Friday, April 29, 2005 - 8:41 AM
FOX Puts a Fork in 'Stick'
By Brian Ford Sullivan

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Amid last night's scheduling commotion in reaction to President Bush's press conference addition, FOX quietly announced it has dumped its freshman comedy "Life on a Stick" for the remainder of the May sweeps period.

Fellow newcomer "Stacked" will permanently take over "Stick's" Wednesday, 9:30/8:30c slot starting next week while repeats of "That '70s Show" will fill the 8:30/7:30c half-hour. It's not clear if "Stick" will return in June following the all important sweeps month.

The news follows this week's test run of swapping the time periods of "Stacked" and "Stick." Preliminary fast national Nielsen numbers from Wednesday indicate "Stacked" retained an improved (albeit still troubling) 51.5% of "American Idol's" lead-in among adults 18-49, up from "Stick's" 40.4% retention last week.

FOX reportedly shot 13 episodes of "Stick" for midseason, which means eight installments will be available for a possible summer run.

Meanwhile, the network has also confirmed that "The O.C." will run back-to-back episodes next Thursday to make up for last night's pre-emption. "The Simple Life: Interns" then will wrap its season on Thursday, May 12 with back-to-back new episodes (instead of one new, one repeat) starting at 9:00/8:00c.

It's returning June 1st according to fox.com but I'll just tell you, that's probably to burn off the remaining episodes.

This was in fact a terrible show, I somehow doubt they would even burnoff the leftover episodes.

This was in fact a terrible show, I somehow doubt they would even burnoff the leftover episodes.

Me too... but it is FOX and it will be the summer... when repeats would usually air anyway.

This is an good show, the only problem is its on the same night as the over-rated reality t.v show American Idol. I bet people actually like the show but are afraid to admit it. But this show is another example of good shows trying to make it on the reality tv show era, and I hope it survives...But thats ok... American Idol will soon be gone.... and hopefully the rest of the over-rated reality tv shows will be gone as well....

i like it, but then I ENJOY quirky, weird little shows without overrated big name actors.

ive only watched it once but i thought it was pretty good

I'll admit it with no problem and even to the ones who dislike it. I like the show and I'm not ashamed to admit it not even to the ones who don't like it. So I like it and besides my mom and I already think people are tired of this so called tv people like to call reality tv.. Mel :cool: This is an good show, the only problem is its on the same night as the over-rated reality t.v show American Idol. I bet people actually like the show but are afraid to admit it. But this show is another example of good shows trying to make it on the reality tv show era, and I hope it survives...But thats ok... American Idol will soon be gone.... and hopefully the rest of the over-rated reality tv shows will be gone as well....

I feel bad for Ms. Yasbeck. But somehow I feel that she'll find something else. She's a very talented actress.