back, we will continue to raise awareness by donating blood, raising money for food banks, holding rallies and any other feasible means!

[Christopher L.]

This story says the buyers all passed too

http://seat42f.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2683&Itemid=9

THRs other story was to say that CBS cancelled the show but this one is that the other places have passed, they are different stories

[UKMoonlightFan]

Christopher L : I believe that Seat42f.com blog is based upon this one and the author's own speculation as to the contract status of the actors.

At present, SciFi has not officially passed, nor has TNT and only this week DirecTV requested a survey of the members of MoonlightLine.com to see how many people would be willing to switch to their service *should* they pick up the show.

http://forums.moonlightline.com/viewtopic.php?f=429&t=9676

This is a link to the MoonlightLine Forum poll. Anyone wishing to vote must register with the site first, but don't worry - that's completely free! ;)

[Alixx Paoli]

wtf!! k this is stupid!! they shouldnt have cancelled it in the first place!! cancel lost of anything!! its f***ing retarded!!! moonlight was the best show ever and the people who rate it just needed some attention!! ok now all we need is people who would put out the first and last season of moonlight on dvd!! lol like all of the good shows that people never cared to watch or fight for!! xD

[Bleu Daisy]

Did HBO pay for this article? Because I find it interesting that about the time HBO starts really pushing their new HBO vampire show these anti-"Moonlight" propaganda articles start appearing.

Now hear this, HBO - "Moonlight" fans are not that stupid. We are not going to blindly run over to your vamp show just because ours was murdered whether you played any hand in this or not. I, for one, will not be watching your new vamp show and I won't even bother to name it and give you any free advertising.

[Alixx Paoli]

ok and i dont get how they could cancel it when it was voted best new tv drama on its first year!! it beat like 20 other good shows including gossip girl!!!!!!!!
this is retarded!! BIGG F***ING MISTAKE!!!!!
xD thx (:

[Bleu Daisy]

Did HBO pay for this article? Because I find it interesting that about the time HBO starts really pushing their new HBO vampire show these anti-"Moonlight" propaganda articles start appearing.

Now hear this, HBO - "Moonlight" fans are not that stupid. We are not going to blindly run over to your vamp show just because ours was murdered whether you played any hand in this or not. I, for one, will not be watching your new vamp show and I won't even bother to name it and give you any free advertising.

[Elizabuff]

"Billowy shirts"? Huh? Did you ever even watch the show? All the shirts I saw on MOONLIGHT were quite form-fitting (bless them!).

Your sources may not be correct from what I am hearing. Best be prepared to eat a little crow. Maybe you can stick your proverbial fork in that?

[Sandi]

Wow. There's nothing like being talked down to as if I were a tweenie fan-girl with a silly little crush instead of a 50-year old Doctoral Candidate who understands that I vote with my dollars.
I respect that in the world of Hollywood "sources" will go un-named and must be protected.
Amazingly, I'd appreciate a similar level of respect.
I shouldn't be surprised by the jaded attitude towards us as a group of fans; after all, we've been dis-respected and disregarded as "just rabid/lunatic fans". I'm sure that Toys for Tots, the National Bone Marrow Registry, the American Red Cross and the LA Food Bank might disagree with those who call us names.
The advertisers I've connected with because of my displeasure over the cancellation of this wonderful little show used to call me Customer and Client.
Now they just call me.
Surprising that CBS and others such as yourself have yet to recognize the power that we we have as consumers. Women over the age of 40 are emerging as THE demographic group the market is targeting. Using ratings numbers as the "official" excuse to cancel Moonlight was and is, lame. The numbers were always there; just not in the age bracket that CBS wanted.
Do they really believe 18-30 year old have all that much disposable income?
What an incredibly stupid tactical error on their part.
The Nielsen system stopped having any "real" meaning years ago. Holding on to it makes as much sense as most reality programming (Hurl for pity's sake??) and ONE MORE version of CSI...
But since when do mainstream network television executives listen to what people want?

[Anna]

Guys, I'm pretty sure the line about the billowy shirts was a joke :)

[Jennifer]

Your article seems to be somewhat suspicious. Aside from the unnamed source the evidence presented is all VERY old news. The sets were taken down over Memorial Day weekend. They were stored and photos were taken so that if the show is picked up by another network they can be re-created. The money issue is also old news. That is why Moonlight fans contacted DirecTV about potentially sponsoring the show. And yet the show wasn't dead when these two issues were new news so it seems odd that it would be now.

Especially since your unnamed source does not address the newest development in our campaign - that DirecTV not only seems interested but is working with Moonlightline.com to get some numbers about how many people would switch or are already DirecTV customers.

This seems like unsubstantiated rumors designed to get a rise (and therefor a number of hits and comments) out of Moonlight fans.

[diane31]

1)Is it standard practice when writing for HR to refrain from indicating one's name?

2)The sets were dismantled weeks ago, and put into storage. We are well aware of that, and of the fact that other shows needed the space to shoot.

3)If DirecTV is not interested, why did they ask us to start a poll just 3 working days ago?

4) According to HR, Moonlight was dead for real 6 weeks ago. Are we to understand that you are now retracting these previous statements?

Chances of a pick up at this stage may very well be slim, but wisdom would command to trust word from WB or Silver rather than an article written by Anonymous.

[Moonlight_luvr]

I am not a happy person right now. I dont enjoy being labeled as a rabid fangirl. This show was an amazing show, something we dont get everyday, stole the hearts of millions! If you dont like ML, i understand that, everyone has different tastes, but DO NOT ruin it for everyone who does. ML fans work hard to save REAL entertainment. Keep fighting ML fans! Victory is just around the corner!!!