Steve M.
02-05-2004, 12:09 PM
Writing in today's edition of the Newark, N.J. Star-Ledger, Alan Sepinwall reports that NBC hasn't decided yet on whether or not to renew "Ed." So why is NBC telling viewers tomorrow night's episode will definitely be the last? Simple, Sepinwall wrtites - NBC is lying.
He points out that this sort of thing has happened before, most recently at ABC where the network promised that "Karen Sisco" would be back in the spring, when in fact they'd already decided to cancel it. NBC also billed a recent clip-show episode of "Freinds" as an all-new episode. And there are other examples too numerous for me to mention.
Now, back to "Ed". . . . Sepinwall has seen tomorrow's wedding episode, and he thinks it's a winner. He notes, though, that it was written as if the producers figured it was going to be cancelled, and that this would make a perfect series finale. To which I would add this - the writers must have added the subplot about Nancy's pregnancy (hey, Nancy's name makes up the last two syllables of "pregnancy" - sonething Ed and Mike would point out!) to hedge their bets, in case "Ed" does come back in the fall; therefore, they have a new story line to pursue.
My advice to NBC, given the shows they're definitely losing already and the spectacular failure of "Coupling," is to renew "Ed," put it back on Wednesdays at 8 PM ET, and keep it there. My advice to my fellow Edheads is to enjoy tomorrow's episode, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.
He points out that this sort of thing has happened before, most recently at ABC where the network promised that "Karen Sisco" would be back in the spring, when in fact they'd already decided to cancel it. NBC also billed a recent clip-show episode of "Freinds" as an all-new episode. And there are other examples too numerous for me to mention.
Now, back to "Ed". . . . Sepinwall has seen tomorrow's wedding episode, and he thinks it's a winner. He notes, though, that it was written as if the producers figured it was going to be cancelled, and that this would make a perfect series finale. To which I would add this - the writers must have added the subplot about Nancy's pregnancy (hey, Nancy's name makes up the last two syllables of "pregnancy" - sonething Ed and Mike would point out!) to hedge their bets, in case "Ed" does come back in the fall; therefore, they have a new story line to pursue.
My advice to NBC, given the shows they're definitely losing already and the spectacular failure of "Coupling," is to renew "Ed," put it back on Wednesdays at 8 PM ET, and keep it there. My advice to my fellow Edheads is to enjoy tomorrow's episode, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.