USA gives a 'Horizon', while ABC will not get 'Weird' for summer

There is not doubt that USA Network's string of successful shows have made the cable net very profitable. And while they've cornered the market on quirky TV shows with quirky characters, it becomes a challenge to tell them apart, as most of the characters and concepts are fairly interchangeable. But once in a blue moon, they do throw viewers in search of something different a bone. One such show was The 4400, which aired on the network between 2004 and 2007, producing just 44 episodes. Though is was cancelled due to the ongoing writers strike and lower than expected ratings, the series actually stood out because some of the writers and creators came from sci-fi background -and many wondered if the show belonged on sister cable channel, Syfy. Now five years later, the cable net has announced that Gale Ann Hurd (Terminator, The Walking Dead) will executive produce Horizon, a period alien invasion tale set during World War II. The conspiracy style series will focuses on an FBI secretary who finds out her husband may have been killed in a South Pacific battle with a spaceship. Her quest to discover the truth leads her to become the only person able to save the Earth from an alien invasion. The script is by Bridget Tyler, who wrote for the cable net’s popular Burn Notice procedural. 

ABC has decided not to go forward with the paranormal summer series Weird Desk, just a week after announcing it. Still, ABC will hold the show –because word is they like the concept- and revisit the project, most likely when pilot season begins in January and February. Apparently it was the late pick-up that caused the issue –there was not enough time to get everything needed to get the show up and running for a summer debut. It was to be teamed with Mistresses, an American version of the British series.The concept was supposdly “based on the alleged real-life mysteries from this world and beyond, and centers on the workings of a clandestine organization rumored to be named “Weird Desk.” Tasked with investigating and solving occurrences of the paranormal, supernatural and sometimes extra-terrestrial, “Weird Desk” is led by Morgan, an obstinate, socially inept and brilliant man who would now be dead if it weren’t for his special forces trained partner, Rosetta.”