According to a report on Deadline.com, the Fox network's limited scheduling options have brought up the idea of a brief Finder season to fill any necessary Bones gap. The network would order a shortened season that would air instead of Bones during the six or seven weeks that Deschanel is on maternity leave.

This is not the ideal option for those looking forward to the spinoff series, but it might be the best of the actual possibilities. Taking the Bones timeslot, however briefly, gives the newer series a chance. And good ratings would undoubtedly mean a full-season pickup to take the place of whatever else is failing on Fox.

A pilot episode for The Finder aired as a Bones episode in April, introducing fans to the character of Walter Sherman (played by Geoff Stults) and his sidekicks, Leo (Michael Clarke Duncan) and Ike (Saffron Burrows). The episode got good ratings, but the chances for a full series in the fall have remained in question. The Finder, created by Bones executive producer Hart Hanson, would follow the trio's adventures as the vaguely-crazy Walter locates missing items and people.

If Fox does not decide to air The Finder in place of Bones for a few weeks, it's unclear what the other options are. Bones could (but shouldn't) return without the character of Brennan -- she's gone off to weird locations before and could conceivably go again. Alternatively, the show could start (and end) late in the season or simply air an abbreviated season.

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Are you interested in a Finder series? Would the show be a good replacement during Bones' necessary hiatus? What is the best solution? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!

(Image courtesy of FOX)