| medialifemagazine.com Television
The network has decided not to renew the quirky hour-long comedy, which bounced through six different timeslots during its two-year run. That's according to a report yesterday in TV Guide. Though the show had some critical acclaim and a small but fiercely loyal following among women 18-49, it simply never found much ratings traction, even after earning an extended tryout in the plum post-“Grey’s Anatomy” slot last year. “Men,” which most recently aired Wednesdays at 10 p.m., has averaged a 1.6 rating this season, including two Friday timeslot stints as well. That ranks No. 154 on broadcast this year, and it’s half the 3.2 rating the show averaged last season. The network will return the show, which went on hiatus last month, to its schedule to air its final episodes this summer, after May sweeps ends. “Trees’” cancellation opens up another hour on the ABC schedule and may ensure that “Boston Legal,” another low-rated but critically acclaimed show, makes the cut for a fifth season. It also now seems unlikely that “Women’s Murder Club,” which took over the post-“Dancing with the Stars” timeslot last week, will make the cut. It lost a huge chunk of “Stars’” audience. ABC is expected to pick up “Scrubs,” the ABC Studios-produced sitcom that has aired on NBC the past seven seasons. The network may also grab “The New Adventures of Old Christine” if CBS drops it. The two programs have higher ratings than all but one of ABC’s comedies (“Samantha Who?”), and it would give the network an hour of smart, established sitcoms. The network has been trying for years to launch a new slate of comedies, but show after show has bombed despite some good reviews. Meanwhile, media people continue to speculate over the fate of Fox’s “Back to You” and “’Til Death,” its two live-action sitcoms. Though “You’s” ratings have risen over recent weeks, that’s mostly due to its new lead-out, “American Idol.” “Death” has not shown much promise since returning from strike hiatus, averaging a 2.0 rating in its most recent outing. If the network chooses only one sitcom to renew, making room to launch a new one next fall, “You” has a better chance, in large part due to the comedic promise of stars Kelsey Grammer (“Frasier”) and Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”). And the CW seems to be leaning toward renewing “Reaper,” its low-rated one-hour comedy. Numbers for the show haven’t been great, but with wrestling leaving for MyNetworkTV later this year, the CW will have an additional two hours to program. It may be better off filling that with “Reaper” than trying to launch another new show. © 2008 Media Life |
