Update: CBS/ABC Cancel 9 Shows
As expected, ABC has cancelled Happy Endings after three seasons. But not all is lost for the cult comedy. Sony TV, the leading studio behind the underrated comedy series, had reached out to a couple of networks, including USA, about the possibility of continuing the comedy there if ABC did not renew it. USA, which has been looking to break into the half-hour original series space, had expressed interest and has had discussions about picking up Happy Endings in case of a cancellation. No real conversations had been held, with the series now officially available, such are expected to begin.
If the financials can be worked out, a Happy Endings pickup would be fortuitous for USA, which has been actively developing half-hour comedies and has ordered several pilots but has yet to greenlight a half-hour series. USA had been looking to have an original comedy on tap for the fall premiere of its marquee off-network series Modern Family. Happy Endings would be a suitable companion for Modern Family as it already spent two seasons on ABC paired with the Emmy-winning family comedy. Happy Endings did well behind Modern Family, but its fortunes changed this past fall when it was moved to Tuesday to form a comedy block with Don’t Trust The B—- At Apt. 23 in a crowded comedy hour. Despite strong cult following and critical praise, Happy Endings struggled mightily on Tuesday and in its last Friday slot. ABC brass had been strongly supporting the show from Day 1, but they will likely won’t be able to keep the series on broadcast TV at these ratings levels.
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UPDATE: Midseason drama Golden Boy and veteran comedy Rules Of Engagement too have been officially cancelled. Golden Boy did give us Brit Theo James, who looks like a movie star in the making. Meanwhile, Rules will go down as one of the most under-appreciated utility players in TV history. The sitcom, which never got much love, successfully plugged any hole on the CBS schedule it was assigned to, most recently replacing swiftly cancelled freshman comedy Partners on Monday this season. Its producer Sony TV fought hard for renewals in the past but this time, with the cast’s deals up, it didn’t make much sense, especially with the show safely over the 100-episode mark.
PREVIOUS: CBS has started to cancel existing series. I’ve learned that veteran CSI: NY has been axed, joining fellow spinoff CSI: Miami, which ended its run last season. Also over is freshman Vegas. Coincidentally, the two shows shared the same Friday 9 PM slot this season. None had been expected to survive. CSI: NY, starring Gary Sinise, had a respectable nine-year run. With it gone, the mothership CSI series, already renewed for next season, is the only member of the powerful CSI franchise still on the air. Period drama Vegas, which starred Dennis Quaid and Michael Chiklis, was a noble departure from CBS’ procedural template. Vegas was always old-skewing but drew respectable audiences in its fall run. However, it was a DOA when it returned in the spring in its new Friday slot. Also expected to get a cancellation at CBS are freshman drama Golden Boy and veteran comedy Rules Of Engagement.
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This a costly cancellation for Disney-ABC. Despite OK ratings and a financial windfall for sibling ABC Studios from international sales, ABC pulled the plug on procedural Body Of Proof after three seasons. The network is replacing it with another female-driven procedural, newly picked up Killer Women. The appeal of star Reba McEntire was not enough to save freshman comedy Malibu Country, leaving Last Man Standing as literally the last man standing for multi-camera comedy at ABC. As expected, ABC-owned freshman The Neighbors prevailed over 20th TV’s How To Live With Your Parents for a second-season renewal. No surprise in the Red Widow demise.
