EXCLUSIVE
NBC’s “Manifest” may have a better destiny than previously thought.
The show’s fans have been in abject misery since it was cancelled by the network in favor of “Law & Order: For the Defense.”
But as we all know, “For the Defense” simply didn’t happen. There is no show. In an odd and surprising move for a television network in 2021, “For the Defense” was withdrawn due to lack of it ever being developed. (That’s another story.)
Now I’m told by insiders that the “Manifest” crew was told not to strike the sets. A cancelled show would have already been tossed in the garbage can. But not “Manifest.” Everything is said to be on hold.
NBC needs to get “Manifest” back and they know it. It was the number 1 show on Netflix and on all of streaming a month ago. It has a hardcore fan base that wants to know what happened to the people on that plane. Frankly, it’s a lot like “Lost,” which is a good thing.
Also, NBC is in big trouble with “For the Defense” evaporated. There’s only so much “SVU” and “Organized Crime” that can be made and shown to fill Thursdays. The idea of bringing “Blacklist” to Thursdays is a temporary remedy at best. (“Blacklist” is a show famous not being watched by anyone.)
So hold on, “Manifest” fans. Creator Jeff Rake may know something is in the works. On July 14th he Tweeted: “I’m not giving up. Keep the faith.” Yesterday he repeated that by ending a Tweet with: “And keep the faith. You are being heard. How could you not be?”
Crazier things have happened.
