Why was this show cancelled? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Danaishot · 03-18-2006, 11:26 AM

I don't get why it was abruptly cancelled after 3 seasons, I wanted to see it end properly. Since it was cancelled, I haven't seen or heard anything about Kaley

Dr. Thong · 03-18-2006, 07:47 PM

I didn't watch the show myself, but I imagine that John Ritter's death was a factor. The show did run two seasons without him, so it would appear that the fans watched for at least a season. Ritter did play the lead character, so I imagine his passing was devastating both on-screen and off and changed the dynamic of the show.

Like I said, I really didn't watch this show, so I'm just speculating here. I'm sure someone who actually watched the show could shed more light on this...

Mr. Television · 03-18-2006, 08:10 PM

In my opinion the show changed focus from the immediate family to David Spade's character and that's when I started to miss episodes. Also the show moved to Friday which was a bad night.

Kaley can be seen on the WB hit series Charmed. She's been on there all season.

Mrs. John Ritter · 03-18-2006, 10:21 PM

In my opinion, the show was cancelled because it wasn't as good as when John was on it. Once he was gone the show was never the same. It is a shame they ended it they way they did. They could have picked a better way to end the series. Yeah, you can find Kaley on Charmed. She has been on it for quite a while now.

Superbowl · 03-19-2006, 10:35 AM

The show was canceled because ABC is a bunch of morons. Look, the show was not as good without John, but it was still better than most of the ABC sitcoms. Of course, they had to bring back all those great shows like Rodney, Jake In Progress and Less Than Perfect over it. They also had to make room for all those great new sitcoms this season like Hot Properties, Emily's Reason Why Not, Crumbs and Sons & Daughters. Almost all of these were brought in over 8SR, and almost all will be canceled in May.

Dr. Thong · 03-19-2006, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superbowl

The show was canceled because ABC is a bunch of morons. Look, the show was not as good without John, but it was still better than most of the ABC sitcoms. Of course, they had to bring back all those great shows like Rodney, Jake In Progress and Less Than Perfect over it. They also had to make room for all those great new sitcoms this season like Hot Properties, Emily's Reason Why Not, Crumbs and Sons & Daughters. Almost all of these were brought in over 8SR, and almost all will be canceled in May.

Emily's Reasons Why Not got pulled after airing only one episode, so they've already begun the bloodletting. How do they expect shows to find an audience if they get cancelled after only a few airings or - in the case of Emily - one??

Pavan · 03-19-2006, 05:01 PM

The thing about Emily's Reasons Why Not is that ABC didn't like how the show was going. That is the real reason why it was pulled I think. Sure, the ratings were not too good, but it wasn't terrible either.

I think ABC should have brought back 8 Simple Rules, too. Rodney was a mistake to bring back because I doubt it will be back next season. The problem with 8 Simple Rules was that it needed one more season for syndication and they had no idea how to promote the show for it--John Ritter or David Spade? It would have been confusing to see a John Ritter episode air as a primary episode then some stations would air a second episode with David Spade right after it.
Jake in Progress was probably only brought back because they thought it would go with Emily's. Less than Perfect made sense because it is nearing a syndication deal.

I hope Crumbs comes back next fall. The show is probably ABC's best sitcom since 8 Simple Rules. I think we will see the rest of Crumbs' first 13 episodes this summer, along with Less than Perfect and the remaining Jake in Progress episodes.
Sons & Daughters is good, too, but those type of shows never garner ratings.

Adamantium · 03-19-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

The problem with 8 Simple Rules was that it needed one more season for syndication and they had no idea how to promote the show for it--John Ritter or David Spade? It would have been confusing to see a John Ritter episode air as a primary episode then some stations would air a second episode with David Spade right after it.

I know that's the reason, but I don't think it's a good enough reason. So what if they air a John Ritter episode followed by a David Spade episode? Most fans of the show (even non-fans) know that John Ritter died and James Garner and David Spade joined the show afterwards.

When I first watched the post-John Ritter episodes, I thought they were good, but nothing special. However, now in reruns, I love the episodes. I think they're great. And I'm mad that they ended after season three. I was looking forward to see more of Cate and Ed's relationship.

And if the show went on for, say eight seasons, they could have made a deal where they only syndicated the James Garner/David Spade episodes and then air the John Ritter episodes special on cable. Or heck, do a "Saved by the Bell" and have one of the actors introduce the episode like Zack did for the 'Good Morning, Miss Bliss' episodes.

If they knew sydication would be such a problem, why'd they even make seasons two and three? (Although I'm glad they did) Also, ABC should have told the crew in time so they could make a proper finale. And not leave us with a cliff-hanger, even if we can figure out what would happen.

Is that why "Ellen" was never syndicated? Because of all the cast changes in the show? (not trying to change the subject)

JackTripper258 · 03-19-2006, 07:55 PM

Friday night was also a bad night for them to show it. Not only did John's death affect it, but Friday is a very busy night. When they changed it, I couldn't watch it anymore anyway. I'm in the marching band so I never saw it after they started putting it on Friday's.

But, I have seen the last episode (I think) and they should have atleast cancelled it with some kind of plot. Not like as if the cast just said, "Oh, okay, it's over." I mean, the last episode should have been something special. I mean, the family and the cast for that matter went through alot and it was POOF gone!

Buffyboy323 · 03-20-2006, 06:01 PM

I agree with everyone!

They couldn't even make a proper final episode because they thought they were coming back. ABC made a huge mistake! They cast and cre of 8SR were also very surprised Less Than Perfect got picked up (Although it hasn't even aired all year).

I would have even been happy if the last episode was Bridget's Graduation. They talked about it so much throughout the series, and we didn't even see it happen.

Mrs. John Ritter · 03-20-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffyboy323

I would have even been happy if the last episode was Bridget's Graduation. They talked about it so much throughout the series, and we didn't even see it happen.

I agree with you. That would have been a good way to end the series. They talk about Bridget graduating throughout the whole series, and they should have had that episode in there somewhere.

katefandream04 · 03-26-2006, 03:44 PM

I think the reason why 8SR was cancelled was because ABC was stupid and didn't realize that fans still found the show great with or without John...They left the show too wide open that a lot of things could have come out of it. Since 8SR left, I found no interest in TV.

queenFrostine278 · 04-16-2006, 05:35 PM

i watched the show when it first came on and after john's death. the reason i eventually stopped watching it was because the plot stopped focusing on one or two characters - they were all doing their own separate thing; there was never a main story about someone. that completely turned me off.

masterblooregard · 04-21-2006, 03:44 PM

I don't think the cancelation had much to do with John Ritter's death. ABC didn't seem to care. They just wanted to milk the money on "the final episodes" and that 2 hour John Ritter special they ared. They only cared about the money really. The second season ratings started really high because everyone tuned in for the final episodes of John Ritter.. but then the ratings slowly began to decline but were still respectable for the rest of the season- especially considering they were up against American Idol.

Then stupid ABC made the stupid mistake of moving it to Friday nights where the ratings took a huge dive. Ratings was really the reason that ABC canceled it. I'm not so mad that it was canceled (86 episodes or whatever is a very good run) I'm more angry that ABC probably knew full well that they weren't picking it up but still didn't announce it until it was too late. It would have been nice to have a real series finale, maybe something that had to do with their father or Bridgets graduation as someone said. Not some stupid cliffhanger about Principal Gibb, who I never even liked anyway.

rusyd · 04-21-2006, 03:59 PM

I tried to watch the show after John Ritter's death but it just wasn't the same, so I lost interest and stopped watching.

03-18-2006, 11:26 AM	#1
Danaishot Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 31, 2005 Posts: 86	Why was this show cancelled? I don't get why it was abruptly cancelled after 3 seasons, I wanted to see it end properly. Since it was cancelled, I haven't seen or heard anything about Kaley

03-18-2006, 07:47 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I didn't watch the show myself, but I imagine that John Ritter's death was a factor. The show did run two seasons without him, so it would appear that the fans watched for at least a season. Ritter did play the lead character, so I imagine his passing was devastating both on-screen and off and changed the dynamic of the show. Like I said, I really didn't watch this show, so I'm just speculating here. I'm sure someone who actually watched the show could shed more light on this...
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

03-18-2006, 08:10 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	In my opinion the show changed focus from the immediate family to David Spade's character and that's when I started to miss episodes. Also the show moved to Friday which was a bad night. Kaley can be seen on the WB hit series Charmed. She's been on there all season.
	__________________ Sonny

03-18-2006, 10:21 PM	#4
Mrs. John Ritter John is my true love Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 30, 2005 Location: Being Held by the wonderful John Ritter Posts: 439	In my opinion, the show was cancelled because it wasn't as good as when John was on it. Once he was gone the show was never the same. It is a shame they ended it they way they did. They could have picked a better way to end the series. Yeah, you can find Kaley on Charmed. She has been on it for quite a while now.
	__________________ Johnathan the love that I have for you is so strong, and it continues to grow everyday. You are my angel. I miss you so much my darling. You will always be in my heart. John S. Ritter September 17, 1948-September 11, 2003 I love you. :loveu

03-19-2006, 05:01 PM	#7
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	The thing about Emily's Reasons Why Not is that ABC didn't like how the show was going. That is the real reason why it was pulled I think. Sure, the ratings were not too good, but it wasn't terrible either. I think ABC should have brought back 8 Simple Rules, too. Rodney was a mistake to bring back because I doubt it will be back next season. The problem with 8 Simple Rules was that it needed one more season for syndication and they had no idea how to promote the show for it--John Ritter or David Spade? It would have been confusing to see a John Ritter episode air as a primary episode then some stations would air a second episode with David Spade right after it. Jake in Progress was probably only brought back because they thought it would go with Emily's. Less than Perfect made sense because it is nearing a syndication deal. I hope Crumbs comes back next fall. The show is probably ABC's best sitcom since 8 Simple Rules. I think we will see the rest of Crumbs' first 13 episodes this summer, along with Less than Perfect and the remaining Jake in Progress episodes. Sons & Daughters is good, too, but those type of shows never garner ratings.
	__________________ SitcomsOnline.com News Blog -- The best news out there! SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews -- We are #1 in reviews!

03-19-2006, 10:35 AM	#5
Superbowl Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 13, 2005 Posts: 1,107	The show was canceled because ABC is a bunch of morons. Look, the show was not as good without John, but it was still better than most of the ABC sitcoms. Of course, they had to bring back all those great shows like Rodney, Jake In Progress and Less Than Perfect over it. They also had to make room for all those great new sitcoms this season like Hot Properties, Emily's Reason Why Not, Crumbs and Sons & Daughters. Almost all of these were brought in over 8SR, and almost all will be canceled in May.

03-19-2006, 07:55 PM	#9
JackTripper258 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 08, 2005 Posts: 415	Friday night was also a bad night for them to show it. Not only did John's death affect it, but Friday is a very busy night. When they changed it, I couldn't watch it anymore anyway. I'm in the marching band so I never saw it after they started putting it on Friday's. But, I have seen the last episode (I think) and they should have atleast cancelled it with some kind of plot. Not like as if the cast just said, "Oh, okay, it's over." I mean, the last episode should have been something special. I mean, the family and the cast for that matter went through alot and it was POOF gone!

03-20-2006, 06:01 PM	#10
Buffyboy323 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 6,102	I agree with everyone! They couldn't even make a proper final episode because they thought they were coming back. ABC made a huge mistake! They cast and cre of 8SR were also very surprised Less Than Perfect got picked up (Although it hasn't even aired all year). I would have even been happy if the last episode was Bridget's Graduation. They talked about it so much throughout the series, and we didn't even see it happen.

03-26-2006, 03:44 PM	#12
katefandream04 beautiful g o r g e o u s Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 06, 2004 Location: valley of the sun,literally! Posts: 388	I think the reason why 8SR was cancelled was because ABC was stupid and didn't realize that fans still found the show great with or without John...They left the show too wide open that a lot of things could have come out of it. Since 8SR left, I found no interest in TV.
	__________________ John Ritter 1948-2003 "Never forget the laughter brought to our world thanks to him." Katey:"You see,I love John Ritter, but don't get the wrong impression,I love his wife too." Dee Dee: So, what did the psychiatrist say? Can Ricky go out and play, or are all his groceries in the same bag? “I'm not doing an impersonation. I think of it as a representation of her, an impression instead of an impersonation.”-Adrienne Barbeau

04-16-2006, 05:35 PM	#13
queenFrostine278 Jen Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 27, 2005 Location: NY Posts: 263	i watched the show when it first came on and after john's death. the reason i eventually stopped watching it was because the plot stopped focusing on one or two characters - they were all doing their own separate thing; there was never a main story about someone. that completely turned me off.

04-21-2006, 03:44 PM	#14
masterblooregard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2006 Location: michigan, usa Posts: 222	I don't think the cancelation had much to do with John Ritter's death. ABC didn't seem to care. They just wanted to milk the money on "the final episodes" and that 2 hour John Ritter special they ared. They only cared about the money really. The second season ratings started really high because everyone tuned in for the final episodes of John Ritter.. but then the ratings slowly began to decline but were still respectable for the rest of the season- especially considering they were up against American Idol. Then stupid ABC made the stupid mistake of moving it to Friday nights where the ratings took a huge dive. Ratings was really the reason that ABC canceled it. I'm not so mad that it was canceled (86 episodes or whatever is a very good run) I'm more angry that ABC probably knew full well that they weren't picking it up but still didn't announce it until it was too late. It would have been nice to have a real series finale, maybe something that had to do with their father or Bridgets graduation as someone said. Not some stupid cliffhanger about Principal Gibb, who I never even liked anyway.

04-21-2006, 03:59 PM	#15
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I tried to watch the show after John Ritter's death but it just wasn't the same, so I lost interest and stopped watching.