Roush on Big Shots and K-Ville
Question: Every year people complain that the networks are too impatient and that shows are yanked before they have a chance to hit their stride or build an audience. Well, because of the strike, shows that have been sagging in the ratings since day one or that premiered to mixed reviews have been allowed to stay on the air for months now. And, for the most part, the shows that sucked when they premiered still suck and the shows that flopped out of the gate still aren't attracting viewers. So what do you think — even in a normal season, should shows like
Big Shots or
K-Ville be given this much time? Is there still a chance they'll actually develop into quality or successful shows? Or is it just possible that (gasp!) the networks actually know what they're doing sometimes and that when shows get canceled there's a good reason?
— Mike
Matt Roush: The good news this season is that when some of these new shows run out of episodes and finally bite the dust, the fans (who will still be upset; they always are) at least can't complain the networks robbed them by swinging the ax too early. I actually like the fact that most new series, however badly they're performing, got a chance to show their stuff during the November sweeps, giving the networks and the viewers a chance to see if the individual show could grow, creatively if not in the ratings. I would argue that for shows like Chuck, Life and Dirty Sexy Money, all of which earned full-season pickups in recent weeks, patience paid off. Regarding the shows that are still around only because of strike inertia, at least those who are still watching got to enjoy them a little while longer. To address your last question: Cancellation comes with the territory and happens for a variety of reasons. The failure rate in network TV is unfortunately very high. There are cases where I truly believe the network makes the call quickly because the final product didn't live up to the pitch or the pilot, and others when it becomes instantly clear that a show, however well done, didn't hit its intended target and isn't likely to catch on. Sometimes these are regrettable choices, sometimes it comes as a relief. Needless to say, this has been a most unusual fall season.
In a related question, Jim from Milwaukee says: "K-Ville was not on the schedule this Monday, and I can't understand why. I know it has had low ratings, but I really like the show, especially for the Nawlins backdrop. Please tell me it is not canceled. OK, if that's the truth, I guess I can take it."
The truth: It has not been canceled yet, to my knowledge, but it hasn't been picked up, either. Given the fact that it was preempted on the last Monday of the sweeps to make room for repeats of more popular shows like Bones and House (the sort of sweeps-stunt strategy that the networks didn't stoop to as often this month), I'm thinking its chances are slim for making it through the season. I like the New Orleans setting as well, but it's the only thing that distinguishes the show to me. Everything else, from the stories to the performances, strikes me as dreary.
