Is NBC’s ‘Munsters’ reboot ‘Mockingbird Lane’ dead?

It seems almost ironic to refer to a show starring a version of Frankenstein “dead,” but that is exactly what we are saying at the moment about the much-hyped NBC series “Mockingbird Lane.”

So what exactly has caused this series to slowly sputter out? This attempt by Bryan Fuller (“Pushing Daisies”) to reinvent the famed sitcom “The Munsters” started off very ambitious all the way back in 2010, and it was one of the few scripts that network programming head Robert Greenblatt actually kept around when he took over. The initial idea was retooled, with the plan being to launch the show next year. There was even a notable cast assembled, including the likes of Portia de Rossi, Jerry O’Connell, and even Eddie Izzard as some members of the famous family.

So what has caused NBC to reportedly lean towards not picking this show up? Apparently, it seems to really just be a case here of the show not coming out the way in which executives wanted in order to make it on the schedule. It was a bold move to turn a sitcom into an hour-long dramedy, but sources claim that the show did not quite work out the way in which all of the parties were hoping.

The only good news here is that the project is not necessarily dead, and it is feasible that the show could be picked up or some additional changes could be made that could get it that green light. Considering Fuller’s talent and his past history of great shows (including a much-hyped version of “Hannibal” launching next year), we had some high hopes for this one.

Photo: NBC