While the Renew/Cancel Index can't predict everything - especially behind the scenes stuff that doesn't have anything to do with the ratings (which we believe to be the case with King of The Hill, it is sure to be right about the following shows being sliced by mid season:
- Pushing Daisies
- Eli Stone
- Dirty Sexy Money
- Lipstick Jungle
Though Lipstick Jungle has already been damned to the purgatory that is Friday nights on the broadcast nets, it probably has the best chance of survival of any of those shows for one reason: it's on NBC. I don't think that will be enough to save it.
Heroes is in turmoil. Lots and lots of turmoil. But not Pushing Daisies style soon-to-be-cancelled turmoil! It's still one of NBC's better performing shows among 18-49 year olds, though last week's premiere of 30 Rock even drew more 18-49 year old viewers, which must frighten the peacocks at NBC.We had one commenter go on and on about how it's the fans fault the show is now screwed up. That's just plain wacky. It's very clear to me where to place the blame: NBC. Here's why: season one was a hit, but because NBC mucked around with the schedule and had it off the air for months even during season one, the ratings when it came back from hiatus were not as good as they had been beforehand.
NBC crafted what I'm sure it thought was a very creative solution to the problem at the time: do twelve part story arcs that start and end within twelve episodes. That way, if it's off the air for a couple of months, it will come back with a brand new story arc.
Guess what? The creative talent around Heroes didn't craft the more successful (and much better, in my estimation) season one under those terms. And having to create under that scheduling seems to have completely screwed the show.
Here's an idea - go back to making the show a regular old serial, and don't constrain the creative talent by forcing story arcs that must complete within a twelve episode window. Let them plan out a few seasons worth of story, and then let them try to program to that.
Can you imagine what would've happened with LOST if it had been forced to create the show in the fashion NBC has forced Heroes?
Despite the freefall from ratings awesomeness, Heroes has a ways to fall before it meets it hits the ground. Unfortunately for Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money, those shows didn't have as far to fall and are very close to impact. It's only a matter of time.
With the news that they have a $4 mil budget, I think they are going to have some pretty drastic cuts before being renewed. And if those in charge can’t agree to those cuts, then I think the show may actually be in legitimate trouble.
and one tree hill?? will go on?
Thank you for answering my question on this. I had left a question in the cancellation index forum, but this tells me what I wanted to know.
I am a die-hard heroes fan, but even I have to agree there have been some plotlines that are hard to swallow.
I’m sorry to see Pushing Daisies go. This show was clearly a victem of the writers strike.
Julia, at the current level of ratings, my guess is it’s safe even at $4 million per episode provided that it can average $120K per 30 second spot. That gets it over break even on a cost basis with room left over for promotion. plus given the 18-34 numbers even now, I think it must easily average over $120K/30 second spot. Plus there’s product placement, and DVD gravy in it for them.
Hitsimo, given where the CW is, on a ratings basis, yes — though I am not sure whether the producers, actors, etc. want to do another season.
NBC just can’t handle a hit show; Ben Silverman is a moron. Heroes i think can be done pretty cheapy like the first episodes of season one were; the powers don’t have to be over-done with CGI. Its the characters and thriller directing thats the reason as to why people tuned into Heroes.
Sad, because to me Heroes died in Season 1. It was great and now it’s terrible with about 9083240 different characters.
I really like Pushing Daisies, it’s a fun light show. And all the characters are great!
Okay, now you’re just talking out of your @$$! This is all based purely on speculation!! It’s not official that these shows were cancelled! Nothing’s being cancelled until ABC says so!
Jason, ok, but I’ll bet you the $5 allowance your mom gives you that Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, and Dirty Sexy Money are all cancelled before the season ends…
First of all, I’m 21 years old and get $30 every week. Second of all, I’ll bet you nothing that you didn’t read THIS yet (http://wizbangpop.com/2008/11/04/tv-movie-news.php)
I am not giving up on Pushing Daisies! PUSHING DAISIES WILL SEE SEASON 3!
And I’ll also bet you all the money I have that with proper campaigning, Pushing Daisies will NOT go down the crapper!! Just go to savepushingdaisies.blogspot.com for details.
haha, fair enough Jason. I’ll go the $30 allowance AND all the money you have that no amount of campaigning will save it.
Of course ABC hasn’t made an official announcement yet. It will hold off doing so until it officially announces its mid-season lineup.
the reason heroes is in ratings free-fall is because people are lazy. Too lazy to follow the story with, admittedly a very large cast. Really though…it’s worth it. Heroes I think is really on the up-swing plot-wise. When that happened in Season 2, the ratings boosted. (Out of Time was the lowest rated of season 2, after that it went up, as the story picked up). I at least hope this is the case.
Can ABC really replace 3 shows at mid season? they also have nothing for tuesdays at 8?
I think/hope that ELI can make it until the end of the season at least!
I hope you are wrong about Pushing Daisies getting axed. It’s a very original show, with wonderful actors. I’ll miss that show more than I would if Heroes got pulled this season.
Thanks for the link, Jason. At last someone who isn’t biased towards PD.
Johnthemon, too lazy to follow the story? Yeah, I choose not to because otherwise I’d get a major head ache about everything that could’ve been done so much better if they’d actually have decent people doing the writing.
Personally, my own up-beat concerning Heroes was day or two ago when people started to speculate that Bryan Fuller will return to Heroes writing cast.
As I’ve said in the past among with many, many people – Heroes was *great* on its sophomore season. And talks about it going sour because of the strike is an urban legend – it went down with the finale of Season 1. It was a slap in the face to all the pre-dating episodes before it. It was like all the writing staff had suddenly died and replaced with Hollywoodesque-actionjunkie zombies…
Josh, ABC has quite a few shows waiting for mid-season addtion to the schedule. They recently claimed they ordered just 20 episodes of Samantha Who? (instead of the typical 22) because of their significant supply of shows ready to come off the bench.
I am not giving up on Pushing Daisies! Say whatever you want, but I am gonna believe that it will survive at least for a full season order.
Pushing Daisies is done, over. I can tell you that Fuller is currently in talks with another network and producer to immediately start writing for them as soon as ABC makes it official. Look for ABC to make it official next week.
That looks to be good news for Heroes fans anyway.
It’s funny how you talk and talk, but never give any sources. Makes one wonder.