The putrid aroma of injustice lingers on in the hallways of network television today.  Bryan Fuller, the writing mastermind behind Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, and the recently pseudo-canceled Pushing Daisies is in final discussions to sign a two-year deal with NBC Universal.  Word is that Fuller, who scripted a few of the most highly-regarded Heroes episodes in its first season, will return to the NBC sci-fi/drama, perhaps as soon as this season's twentieth episode. The contract is said to be in the seven-figure range.  Great news for Heroes fans, but it also means that Pushing Daisies has been extricated from any and all purgatorial confusion.  Pushing Daisies has no hope, it is dead, and Bryan Fuller will once again be working for Heroes. 

These are the facts: NBC would not desire or need Bryan Fuller's services if the network were in better shape.  If NBC were in better shape, Heroes would be one of the lowest rated series on the network, and the Peacock would be able to take Tim Kring's creation out into the woods and execute it, Old Yeller-style.  But, since NBC has almost zero hit shows, they have a real stake in bringing Heroes out of its two season-long coma.  According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fuller would be given more story control this season and in an upcoming fourth season which, despite poor ratings and critical gut punches, is supposedly nearly a guarantee to be renewed.  Fuller might continue on Heroes for a fourth season, or jump to a new NBC project.

Then, take the situation of ABC.  ABC, a network more or less thriving in today's world of network TV, had no need for a show as beautiful and creative as Pushing Daisies (or, for that matter, Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone), and therefore no need for an expert conjurer of whimsy like Bryan Fuller.  You'd think it would work the other way around – that the thriving network could take a continued chance on a critically acclaimed, low-rated series, while the struggling network would have no patience with a show that is low-rated and disliked by the critical community. 

Whatever – Bryan Fuller is heading back to Heroes and NBC.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: Hollywood Reporter
(Image Courtesy of ABC)