Fans will have to be satisfied with the “series finale” this week. According to TV Guide, Jericho covered all the bases. Two endings were filmed for the final episode. One was a cliffhanger that pointed towards a third season. The other tied things up in a neat little package. The second ending is the one that fans will have to try to find some satisfaction in.

Is there any way that the show can live on? Fans have already proved that they are willing to go to great lengths to support Jericho. However, CBS seems to have made it quite clear that the show will not be in their line-up next fall. Friday Night Lights has been able to walk the ratings tightrope and has found a new outlet on DirecTV. Like Jericho, FNL survived beyond expected because of its vocal fan base.  Should fans cross their fingers that Jericho might take a similar path?

Reruns of Jericho have been broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel. I’m sure some fans are wondering if the show could have a future on cable.  This seems doubtful.  The makers seem to be intent on making Jericho’s next episode the finale.  Who can blame them?  It’s been a roller coaster ride for them as much as it has for fans.  Maybe it would be better if everyone said their final goodbyes and moved on to something else.

Sometimes, though, things get nuts. Literally. Jericho, the post-apocalyptic drama that has earned an especially loyal fan base is back on TV thanks to a rather unique and sustained campaign. Thousands of Jericho-lovers sent peanuts to CBS’s studio, a reference to a character on the show who expressed his disappointment with the word “NUTS.”

The strategy worked. CBS decided to put a second, abbreviated season on the air.

And, what about a third season? As fans begin stockpiling jars of Planters, things don’t actually look that bad for Jericho. A reasonable showing in the ratings this spring could earn the show another season because the writer’s strike has left development on new shows (possible replacements) behind schedule.

Meanwhile, The Sci-Fi Channel will be running season one episodes, a hint that, if something doesn’t work out with CBS (or if the price of nuts rises to astronomical levels), Jericho might be reincarnated on cable.