David Lyons hears about NBC's decision to cut back on 'Day One'

NBC has canceled plans, at least for the moment, to produce a 13-episode season of its new sci-fi thriller Day One.

The network is now planning to convert Day One into a four-hour mini-series event that will probably be aired as two separate 2-hour movies.

I’m saddened to hear this news as I truly believe Day One was shaping up to be the next big sci-fi TV series.

There is, at least, a positive slant to NBC’s announcement.  They are comparing the four-hour event to the mini-series that launched Battlestar Galactica. They state if the Day One launch is received well, then a full-scale series could still be green-lit.  Of course, for that to occur Day One will have to rate through the roof given the reason given why the network cut its originally planned 13-episode season relates to cost.

Two hours of Day One are already in the can, whilst creator and executive producer Jesse Alexander is now getting set to shoot the second two hours.  The positivity there is that he will now have the chance to wrap up some storyline ideas to make the two-hours reasonably self-contained, whilst leaving open some threads for the potential full series.

Alexander also commented on NBC’s decision with positive perspective.

“I’ve been in discussions with the network for some time about the best way to launch what I truly feel is an awesome television program,” Alexander said, adding that he felt the post-Olympics slot would give the show “all the promotional power it needs for great success.”

Day One takes place in the aftermath of a global event that devastates the world’s infrastructures and leads to an alien invasion. The series will be told from the perspective of a small band of survivors who, together with extraterrestrial assistance, strive to rebuild society, unravel the mystery of why the event took place, and ultimately try to save the Earth.

It boasts some top notch acting talent including Adam Campbell (Date Movie), Catherine Dent (The Shield), Julie Gonzalo (Eli Stone), David Lyons (ER), Derek Mio (Greek), Carly Pope (24), Thekla Reuten (Sleeper Cell) and Addison Timlin (Cashmere Mafia).

If you missed the leaked, incomplete teaser/trailer, watch it below:

The four-hour event will still air after NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics, most likely in March 2010.

Source: Variety

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