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TV GUIDE ONLINE

Are Your Fave Shows in Trouble?
by Stephen Battaglio

Just call them Endangered Series — those unlucky shows whose declining ratings are killing their chances of survival. Is your favorite on the list? Here's a rundown of the programs that might get the ax to make room for next season's new shows.

NBC
The West Wing has chosen Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda as candidates for a post-Bartlet White House, and NBC has reelected Wing for a seventh term, but only after Warner Bros. reportedly offered to halve the show's hefty license fee. Ad-buying executive Tim Spengler believes the political drama's appeal to upscale viewers, which makes it valuable to advertisers, convinced NBC to finance another fictional presidential campaign.

Other shows in NBC's danger zone: Third Watch, Medical Investigation and American Dreams. We hear Dreams stars Will Estes and Rachel Boston have already signed on to new shows rather than wait for cancellation.

ABC
Soon the alphabet net's initials could stand for "Anything But Comedy." With the exception of According to Jim, all of ABC's ratings-challenged sitcoms stand a chance of getting pink-slipped. Most vulnerable are 8 Simple Rules, Less Than Perfect and Rodney.

CBS
Fans might want to say a prayer for Joan of Arcadia. Despite heavy promotion, the spiritual drama still hasn't attracted much of a flock on Friday nights. Ditto for the aging JAG, which might spin off a new military drama starring Catherine Bell's character. If JAG does return, it will do so without costar David James Elliott.

Fox
The Bernie Mac Show's ratings have perked up lately, but a fifth season could depend on the star's health. Bernie Mac suffers from the rare respiratory illness sarcoidosis, and production had to shut down last fall when he was hospitalized. Meanwhile, low-rated Jonny Zero's chances of seeing a second season are zilch.

UPN
Kevin Hill never lived up to ratings expectations and now finds itself on shaky ground. "The first show had a lot of buzz," Spengler says. "But the story lines just didn't catch on."

WB
Good reviews will not keep Jack & Bobby's term from being shorter than Gerry Ford's. The show has averaged a puny 2.4 million viewers a week. Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge also could be running out of time.

My favorite shows were born in trouble.

My favorite shows were born in trouble.
I'm still mourning Good Morning Miami. ;)

I'm still mourning Good Morning Miami. ;)

I worry about you sometimes Janice. I really do.

:lol:

I don't have any shows that are in danger. I really think shows like Arrested Development and American Dreams would do better in first run syndication it's a cleaner market than the network where they wouldn't have to compete with network shows and since it is hardly used anymore they could find their own base and grow more than they could at the network.

Is Boston Legal on the bubble? It's getting really good now but the ratings (I heard) are like a rollercoaster, one week they're up, the next they're down.

Not really... It won't be on Sundays after Housewives though IMO... probably Tuesday or Thursday.

Not really... It won't be on Sundays after Housewives though IMO... probably Tuesday or Thursday.
Brent, who were you quoting? Where is SneakyMcSneak's post?

Brent, who were you quoting? Where is SneakyMcSneak's post?
Yeah i was wondering that too :confused:

Maybe hes on that ignore list thing

shoulda never cancelled Angel....

I'm hoping and praying that Bernie Mac makes it. FOX should at least let the show make it to 100 episodes considering all the drama they've put it through.

"SneakyMcSneak".... coincidence?? I think not.
:lol: Hmmm

I don't have any shows that are in danger. I really think shows like Arrested Development and American Dreams would do better in first run syndication it's a cleaner market than the network where they wouldn't have to compete with network shows and since it is hardly used anymore they could find their own base and grow more than they could at the network.

I'd agree in the case of American Dreams, but I don't see a show like Arrested Development being strong as a first run syndicated series. A move to say, HBO would suit AD better if FOX cans it, I think.


Other "endangered" shows I'd really like to see return -- American Dreams, Bernie Mac, Veronica Mars.

:yeahthat

Brent, who were you quoting? Where is SneakyMcSneak's post?

:mumble:

It was there when I posted... must have gotten banned. :lol:

Canada's TV Guide has taken on the same project in their March 19 issue, spotlighting 5 shows that they feel are worth saving, plus another 9 critically acclaimed series that don't get enough respect and should be watched more often, or they could be in trouble as well. The issue uses "Family Guy", "Roswell", "Designing Women", and "Cagney & Lacey" as examples of shows that were spared from the axe by successful viewer protests. Having over 2.6 million DVDs sold also helped greatly in the case of "Family Guy". With that in mind, the article also offers addresses where viewers can send their beefs in the hope that someone at the networks will listen. Now since TV Guide Canada has not made this article available on their website, and since I don't want to copy it word for word for fear of getting caught, I'll just list the highlights.

The 5 series that the TV Guide article feels are worth saving are:

1. American Dreams --- NBC Wed. 8:00 pm #71 in the ratings for 2004-05 season so far.

I liked the first couple of episodes with the "American Bandstand" flashbacks and the retro early 60s good-old-days atmosphere, but once they started doing Vietnam storylines, I was outta there!


2. Jack & Bobby --- WB Sun 8:00 pm #152 and dead last. Ouch!

Not a bad idea for a series. Show a pair of brothers growing up in the normal fashion, except that one of them will eventually grow up to be President of the United States. It's a very creative concept, but no one seems to be paying attention, hence its inclusion on this list.

3. The O.C. --- FOX Thu 8:00 pm #88

At one time, this was the hottest show on FOX, and, more specifically, the hottest show anywhere. Now, it appears to be headed for oblivion. The fact that it occupies the worst timeslot in the television universe should give you an idea of how FOX feels about it.

4. Scrubs --- NBC Tue 9:00 pm #75

This is my choice for the most underrated sitcom on TV today. The show is funny, the characters are likable, and each episode is fast paced and well written. What's not to like?

5. Arrested Development --- FOX Sun. 8:30 pm #100

This one might receive the most fan support of the 5 series on the list, as well as the most tearful goodbyes from critics who will hate to see it go. But count me out of that group. I just don't feel it's funny at all!

If you would like to see these shows stay on the air, TV Guide provided some addresses that you can use to make your voices heard. Here they are:

For "American Dreams" and/or "Scrubs" :

NBC Viewer Relations
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY
10112

For "Jack & Bobby" :

faces@thewb.com

For "The O.C." and/or "Arrested Development" :

askfox@foxinc.com

Good luck and I hope you succeed in keeping your favorites alive!


In the same article, TV Guide also listed 9 series that they like to call the "Strong Silent Types", shows that are very well done but don't get the same respect as other series. These shows are very highly recommended by the TV Guide Canada staff, and they encourage you to watch them, otherwise, they also could share the same fate as the 5 series I mentioned above. These series are:

1. MEDIUM---NBC Mon 10:00 pm
2. HOUSE---FOX Tue 9:00 pm
3. BOSTON LEGAL---ABC Sun 10:00 pm
4. MEDICAL INVESTIGATION---NBC Fri 10:00 pm
5. THIRD WATCH---NBC FRI 9:00 pm
6. LAS VEGAS---NBC Mon 9:00 pm
7. COLD CASE---CBS Sun 8:00 pm
8. RODNEY---ABC Tue 9:30 pm (The only sitcom on the list)
9. CROSSING JORDAN---NBC Sun 10:00 pm (opposite "Boston Legal"!)

Looks like NBC could use a lot of help! :lol:

I've never watched any of these 9 shows so I wouldn't know first-hand how good or bad they are, but I have heard good things about them. If you like them, keep watching them or they could be gone before you know it.

I'm still mourning Good Morning Miami. ;)me too i miss that show

Arrested Development - This NEEDS to be kept on. If not on FOX, then do first-run episodes on FX (considering all the success they've had with The Shield, Nip/Tuck, + Rescue Me). Would be one of the all-time "You Dips! What Were You Thinking?!?" moments if they cut it down. It's flippin' hilarious!

8 Simple Rules and Less Than Perfect - Lost a lot of people when they were shifted to Friday. However, I think ABC will keep them around for at least another year so they can get their 100 in for syndication. Personally, it's nice to know there are other fans of these shows out there. (I think these shows could also get shifted to ABC Family or another cable network for first-run episodes if worst comes to worst.)

The minute John Ritter died, is the minute they should've cancelled 8 Simple Rules. IMO

I'm really not too surprised that '8 Simple Rules' might be in trouble. After all, there is only so much that the cast can do considering the past circumstances of the show. It just really hasn't been the same since the loss of John Ritter. 'He was the show'. :( :jack I mean, I have nothing against James Gardner, but he really isn't one of my favorites. And I really don't care for David Spade :thumbsdow .

I think Arrested Development will return

From the new issue of tvguide:


When Fox recently cut Arrested Development's Season from 22 to 18 episodes fans feared the Emmy-winning sitcom's development was being arrested. Not so insists Fox president Gail Berman: "It's a strategy we're using to protect the show." Translation: By finishing it's season in April, Arrested won't see it's already low ratings dip further against other nets' May-sweeps stunts. That'll make it easier for Berman to justify renewing it. The suddenly shortened season meant creator Mitchell Hurwitz had to ditch a few planned subplots, including the return of the Bluths' adopted son Annyong(Justin Lee). "He's off getting his education at the Milford Academy, where the motto is: 'Children should be neither seen nor heard," Hurwitz says. "Which is also our motto: Arrested Development, neither seen nor heard"




I find it hard to believe that Hope and Faith pulls in more ratings than both 8SR and Less Than Perfect. I hope ABC gives Less Than Perfect another season, and moves it back to Tuesdays after According to Jim where it should have stayed

Gail Berman just quit/resigned.... as much as I love it, I'm pretty sure this spells the end for Arrested Development.

I'm guessing 8SR and LTP will return for one more season, just for them to reach the syndication mark -- and then the plug will be pulled on both series, unless they see a spike in the ratings.

I didn't know he had quit, I guess it is the end :(

Yeah I want Less Than Perfect to go at least one more season to qualify for syndication

I think Less Than Perfect needs to try to get Julia Roberts to guest star sometime in the future, I mean her brother is on the show for goodness sakes

She is working for Paramount now, right?

I heard she took the top creative job, in the movie buisness.

A few days ago, Kelly Ripa said on "Live!" that "Hope & Faith" has been renewed for a third season. So barring a sudden change of heart from ABC, I presume that series is safe.

I am surprised UPN is having problems with Veronica Mars, since it is probably the only show on the network currently that ANYBODY ever talks about, I figured it was the biggest show they had.

I am surprised UPN is having problems with Veronica Mars, since it is probably the only show on the network currently that ANYBODY ever talks about, I figured it was the biggest show they had.

Actually, IMO, it is their best show, and this is coming from a lifelong Star Trek fan.

She's a woman.

:blush: thanks didn't know :lol:

One of my shows Third Watch got canceled today. 8 Simple Rules and Jag are also on the bubble but without DJE, Jag should just end because I won't watch it without him.

I am surprised Third Watch was cancelled, I thought the show got decent ratings?

or did someone associated with the show decide to leave and NBC decided it'd be best to axe it while original cast members are still there instead of going the ER route

I am surprised Third Watch was cancelled, I thought the show got decent ratings?

or did someone associated with the show decide to leave and NBC decided it'd be best to axe it while original cast members are still there instead of going the ER route
Its basically an ensemble show so even if someone left, they could be replaced. It was still winning its timeslot on Friday most weeks but I guess its cheaper for NBC to try something new on Friday since ratings for most shows on that night are so low.

Its basically an ensemble show so even if someone left, they could be replaced.

that is true, but sometimes it gets overdone, like ER for example. NBC should've let it go out with dignity when original cast members were still there. People who loved the show 10 years ago have nobody to watch for today except for Sherry Stringfield (well, I know Wyle is leaving this season, dunno if he's already gone or not). Shows like these need at least a little glue to hold things together, kinda like how Dennis Franz was the glue that held NYPD Blue together for all twelve seasons.

Who else finds it funny that Sherry was the first ER cast member to leave to "become a star", and yet 11 seasons into the show, is the only original who is on the show currently. George Clooney was such a liar, he said he would stay with ER until the end, and yet he left merely into season 5.

that is true, but sometimes it gets overdone, like ER for example. NBC should've let it go out with dignity when original cast members were still there. People who loved the show 10 years ago have nobody to watch for today except for Sherry Stringfield (well, I know Wyle is leaving this season, dunno if he's already gone or not). Shows like these need at least a little glue to hold things together, kinda like how Dennis Franz was the glue that held NYPD Blue together for all twelve seasons.

Who else finds it funny that Sherry was the first ER cast member to leave to "become a star", and yet 11 seasons into the show, is the only original who is on the show currently. George Clooney was such a liar, he said he would stay with ER until the end, and yet he left merely into season 5.

I'm not very familiar with ER.... but from what I understand, NOBODY currently on the show appeared in the pilot.

I'm not very familiar with ER.... but from what I understand, NOBODY currently on the show appeared in the pilot.

I never watched ER except for a little while during it's second season, but I believe Sherry Stringfield was with the series from day 1. She left the show around season 3 and her career plummetted, but then she just recently came back to the show about 2 or 3 years ago, it would've been like if David Caruso had come back to NYPD Blue in place of Mark-Paul Gosselaar

I wish they would at least give 8 Simple Rules the fourth season so it can go to syndication. I would love to see those John Ritter episodes again. There is a potential large syndication audience for this show. They have people that like the show and the people who are John Ritter fans, and want to see his final work live in in syndication.

I never watched ER except for a little while during it's second season, but I believe Sherry Stringfield was with the series from day 1. She left the show around season 3 and her career plummetted, but then she just recently came back to the show about 2 or 3 years ago, it would've been like if David Caruso had come back to NYPD Blue in place of Mark-Paul Gosselaar


Ohh, that makes sense. Maybe I just heard the "no original cast members" quote before she returned.

- American Idol (FOX)
- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (NBC)
- Saturday Night Live (NBC)
- The Shield (FX)

- American Idol (FOX)

come on, you think we're that lucky? nope, we'll probably be stuck with a few more years of glorified karaoke and really awful artists that people get defensive over.

- American Idol (FOX)
- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (NBC)
- Saturday Night Live (NBC)
- The Shield (FX)


None of those are in trouble.... at all.

Zucker clearly hated it*, and it was indeed very expensive. Better hope it doesn't backfire in his face, like when he dumped "Providence" and replaced it with "Mister Sterling," "America's Most Annoying Kids," "Miss Match," blah, blah, blah...

* As proof, I offer the 19 different time slots it's had since 2001 and it being just about the last show he renewed the past 4 seasons.
Thats true. I really didn't even start to watch it until 3 years ago when reruns started on A&E. It kept moving around NBC so much I didn't expect it to last as long as it did and if you don't watch these shows from the beginning its hard to get into them.

that is true, but sometimes it gets overdone, like ER for example. NBC should've let it go out with dignity when original cast members were still there. People who loved the show 10 years ago have nobody to watch for today except for Sherry Stringfield (well, I know Wyle is leaving this season, dunno if he's already gone or not). Shows like these need at least a little glue to hold things together, kinda like how Dennis Franz was the glue that held NYPD Blue together for all twelve seasons.

Who else finds it funny that Sherry was the first ER cast member to leave to "become a star", and yet 11 seasons into the show, is the only original who is on the show currently. George Clooney was such a liar, he said he would stay with ER until the end, and yet he left merely into season 5.
ER is the worst. That used to be one of my favorite shows but I stopped watching after Anthony Edwards left the show. Their really is nobody left on it I like except for Susan. The Carter-Abby Triangle was getting old and I didn't like many of the new characters.

- American Idol (FOX)
- The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (NBC)
- Saturday Night Live (NBC)
- The Shield (FX)


How could Conan O' Brien's show be in trouble? Didn't NBC announce that he would replace Jay Leno on the "Tonight Show" in 2008? His name would be one of the last ones that I would put on my list.

I hope American Dreams doesn't get axed. It's a great little show. I've never missed an episode since it started.

I hope American Dreams doesn't get axed. It's a great little show. I've never missed an episode since it started.

I haven't seen every episode, but I like the show a lot. However, I doubt NBC will bring it back in the fall. I'm glad they've recorded an "alternative ending" in case they do get the ax. It'll be nice to have closure.

I'm glad they've recorded an "alternative ending" in case they do get the ax. It'll be nice to have closure.
Thanks. Good to know. I didn't know they did that.

I don't understand why this show is failing. It's got a little something for everyone. Teen angst, a great couple as parents, popular musical guest spots, good storylines, social issues (i.e. war, civil rights, religion). The production values are quite impressive. Can't beat that music played throughout the show.

The show has a lot of heart. I'll be sad to see it go.

Thanks. Good to know. I didn't know they did that.

I don't understand why this show is failing. It's got a little something for everyone. Teen angst, a great couple as parents, popular musical guest spots, good storylines, social issues (i.e. war, civil rights, religion). The production values are quite impressive. Can't beat that music played throughout the show.

The show has a lot of heart. I'll be sad to see it go.

the problem with American Dreams was that NBC gave it a really brutal time slot, up against ratings hits like Extreme Makeover:Home Edition and Cold Case and cult shows like Charmed and The Simpsons, so it was really hard for AD to find it's own audience considering all of those shows have a defined market.

the problem with American Dreams was that NBC gave it a really brutal time slot, up against ratings hits like Extreme Makeover:Home Edition and Cold Case and cult shows like Charmed and The Simpsons, so it was really hard for AD to find it's own audience considering all of those shows have a defined market.


Actually American Dreams was in the Sunday at 8 time slot before Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Cold Case came along. It did well in its first season in that slot.

It was in the top 40 most weeks during its first season. You can't really say that NBC didn't try- it only had one timeslot (until now) and was given a third season despite bad ratings in its second season.

None of my favorite current shows are in trouble...

Gilmore Girls
Family Guy
Saturday Night Live
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Unfabulous
Phil of the Future

Honorable Mentions that are in trouble...

That '70s Show: This used to be a huge favorite of mine, but I've been losing interest in the show these days. The ratings are also way down this season. For the past few months, the episodes have been getting worse and worse in quality, and when Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher leave at the end of this season...well, lets just say I don't think I'll be watching next year. (the series should end this season, IMO, but an eighth year has already been ordered, I believe) I'll still buy the earlier seasons on DVD, tho...

Malcolm in the Middle: I haven't seen a single episode this season, as I loathe the 7:30 pm time slot. (and I'm not alone, as I hear the ratings are way down on this show, as well) The show used to get preempted due to NFL games, and I refuse to start watching a Malcolm episode 15 minutes into the story. Plus, the quality of the series has gone way down in recent years, so I don't think I'm missing much. I only watch the show on DVD and in syndication these days.

T7S does have an 8th season order, without Grace or Kutcher. Malcolm is in very real trouble of being cancelled. It ranks 102nd so far this season, which is very, very bad. I'm actually enjoying the show when I remember it's on.

Arrested Development, one of my favs, is in perennial trouble, and Less Than Perfect is in alot of trouble as well. Other than that, it's smooth sailing for my favorites.

If Arrested Development returns next season, I'll be perfectly happy. Hopefully not including it in the article means we have hope.

Other "endangered" shows I'd really like to see return -- American Dreams, 8 Simple Rules, Less Than Perfect, The Bernie Mac Show and to a lesser extent, Jack & Bobby.

Also.... Veronica Mars which was not mentioned, but is in serious danger.
Veronica Mars isn't in trouble.It was voted for the series most wanted for another season.Plus Kristen Bell is hot.Also I think 8 Simple Rules is doing fine without John Ritter(God rest his soul) which was a real shock to me because James Garner was doing bad replacing John as the man of the house.But when David Spade came in,the show got funny again.It's not the same without John being a overprotective father,but it's doing fine

Moonlit Suburb,I believe this is That 70s Show's last season.If they did have another season without Topher and Ashton,the season would end before it even got started

Veronica Mars isn't in trouble.It was voted for the series most wanted for another season.Plus Kristen Bell is hot.Also I think 8 Simple Rules is doing fine without John Ritter(God rest his soul) which was a real shock to me because James Garner was doing bad replacing John as the man of the house.But when David Spade came in,the show got funny again.It's not the same without John being a overprotective father,but it's doing fine

Moonlit Suburb,I believe this is That 70s Show's last season.If they did have another season without Topher and Ashton,the season would end before it even got started

with 8SR, I have read various articles saying the show could possibly be cancelled, it's in the 90's in the Nielson's (it was in the top 40 the first season when Ritter was alive)

with That 70's Show, why be so surprised? Happy Days carried on without Ron Howard, Fox probably thinks that Fez can carry the show without Ashton and Topher the way that Happy Days could carry on with Fonz even if Richie and Ralph were gone.

Just read that "Malcolm In the Middle" has been renewed.