XFNews2

As Reported in the Variety Premium Service:
Fox will close 'Files' in May
By JOSEF ADALIAN

    Trust this one: Chris Carter's Emmy-winning sci-fi powerhouse "The X-Files" will wrap its nine-season run on Fox in May. Carter and Fox confirmed the decision Wednesday following a meeting in which Carter told Fox Entertainment Television Group chairman Sandy Grushow and entertainment prexy Gail Berman he was ready to end the series.
     Skein has been a signature series for Fox -- and a cash cow for parent News Corp. -- since its September 1993 premiere. It continues to pull in profits in syndication, where it's ranked as the top-rated off-net hour since bowing in syndication in 1997.
     "X" will end with a two-part episode penned by Carter -- the show's 201st.
     While the series remains a solid performer, particularly demographically, its ratings have declined this season opposite tougher competish and in the wake of cast changes. Carter wanted "X" to end while it still had creative and commercial strength.
     "It's the ninth inning. We want to go out on top," he said. "We wanted to go out as a strong show."
     Grushow, who put "X" on the network in his former post as entertainment prexy, said it's impossible to overstate the positive impact "X" has had on Fox.
     "It was instrumental in putting Fox on the map, plain and simple," he said. "It helped define the network. It alerted the industry to the fact that we could succeed with a quality drama."
     Grushow said Carter's vision "inspired the best from everyone at this company, because Chris was so inspiring. He created a television series not just for our times, but for all times."
     Carter said despite numerous cast changes and the natural aging process, "X" had managed to maintain its distinctiveness.
     "I'd like to think the show is still one of the most imaginative on television," he said. "It never quit being original."
     Bowing on Friday nights, "X" was an instant cult hit as fans tuned in for the ever-spooky adventures of Agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson). Ratings soared still higher when Fox moved the show to Sundays in 1996.
     Carter singled out recent additions Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish for praise, saying their work " will stand up to the best of 'The X-Files.' " He also said producers Frank Spotnitz, Vince Gilligan, John Shiban and Kim Manners have been instrumental in the show's success.
     Though he's been mulling the "X" finale for years, Carter hasn't yet started putting it together. He did promise, once and for all, to tie up all the show's mythological loose ends.
     Carter said he'd "love" to have Duchovny return for the finale, which may be preceded by a clipfest. Characters are expected to develop in a second "X-Files" feature in the works at Fox (Daily Variety, Nov. 6).
     "This show's afterlife will be strong," Carter said.

As Reported on The X-File Official Website
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, February 20, 2002

DAVID DUCHOVNY TO RETURN FOR THE TWO-HOUR SERIES FINALE OF 'THE X-FILES' MAY 19

Duchovny Also Slated To Direct One of Show's Final Episodes

David Duchovny will reprise his role as FBI Agent Fox Mulder when he stars in the two-hour series finale of THE X-FILES Sunday May 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In true X-FILES fashion, story details for the remaining episodes of the series are under tight wrap. The final five episodes will begin to provide highly anticipated answers to many of the show's most-asked questions, culminating in the two-hour finale in which Agent Mulder is reunited with Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) after having gone missing for the past year. Also, the final episodes of the series will examine many of the pieces involved in the long-running mythology that has continued throughout the show's nine seasons. The series finale is being written by series creator and executive producer Chris Carter and directed by co-executive producer Kim Manners.

In addition to appearing in the two-hour series finale, Duchovny is also confirmed to direct THE X-FILES episode scheduled to air Sunday, April 28 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), which is based on a story idea he co-wrote with Carter and executive producer Frank Spotnitz.

(Webmaster's note: The story for Untitled 9X17 is by David Duchovny, Chris Carter & Frank Spotnitz. Carter will write the teleplay. Mulder will not appear in the episode.)
The Official Site is the first to break this story -- check back with us for more hot news on what�s coming up for the finale, as well as exclusive features only available at www.thexfiles.com!