When the networks announced their fall schedules last week, 51 series were canceled. While loyal fans were disappointed over the demise of several series, none generated internet wrath as much as CBS's axing of "Jericho." The show's cliffhanger ending suggested that two adjoining Kansas towns were going to war - there were gunshots over the closing credits - and just before those credits rolled, it was hinted that one of the lead characters was a spy for the other side. The other side, by the way, was never disclosed, nor was the country/state/terrorists who dropped the bombs during the first episode.
It was all too reminiscent of last season's "Invasion," which ABC yanked from the schedule without resolving most of the key issues.
Was "Jericho" a first-class series? Absolutely not. The writing was pedestrian at best (never have so many actors uttered so many cliched phrases in such a short time span). Yet it was irresistible to about 8 million viewers a week, many of whom I suspect were also fans of the far superior "Lost." It was nonetheless an engaging show that was gaining momentum until CBS shelved it mid-season. When it returned, it had lost about 30 percent of its 10 million initial fans. And CBS wasn't happy about the defections.
A CBS representative last week said the drama "really kind of lost its engine," but it was the network, not the fans, that dropped the transmission when the show disappeared for about two months. Again, viewers invested 24 hours in a program with no payoff. Is it any wonder that a good portion of those 51 axed shows were serials such as "Kidnapped," "Vanished" and "The Nine?" Who wants to read a book when the last chapter is ripped out - or never even written?
There's a relatively inexpensive solution to the fans' dilemma, however. Assuming that no other network picks up "Jericho" (it should be, at the least, a temptation for NBC and the CW), the producers could bring the cast together for a grand finale episode. Even if the network won't air it (remember NBC's promised but never produced finale for "American Dreams"?), the episode could be a huge enticement for the inevitable DVD release of "Jericho." Attach an extra $10 to the going boxed-set market price, and the producers should easily recoup their costs. If I were CBS, I'd even pay for the final episode. It couldn't hurt to show some compassion for its viewers. Announcing that the show simply "lost its engine" is a sorry excuse.
Cut 'em loose
You weren't attached to most of the 51 series that are disappearing - trust me on this one - but here's a list of the more popular shows that were cut:
n ABC: "According To Jim," "George Lopez" and "What About Brian?" were among the 13 casualties. The network says there's a slight chance "Jim" will return mid-season.
n CBS: "The Class" and "Close To Home" "Jericho" and six others were let loose.
n CW: Among the six-pack dismissed were "Veronica Mars" and "All of Us."
n Fox: An unlucky 11 got the ax, including "The War at Home," "Nanny 911" and "Trading Spouses."
n NBC: When a network is in the cellar, it's time to start over. An even dozen shows were canceled, including the touted "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," the once-popular "Crossing Jordan" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," which will still air original episodes on USA.
Surprise ...
you're back!
We'll delve into the new fall series next week, but here are a few morsels from last week's announcements:
n Among the surprise renewals were "Friday Night Lights," "How I Met Your Mother" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine." It's rumored that CBS renewed "Christine" only when it found out another network (NBC?) was considering picking it up. Even so, CBS is holding back "Christine" until mid-season.
n The trade papers reported that the CW would renew "Veronica Mars," but move the show forward several years. Instead, "Veronica" was axed and "One Tree Hill" was given the flash-forward treatment. When "Hill" returns this fall, the students will have already graduated from college.
n Perhaps "Jericho" was a sacrificial lamb for network blunders. Next season, many of the serials will air uninterrupted by reruns, including "Lost," "24," "One Tree Hill" and the new "Swingtown." "Heroes" will take a six-week break, but the time will be filled by six single-story "Heroes" episodes about potential new characters. Viewer voting will decide which one is added to the regular cast.
n NBC also ordered additional episodes of "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" to keep reruns to a minimum. "The Office" will air several one-hour episodes as well.
n There will undoubtedly be some schedule juggling over the next few weeks, but the closest to a showdown this season appears to be "Brothers and Sisters" vs. "Shark," which was moved over to Sundays at 10 p.m. from its Thursday berth. ("Without a Trace" is going back to its old Thursday at 10 p.m. slot).
n The networks didn't do quite as much time shifting as in past years. In addition to the "Shark"/"Without a Trace" switch, "Law and Order" and "Medium" are inheriting the Sunday 8 to 10 p.m. slot after Sunday Night Football ends, "Men in Trees" is moving to Fridays at 8 p.m. and "The Office" and "30 Rock" are changing times on Thursdays. Fox, of course, will play havoc with its entire schedule come January to make room for "24" and "American Idol." And it's not offering any apologies, either.
n Four of the fall series are generating a lot of buzz thus far: the "Bionic Woman" remake (why?), the Geicko commerical-inspired "Cavemen" (could be the first cancellation), the "Back To You" sitcom with Kelsey Grammer (unfortunately paired with "'Til Death" on Fox) and "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," which details the experiences of the beloved movie character between "Terminator II" and "Terminator III."