NBC Unlikely To Save The Cheerleader; World Rejoices [Updated]

 

Despite hitting series lows in both ratings and creativity in its fourth season, there’s been widespread speculation that Heroes could return for a final 13-episode order. But now Vulture reports that NBC is so pleased with the way its fall schedule is shaping up that a wrap-up season is looking less likely.

Josef Adalian writes that the network had been expected to find a way to renew Heroes, “if only as an insurance policy in case all of its new offerings flopped this fall.” After all, NBC Universal owns the show, and the money from DVD sales and international syndication would surely justify a farewell season (or half-season, as the case may be). And let’s not forget that there was a time before the ratings mire of this past season that Heroes drew nearly 17 million viewers.

Alas, it’s apparently not meant to be — and I’m fine with that. I liked the first season, and at least part of the second, well enough. But the fourth, with the carnival and the cellist and college-Claire and Sylar/Parkman, was so description-defying awful that it nearly blotted out any memories of enjoyment I may have had.

For those die-hard Heroes fans — I know there have to be at least a couple out there — Vulture dangles the possibility of a two- or four-hour movie to provide a bit of closure. While we’re talking about possibilities, there’s also a chance — a chance — that NBC could radically shift gears between now and its May 17 upfront presentation and order up that fifth season. It’s unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

Update (4 p.m.): Actor Greg Grunberg, who plays Matt Parkman, wrote just minutes ago on Twitter: “Haven’t heard anything official re: Heroes for next season. Hope it gets picked up.”