Alphabet's 'Wasteland' won't be back after all

Fox extends 'King's' reign, moves 'Greed'

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Despite earlier network instance that the show was only on hiatus, it looks like you can pay your last respects to ABC's "Wasteland."

ABC originally promised that "Wasteland" would return to its lineup in December, post-sweeps. Now, however, the show won't be returning to the network's schedule.

"Wasteland," from Miramax Television, remains ABC's lowest-rated skein of the season, averaging 5 million viewers.

Before the season began, the show had been held as example of how the network was going after NBC's Thursday night juggernaut after not competing in recent years.

"Wasteland," created by Kevin Williamson, was Miramax's first TV project. The company has the animated "Clerks" on the bench for midseason.

Meanwhile, Fox has given the folks at "King of the Hill" an early Thanksgiving present, renewing the animated hit for the 2000-01 season.

Fox Broadcasting said Wednesday that it has picked up 22 segs of the 20th Century Fox-produced animated skein, currently in its fourth season on the web. Despite being shuffled into several timeslots during its Fox run, the series has remained a solid ratings performer and this season has helped the net dramatically improve its performance in the 7:30 p.m. Sunday slot.

Also, Fox continues to make changes to its November sweeps schedule in reaction to ABC's hit "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Following ABC's decision to extend "Millionaire's" run by three days, the net will move Wednesday's seg of "Greed" to 9 p.m.