Update: Additional info via Variety:
Wells and Warner Bros. intend to shop the show to other outlets.
"I'm disappointed that NBC no longer has the time periods available to support the kind of critically acclaimed series that was for so many years a hallmark of their success," Wells said in a prepared statement. "We remain extremely proud of 'Southland' and are actively looking for another home for the series."
NBC said it will do its best to air the episodes that have already been shot and that the quality of the show wasn't a factor in the decision. The show is in the middle of shooting its sixth episode.
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Southland has been canceled with production being shut down after six episodes according to the Hollywood Reporter. NBC will continue to air Dateline on Fridays at 9pm.
I was a bit surprised by the quick renewal by NBC of the Warner Brothers produced show in May, and I am a bit surprised that it has been canceled before the second season premiere. After screening the early episodes NBC found them "too dark and gritty" for broadcast, particularly at 9pm.
No word on when/if the six episodes that were already filmed will air.
Friday is a night some believe has less competition for The Jay Leno Show, but Friday night is a night of less viewers on broadcast too. Last Friday, The Jay Leno Show only had a 1.4 adults 18-49 rating out of Dateline's 1.8 rating. Though I do not blame Jay Leno for global warming and everything else wrong in the world, it is certainly conceivable that NBC was worried Southland would provide noticeably less of an 18-49 lead-in than Dateline.
should move to FX
So basically, they’re canceling the show because of Leno? How great is that. -.-’
Hopefully, a cable network will pick it up…
NBC. Wow.
tdot, that’s exactly what I’m thinking… It would be a great fit for the network… The only thing is, they have 6 new shows in development, I don’t know if they have room for one more
Southland never really had a chance with or without Leno at 10pm.
Actually a good decision by NBC on this one. Between the ratings erosion it had last season and the friday time slot, it probably would have bombed (like Parks and Recreation).
Well, Brad, if they aren’t lying and they canceled it because it doesn’t work at 9, then it sort of is Leno’s fault.
Boo I thought the show was good.
I really didn’t think that it would last too long on Fridays at 9:00, but I’m surprised that NBC wasn’t willing to at least give it a chance for 2-3 Episodes.
Can you imagine what would happen if NBC did this to Chuck?
Honestly I think the “Dark and gritty” thing is just an excuse. The show is expensive to make and had lackluster rating after it replaced ER. I think someone at NBC realized they were hemorrhaging money for a show that wasn’t going to succeed already with Trauma. So why toss more cash into the proverbial fire?
WTF?
NBC are you kidding me?!! This was one of the only shows that I was actually excited to see this fall on your network. What are you going to do now, add on another hour for Jay Leno? No wonder nobody watches your network. I hope cable or another network picks up this baby!
well that sucks, I don’t watch the show but BEFORE the Season Premiere? wow.
I’m pretty surprised it got canceled before it even aired some of its season 2 episodes. I didn’t think it would survive after its initial episodes, but still…
I was shocked when I heard this. I was expecting a cancellation, but definitely not before the season premiere aired. NBC didn’t even want to give them a chance…
Also, is this direct proof that Leno did kill a scripted show?
I’m not surprised.
I mean, Dateline & Leno are such a cheap combination with steady ratings (for a Friday) — why mess with that combo? There’s no doubt that “Southland” would have bombed….
I think Southland would be a good fit out of House on FOX. It always seemed more like a FOX show.
WOW
Other then Chuck, I officially watch nothing on NBC now – congratulations. The NBC network is has no idea what it is doing. Hopefully FX or USA will pick it up.