America's Most Wanted Unwanted by Lifetime

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Looks as if the quarter-century run of America's Most Wanted ("AMW"), hosted by John Walsh, may be drawing to a close, as TV Guide.com exclusively reported that Lifetime Television has decided not to renew the crime-busting reality show.

According to TV Guide, Lifetime is developing a pilot, John Walsh Investigates, that also would feature a blend of victim advocacy and crime-busting. Meanwhile, AMW may look for another network sugar daddy to support it.

AMW debuted on Fox in 1988, where it ran (like a fugitive from justice) for 24 seasons before Lifetime picked it up in December 2011. After 44 episodes on Lifetime, the last original episode aired on October 12, and based on the paltry ratings, the show couldn't get arrested.

According to the TV Guide article, AMW over the years assisted law enforcement in tracking down 1,202 fugitives worldwide. The show is distributed by Twentieth Television.