BIll Brioux - Can "Flashpoint" storm its way back onto American TV?

The made-in-Toronto production, starring Enrico Colantoni and Hugh Dillon as key members of an emergency task force, emerged a year ago as proof that Canadian-American co-productions could be a winning combination in the new broadcast business model.

On CTV, the police drama was a big hit, averaging 1.4 million viewers a week. On CBS, it did a decent job on different nights, finding a steady 10 or 11 million viewers a week and winning its Friday night slot.

Then came an opportunity for CBS to acquire a show it has more of an ownership stake in -- NBC's "Medium" -- bumping "Flashpoint" into mid-season status. Worse, CBS still has not made a decision to pay its share of production costs beyond the nine original unaired episodes it still has on the shelf.

CTV went out on a limb in June and announced it would order a third season of 13 episodes. But without a major American partner, there is some question as to what that show would look like and if it could even go forward.

"Flashpoint" may be a victim of the new TV math. A fifth season of "Medium" just has a bigger upside for CBS. They cash in on back-end revenues from future syndication and DVD sales. "Flashpoint" is three or four years away from cracking the magic 100 episode barrier.

None of this discouraged executive producer Bill Mustos and cast members Colantoni, Dillon, Amy Jo Johnson and David Paetkau from attending the CBS press tour party. The lavish, star-packed affair was held on the sprawling and well-manicured grounds of the Huntington Library, with everyone from Edie Falco (Showtime's "Nurse Jackie") to the stars from "CSI" and "Two and a Half Men" getting in and out of limos.

Mustos and his cast were on a mission: make a last-ditch attempt to get in front of CBS and demonstrate that "Flashpoint" still has value to the network. The Canadian executive producer -- who is a former CTV programming executive -- succeeded in getting a little face time with CBS programming titans Les Moonves and Nina Tassler.

Beyond the smiles and air kisses, Mustos came away with the impression that CBS wasn't ready to shut the door on future "Flashpoint" co-production. Earlier the same day at the CBS press tour executive session, Tassler said the nine episodes on the shelf will air "in season" (as opposed to being burned off in the summertime).

"It just does better for us (there)," said Tassler.

She mentioned "The Bridge" -- another CTV-CBS co-production --and said doing these cross-border co-productions was a "great experience. We certainly look forward to doing more ... arrangements like that."

If Tassler wants more episodes of "Flashpoint," she has until Oct. 1 to order them. Past that date, the producers could shop the series to another network.

CBS could ask for an extension on the decision beyond October, a delay which would allow them to more fully assess which if any of their new fall shows might fail. If that were to happen, having "Flashpoint" on the bench -- a series that consistently won its timeslot in households and has already established a fan base --would be a competitive plus.

It is no plus for "Flashpoint" producers Mustos and Anne Marie La Traverse, however, to stick with CBS into November or December if CBS only sees the series a short-term solution. Its currency as a property to shop elsewhere goes down every month it stays off the air.

Mustos mused at the press tour party that the versatility of "Flashpoint" might actually work against it. CBS sees it as a proven if unspectacular draw it can slap in on any night to plug a hole. It is like the utility hockey player who can jump over the boards and win face-offs, kill penalties and doesn't come at a superstar salary. You'd rather have the player on your bench than on that of your opponents.

Mustos -- and CTV -- just want the show to stick with the big leagues. Past CBS, ABC and U.S. cable channels like USA Network would likely take a hard look at picking up a series with proven production values as well as a fairly solid fan base.

NBC, you might think, might want to get even with CBS for luring "Medium" away, but programming president Angela Bromstad says "Flashpoint" is not on her pickup list. With five hours of "The Jay Leno Show" hogging her schedule, Bromstad has fewer drama holes to fill.

Then again, even Leno could flop in the fall. Nothing is a sure thing in television, as Canadian producers and programmers know better than anyone.