Apr 14 2009
TV Shows Nearing the Chopping Block
This week TV.com seems certain of the demise of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Considering Dollhouse’s ratings are on the same level, it might not be long for the schedule, either, unless they decide to give Joss Whedon a chance to build momentum.
TV by the Numbers seems similarly convinced that In the Motherhood, Cupid, Castle, and The Unusuals are doomed. Nothing official as yet, but the ratings aren’t all that fab. Better Off Ted is on the cusp.
You can see from my earlier blog posts that I won’t cry over In the Motherhood or The Unusuals. I would, however, cry over Cupid, Castle, and Better Off Ted. Especially Better Off Ted. That show is just outrageous and risky and crazy and damn funny. And I love every actor on it. The problem may be that it’s the perfect match for Scrubs, and if it ends up without a sitcom pairing next season, that could put it in jeopardy. Which would be a damn shame. But honestly, Scrubs‘ star has been waning for some time, so pairing Better Off Ted with another up and coming sitcom could actually improve its ratings.
I love Nathan Fillion, but Castle suffers from some weak casting. And terrible scheduling. I’ve missed it twice now because I’m watching Medium and forget to record Castle. Castle isn’t a powerhouse show, but Fillion is ridiculously charming and could do well in a more out of the way timeslot. It’s one of those times where I would welcome a timeslot shift and it could save the show from oblivion.
I suspect Cupid suffers in the ratings because the plot is a hard sell. It sounds incredibly cheesy to say this guy thinks he’s Cupid and goes around matchmaking people. But in actuality, the show is full of heart and sweetness and Bobby Cannavale zips out the one-liners so fast and charmingly it makes your head spin. Each week we get really cool guest stars that you can identify from other sitcoms or shows you’ve loved in the past, and there’s a new set of characters to fall in love with. It’s not brain surgery, but it’s a really pleasant way to spend an hour. It’s a great antitode to all the hard-edged crime procedurals and medical dramas out there.
If you want to save these shows, watching them online may help. If you’re not a Nielsen family, they have no idea you care. Visit the website, watch the vids, leave comments. Let them know people are watching!
Read up on the TV News and Reviews posts for Better Off Ted , Castle , and Cupid.
- Field Poll Shows Dianne Feinstein and Meg Whitman Leading California Governor’s Race & Was Proposition 8 a Ruse to Hurt California Democrats?
- Shows getting the ax
- The Sarah Connor Chronicles Episode 2-6
- Lipstick Jungle cast hitting the Unemployment line!
- lost in desert(World longest joke-dont blame me)
I’m really enjoying “Better Off Ted”! Which probably means it’s doomed — most of the shows I like get cancelled pretty quickly!
I wonder if a write-in campaign might help, if it comes to that. “Arrested Development” was kept on for years, even though it had terrible ratings. I can see “Better Off Ted” developing a similar cult following.
Terminator better get renewed, there’s too many followers.
@msterri, I know how you feel. It drives me crazy that every time I get into something it gets pulled out from under me. Argh. I hate how these new shows get so little time to prove themselves–you can’t usually get enough people to write in for a show they’ve only seen a few times, you know?
@lindsay, the word is pretty strong that Terminator’s not coming back. It’s probably another one of those cases where a lot of the fans are watching on DVR or online and it’s not registering in the stupid outdated Nielsen’s. We’ll have to see what happens.
@MM, I never actually watched Terminator myself. I think it was up against something else I watched when it first started, and I just wasn’t that drawn to the storyline. I sort of felt like Terminator’s been done, you know? But a lot of folks really like it, and it’s got a good cast, so it seems like another one of those cases where it’s not fair to cancel it.
Dollhouse just didn’t grab me. If it looks like it’s getting renewed, I might look into it again, but it’s really a show meant for guys, I think. I only lasted 12 minutes into The Unusuals, if that tells you anything…heh.
I looove Cupid and Better Off Ted. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
I haven’t heard anything about Bob Saget’s new show, but it’s still pretty new. I’ll keep an eye out for buzz. You’re not kidding about sitcoms…they sure are a rare bird these days.
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll definitely let you know when I’ve found a new home! After all, I’ve got to find an outlet for gabbing about all that TV…lol.