Better Off Ted: Could a Wednesday Timeslot Save the Show from Cancellation? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

R.jsheedy · 01-21-2010, 08:40 PM

Last night, Better Off Ted registered yet another poor performance in the ratings. While the ABC sitcom was up in the 18-49 demographic by 30%, it still ranked a distant fourth place for the time slot. That’s not really a surprise considering that the series is pitted against some powerhouses on the other networks. Why doesn’t ABC move the series to another night?

Better Off Ted is an offbeat comedy that revolves around Ted Crisp (Jay Harrington) and the other employees at Veridian Dynamics, a heartless technology company. The rest of the cast includes Andrea Anders, Jonathan Slavin, Malcolm Barrett, and Portia de Rossi.

ABC has expressed disappointment in the show’s performance in year two and has decided to air the episodes of Scrubs and Ted in rapid succession. ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson recently admitted that the shows’ timeslots are tough, saying, “Whenever we put comedy on a night other than Wednesday, it’s been an island and we haven’t had a lot of success.”

Since the Tuesday night timeslot doesn’t seem to be working for either comedy, why not shift one of the shows to Wednesday nights, to fill the spot left by cancelled Hank? McPherson said he didn’t feel that either one was compatible with shows like Modern Family or The Middle.

Still, ABC has scheduled the two last Scrubs episodes of the season on Wednesdays in early February. That’s left Ted out in the cold and all the more likely to be cancelled.

Fans of the office sitcom aren’t ready throw in the towel just yet though. They’re campaigning to give Ted a try on Wednesday nights, preferably in an 8:30pm timeslot, and for ABC to renew the series for a third season. Click here for more information.

What do you think? Is Better Off Ted a better fit on Wednesday nights? Would that be enough to save it from being cancelled?

http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/be...-cancellation/

yankeesrj12 · 01-22-2010, 12:24 AM

ABC would not move The Middle to 8pm just to see if Better off Ted would work at 8:30pm (as the article stated thats what fans want). What ABC has on Wednesdays now is working, and they won't mess with that success until next season with a new comedy.

R.jsheedy · 05-22-2010, 11:08 PM

(NOT TO BRING THIS OLD THREAD OUT OF THE SITCOMS ONINE ARCIVES... BUT)

They Are Airing Re-Runs at 8, Why NOt Instead Have A New Show Their, Instead OF Just Old Re-RUns!!!!

TV Knowledge Fan · 05-23-2010, 12:52 AM

...on Wednesdays this summer, that's not a great idea. One reason is because the show doesn't "fit" into the comedy block ABC has assembled so far. People who watch "THE MIDDLE" are not avid viewers of "BETTER OFF TED", because they appreciate characters (in a Midwestern community) they can identify with- and, sad to say, hardly anyone can relate to those associated with "Veridan Dynamics". They wouldn't tune in at 8 to sit through a situation featuring somewhat "uncomfortable" [and slightly unpleasant] people, just to see a repeat of something they're actually looking forward to, at 8:30. ABC has already written off "TED", so there's no chance of a new season. And because of the disappointing ratings the series received this season, I don't believe they have the patience to schedule repeats, either...

View Poll Results: Would A New Timeslot Save Better Off Ted
Yes!	1	50.00%
Maybe!	0	0%
No!!!	1	50.00%
Voters: 2. You may not vote on this poll

01-21-2010, 08:40 PM	#1
R.jsheedy Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2008 Posts: 1,035	Better Off Ted: Could a Wednesday Timeslot Save the Show from Cancellation? Last night, Better Off Ted registered yet another poor performance in the ratings. While the ABC sitcom was up in the 18-49 demographic by 30%, it still ranked a distant fourth place for the time slot. That’s not really a surprise considering that the series is pitted against some powerhouses on the other networks. Why doesn’t ABC move the series to another night? Better Off Ted is an offbeat comedy that revolves around Ted Crisp (Jay Harrington) and the other employees at Veridian Dynamics, a heartless technology company. The rest of the cast includes Andrea Anders, Jonathan Slavin, Malcolm Barrett, and Portia de Rossi. ABC has expressed disappointment in the show’s performance in year two and has decided to air the episodes of Scrubs and Ted in rapid succession. ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson recently admitted that the shows’ timeslots are tough, saying, “Whenever we put comedy on a night other than Wednesday, it’s been an island and we haven’t had a lot of success.” Since the Tuesday night timeslot doesn’t seem to be working for either comedy, why not shift one of the shows to Wednesday nights, to fill the spot left by cancelled Hank? McPherson said he didn’t feel that either one was compatible with shows like Modern Family or The Middle. Still, ABC has scheduled the two last Scrubs episodes of the season on Wednesdays in early February. That’s left Ted out in the cold and all the more likely to be cancelled. Fans of the office sitcom aren’t ready throw in the towel just yet though. They’re campaigning to give Ted a try on Wednesday nights, preferably in an 8:30pm timeslot, and for ABC to renew the series for a third season. Click here for more information. What do you think? Is Better Off Ted a better fit on Wednesday nights? Would that be enough to save it from being cancelled? http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/be...-cancellation/

05-23-2010, 12:52 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	If anyone is suggesting "BETTER OFF TED" be scheduled at 8pm(et)... ...on Wednesdays this summer, that's not a great idea. One reason is because the show doesn't "fit" into the comedy block ABC has assembled so far. People who watch "THE MIDDLE" are not avid viewers of "BETTER OFF TED", because they appreciate characters (in a Midwestern community) they can identify with- and, sad to say, hardly anyone can relate to those associated with "Veridan Dynamics". They wouldn't tune in at 8 to sit through a situation featuring somewhat "uncomfortable" [and slightly unpleasant] people, just to see a repeat of something they're actually looking forward to, at 8:30. ABC has already written off "TED", so there's no chance of a new season. And because of the disappointing ratings the series received this season, I don't believe they have the patience to schedule repeats, either...

01-22-2010, 12:24 AM	#2
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	ABC would not move The Middle to 8pm just to see if Better off Ted would work at 8:30pm (as the article stated thats what fans want). What ABC has on Wednesdays now is working, and they won't mess with that success until next season with a new comedy.

05-22-2010, 11:08 PM	#3
R.jsheedy Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2008 Posts: 1,035	(NOT TO BRING THIS OLD THREAD OUT OF THE SITCOMS ONINE ARCIVES... BUT) They Are Airing Re-Runs at 8, Why NOt Instead Have A New Show Their, Instead OF Just Old Re-RUns!!!!