CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Showtime's "The Chris Isaak Show" won't be getting an encore when it returns from its 18-month hiatus on Thursday, January 8 at 10:00/9:00c. The network confirmed today the show's upcoming third season will be its last.

A press release touting the show's return referred to the 13 new episodes as "the third and final season" of the original series. The news doesn't come as much of a surprise as the show's viewership ranks well beyond the network's other originals such as "Queer as Folk," "Jeremiah" and "Soul Food."

Also in the release, Showtime included plot summaries for the first six episodes this season:

On Thursday, January 8, "The Family of Man" premieres, guest starring Bret Michaels. An old Indian artifact that Chris finds at his cabin in the woods may cost him his land, so he agrees to perform at the nearby Indian casino, hoping to enlist their support. "Candidate," guest starring Michelle Branch, premieres on Thursday, January 15. When Chris' favorite free parking spot at the public beach is designated a red zone, Chris vows to fight for civil liberties and, with the support of Michelle Branch and his band, enters the election race for parking commissioner.

On Thursday, January 22, "Let The Games Begin" premieres, guest starring Cy Young Award-winning Oakland A's pitcher Barry Zito. Chris revels in his newfound friendship with star baseball player Barry Zito, until he discovers that Barry can do just about everything better than he can. Chris Isaak makes his directorial debut with an episode titled "Home Improvement," on Thursday, January 29; Brian McKnight guest stars. Pressured by his friends to improve his homely house, Chris decides to install a state-of-the-art steam room, but quickly comes to regret it.

"The Little Mermaid" premieres on Thursday, February 5. When Chris disregards Mona's advice to return the extra $20 dollars he got from the automatic teller, she mysteriously vanishes from her lair. On Thursday, February 12, "A Little Help From My Friends" premieres, guest starring Gloria Estefan. Chris is in for a shock when Gloria Estefan arrives to perform with him, but secretly plots to break up his band.

Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider are the executive producers of "Isaak" along with Chris Isaak and Phoenix Entertainment's Arnold Messer and Mike Medavoy.