I hate CBS. Okay, I don’t really hate CBS, but I am beginning to get annoyed with the major networks in general. It seems that each time I become interested in a show, they cancel it. Now, maybe you would say my viewing judgment is lacking, but honestly, it seems that lately, the executives at the network rarely give a show a chance.
Case in point – CBS just cancelled “Jericho.” I have loved “Jericho” every since it started. In the beginning, it pulled in decent ratings. I watched faithfully, even after a cowardly CBS pulled it for almost three months to avoid going head to head with “American Idol” auditions. As devoted as I was, I had almost forgotten the storyline after the hiatus. Why would they do that to a show millions of people watched? It was almost certainly the kiss of death for the series. CBS executive Kelly Kahl said “We lost a lot of steam. I know we had loyal viewers…but the show sort of lost its engine and wasn’t performing.” Uh, no, the show didn’t lose its engine – it was yanked out by the network!
One of my first runs of cancellation bad luck was with Fox’s “Reunion.” It was a show about six friends coming together for their twentieth reunion. But one friend gets killed – who did it? I watched this mainly because I liked Will Estes and after “American Dreams” was removed from the air after only three seasons, I was anxious to see him in another series. So I watched…right up until Fox cancelled it at thirteen weeks, four episodes short of the finale, leaving many fans frustrated and wondering whom the killer was.
Then I started watching “The Book of Daniel.” At least with this one and it controversial theme, I had an inclining it might not last very long. And I was right. It was removed after four episodes. Now, I have gotten involved in “Jericho,” they are at war with another town, we still don’t know the lead characters past, and…cancellation.
This has seriously become a pet peeve of mine – networks cancelling shows without even giving them much of a chance. Now I have been watching television for a LONG time. I remember when Cagney and Lacey was almost cancelled after the first season. It went on to air for five additional seasons after CBS decided to give it another chance and it found it’s audience
Did you catch any episodes of “Drive?” I know I didn’t because Fox dropped it after only airing four episodes. Right now, I am a bit worn out with network television. I hate to even give a new show that is not a game or reality show a try for fear of them pulling it in mid-first episode if they don’t get enough viewers. What can we as viewers do to let the networks know this is getting old?