Did Sexism Kill "Old Christine?" The Creator of the Show Thinks So... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-20-2010, 10:04 PM

CBS surprisingly pulled the plug on the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, and creator Kari Lizer tells TV Guide Magazine exclusively that she's not laughing about it.

"As far as what happened at CBS, we've suffered from a serious lack of support from them since the beginning," says Lizer, who's seen her series shuffled around the schedule and exiled from the network's flagship Monday-night comedy block. "I hate to say it, but I'm afraid they don't care much for the female-of-a-certain-age point of view over there. How else do you explain them squandering the talents of Julia [Louis-Dreyfus] and Wanda [Sykes]?"

She may have a point: Once the home of mouthy femmes like Maude, Murphy Brown and Designing Women's Julia Sugarbaker, the network has shifted its focus in recent years to guy-centric sitcoms like Two and a Half Men (agreeing to pay Charlie Sheen nearly $2 million an episode to keep it on the air) and The Big Bang Theory, which is moving to a high-profile Thursday slot, to be followed by the male-heavy new $#!% My Dad Says.

Things are a bit more gender-balanced on the drama side, especially with CBS' addition of The Good Wife last season. But times can be tough for funny women (if you're not Betty White): Sykes' self-titled Fox talk show also got axed. "Wanda's having a rough week," says Lizer, who expects the stand-up to bounce back: "She's never funnier than when she's pissed off."

As for reports that ABC might pick up Old Christine, Lizer is adopting a wait-and-see attitude: "I don't think we're going to know anything about ABC for a few days," she says. "I'm hoping for life after CBS."

http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/news/...tine-5127.html

TJL · 05-20-2010, 10:45 PM

I'm thinking the show wasn't very good and not enough people watched it Kari.

Marvo301 · 05-21-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

I'm thinking the show wasn't very good and not enough people watched it Kari.

I think Kari is just looking for excuses because she is not willing to admit that the ratings were too low.

catlover79 · 05-21-2010, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

I'm thinking the show wasn't very good and not enough people watched it Kari.

Just like the line in that movie: "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!"

TV Knowledge Fan · 05-21-2010, 04:15 AM

Bad ratings and a lack of a bigger audience caused CBS to cancel it. No "sexism" involved- the network gave it plenty of chances for it to succeed over the past two or three years. Not enough "success" this season as far as they were concerned, though...

If ABC is serious about moving it to their schedule, now is the time to discuss where and when!

Janice · 01-04-2011, 01:00 PM

I discovered the show after it was cancelled, but now I watch it on Lifetime. I think it's a riot. Each character is unique and talented.

Schmoopie · 01-13-2011, 03:49 AM

I watched it a few times but I never could get into it. But like most shows that are off the air, I'm sure that if I catch it in syndication, I may find that I like it. But to me, Julia will always be Elaine Benes. I was sorry to hear that the show was canceled, however.

shotzette · 02-06-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I discovered the show after it was cancelled, but now I watch it on Lifetime. I think it's a riot. Each character is unique and talented.

Me too! I never watched it on CBS, but fell in love with it in syndication.

05-20-2010, 10:04 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Did Sexism Kill "Old Christine?" The Creator of the Show Thinks So... CBS surprisingly pulled the plug on the sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, and creator Kari Lizer tells TV Guide Magazine exclusively that she's not laughing about it. "As far as what happened at CBS, we've suffered from a serious lack of support from them since the beginning," says Lizer, who's seen her series shuffled around the schedule and exiled from the network's flagship Monday-night comedy block. "I hate to say it, but I'm afraid they don't care much for the female-of-a-certain-age point of view over there. How else do you explain them squandering the talents of Julia [Louis-Dreyfus] and Wanda [Sykes]?" She may have a point: Once the home of mouthy femmes like Maude, Murphy Brown and Designing Women's Julia Sugarbaker, the network has shifted its focus in recent years to guy-centric sitcoms like Two and a Half Men (agreeing to pay Charlie Sheen nearly $2 million an episode to keep it on the air) and The Big Bang Theory, which is moving to a high-profile Thursday slot, to be followed by the male-heavy new $#!% My Dad Says. Things are a bit more gender-balanced on the drama side, especially with CBS' addition of The Good Wife last season. But times can be tough for funny women (if you're not Betty White): Sykes' self-titled Fox talk show also got axed. "Wanda's having a rough week," says Lizer, who expects the stand-up to bounce back: "She's never funnier than when she's pissed off." As for reports that ABC might pick up Old Christine, Lizer is adopting a wait-and-see attitude: "I don't think we're going to know anything about ABC for a few days," she says. "I'm hoping for life after CBS." http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/news/...tine-5127.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-20-2010, 10:45 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I'm thinking the show wasn't very good and not enough people watched it Kari.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-21-2010, 04:15 AM	#5
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	My opinion? Bad ratings and a lack of a bigger audience caused CBS to cancel it. No "sexism" involved- the network gave it plenty of chances for it to succeed over the past two or three years. Not enough "success" this season as far as they were concerned, though... If ABC is serious about moving it to their schedule, now is the time to discuss where and when!

01-13-2011, 03:49 AM	#7
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I watched it a few times but I never could get into it. But like most shows that are off the air, I'm sure that if I catch it in syndication, I may find that I like it. But to me, Julia will always be Elaine Benes. I was sorry to hear that the show was canceled, however.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

01-04-2011, 01:00 PM	#6
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,389	I discovered the show after it was cancelled, but now I watch it on Lifetime. I think it's a riot. Each character is unique and talented.