Let me outline the thought process of the people that thought this was a good idea:
Being serious: I predict massive failure. But who knows? Maybe it'll be ok. Only time will tell.
Exec 1: "Well, we alienated the guy that made this series, and before he left he declared that it was over. What do we do?"
Exec 2: "Ohhh, I smell a dead franchise! Time to hump the corpse!"
Exec 3: *funny noises* "Waaaaay ahead of you!"
Exec 2: "Ohhh, I smell a dead franchise! Time to hump the corpse!"
Exec 3: *funny noises* "Waaaaay ahead of you!"
Being serious: I predict massive failure. But who knows? Maybe it'll be ok. Only time will tell.