Moonlight is dust. According to multiple sources, CBS has decided not to renew the freshman vampire drama for a second season, undoubtedly leaving many fans left wondering where it all went wrong.

Just one week ago, Moonlight was looking good to come back. Though the ratings weren't stellar, it routinely won it's time slot (though to be fair, 9pm on Fridays isn't exactly competitive). After the cancellation of Jericho, it seemed CBS would probably stick with at least one of its big cult fan favorites. This was not to be.

Yesterday, when CBS announced it planned on picking up six new shows, including four hour-long dramas, the first nail was put in Moonlight's coffin. Today, CBS buried the show (and Shark), and in the process, renewed How I Met Your Mother, The New Adventures of Old Christine and The Unit

Looking at the moves CBS is making, the likeliest reason Moonlight won't get a second season is that the network seems to be gunning for a second two-hour comedy block. Right now, CBS does very well Monday nights with it's sitcom block, and current rumors suggest that at tomorrow's upfront presentation, that might expand to another block of sitcoms on Wednesdays. This could explain the renewals for The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, The New Adventures of Old Christine, How I Met Your Mother, the likely renewal of Rules of Engagement, and the pickup of new sitcoms Project Gary and Worst Week.

At tomorrow's upfront presentation, it will be interesting to see how they address this decision. One only needs to look back to one year ago when Jericho, another beloved cult show was axed, then resurrected by a massive fan campaign. Is CBS ready for another big campaign, which is almost a guarantee given the passion among Moonlight fans? Only time will tell.


-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: TVGuide
(Image courtesy of CBS)