CBS does not pick up 'How I Met Your Dad,' but could another network?

The How I Met Your Mother spinoff entitled How I Met Your Dad seemed like a lock to join CBS' lineup in the fall, but the network has decided not to pick up the show according to multiple reports.

The spinoff has been in limbo since Friday when CBS announced its new series pickups and How I Met Your Dad was not on the list. CBS passed on all of its other pilots, which kept HIMYD alive, but Deadline reports there had been few discussions between CBS and producer 20^th Century Fox TV in the past few days.

The network had offered to re-pilot the project, which it had done successfully with The Big Bang Theory and with newly picked up comedy The McCarthys. But Deadline notes this offer did not come with a commitment to go to series, which 20^th Century Fox did not want to do because of HIMYD's pedigree and the success of co-creators Craig Thomas and Carter Bays, along with Emily Spivey. 20^th Century Fox reportedly would have redone the pilot with a series order commitment, which CBS is currently doing with The Odd Couple.

CBS' option on HIMYD expires Wednesday, "so, unless a miracle happens, the project is dead at CBS," according to Deadline. 20^th Century Fox remains extremely supportive of the pilot and plans to shop it to other networks, and Deadline reports it has already received some interest. The studio wants to make a decision during the next week, and executives are confident HIMYD will receive a series pickup somewhere.

"To say we love this show (HIMYM) is an understatement," CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said, according to Deadline. She said "there were elements of the pilot that didn't work" when explaining CBS' decision to pass on the pilot. She also emphasized the reason for the move was creative, rather than financial (such as trying a co-production with 20^th Century Fox). "Creative always drives the business," she said. "I'm heartsick, as it is a very important show. It didn't work out."

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