Knowing when to leave, and then executing that exit strategy with dignity and creative energy intact, is possibly the toughest task in all of TV. (Everybody Loves Raymond pulled it off better than most.) In the year ahead, quite a few longtime faves are heading toward the finish line, even if some — like the fading West Wing — have yet to make it official. Here's my take on how these swan songs are playing out. While watching them, I also started wondering which ones are most likely to live on in spin-offs and which are best suited for nostalgic reunions somewhere down the road.
The West Wing Sundays, 8 pm/ET, NBCSeason: 7Showing its age? By definition, a lame duck is no spring chicken. Moving this once-majestic show to Sund
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Question: I read that Charmed, along with What I Like About You, is on the fence as to whether or not it is coming back for another season. I realize that the actresses' contracts are up at the end of this season, and that it was a miracle that it was renewed for an eighth season this year, but their ratings are fairly good for the WB and extremely stable. They've been around a constant 4.3 million viewers each episode, and on the WB that's great. So, I guess what I'm wondering is, why is Charmed on the fence again this year?? Is it just because the ratings aren't quite as good as previous years and because the girls' contracts are up at the end of this season?
Answer: What, Charmed is still on?
Seriously, if that's even possible where this show is concerned, economics likely has everything to do with it being on the ropes. WB's 7th Heaven is far more popular and viable than Charmed, but it's signing off this spring for reasons more financial than creative — although I'd argue it's
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Stephen Collins of 7th Heaven
In Part 1 of TVGuide.com's Q&A with Stephen Collins, the actor spoke candidly about WB's unexpected — by cast and crew members, especially — decision to make this 7th Heaven's final season, and even hinted that an agreement might have been arrived at to trim the series' costs and perhaps keep it on the air. Here in Part 2, Rev. Eric Camden's portrayer elaborates on that thought, updates us on the spin-off talk and discusses his Rick Nelson worship.TVGuide.com: Are you saying that the 7th Heaven cast would have made some sacrifices to keep it on another year? Would that have been a discussion?Stephen Collins:
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Stephen Collins of 7th Heaven
After 10 years as the WB's unsung savior, 7th Heaven is being sent to, well, programming heaven. The network declared the show "too expensive" to keep running and announced that this season would be the family drama's last — though there is some talk of a spin-off. In a two-part interview, TVGuide.com spoke with Stephen Collins, who since Heaven's debut has played Rev. Eric Camden, the paterfamilias of seven kids — which some might call hell, but maybe that's just us — about the show's value, its abrupt cancellation and more.
TVGuide.com: When did you find out that Heaven was canceled?Stephen Collins: [Series creator] Brenda [Ham
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Question: What do you think about the cancellation of 7th Heaven at the end of this season? Personally, I think it should've been canceled several years ago. In the first half of its 10 seasons it was actually about family and morality and whatnot, but now it's completely different. The whole premise to every show is a couple of the characters talking, usually with one of the Camdens listening in and basically hearing what they want to hear, which is not the whole truth. After that, they spend the rest of the show talking behind each others' backs until someone finally says something. I don't know about you, but I like a show with more than just one story line. What ever happened to good, quality, family programming?
Answer: The family drama is an endangered species, no question, but I contend it's still alive and well on Everwood. I'll let your opinion stand, because I don't watch 7th Heaven consistently (although I will be doing some homework soon for an upcoming column). But taking
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Question: Oh Matt, I'm crushed. I got my TV Guide today and saw that 7th Heaven is being canceled. Is WB's entertainment chief David Janollari crazy, nuts or just plain stupid? Yes, I understand salaries, but I guess good wholesome shows are beginning to be a thing of the past, which I think is sad. I was really looking forward to the twins growing up. Thanks for your time, Matt. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
Answer: Ditto and a big after-the-fact happy-Thanksgiving shout-out to everyone. I'm sure there are a lot of disappointed Heaven fans out there who wished the show would last until Lucy's baby was of childbearing age, but all good (and even good-for-you) things must come to an end eventually, and I'd rather see a show like this go out with some dignity. And there's a fine line between cancellation and the decision not to continue with a show after 10 seasons — not that it matters to fans, I suppose. Still, you wouldn't believe — or maybe you would — the mail I've gotten the last few
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Question: I've seen some "experts" write that Everwood is doing well enough on Thursdays (relative to past WB performance) to please the network. Others say its performance is poor and it could be in trouble. What's the real story? Is this great show on track to return next season? If so, do you think it will stay on Thursday, or would the WB consider returning it to Monday to replace the now departing (finally) 7th Heaven?
Answer: By WB's standards, the show is doing unexpectedly well on Thursdays — not quite as well as Smallville, but then, Clark isn't facing CSI, is he? Of all the networks taking on the big guns on Thursday, ABC is the one hurting the most. (See following letter.) I was assured before the season began that Everwood's future didn't hinge on its Thursday performance, but since it's doing OK there (considering), I'm sure it's safe for next year. It certainly deserves to be. The show is so enjoyable this season; loving Hannah and Bright, especially, but really, what's
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Question: A thought hit me a few weeks ago about the show Reba. Perhaps you and other critics should recommend this show to the more conservative viewers. While the humor isn't always top-notch, it is a comedy that has values. The WB should stick it after 7th Heaven instead. To me, Reba is similar to Touched by an Angel in that the show quality isn't always superior, but it does entertain and have values. Would critics such as yourself be able to suggest this show to those viewers seeking shows without the trash found in many popular shows?
Answer: Consider that message spread — but by you, not by me. I like Reba well enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to praise it for its "values." I don't judge shows that way, and I certainly don't intend to skew my opinions for a conservative or nonconservative mind-set — although I guess it's pretty evident that many of us champion shows that push the envelope. Besides, there are those who would no doubt take offense at Reba because it deals
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There's a way to go out with dignity. And then there's Fox's way of cutting Arrested Development down to size.
In the same week that WB proudly announced it was retiring 7th Heaven after a remarkable 10-season run (far from the top of its game, but still a key player), Fox once again whittled AD's episode order to its lowest number yet, from 18 last season to a mere 13 this year. Since September, only five episodes have aired, two back-to-back in a dismal Nov. 7 showing that sealed its doom (and that of Kitchen Confidential, which to date has only aired three times).
Both AD and Kitchen will return in December to burn off some of the remainder of their abbreviated seasons, but it will be the proverbial last gasp for one of TV's most innovative and ce
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7th Heaven
The Camdens of 7th Heaven have begun their slow march toward the pearly gates. WB has pulled the plug on the 10-year-old family drama, which will air its final episode in May. Although Heaven remains a solid performer for the network, averaging 5.1 million viewers a week, the show's sky-high budget made it too costly to continue. Must be all those pricey special effects.
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