NBC Cancels Well-Regarded ‘Southland’
Today, NBC canceled one of the best-reviewed shows of recent years, the police drama “Southland,” before it had a chance to get on the air for its second season.
The show, which premiered in the spring and had a strong start in the ratings, though it struggled in its later episodes, had six new episodes produced for the new season. But NBC delayed its start date from mid-September until Oct. 23. NBC has been filling that hour — 9 p.m. on Fridays — with the newsmagazine show “Dateline NBC.”
Now NBC has dropped “Southland” altogether. Ratings for Friday shows have become universally low, and expensive dramas seem to be faltering especially on Fridays. “Dateline” can be produced for a fraction of the cost.
“Southland” started as a 10 p.m. show on Thursdays, and its style was consistent with others that have played there for decades. But NBC no longer has any 10 p.m. periods for drama because it has moved the new “Jay Leno Show” into that slot every weeknight. The style of “Southland” was largely distinguished by gritty police work and sometimes dark, troubled characters — not unlike previous NBC hits like “Hill Street Blues.”
The rest of you can get all worked up about Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize today. All of my tinfoil hat-wearing outrage is directed at NBC, the network which is, if I hadn't made this clear yet, DEAD TO ME.
They had already killed Life because of Leno. Where will Leno's rampage end?
ReplyDeleteAt this point the only redeeming thing about NBC is that they haven't cancelled "The Office," but the season has been a disappointment to me--even the hugely hyped "JAM" wedding last night so if you need a buddy to curse NBC and want a show of solidarity, I'd be happy to join you. I can't take all the bullshit talk-shows, reality-TV, "News" shows and other garbage they put on to save money and lure in uncritical dipshit viewers. Must be the same ones who think giving the NPP to Obama is a major slight to GW--America's grand war-time President.
ReplyDelete(cue vomit)
That is the final dagger to the gut. I loved Southland. I will not invest anymore time in that network. Jay Leno, please.
ReplyDeleteRemember American Gothic? I let myself get invested, then GONE. Same with Jericho. I hate CBS.
ReplyDeleteSorry not to be able to join the NBC-bashing; we no longer receive any channels since the networks here went digital...
ReplyDeleteBut I saw this today and thought you and your readers might be interested as it concerns your earlier post about what labels kids get in order to receive services:
www.disabilityscoop.com/2009/10/06/autistic-like/5684
Hey, a slight to GW works for me. Sorry for all of you whose show was cancelled. I don't like Leno to begin with! Here in Massachusetts we are fighting potential major cuts to the part of the budget that funds services for adults with a wide variety of disabilities. These people are our most vulnerable and the threat to their funding happens all the time. Children are entitled to services (not that they always get the right ones)and adults are not. One day they are 21 with staff, funding, jobs, etc., the next day they are 22 with 75% fewer staff and minimal funding. Give us a good thought!
ReplyDeleteFucking fucks every single one of them. Dammit!
ReplyDeleteI only caught one episode of Southland, but it was great. Bastards.
ReplyDeleteNBC kept ER on the Thursday schedule well beyond the point that it began to suck. I missed Southland because it started in the old ER time slot. I was going to try it this sease because you said you love it (really - because I trust your TV taste after your Boomtown comments.) I don't think it is just NBC, though. ABC canceled Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone. Fox canceled Arrested Development - the greatest injustice of all. Please don't let any of those execs go over to FX and touch Damages (and damn, I miss The Shield too.)
ReplyDeleteA little birdie told me that there is an Arrested Development movie in the works.
ReplyDeleteAnd giving Leno every 10 pm slot was a lame-ass move. I hope Southland gets picked up by one of the cable networks, if NBC is so vapid to not want it.
Grrr..... I have been waiting for this show to return! I am getting so ticked off, I already am missing most of my favorite shows from last year (Life, Life on Mars), this just is more icing on the cow pie!
ReplyDeleteFwiw southland is still filming in los Angeles. I live here and yesterday saw filmm crews filming for southland.
ReplyDelete