Less than a month after making radical changes on Wednesday night, ABC has announced further schedule adjustments. Meanwhile, E! Online reports the network has informed the writers of the Mick Jagger robbery sitcom "Knights of Prosperity" the production will shut down following the completion of the initial 13-episode order.
The sitcom's lackluster premiere on January 3 was followed by further viewer erosion once FOX unleashed the sixth season of "American Idol" cutting its audience into half with the latest installment attracting a little over 3 million viewers.
The network refuses to use the word "cancellation" instead announcing a shift to an earlier time of 8:30pm. "According to Jim" will move into the 9pm slot. "In Case of Emergency" which did even worse than "Knights" will remain in the 9:30pm slot, while George Lopez will continue to anchor the night.
Meanwhile, another victim of the invincible "Idol" was given the axe - CBS announced it was pulling the low-rated reality series "Armed & Famous" effective immediately. Reruns "C.S.I.: NY" and "Criminal Minds" will fill the Wednesday at 8pm slot until post-apocalypse drama "Jericho" returns with a clip-show on February 14.
Finally, The CW has confirmed - "Reba" will say farewell after six seasons with back-to-back episodes on Sunday February 18 at 7pm. Ironically, "Reba" is currently The CW's highest-rated comedy - its audience is up to 50% higher than that of any of the four sitcoms on CW's Monday night comedy line-up.
The sitcom's lackluster premiere on January 3 was followed by further viewer erosion once FOX unleashed the sixth season of "American Idol" cutting its audience into half with the latest installment attracting a little over 3 million viewers.
The network refuses to use the word "cancellation" instead announcing a shift to an earlier time of 8:30pm. "According to Jim" will move into the 9pm slot. "In Case of Emergency" which did even worse than "Knights" will remain in the 9:30pm slot, while George Lopez will continue to anchor the night.
Meanwhile, another victim of the invincible "Idol" was given the axe - CBS announced it was pulling the low-rated reality series "Armed & Famous" effective immediately. Reruns "C.S.I.: NY" and "Criminal Minds" will fill the Wednesday at 8pm slot until post-apocalypse drama "Jericho" returns with a clip-show on February 14.
Finally, The CW has confirmed - "Reba" will say farewell after six seasons with back-to-back episodes on Sunday February 18 at 7pm. Ironically, "Reba" is currently The CW's highest-rated comedy - its audience is up to 50% higher than that of any of the four sitcoms on CW's Monday night comedy line-up.
Argh. CW treats "Reba" like crap. It's not fair that it does considerably well for their standards and yet they don't appreciate that show at all. I was so angry when they decided not to include it in its original line-up and only added it after the newer shows failed to build a following.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I must say it is time for the show to end. It's really getting pointless these days. I can't bear to watch it anymore. Starting since last season, I slowly lost interest and now it is just dragging.
If only all of our favorite shows could bow out gracefully. Unfortunately the economics of television business make that impossible as networks milk their shows for all they're worth. I'm curious if ABC follows through their promise to give "Lost" a planned ending.
ReplyDeleteHey Justin, I'm really surprised they didn't give Knights more of a chance given the AI steamroller. I wish they had something half decent to lead into Lost, but it doesn't look as if that's in the cards...sigh...
ReplyDeleteJustin - Yes, I know what you mean. I was so upset when "Invasion" was cancelled. Its story was only beginning when it ended. *Sigh* ABC should have stuck by it for another season. It is doing a lot better than those crappy comedies ABC has on Wednesday nights now. :\
ReplyDeleteLuckily, it looks like "Desperate Housewives" will be able to end on its own terms. :)
Well, Roland... As one of the readers pointed out - "Lost" doesn't really need a lead in, because its audience would pretty much follow it anywhere. But, of course a strong lead-in can never hurt, so there could be some viewer erosion when "Lost" comes back. It will be very interesting to see the ratings from February 7.
ReplyDeleteActually, "Invasion" was doing much better than pretty much anything that ABC put on Wednesdays this season (apart from "Dancing" results shows and "Lost", of course). The Nine, comedies, newsmagazines, it all pales in comparison. I bet they regret their decision, too. That show needed time to grow. And look where Eddie "The Dimples" ended up because of that...
ReplyDeleteKnights of Prosperity really isn't cancelled everyone. ABC wants the show to succeed and is moving it to Wed nights at 8:30pm to try to boost ratings a little. A back nine was not necessary as the first 13 take the series into early April. I think it's still under serious consideration to return next Fall.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if the ratings magically improve, ABC will resurrect the show, but the word from the set is - it's pretty much dead. We'll see what happens this Wednesday, though.
ReplyDelete