''Guardian'' will return early

From: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Date:April 06, 2004
By Rob Owen

CBS's "The Guardian" returns to the air tonight at 9, three weeks ahead of schedule.

The Pittsburgh-set series was taken off to make room for the midseason futuristic legal drama "Century City," but because "Century City" bombed in the ratings, "The Guardian" returns with a new episode. ("Century City" is effectively canceled.)

"Guardian" creator David Hollander said he's trying not to read anything into the network's decision as it pertains to the future of "The Guardian" beyond the current season. In January, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves described "The Guardian" as "on the bubble" for renewal. A final decision is unlikely to be made until mid-May.

"All I know is 'Century City' didn't do the numbers remotely that our show does," Hollander said by phone last week. "What I'm hoping now is that it doesn't hurt us by having been off the air for a few weeks and by not having a lot of promotion attached to coming back on the air."

Only four original episodes of "The Guardian" remain for the current season. New episodes air tonight, next Tuesday, April 27 and May 4.

Hollander will be in town April 15 with series star Alan Rosenberg and a small crew to film two scenes to be inserted in the season finale, which he's also directing. Shooting locations will be in an alley near the building whose exterior is used as Legal Services of Pittsburgh (at Fort Duquesne Boulevard and 7th Street) and on either the Roberto Clemente or Seventh Street bridge.

Tonight's episode is more of a stand-alone story, but Hollander said the final three build to a crescendo -- but, in case the show is canceled, no cliffhanger.

"I think the loyal audience will be thrilled. It's a really beautiful arc that goes to places the audience expected but never really expected would happen. If this is the finale of the series, it's a really lovely finale. If not, it's a great launching pad for next year, and it's another corner I must write myself out of. Not a cliffhanger, but certainly a new beginning."

Hollander said he's had conversations with Moonves about the show's future.

"He's been very encouraging without being committal. He plays his hand close, and I respect Les, I really do. He's got a tough job."

Hollander said the loyal audience for "The Guardian" -- and the failure of a replacement to improve on its ratings -- makes the series a necessity for CBS.

"I have a real hard time believing the show isn't coming back," he said.

From Pittsburgh Post gazette