http://tv.yahoo.com/news/va/20030311/104737680500.html

It's the best of times and the worst of times for Steve Levitan.

The executive producer of the new Fox comedy "Oliver Beene" had reason to celebrate Monday after the Nielsen numbers for the series Sunday debut came in far stronger than expected. At the same time, Levitan is getting ready to write what could very well be the final episode of his long-running NBC comedy "Just Shoot Me."

First, the not-so-good news.

NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker has told Levitan to pen a "JSM" season finale that could also serve as a series-ender.

Zucker had vowed in January that "JSM" would not be allowed to simply drift away without some sense of finality; at the same time, the network doesn't want to make a decision on its fate until it has to, which is in May.

As a result, "I'm writing the final episode of the season in such a way that it also wraps up the series if it turns out to be the end of the series," Levitan told Daily Variety. "But (the script) also provides an interesting new (plot twist) if we were to return involving the management of the magazine. It really does create an interesting new dynamic for next year."

"Just Shoot Me" has been off the air for a few weeks and doesn't currently have a premiere date. However, Levitan said Zucker has promised him the series will be back on the air before season's end.

"He has assured me that NBC will put 'Just Shoot Me' back on this season with some solid promotion and enough time to see what actual life it has left in it," he said. "I'm anxiously awaiting that opportunity."

As for the good news, Levitan said the solid premiere for "Beene," which he executive-produces, is a good example of why Hollywood scribes need not completely fear the onslaught of unscripted programs.

"If we can take anything away from this, maybe it's that the scripted show is back, particularly if it's promoted heavily in an unscripted megahit," he quipped. "Fox did an incredible job of launching this show."

Not that Levitan is counting his backend coin just yet.

"I've been doing this long enough to know that one week does not a hit make --- but it certainly beats the alternative," he said.

If I were Steve Levitan, I would make the final episode of the season the grand finale. There is no way "JSM" is coming back next season. It's time to call it quits.

Originally posted by TJL
If I were Steve Levitan, I would make the final episode of the season the grand finale. There is no way "JSM" is coming back next season. It's time to call it quits. I agree. THere's no way at all it is coming back. Zucker knows its dead, I have no idea why they just don't annouce it.

Originally posted by TJ
[url]As a result, "I'm writing the final episode of the season in such a way that it also wraps up the series if it turns out to be the end of the series," Levitan told Daily Variety. "But (the script) also provides an interesting new (plot twist) if we were to return involving the management of the magazine. It really does create an interesting new dynamic for next year."


That's what happened to NewsRadio. They wrote the episode not knowing whether it was the final one or not. They also planned on changing the show in the next season. I don't know what number JSM is in the ratings, but NewsRadio was 75th overall. So if it's lower than that (And if there is a God) JSM will be cancelled.

I say just end it with a grand finale.Have Elliot and Maya get engaged,Have Nina stop popping pills,Have Finch finally find love.Bring back Adrienne,Ally,Ray Liotta and Slow Donnie as well as other popular recurring characters like Nina's daughter and granddaughter.Make it 2 hours.A 3-part finale and a clip show.When it started It was Maya's show and it has since become "The Finch & Nina Show" so I say end it with a Maya storyline.Also bring back Wally from the 1st season and Kevin who is for some reason absent this season.

I've just read on Zap 2 It that Wendie Malick is working on a sitcom pilot for ABC. Looks like she's not putting to much faith in the return of "JSM."

They had some really funny episodes; I don't know what went wrong. They should give it a finale, those of us that tried to keep watching deserve that much.
It's funny what Levitan said about the scripted show being back. I think the initial ratings for Oliver Beene are a testimony to the fact that everyone is desperate for good sitcoms (and after watching Oliver Beene I'm still looking).

http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?30788

NBC Gives 'Just Shoot Me' a (Possible) Last Hurrah
Fri, Mar 28, 2003 06:02 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Reports of the demise of "Just Shoot Me" were premature. But maybe not by much.

NBC is bringing back the seven-year-old sitcom for a five-week season-ending run in April and May. Two original episodes will air back to back at 8 p.m. ET Tuesdays, beginning April 22. The season finale will air at 9:30 p.m. ET May 20, making for three episodes that night.

There's a decent chance that last episode may also serve as a season finale. Executive producer Steven Levitan has said NBC asked for a season finale that could also serve as a capper for the entire series.

After a couple years of solid ratings as part of NBC's "Must-See" Thursday lineup, "Just Shoot Me" has struggled this season at 8 p.m. Tuesdays. NBC hasn't done it many favors, pairing it with the now-cancelled "In-Laws" and flipping its timeslot back and forth between 8 and 8:30 p.m.

Only nine episodes have aired thus far this season. It's averaged fewer than 7 million viewers per episode, less than half what it drew last season behind "Will & Grace" on Thursday nights.

Some cast members have also taken roles in pilots for next season, usually a sign that a show won't be back.