CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Fans of Showtime's original series "Jeremiah" are used to grim futures. The series, a post-apocalyptic drama set in the near future, deals with mankind rebuilding after a devastating plauge. And it looks like such a description can also be applied to the show's status in the real world.

Already 14 months will have passed between seasons when the series kicks off its second season on Friday, September 19. Now, executive producer J. Michael Straczynski is telling fans if the series does continue to a third season, it will be without him at the helm.

In a post to the "rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated" newsgroup, the prolific writer told posters:

I have zero desire to return to a third season of "Jeremiah." Showtime was great, no mistake, but MGM has overall been the most heinous, difficult and intrusive studio I've ever worked for. I've worked for, and had great relations with, Viacom, Universal, Warner Bros., and a bunch more. But I will never, ever, work for the present administration at MGM. I didn't know why so many other writers had a problem there and never wanted to go back. Now I do.

While that doesn't necessarily mean the series will close after its 16-episode run this season, it obviously paints a grim future for the show. In addition, Straczynski added that while several publications have reported on a DVD release for the series scheduled for early next year he "was never informed by MGM" that was the case.

Meanwhile, in brighter news, Straczynski's signature series "Babylon 5" could have some company next year on the DVD format. "It's my understanding that if the sales continue as they have for ["Babylon 5"], they will indeed release "Crusade" [the series' short-lived spin-off] on DVD," he said in another post. He also added that it's "very likely" the remaining telefilms based on the series will also get released.

The third season of "Babylon 5" is scheduled to be released next month with the remaining two seasons expected to follow suit shortly thereafter. Fans attending the San Diego Comic Convention this past week got a chance to tape messages for possible inclusion on the series' fifth season release, due out next year.

You can read the original posts by clicking here and here.