8 Simple Rules Could Be Cancelled

[Superbowl]

Please read the atttached article. It says 8 Simple Rules could be facing cancellation. Everyone who loves this show must compose an e-mail and copy and send it to each of the following e-mail addresses. We must let ABC know we want the show back for a 4th season. Please e-mail to the following key ABC/Touchstone people :

ABC Audience Feedback :
netaudr@abc.com

and

abc.audience.relations@abc.com (send to both the adresses)

Mark Pedowitz, Pres. Touchstone TV :

mark.pedowitz@touchstone.com

VP's In charge of sitcoms at Touchstone :

nina.howie@touchstone.com

jodie.platt@touchstone.com

julia.franz@touchstone.com

ABC President, Robert Iger :

robert.iger@abc.com

VP Programming ABC

charissa.gilmore@abc.com



Web's bubble trouble
Modestly rated vets may be in danger of cancellation
By JOSEF ADALIAN

(Variety.com)-The bubble may be about to burst on a number of long-running network shows -- and, believe it or not, the women of Desperate Housewives may be partly to blame.

ABC's runaway hit -- along with the Alphabet's Lost, NBC's Medium, Fox's House and CBS' Numbers -- has some network execs suddenly bullish about the state of scripted TV.

In particular, webheads are starting to believe that being bold can pay off -- leaving less room for modestly performing vets with relatively big production pricetags.

As a result, shows that a year ago would have been shoo-ins for renewal -- think 8 Simple Rules HD, Bernie Mac HD, Third Watch HD or 60 Minutes Wednesday -- find themselves on the bubble, teetering between renewal and cancellation.

"People right now think conditions are ripe for getting a hit," one insider says. "When you're coming off a season like this, in which there are a few smash hits, that boosts everyone's collective optimism."

Most encouraging is the fact that ABC -- a network with one foot in the grave a year ago -- has had the most luck finding hits this year. Competing nets with far stronger underlying skeds are now pondering whether it might be time to clear out the cobwebs and roll the dice on some newcomers.

"What's been proven this year is that it's not a fait accompli that ratings for the networks have to go down every year," says one network suit.

The nets have already cleared some shelf space for next season.

Everybody Loves Raymond HD and NYPD Blue HD started the year knowing the end was in sight. More recently, UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise HD and the WB's Grounded for Life have had their exits cast in stone.

Other veterans that will have to fight their way back for another year (in addition to the ones mentioned above) include Judging Amy HD, Third Watch HD, JAG HD, the CBS Sunday Movie HD and American Dreams. HD

ABC's The Bachelor will likely be back, but probably won't air as often. King of the Hill episodes will air next season, but the show might also end up with a much shorter season than usual.

As with most things in network TV, however, money plays a key role in deciding the fate of a veteran skeinskein.

"Unless you can pull a Boston Legal, shows usually don't get cheaper as they go deeper," one web wag observes, noting that cast and writer salary bumps can add millions to a show's budget. At the same time costs soar, ratings almost always dip.

"You look at the time period and say, 'Am I losing money or making money?' " the exec adds.

While it's true that most new shows actually end up scoring lower numbers than the skeins they replaced, the frosh series often cost a hell of a lot less.

"If you sacrifice two-tenths of a ratings point but the new show is $2 million cheaper, then you've done well," the web suit says.

In a perfect world, nets would make decisions on bubble shows right now. That way, producers could pen appropriate finales, while network marketing machines could crank up the hype and start signaling the long goodbye (remember NBC's never-ending swan song for Friends?).

But shows that look old and haggard in February -- when nets are giddy with anticipation over their "best development season ever"-- can seem a lot shinier come May after several promising pilots have crashed and burned.

"Quite often, there's a show that everyone thought was dead, and come May, you're standing at the scheduling board and you're literally a half-hour or hour short," says one scheduling guru. "We shrug and say, 'We thought we wouldn't need it,' and then you reach for the old show and put it on the board."

[Pavan]

It wouldn't hurt emailing them, but I am not too worried. The show has picked up steam ever since the weather got a bit colder. It did get off to a slow start in September and October, but it has picked up since about mid-November and has done very well here in early 2005. So well, that ABC has picked up 2 more episodes, when originally ABC was going to end the season early.

Article from the Hollywood Reporter:

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - CBS has picked up four additional episodes of the crime drama "Numbers," bringing the total order for the midseason entrant to 12 episodes.

Following a big debut after the AFC Championship Game, drawing the largest audience for a drama series premiere in 10 years, the Rob Morrow-David Krumholtz starrer "Numbers" has cooled off after moving to its regular Friday 10 p.m. slot but still easily ranked as the top program for the night in its first two airings.

ABC, meanwhile, has ordered two more segments of "8 Simple Rules," bringing the total for the third-season comedy to 24. The show, starring Katey Sagal, has held its ground as the 8 p.m. anchor of ABC's Friday comedy block this season.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[Superbowl]

I hate to tell you, but you are wrong. The ratings declined a lot this week. It was ABC's lowest rated show on Friday night. It finished third in the 18-49 category when it was # 2 for quite some time. Hope & Faith and Less Than Perfect are now beating the show. Look here from Marc Berman's Program Insider for Friday 2/11 shows :

-Ratings Breakdown:
In a Friday of three-way leadership, CBS and NBC were tied for first in households, CBS was No. 1 in total viewers, and ABC held the top spot among adults 18-49. In particularly concerning news for CBS, Joan of Arcadia opened the evening at record-low ratings for an original telecast, with a 5.2/ 9 in households (#2), 7.38 million viewers (#3) and a fourth-place 1.8/ 6 among adults 18-49. First in the hour was NBC's Dateline (HH: 6.9/12; Viewers: 9.66 million; A18-49: 2.4/ 7), with two episodes of ABC's 8 Simple Rules (original and repeat) averaging a typical 5.1/ 9 in households (#3), 7.76 million viewers (#2), and a 2.3/ 8 (#3) among adults 18-49. If ABC wants to make inroads on Friday next season, it should consider opening the evening with Supernanny, which will lose its Monday 10 p.m. time period to football and could be an attraction for young adults, teens and kids.

Also in the 8 p.m. hour were two episodes (original and repeat) of Fox's Bernie Mac (HH: #4, avg. 3.4/ 6; Viewers: #4, avg. 5.40 million; A18-49: #3, avg. 2.3/ 8), the WB's What I Like About You (HH: #5, 2.1/ 4; Viewers: #5, 3.11 million; A18-49: #5, 1.5/ 5) and A Scooby Doo Valentine (HH: #5, 1.9/ 3; Viewers: #5, 3.22 million; A18-49: #5, 1.2/ 4), and UPN's soon-to-conclude Star Trek: Enterprise (HH: #6, 1.7/ 3; Viewers: #6, 2.75 million; A18-49: #6, 1.1/ 3).

At 9 p.m., CBS' veteran JAG (HH: #6.4/11; Viewers: 9.41 million; A18-49: 1.9/ 6) won the hour in households and total viewers but ranked third among adults 18-49. First in the demo were ABC sitcoms Hope & Faith (HH: #3, 5.7/10; Viewers: #3, 8.56 million; A18-49: #1, 3.0/ 9) and Less Than Perfect (HH: #3, 5.4/ 9; Viewers: #3, 7.89 million; A18-49: #1, 2.9/ 8). On NBC, Third Watch scored a typically modest 6.3/10 in households (#3), 9.07 million viewers (#3) and a 2.7/ 8 among adults 18-49 (#3). Fourth overall in the hour in households and fifth in viewers and adults 18-49 was Fox drama Jonny Zero (HH: 2.7/ 4; Viewers: 4.18 million; A18-49: 1.8/ 5). On the WB, although Reba at 9 p.m. remained consistent with a 3.1/ 5 in households (#4), 5.22 million viewers (#4) and a 2.2/ 6 among adults 18-49 (#4), soon-to-relocate lead-out Blue Collar TV sprung a leak, dipping to No. 5 in households (2.1/ 4), total viewers (3.73 million) and adults 18-49 (1.5/ 4) at 9:30 p.m. Retention for Blue Collar TV out of Reba was a disappointing 68 percent in households, 72 percent in viewers and 68 percent among adults 18-49.


I am encouraging everyone who likes 8 Simple Rules to write ABC. Believe me, the show is in trouble for renewal.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Superbowl

I hate to tell you, but you are wrong. The ratings declined a lot this week. It was ABC's lowest rated show on Friday night. It finished third in the 18-49 category when it was # 2 for quite some time. Hope & Faith and Less Than Perfect are now beating the show. Look here from Marc Berman's Program Insider for Friday 2/11 shows :

-Ratings Breakdown:
In a Friday of three-way leadership, CBS and NBC were tied for first in households, CBS was No. 1 in total viewers, and ABC held the top spot among adults 18-49. In particularly concerning news for CBS, Joan of Arcadia opened the evening at record-low ratings for an original telecast, with a 5.2/ 9 in households (#2), 7.38 million viewers (#3) and a fourth-place 1.8/ 6 among adults 18-49. First in the hour was NBC's Dateline (HH: 6.9/12; Viewers: 9.66 million; A18-49: 2.4/ 7), with two episodes of ABC's 8 Simple Rules (original and repeat) averaging a typical 5.1/ 9 in households (#3), 7.76 million viewers (#2), and a 2.3/ 8 (#3) among adults 18-49. If ABC wants to make inroads on Friday next season, it should consider opening the evening with Supernanny, which will lose its Monday 10 p.m. time period to football and could be an attraction for young adults, teens and kids.

Also in the 8 p.m. hour were two episodes (original and repeat) of Fox's Bernie Mac (HH: #4, avg. 3.4/ 6; Viewers: #4, avg. 5.40 million; A18-49: #3, avg. 2.3/ 8), the WB's What I Like About You (HH: #5, 2.1/ 4; Viewers: #5, 3.11 million; A18-49: #5, 1.5/ 5) and A Scooby Doo Valentine (HH: #5, 1.9/ 3; Viewers: #5, 3.22 million; A18-49: #5, 1.2/ 4), and UPN's soon-to-conclude Star Trek: Enterprise (HH: #6, 1.7/ 3; Viewers: #6, 2.75 million; A18-49: #6, 1.1/ 3).

At 9 p.m., CBS' veteran JAG (HH: #6.4/11; Viewers: 9.41 million; A18-49: 1.9/ 6) won the hour in households and total viewers but ranked third among adults 18-49. First in the demo were ABC sitcoms Hope & Faith (HH: #3, 5.7/10; Viewers: #3, 8.56 million; A18-49: #1, 3.0/ 9) and Less Than Perfect (HH: #3, 5.4/ 9; Viewers: #3, 7.89 million; A18-49: #1, 2.9/ 8). On NBC, Third Watch scored a typically modest 6.3/10 in households (#3), 9.07 million viewers (#3) and a 2.7/ 8 among adults 18-49 (#3). Fourth overall in the hour in households and fifth in viewers and adults 18-49 was Fox drama Jonny Zero (HH: 2.7/ 4; Viewers: 4.18 million; A18-49: 1.8/ 5). On the WB, although Reba at 9 p.m. remained consistent with a 3.1/ 5 in households (#4), 5.22 million viewers (#4) and a 2.2/ 6 among adults 18-49 (#4), soon-to-relocate lead-out Blue Collar TV sprung a leak, dipping to No. 5 in households (2.1/ 4), total viewers (3.73 million) and adults 18-49 (1.5/ 4) at 9:30 p.m. Retention for Blue Collar TV out of Reba was a disappointing 68 percent in households, 72 percent in viewers and 68 percent among adults 18-49.


I am encouraging everyone who likes 8 Simple Rules to write ABC. Believe me, the show is in trouble for renewal.

The way the negotiations are going Monday Night Football might be on ESPN next year, so Supernanny could still be on Monday.

[Superbowl]

I think MNF will stay on ABC. My personal feeling is that ABC will cancel some of their sitcoms to make room for other shows. 8 SR is now at the bottom of the heap for their sitcoms, and this could be trouble. Send off those e-mails it certainly cannot hurt.

[Pavan]

I think Rodney and Less Than Perfect are more likely to be gone than 8 Simple Rules. ABC had much better ratings when they tried George Lopez at 9:30 after According to Jim. Less Than Perfect had its highest ratings this past week and it was the ONLY time it had a higher rating than 8SR this season.

[katefandream04]

It won't be cancelled....if ABC gave two episodes,then it will give the show a chance.

[Miss Golden]

I think Less than Perfect will not make a Season 4. It is stuck at 9:30 on Friday Nights, and that is not good for a third year show. It really never has gotten the attention that 8 Simple Rules or Hope and Faith has gotten.

[TVJunkie101]

I don't think 8 Simple Rules will be cancelled at all. If anything, it'll get one more year to make syndication, LOL.

It still does well.

Unless ABC has stellar sitcom pilots, I think Less Than Perfect has a shot at coming back. I think it's an underrated show, imo.

[Superbowl]

Well, the already have the new John Stamos (I believe it is called Jake in Progress) that is set to premiere in March. ABC is promoting the hell out of it. You see promos for it every 10 minutes. I think that show is a lock for the fall schedule unless the ratings are terrible in March. It will premiere around Desperate Housewifes so I am sure the ratings will be very, very good. So that is one spot already gone.

Look, I really hope you are all correct. I want the show renewed. Send some e-mails to ABC anyway. It wouldn't hurt if we let them know we want the show.

[Superbowl]

Originally Posted by TVJunkie101

I don't think 8 Simple Rules will be cancelled at all. If anything, it'll get one more year to make syndication, LOL.

It still does well.

Unless ABC has stellar sitcom pilots, I think Less Than Perfect has a shot at coming back. I think it's an underrated show, imo.

I know the fourth year of a show is necessary for syndicattion. I am just wondering is it possible to syndicate 8 Simple Rules with John Ritter in the first 30 shows and then he dies. It would be very ackward once they show the 100 shows, and then go back to the beginning and John Ritter is in it again. Wouldn't it ? Anybody have opinions on this ?

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Superbowl

I know the fourth year of a show is necessary for syndicattion. I am just wondering is it possible to syndicate 8 Simple Rules with John Ritter in the first 30 shows and then he dies. It would be very ackward once they show the 100 shows, and then go back to the beginning and John Ritter is in it again. Wouldn't it ? Anybody have opinions on this ?

Other shows have been syndicated where an actor has died in it and I never felt awkward watching it. The only difference here is that JR was the main character.

[Superbowl]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

Other shows have been syndicated where an actor has died in it and I never felt awkward watching it. The only difference here is that JR was the main character.

Yeah, I actually would like to see the John Ritter shows again. It would be a great honor to him to have him live on in this show. I always enjoyed watching him. I was just wondering if other viewers would object to seeing him in the show.

[Ritterfan98]

I would love if 8SR would show the repeats with John in it! I would like him to be honored not forgotten. They don't even mention him anymore!!

[Superbowl]

Originally Posted by Ritterfan98

I would love if 8SR would show the repeats with John in it! I would like him to be honored not forgotten. They don't even mention him anymore!!

I totally agree. It would be a great honor for John Ritter. I would like to see the show in syndication just to at least see the John Ritter episodes.