Uber-scribe Tim Minear Joins STANDOFF

Hollywoodreporter.com reports:

"..Fox confirmed that production on the series was suspended this week in order to let the writers "catch up," according to a network spokesman.

The production hiatus also will allow Tim Minear, who has come aboard STANDOFF as a consulting producer, to get up to speed. Minear has been tapped to help with day-to-day operations on the show that will continue to be run by Craig Silverstein."

Hmmm.....

Tim Minear's writing credits include LOIS AND CLARK (5 episodes), THE X-FILES (2 eps & executive story editor), ANGEL (18 episodes and served as a consulting producer), FIREFLY (4 of the show's 13 eps and executive producer) and WONDERFALLS (2 of the show's 13 eps).

He is nothing short of a brilliant wordsmith - unfortunately, he seems to have a history of showing up just in time for shows to get cancelled. Further, he worked with Silverstein on THE INSIDE which lasted all of 7 episodes last summer.

While THE INSIDE was crap, I'm hoping against hope that the fact that Minear and Silverstein have worked together before is good news. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Silverstein was maybe missing production deadlines - or was frighteningly close to doing so. Bringing in a vet like Minear - and an old partner - could help the production efforts, and hopefully we'll get to see a script or two from Tim as well.

I'm already enjoying STANDOFF. Unfortunately, last night it held only 55 percent of its HOUSE lead-in. That's not good. When the show returns after THE WORLD SERIES, it will lead off the night and go head to head with DANCING WITH CELEBRITIES. It's not going to get any easier for this one.

Minear has a delicious dark streak in his writing. I can't wait to see how he influences upcoming episodes.