ABC

ABC Cancels Two Great Shows

By Ron Rego 11/17/12

News has come about the fate of two great shows ABC introduced this season. "666 Park Avenue" and "Last Resort" got the axe as they had lackluster ratings.

“Last Resort” was praised by critics and was said to be one
of the best new fall dramas. I myself agree with that claim,
but the show lost badly on a very competitive Thursday night
at 8pm time slot. The problem with network programming
has been glaring for years, but yet they continue with the
same mistakes every year. I know I have said this in previous
articles, and for those of you who have not seen it, here it is.
You cannot put a freshman show up against ratings leader
shows and expect to win the night. “Last Resort” had zero
chance to get a large enough viewership when it goes up
against “The Big Bang Theory” and “X-Factor.” There is
nothing that ABC can do to win that slot right now. What they
should have done is put it up against shows that it could win
a sizeable cut in the ratings. Friday night would have been a
great opportunity for a new drama. How about the now vacant
spot left by “Private Practice” on Tuesday night? Do half seasons of both “666 Park Avenue” and “Last Resort” in that time slot. In fact, I would revamp the entire line up for ABC and would have much better results. You have to bite the bullet for two years in order to build a show. They could move a show like Castle to that time slot to compete and know it can hold its’ own and then put a new show following “Dancing With the Stars.” This just seems so obvious, I don’t know why they haven’t done it yet. If it fails, you just switch back. The network needs to save these shows, but won’t because they won’t change their views. Imagine if NBC gave up on a show called “Seinfeld” after the first two seasons where they couldn’t even muster up viewers at all.

“666 Park Avenue” has a very creative writing team and some great acting and belongs in that 10pm time slot somewhere in the ABC lineup. It would be a shame for it not to be continued when the have a potential big hit on their hands. Given the setting of the show, all it would take is a few guest stars and ratings can soar enough to get people hooked on the story line and then keep coming back. The problem isn’t even the show itself. It is the time slot. How do you expect to compete being a new show going up against “The Mentalist” and The NFL?

Both shows had great writing, acting and storylines, but will finish out their 13 episodes. There is always hope that they can get picked up by another network, but unfortunately as of now just enjoy the last episodes.