'Southland' might have new home at TNT

By Nellie Andreeva

Four days after the abrupt cancellation of sophomore series "Southland" by NBC, chatter intensifies that the gritty cop drama may find a second home at TNT.

TNT was an obvious choice as it shares a corporate parent with Warner Bros. TV, which produces the critically praised series with studio-based John Wells Prods.

But sources on Monday indicated that talks between the two sides are advancing.

"We continually look at all programming opportunities that fit our portfolio of brands," TNT said in a statement.

"Southland," which stars Benjamin McKenzie, shot six episodes of its second season before being shut down by NBC last week.

TNT has been active in the cop drama genre, from its biggest hit, "The Closer" to its most recent offering, "Dark Blue," both from WBTV's sister Warner Horizon.

TNT has yet to decide on the future of "Dark Blue," which recently wrapped its first season.

COMMENT FROM HIBBERD: If TNT picks it up, the question will be whether they commit upfront to more than the six episodes that have already been produced. My suspicion is that TNT will just air the six, which have already been and paid for, and then see what happens in the ratings ... and woe unto NBC if "Southland" should start pulling more viewers than "Jay Leno Show" while on cable...