One of the hardest things about getting attached to a TV show is the fact that you can never be certain how long it'll be allowed to stick around. Networks respond to ratings and if a show doesn't do well, it could signify the end of its journey, regardless of how great the acting and writing truly is. This proved to be true for shows such as Happy Endings, Hannibal, Eye Candy — the list goes on and on. However, I'm hoping that CBS' sci-fi thriller Extant manages to escape such an unfortunate fate. Even though the series' sophomore season is about to come to a close, CBS has yet to renew Extant for a third season. And while that doesn't necessarily indicate that it's heading toward a cancelation, the network's hesitation is just enough to make me at least somewhat worried.
That's not to say that all hope is lost, of course. True, the ratings aren't exactly out of this world (see what I did there?), but the series also has a few factors working to its advantage. For starters, Extant didn't get picked up for a second season until October 9 of last year, so we've still got well over a month before we even reach that point. Perhaps the network is simply waiting to make the announcement around that same time.
Then there's the star power within the series itself. I mean, when a show centers around the likes of Hollywood A-listers like Halle Berry and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, you don't just kick them to the curb. Not to mention that one of their main cast members is Grace Gummer (aka Meryl Streep's daughter). No network would dare cross Meryl in such a way, right? (I'm pretty sure such a thing is illegal in Hollywood.) Oh, and let's not forget that Steven Spielberg serves as the executive producer. These are all names that I'm sure CBS wants to remain on its docket.
It's also worth mentioning that the network might not be looking to cancel anymore summer shows right now, especially since it just gave Under the Dome the officially boot, confirming just last week that the Stephen King adaptation wouldn't be back for a fourth season. That leaves some serious space open in the CBS summer line-up — one that the network may want Extant to fill. So don't worry just yet, folks. There may be hope for this sci-fi series yet.
Images: Robert Voets/CBS (2)
