The TV Zone

Yesterday you may have noticed a post here that noted - with a sense of urgency - that "In Treatment" is on the bubble.

Fans out there may have noticed because I am now informed that some enterprising Gabriel Bryniacs have launched an Irish Spring campaign, sending boxes of the soap to HBO as it deliberates the fate of this treasure.

Here's the comment string, or at least one of 'em.

Will this work? A call or letter might suffice, but knock yerself out. (Question: What will "Weeds" fans do when it hits the bubble? "True Blood" fans? ...)

(HBO)

Appears so. B&C; - the magazine, Broadcasting & Cable - has a good story this morning about the show's fate, and the story has the added benefit of being true.

Says that HBO is discussing "In Treatment's" fate this week, and that it could actually end the enterprise.

End "In Treatment?"

I know. I know.... Painful to even contemplate.

The basics are this, as B&C; reported, and I've heard elsewhere: The series was based entirely on the Israeli series, "BeTipul," which lasted only two seasons, and now that "IT" has wrapped, producers - who include some of TV's Finest, like Paris Barclay - have to decide whether they can punch out a brand new third one.

My opinion? Glad you asked: With a staff this accomplished, writing a third season, or fourth, fifth, eight or tenth, shouldn't be an issue. Getting Gabriel Byrne to do another season might be the tricky part. He is a magnificent actor, and so are some of this season's supporting actresses, like Alison Pill and Hope Davis. But the simple and rather essential act of memorization, episode after episode (and there are a lot of 'em) has got to be tough. There are a mountain of words here that the actors must scale each episode; they do, but is there a toll? (Just the slightest one? )

My hunch: HBO will likely go forward on a third. After it gets all those Emmy noms next month...best series, best actress (Pill OR Davis could/should easily snag one), best actor (you know who)...it would deeply regret a premature ending. "In Treatment" is one of the great joys of the small screen; HBO could not possibly deny 1.6 million EXTREMELY devoted fans this continued pleasure.

(Could it?)

Nice interview with Byrne on the jump, courtesy Katie Couric, where he does address the challenge of doing this show (and no, I have no idea why the bruise on his forehead...)

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