Heroes writers no more: (left-to-right) Jesse Alexander & Jeph LoebNBC has fired co-executive producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb from Heroes. Both writers have been involved with the day-to-day running of the superhero series since season 1, along with creator Tim Kring. The network have been disappointed by the drop in Heroes' ratings this year, and the creative direction overall. Concerns over Heroes regularly going over its $4 million per episode budget are also thought to have been a consideration in the decision.
So, what now? Will the loss of Alexander and Loeb help turn the tide? Should the network perhaps have lopped off the head of the beast, the clueless Tim Kring? What kind of political manoeuvring is required for a network to fire a show's creator, though? And who will replace Alexander and Loeb for the second half of season 3? Will writer/producer Mark Verheiden (who recently joined the staff from Battlestar Galactica) take over and steer Heroes into more prosperous territory?
Elsewhere, we're now facing a year of rumours over who will replace David Tennant in Doctor Who in 2010. Oh, bliss. The latest rumour is former-EastEnders actor Tom Ellis, who starred as Thomas Milligan in the season 3 finale. A BBC source has said the 29-year-old actor is the "frontrunner for the job." So, what say you? Is that a good, unexpected choice? Is it right that previous guest-stars should get the gig? Is Ellis too boringly handsome and quirk-free for the part? I have to say, I would struggle to get excited if he got the job. I still have my fingers crossed for Richard Coyle...
