TV Critic Alan Sepinwall on the Future of "Ed"

[Steve M.]

Writing in today's edition of the Newark, N.J. Star-Ledger, Alan Sepinwall reports that NBC hasn't decided yet on whether or not to renew "Ed." So why is NBC telling viewers tomorrow night's episode will definitely be the last? Simple, Sepinwall wrtites - NBC is lying.

He points out that this sort of thing has happened before, most recently at ABC where the network promised that "Karen Sisco" would be back in the spring, when in fact they'd already decided to cancel it. NBC also billed a recent clip-show episode of "Freinds" as an all-new episode. And there are other examples too numerous for me to mention.

Now, back to "Ed". . . . Sepinwall has seen tomorrow's wedding episode, and he thinks it's a winner. He notes, though, that it was written as if the producers figured it was going to be cancelled, and that this would make a perfect series finale. To which I would add this - the writers must have added the subplot about Nancy's pregnancy (hey, Nancy's name makes up the last two syllables of "pregnancy" - sonething Ed and Mike would point out!) to hedge their bets, in case "Ed" does come back in the fall; therefore, they have a new story line to pursue.

My advice to NBC, given the shows they're definitely losing already and the spectacular failure of "Coupling," is to renew "Ed," put it back on Wednesdays at 8 PM ET, and keep it there. My advice to my fellow Edheads is to enjoy tomorrow's episode, hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.

[john moot]

Is this all a big play by NBC to see the real Ed followers? Why all the game playing? By all the posts and concerns by Ed followers, there seems to be alot of confusion as to the future of the show not normally seen with show cancellations. I say NBC has no idea what quality programming is and they should let Ed sign on with a network that does. Put it on the Family channel. My TIVO player will find it.

[dlemond]

Originally posted by john moot
Is this all a big play by NBC to see the real Ed followers? Why all the game playing? By all the posts and concerns by Ed followers, there seems to be alot of confusion as to the future of the show not normally seen with show cancellations. I say NBC has no idea what quality programming is and they should let Ed sign on with a network that does. Put it on the Family channel. My TIVO player will find it.

Apparently NBC doesn't know what they are going to do.
The people at Ed have no idea either- I know a girl who's brother works on the set of Ed (and he has appeared briefly in a couple episodes) and apparently they think it's over but no one knows for absolute sure.

As far as another network picking it up, as soon as NBC decides they are done with Ed I think it is free game.

[Steve M.]

Originally posted by dlemond
Apparently NBC doesn't know what they are going to do.
The people at Ed have no idea either- I know a girl who's brother works on the set of Ed (and he has appeared briefly in a couple episodes) and apparently they think it's over but no one knows for absolute sure.

As far as another network picking it up, as soon as NBC decides they are done with Ed I think it is free game.

Good idea, dlemond, but NBC won't likely make a final decision on "Ed" until May. The way I see it, we Edheads have three months to flood NBC with letters and e-mails urging them to renew the series. If that doesn't wok, we should by all means encourage someone else to pick it up, if that 's even possible. The fat lady hasn't sung yet, although I understand she is warming up.