Joel Silver and the writers take over for Chip Johannessen

CBS' cult-favorite vampire drama "Moonlight" is expected to shoot its last four episodes of the season without a showrunner.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chip Johannessen has exited the first-year bloodsucking soap for unspecified reasons. Rather than finding a new showrunner/exec producer to take his place, the trade paper says that Joel Silver and the show's writing staff will collectively work to bring in the last four episodes.

If "Moonlight" is renewed for a second season -- and CBS executives may be terrified about receiving packages of hemoglobin if they cancel it -- a showrunner would be named for the second season.

Fans of the show know that David Greenwalt ("Angel") originally came on to recast and tweak the "Moonlight" pilot presentation, but left very early into the episode run, replaced by Johannessen.

Although it stands as CBS' lowest rated Friday night drama, dropping in viewers between "Ghost Whisperer" and "Numb3rs," "Moonlight" has still regularly won its 9 p.m. time slot in many key measures, holding off shows like NBC's "Friday Night Lights," which may have received more publicity.

"Moonlight" is scheduled to return on April 11.