‘The Event’ Creator Talks: Relaunch, New Episodes, And Pilot

Nick Wauters, creator of the hit show The Event, spoke up recently on all things catastrophic; he even gives fans hope that the two-month hiatus the show is now experiencing will be completely forgotten once we see the first episode after it’s return in February!

When asked how he feels about the hiatus and relaunch on his show, Wauters states: “I was a little nervous at first, but we’re going to do all we can to make sure people don’t forget us and look forward to our return on Feb. 28. This hiatus will allow us to return with two episodes back to back that night, and then our remaining 10 episodes each week without interruptions or repeats. And the truth is, on a show like this, even with the talented people we work with, it’s very hard to keep delivering those 42-minute “mini movies” every week. I think it will be extremely helpful to our cast and crew (and writers), and it will allow viewers to experience the show without reruns.”

Okay, sounds good. Any plans in place yet for the new batch of episodes? Wauters weighs in on that question when he says: “We’ve already started shooting episodes 11 and 12, which will both air on Feb. 28, directed by Jeffrey Reiner (our executive producer and house director). We’ve clarified the goals of our characters. Their paths are starting to cross, so expect some great scenes and storylines. We’ve listened to our viewers and we’ve pulled back on the flashbacks (we will still have them when justified by the story). And we’re loosening the structural rules we had at the beginning. As far as the story, we have several great storylines plotted. The second half of the season will have a greater sense of adventure. And with a little luck…maybe you’ll even find out what “the one Event” is!”

Before leaving, Wauters was asked a rather interesting question. When first pitched, was the pilot completely different than the final edit? “Yes. I originally wrote the pilot in 2004 as a straight, realistic thriller. It almost sold then, but then things fell through as they often do. In 2009, thanks to my friend and executive producer Steve Stark, the project was revived at NBC. They simply asked me if I’d be open to adding just a tiny bit of science fiction. Being a huge sci-fi geek myself, I said, yes, of course! I spent a few weeks revising the pilot and writing an extensive bible. And ironically, the original pilot is not that different from the 2010 pilot.”

Nick also points out that although the show may be on hiatus, “the stories will continue online. Our top secret blog, www.truthseeker5314.com, will continue to bring unexpected information to the table.”

What are you hoping for in the upcoming episodes of The Event?