Update: it seems to be officially official now.
Nick C, in the comments says that Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money have been officially cancelled and that word is starting to leak out. We haven’t seen anything official, so for us it is still but a rumor at this point, but Nick has been very accurate with his info in the past and we’ll give him all the credit if he’s right — and of course all the blame if he’s wrong!
Based only on numbers, that makes complete sense to us. It’s not a commentary on the quality of either show, but the ratings have been below average and our renew or cancel index has predicted these shows wouldn’t be picked up. Of course, it’s not perfect, and doesn’t explain NBC’s Life (which I enjoy a lot) and Knight Rider getting full season pick ups. But ABC is not NBC.
We’re not out to get these shows, we just are looking at the numbers. Please note, if anything the last year plus of working this blog has turned me into someone who is definitely not a fan of “save our show” campaigns. Anybody can do what they want, and if you want to participate in something like that, I’m not going to discourage you. I’m not going to encourage it either though. There are a lot of reasons for this, too long to get into now.
My bias would be that you make a charitable donation via an organization like Donors Choose (an organization that helps teachers help their students) in memory of how much you enjoyed the show instead of bugging the networks, but it’s just a bias.
We’ll keep you updated with any official news as it becomes available.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:56 am
My first thought was “this could be good news for Eli Stone.” It’s probably still on the chopping block though.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Shawn, we’ve heard a lot of rumors with regard to both Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone. They’re both (along with Brothers & Sisters) produced by Greg Berlanti. We hear ABC is very found of Eli Stone and it would seem (judging by participation) that Berlanti is more enamored as well. So if there’s any sort of “pick one” scenario, Eli might survive. There’s no chance for Pushing Daisies though and strictly from a numbers point of view, not cancelling all of them would be a surprise.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I think ABC doesnt have the balls to cancel all three shows, and Eli.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
No official word from ABC yet. Nothing is cancelled until ABC says so. But based on the ratings, I guess this really *is* goodbye. *sniffle*
November 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
i never got why people send in letters to the networks or sign those stupid online petitions, its just a huge waste of time.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am
People need to also remember that it’s quite possible that ABC will say nothing and just finish airing out the remaining episodes. They are planning to air the remaining episodes and don’t want black shadows of doom hanging over the shows.
ABC even just released a PR applauding PD for beating KR in the demo!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am
ABC should at least air all remaining episodes of PD. They don’t run promos for the show anymore, nothing during DWTS etc., so it’s clear they’re not interested in trying to bolster the ratings. But they should not pull the show off before all episodes have aired.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:07 am
As opposed to posting on message boards which is excellent use of one’s time.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Didn’t such campaigns get another season of Jericho and that cartoon Kim Possible. Sure both were cancelled aftwerwards, but if your a fan of a show one extra season is better then none.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I’m leaning towards that when the official announcement finally comes, you’ll have to intuit the absence of the show based on no mention of it. I’m not sure there’s any upside to being specific about cancellations when it’s not a “yank the remaining episodes off the schedule” thing.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:09 am
They are planning on airing the rest? That’s very nice to hear. If PD goes all through December (including New Year’s Eve) and one week in January, that’s 13. I wonder if they would do that.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Realm, yes, but all the past save the fan campaigns probably add up to “never again!” If the Pushing Daisies DVD sells well (it apparently hasn’t) that would be far more likely to revive it than any fan campaign.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
at least give me a 2-hour episode wrapping things up, its the least they could do and it will help bolster season 2 dvd sales.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I dont care for PD and DSM but why Eli is not getting cancelled too? Is having only a 39% retention of DWTS
November 20th, 2008 at 11:16 am
and i am speaking PD not the wretched DSM
November 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Cool, we don’t know that it isn’t…but we don’t know that it is.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Good point, Idiot James.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Pushing Daisy promos did run Monday night during Samantha Who? for this week’s episode. With ABC’s dismantling of its Wednesday lineup, the cancelation of PD and DSM is a given. Eli Stone is safe for now, but I wouldnt be surprised if ABC tries a new show in the Tuesday time slot. Greg Berlanti and Co. are being given no favors with Accordning to Jim as Eli’s lead-in. Yikes!
Does this mean Life on Mars is safe?
November 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
David, Eli had DH, Lost and DWTS of lead in. There’s no reason to keep Eli alive.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Julia, yeah right now from the same source at ABC I’ve heard that they will air the remaining episodes. Because of that don’t expect them to even tell the production their final decision. This is one of those cases where IF they say anything officially. For those doubting that, ask the producers of CASHMERE MAFIA if ABC has let them know they’re canceled yet or find me the PR announcing it.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:27 am
David, if rumors of ABC really considering going seasonal with certain shows are true, then LOM would make a perfect fit for that scenario.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I guess ABC is indeed gonna air the remaining eps of the doomed shows,at least judging from their weekly grid released on the 14th.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:36 am
There is plenty of reason to keep Eli alive…it’s one of the best shows on TV!! It’s current time slot does not do it justice though.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Lynxie, the same can be said of Pushing Daisies and it wasnt given the benefit of fantastic lead ins like Eli Stone has had, such as Despereate Housewives, Lost and Dancing with the Stars.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Lynxie, Eli had Desperate Housewives, Lost and DWTS as lead in and Eli has failed in all of them. I think it’s not fair to blame ABC for not trying with Eli
November 20th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Oh well, what can I say. All this has been long in the making. Now my only hope will be that ELI will stay. I’d really hate loosing both shows in my all time favorites list during this Fall season. That’d just plain suck.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:49 am
If PD and DSM are really canceled, Eli needs to get canceled, too. PD (without a lead-in) and DSM (with a much weaker lead-in) were basically generating the same numbers as Eli (with a number of luxurious lead-ins). Ratingswise, Eli is the biggest loser on the ABC schedule, and if PD and DSM are really gone, Eli doesn’t deserve to live, either.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
If this is true, I hope ABC will air all remaining episodes of “DSM”. Last night’s episode was great and I’d really like to see how it ends. That said, I still have my fingers crossed although I’m gonna try not to get too hopeful that this news is not true.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Goodbye Daisies, maybe one day you’ll get a DTV movie to finish the story.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
so we retain 78% of PP lead in and Eli retains 39% of the DH lead in and DSM is the one Nick C cancels?
In the Blue States women 20-27 we were up 2% WOOOOHOO
I say keep DSM . PP was down hence our drop. We still retained SEVENT EIGHT PERCENT of the lead in
November 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
seventy eight percent retention out of PP. Sorry for the typo’s folks
Oh wow #2 in women 18-34 vs CSI NY and Law and Order
November 20th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
dirtysexyj ,
interesting how with 0 lead in PD has roughly 5 million viewers per week and with fantastic leadin Eli Stone averages a little more. Yet DSM and PD get the alleged ax….
November 20th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I wish…this was a discussion oriented blog, as opposed to name dropping by certain posters…all trying to prove who’s got the bigger stick…could we have less of “I’m affiliated with this show/network” and “I know this and you don’t?” Peace! Call me old-fashioned…I believe in modesty.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Anytime a show is below a 2.5 in the demo they are in severe consideration for cancellation when they hold a decent time slot for ABC. In years past the same could be said for NBC but that network has hit rock bottom (then again it could get worse). A 1.8 isn’t even putting up a fight. It’s a fish flapping about on dry land soon to be a dead fish.
I’d have to say KR is serious trouble too.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Nick, I didn’t realize YOU were the one canceling shows!
November 20th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
“In the Blue States women 20-27″
And the niches get narrower and narrower and narrower . . .
November 20th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
i watched PD,DSM and ELI last season, but the only one im still watching is Eli, so im glad
November 20th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Eli Stone is liked by the network, and I think gets fine demo numbers, or it did until this week’s terrible ratings.
PD is dead of course, but I don’t understand why ABC didn’t try harder to save DSM, it’s soap opera crap that ABC seems to love.
However if you look at the ratings for this week they all pretty much suck, so I have no clue what the networks will be basing renewing on.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
David4, “Eli Stone…I think gets fine demo numbers,”
No, in fact through last week it had the worst 18-49 demo average of any ABC scripted show.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Jericho fans had a small input in getting a second season for the show that was cancelled after two season.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I think I was premature in say “officially canceled,” I should have said “officially decided to not order new episodes or bring the shows back next fall.”
November 20th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Nick C, perhaps so, but “officially decided to not order new episodes or bring the shows back next fall.” does not Google index very highly
November 20th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Nick C, thanks for all the insider info. A lot of us are all waiting for some sort of a decision. Have you heard anything specific about Eli Stone from your insider? Anything new at all? Last week, I thought that it still has a chance to get a full season. But, I’m now even more concerned because the latest ratings from this past Tuesday are pretty bad for ES. There is that leaked ABC schedule from a week or two ago that still has Eli Stone on it. According to your sources, is the leaked schedule from futoncritic.com correct? And have your sources told you whether Eli Stone is picked up for the full season?
As for the others talking about the lead in being Dancing with the Stars. Personally, I don’t think that is the right lead in for Eli Stone. It’s a reality show about famous people dancing. How does that relate to a drama about a lawyer? These two have nothing in common at all. And their audience have nothing in common, pretty much.
Out of all the other shows, Eli Stone is actually doing better in ratings than it did in its first season, in averages, that is. PD and Dirty Sexy Money all went down in season two from their season one ratings.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Nick, if that’s in response to my comment, I was referring to dirtysexyj claiming you canceled DSM despite it retaining 78% of its lead in.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Hehe, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony of the article’s title. “Rumor is… officially canceled.” But of course I understand what you’re saying since technically there hasn’t been a press release, but Nick C has been reliable with information.
Sorry, I just like the irony.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Julia (without avatar), “Eli Stone is actually doing better in ratings than it did in its first season, in averages, that is.”
Sadly, no. It’s 18-49 average for 2007-8 was 3.19 million, and this season through last week it was 2.644 million.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
On a serious note though, I do feel bad for the fans of shows that get cancelled like this. I know I’d be majorly bummed if a show I was a huge fan of was cancelled…*cough*
November 20th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
a sad day for Mr. Winkelbottom (my TV watching cat, my other 4 cats do not like to watch TV, but I love them all non the less).
November 20th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Doesn’t ABC have loads of mid-season shows? So cancelling 3/4 shows wouldn’t be the end of the world: they would need to wouldn’t they??
November 20th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Aprils First Post????? you’re first post was before, that is incorrect.
But seriously you should put funny names in part of you’re comedy act, i’m sure my cat would love it: but my 5 year old cousin would just chuckle at the cats childish humour. WTF? How old are you April (’s First Post).
November 20th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
@ Idiot James
well this “huge waste of time” occurs when i am in the library working on a 20 pg paper for managment
I get bored so i read walls/posts because its pretty entertaining
November 20th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I really hope the rumor isn’t true about PD. Been secretly hoping for a Pushing Daisies, Lost, Life On Mars line up. Know it’s a pipe dream on the PD front, but this schedule would keep me rooted on ABC all night.
Also, whether or not you’re actively participating in a save my show campaign, or you just love a successful show, networks do pay attention to letters snail mailed to them. Advertisers pay even closer attention to letters thanking them for supporting your show. http://www.watchfarscape.com is an excellent resource for advertisers & networks contact info.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I hope we PD fans at least get some resolution to our storylines.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Speaking of which, how true is the claim that ABC will air remaining episodes, meaning PD would get 13 as it was the last one produced recently?
I recall reading something about Fuller saying that in case PD will get canceled, 13th episode will serve as series finale. And he promised it will be a hell-of-a finale!
One could hope it comes true after all and they wouldn’t just yank it off schledule entirely.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
fin, I am over 50 years old. Old and crotchety enough to be easily offended when people post comments implying lack of intelligence is why I do or do not enjoy a series.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Julia, nope that was an overall response to the subject matter at hand. The show isn’t being taken off the air. It is being allowed to run its course. It just isnt having new episodes picked up. Although when you only had 60,000 more viewers than CW that could mean something worse.
I was amused though with dirtysexyj’s newest inside information that I’m the one who canceled the show. Good job me!
Alde, pretty sure they are going to air them all with possibly a couple extra dates to burn off some episodes.
ALL PD FANS: Go buy the DVD box set for season 1. It’s cheap (for a TV series). They need to sell about 150,000 more units for Direct to Video to be an option. Otherwise the endings will be in comic books if at all.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Ahhhh – 2 more lame shows gone …bye bye !!
November 20th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
sadly April i didn’t imply a lack of intelligence was why you did or didn’t enjoy a series.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Didn’t say you individually did, but others certainly have. If they are allowed to make assumptions about fans (or non-fans) of PD, I think I certainly should as well.
As they say in the south…Good Bless the PD fans
November 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
By the way over 50 isn’t that old: the new old is like 80-90. ‘Over 50′ so i guess your in your fifties. Plus with a cat named Mr.Winklebottom i don’t see the grouchiness but i don’t know. Re-read my message in the context of your previous posts.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Nick, What are you hearing about Life on Mars. It’s ratings don’t seem that bad.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
April you implied i did: its not the same but its close and why give an explaination if you’re not proving a point?
November 20th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
LTFOx14, I have been told to check out tonights ratings. LOM does better than the other mentioned shows on C3 numbers. If the C3 numbers are good, then the show should be fine.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Hearing confirmation on DSM. And also hearing Eli Stone canceled.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Blah, now you ruined my mood. Going to loose two excellent shows during a matter of months. That blows.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
If only I celebrated Christmas, I would buy PD as stocking stuffers. But I’ve already bought it for myself, and there is no library drive, so I have no reason to buy 10 copies like I did with a certain other show.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
No pickupS for ‘PD’, ‘Eli’ and ‘DSM’: http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/11/abc-no-pickups.html
November 20th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Craptastic. And copycat like LOM survives. Figures.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Someone at ABC must have really had it out for Pushing Daisies since the begining of the season. Never before had I seen a network go to such extreme measures to not promote. I only saw promotion twice after the season started and both times it was after Eli Stone (the night before). Way to go ABC at showing America what you think of originality!
November 20th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Julia, just curious, but what show did you buy 10 DVDs of?
November 20th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hollywood reporter says that PD, DSM & Eli have all be informed there will be no pickups, effectively cancelling the series.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Yeah, I agree, Scott. And ironically yet another procedurals will take their place. No disrespect for Nathan and Amber because I love them both but the shows they star in are just another examples of ‘procedural frames’. Few years from now that’s the only ‘genre’ left on network television.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Rachel, Veronica Mars. There was a drive to put as many copies of season one as possible in libraries across the country before the start of season three. It apparently didn’t do much good, but the libraries certainly appreciated it.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
God bless scrappy Bryan Fuller. He’ll be back with another fine show one day.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
aide, EAT YOUR HEART OUT !!! thanks abc 4 keeping a truly excellant show aka..LIFE ON MARS !!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Scott, ABC promoted PUSHING DAISIES more than any show but GRAY’s and DH. I’d say that is standing behind the show. Fuller and company are quite happy that ABC did all they did. Don’t make something out of nothing.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
All of my fav show’s Bryan Fuller has created: Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, and now Pushing Daisies. And all of them have ended abruptly or much too early. Has anyone taken a serious look at the target audience for his shows?
While ABC may have been pushing PD on the greater public, it seems to me that his shows are deeply followed by a niche market, like cult classics. As such, his shows fit in the “long tail” part of the curve of shows . Things like Netflix, Amazon and the iPod/iPhone have changed our society from “hit” based to “niche” based. Are broadcast companies like ABC adapting fast enough?
I’ve given up cable completely. I watch shows EXCLUSIVELY on go.ABC, Hulu, or Netflix Online. On ABC, I only watch 2 shows – PD and Ugly Betty. I don’t want to be bombarded by commercials and programming I’m not interested in. I want to be entertained, delighted, and enthralled – a bill PD definitely fills.
There’s an avid PD group of knitters on Ravelry.com who are in LOVE with PD. Group members post frequently about the costumes, character hobbies (Emerson knitting was a hit), and on and on. Once we’ve been hooked on 1 of Bryan Fuller’s shows, we then seek out every other one available.
Thanks for the note to buy the BOX VIDEO of PD. I didn’t know that my purchase would help bring PD Direct to Video. There’s some hope!
November 21st, 2008 at 12:15 am
why are they cancelling the great shows??? I absolutely love this show! great storyline, unpredictable and exciting! To top it all, the actors are just great!!! lucy is bad luck I think. the other show she had which i also adored got canned. when i saw that she was going to be part of the show i told my mom, oh no if shes going to be part of the show, the show might get cancelled…true enough it is going to be. i still have my fingers crossed that it doesnt. they canned lipstick jungle as well which is one of the great shows from another station i guess theres just nothing to watch anymore but hte news. please dont cancel this show abc.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:37 am
Julia, airdates for remaining episodes of “Pushing Daisies”…
2- 7 – Nov 26 2008 – Robbing Hood
2- 8 – Dec 3 2008 – Comfort Food
2- 9 – Dec 10 2008 – The Legend of Merle McQuoddy (final title, I think)
2-10 – Dec 17 2008 – The Norwegians
2-11 – airdate TBA – Water and Power
2-12 – airdate TBA – Window Dressed to Kill
2-13 – airdate TBA – Kerplunk
Last 3 episodes _may_ air in January, assuming Thanksgiving eve and the holidays don’t push the numbers so far into the daisies that somebody above McPherson yanks it before it goes kerplunk. It’s preempted the last two weeks of December.
As for “Dirty Sexy Money,” I’ll eat my underwear if ABC burns off all the episodes of that. And since they threw so many of them in the trash already, I won’t be eating my underwear.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:48 am
Oops. Airdate for “The Norwegians” is tentative. And it seems I have 2-11 and 2-12 backwards. Maybe. Maybe not. I got the casting sides for “Window” after “Water.” I don’t know.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
DIRTY, SEXY, MONEY
If this rumor is true. I think it is crap! I NEVER watch TV and I have finally found a show that I truly LOVE!!! Why would they take this show away? I am pissed off!
December 4th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I second Jill’s statement. Dirty Sexy Money is an amazing show! Why is it ‘not being picked up’, Nick? I think it has a pretty large fanbase, but a little more advertising would do wonders for it.