NBC Officially Pulls The Plug On 'Mockingbird Lane'

It was a long, well fought two-year journey, but NBC has officially decided that it's the end of the road for Mockingbird Lane, their modern day reboot of The Munsters. 

Following production and casting delays, the show did not get a series pick up for the 2012 fall season. Despite a last chance on October 26th when the network aired the pilot at 8pm during a Halloween themed block of shows, 5.4 million viewers and a 1.5 rating were ultimately not enough to keep the show alive according to NBC brass.

The lavish high-concept pilot, which reportedly cost $10 million, had all the familiar trappings you would expect from The Munsters, including a subtle revamped theme and numerous clever nods to the original '60s black and white comedy. Directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2, Superman Returns), produced by Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daises, Dead Like Me) the proposed series starred Jerry O'Connell as Herman, Portia de Rossi as Lily, Eddie Izzard as Grandpa and Charity Wakefield as Marilyn.

Fuller broke the news to fans on his Twitter account, thanking them for all their support.

I tweet with a heavy heart. NBC not moving forward with #MockingbirdLane. From producers and cast, thank you all for enthusiasm and support.
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) December 27, 2012

If you missed Mockingbird Lane when it aired in the fall, NBC still has the full pilot available online. You can check it out below.

SOURCE: Deadline, Twitter

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NBC Passes on 'Munsters' Reboot 'Mockingbird Lane'

Looks like NBC's modern day reboot of The Munsters may not make it to the air after all. According to Deadline, Mockingbird Lane, starring Jerry O'Connell as Herman, Portia de Rossi as Lily, and Eddie Izzard as Grandpa, is not looking like a shoe-in to go to series as planned, or hoped.

The pilot episode was directed by Bryan Signer (X-Men, X2, Superman Returns), and written/ produced by Pushing Daisies mastermind Bryna Fuller. Deadline reports that while the first look at the new take on the '60s monster comedy scored points for its visual style, but its high concept approach ultimately ended up being considered too risky for the NBC network brass.

Last year NBC also passed on another high profile reboot, and didn't move beyond the pilot of the re-imagining of DC Comics' Wonder Woman written and produced David Kelley, which starred Adrianne Palicki. Mockingbird Lane maintained a lower profile on the internet than Wonder Woman did, which received much negative buzz once a promotional still of its heroine in full costume was released and promptly met with a big thumbs down.

I was definitely interested to see what the team of Fuller and Singer could bring to the table with the property, and its unfortunate to hear that a high concept approach may have been its undoing, which is precisely what you would have expected from that creative team. While there was some obvious skepticism of the darker edgier reboot, a welcome curiosity factor grew the more we learned and saw about the show.

You can check out an earlier post on Mockingbird Lane here, which has concept art and pictures of the cast in full costume. The image to the right shows original Eddie Munster Butch Patrick posing with the new cast on the new 666 Mockingbird Lane set. Its a shame to hear we will not see what the new Spot looks like, who is likely lurking under that staircase.

SOURCE: Deadline

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'Mockingbird Lane' Cast Photo Revealed!

The first (lo-res) promotional look at the cast of NBC's upcoming Mockingbird Lane in costume has hit the web.

The Bryan Fuller produced modern day reboot of The Munsters stars Jerry O'Connell (Herman), Portia de Rossi (Lily), Eddie Izzard (Grandpa), Charity Wakefield (Marilyn), and Mason Cook (Eddie).

The most recognizable from the original looks to be Wakefield's Marilyn, who retains a striking resemblance to Pat Priest's take in the '60s show. While de Rossi and Izzard look great as the new Lily and Grandpa Munster, surprisingly Jerry O'Connell looks pretty much like Jerry O'Connell as Herman. The pilot was directed by Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman Returns).

The cast poses with original Eddie Munster, Butch Patrick.

You can check out other images from the set and additional production art here.

SOURCE: JoBlo, Comic Book Movie

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