Did you know Gimme a Break was almost cancelled during its first season? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 06-13-2006, 07:27 PM

The show was ranked #57 during November Sweeps period and was in Danger of being cancelled by NBC in December of 1981. But the show did show improvement and finished the 1981-82 season ranked at #45 and was renewed for the 1982-83 season.

Info found in TV Book-"American Television"-by Marc Eliot

An 80s Guy · 06-13-2006, 09:10 PM

that's good it was not cancled it's a very good show NBC would have made a very big mistake if they had cancled it

Mr. Television · 06-13-2006, 09:17 PM

GAB was always a middle of the road show as far as ratings were concerned.

An 80s Guy · 06-13-2006, 09:20 PM

if only if more people were to give it a chance the ratings would be over the roof

Mr. Television · 06-13-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by An 80s Guy

if only if more people were to give it a chance the ratings would be over the roof

It had quite a lot of different timeslots too. I think that hurt it.

80sTrivia · 06-13-2006, 09:51 PM

Many shows take a season or two before they find their audience... luckily, NBC gave the show a chance to find that audience before cancelling it!

Eric777 · 06-13-2006, 11:30 PM

TV Knowledge Fan · 06-14-2006, 02:42 PM

...was one of chief programmer Fred Silverman's "farewell gifts" to NBC before he left the network in 1981. He promised Nell Carter her own series (after her appearances on "LOBO"), and he knew the show had a chance...IF the network stuck with it. Fortunately, Brandon Tartikoff, his successor, thought the same way, and kept it on, even though the initial raings were terrible {let's face it, ALMOST everything on NBC was "terrible" between 1978 and 1982}. He and the viewers were rewarded as the network's schedule "jelled", and the show found its niche!

Eric777 · 06-14-2006, 07:16 PM

An 80s Guy · 06-17-2006, 04:04 PM

I Bet alot of shows could have made it if they give it enough chance to find its audiance like the 60s series"Gidget" it didn't do well in its original run so they cancled it and it went into syndication a year later and it had an audience but Sally feild who was the star of it had signed on for "The Flying Nun'

Eric777 · 06-17-2006, 04:07 PM

06-13-2006, 07:27 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,057	Did you know Gimme a Break was almost cancelled during its first season? The show was ranked #57 during November Sweeps period and was in Danger of being cancelled by NBC in December of 1981. But the show did show improvement and finished the 1981-82 season ranked at #45 and was renewed for the 1982-83 season. Info found in TV Book-"American Television"-by Marc Eliot

06-13-2006, 09:17 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	GAB was always a middle of the road show as far as ratings were concerned.
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06-13-2006, 09:51 PM	#6
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	Many shows take a season or two before they find their audience... luckily, NBC gave the show a chance to find that audience before cancelling it!
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

06-14-2006, 02:42 PM	#8
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	"GIMME A BREAK"... ...was one of chief programmer Fred Silverman's "farewell gifts" to NBC before he left the network in 1981. He promised Nell Carter her own series (after her appearances on "LOBO"), and he knew the show had a chance...IF the network stuck with it. Fortunately, Brandon Tartikoff, his successor, thought the same way, and kept it on, even though the initial raings were terrible {let's face it, ALMOST everything on NBC was "terrible" between 1978 and 1982}. He and the viewers were rewarded as the network's schedule "jelled", and the show found its niche!

06-13-2006, 09:10 PM	#2
An 80s Guy legen-wait for it-dary! Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2005 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 1,870	that's good it was not cancled it's a very good show NBC would have made a very big mistake if they had cancled it

06-13-2006, 09:20 PM	#4
An 80s Guy legen-wait for it-dary! Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2005 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 1,870	if only if more people were to give it a chance the ratings would be over the roof

06-13-2006, 11:30 PM	#7
Eric777 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2002 Posts: 569

06-14-2006, 07:16 PM	#9
Eric777 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2002 Posts: 569

06-17-2006, 04:04 PM	#10
An 80s Guy legen-wait for it-dary! Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2005 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 1,870	I Bet alot of shows could have made it if they give it enough chance to find its audiance like the 60s series"Gidget" it didn't do well in its original run so they cancled it and it went into syndication a year later and it had an audience but Sally feild who was the star of it had signed on for "The Flying Nun'

06-17-2006, 04:07 PM	#11
Eric777 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2002 Posts: 569