Comments on: Good News, Bad News: LIFE UNEXPECTED, FRINGE & EASTWICK

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:37:39 +0000

I wonder if The CW is trying to kill Life Unexpected… already. I mean, sometimes networks air shows to appease creators or people they want to keep working with, don’t they? And then cancel them quickly, like they intended to from the start. What, you think I’m a crazy conspiracy theorist? Maybe. But it makes sense to me: put the show on in a timeslot where you expect it to fail, then you can blame the ratings and the showrunner/etc can’t blame you for cancelling it.

Either that or it’s network stupidity in scheduling, as usual.

I mean, they should have more modest ambitions for Life Unexpected. You could see their scheduling it on Monday as a sign of faith in the show…or setting it up to fail. Why would they expect a show like this, that’s not flashy or gimmicky or superficial, but is a down-to-earth unpretentious family drama…to be a big ratings draw? It doesn’t seem like the kind of show that would be a big hit. It’s a critical darling and I wish that were good enough for The CW. They could use a little class and critical acclaim to improve their reputation, ’cause they are *not* known for quality television right now… just trash.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:34:06 +0000

I don’t blame them about Eastwick. Saw the pilot and it was…OK. Rehas of every other WB series and Desperate Housewives.

Hopefully Fringe stays around, I’m worried.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:19:46 +0000

Gossip Girl is TERRIBLE. I used to love it, and now I can’t even watch it. Plus, it gets beaten by OTH every week. That’s got to be embarrassing.

By: Loli

Loli — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:13:45 +0000

Nick: 9 o’clock is ok for Life Unexpected. It’s a family show, but it’s not naive at all. At least it’s not naive a la Gilmore.
Many people will get surprise with this family show.
I loved what I saw but I repeit, it’s ok for 9

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:47:17 +0000

Life Unexpected feels like more of an 8 o’clock show to me. Seems like teens who still have to get up early for school would want to watch it, too.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:30:58 +0000

I knew Eastwick was in trouble last week. I missed the ep and tried to watch online at abc.com and hulu. neither one posted their last offering. NOT a good sign. So I quit last week b/c of that very reason. I could smell cancellation. lol I did like it and enjoy it. Too bad.

By: Ace

Ace — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:24:15 +0000

Nick — I didn’t realize that they were actually giving it GG’s timeslot for a little while. That’s actually good news (well for it, not so much GG), but I feel like 9 pm is less crowded than 8. I actually only watch GG and BBT during the 9 hour.

By: Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:53:09 +0000

I’m very disappointed about Eastwick (I like the show a lot), but not surprised. I saw its ratings each week and knew it wouldn’t last. Sadness.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:44:52 +0000

I concur, Ace, Monday at 9pm is a rough timeslot. Too many braindead viewers are encamped at CBS or ABC or FOX. Seems like Wednesday would’ve been the least-competitive night to try to launch a new series (with a temporary encore on Fridays, to finally give Smallville a decent lead-out).

CW needs to have patience with Life Unexpected, as it could very well lead to more “inclusive” family dramas, a la Gilmore Girls, instead of the totally “out-there” GG, MP, etc. Remember, family TV is not dead (only in network execs’ minds), and there are still many homes where risque content isn’t permitted. It’s time to swing the pendulum back to shows like Gilmore and LUX.

By: Ace

Ace — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:43:55 +0000

Count me as another that liked Eastwick, but I agree with forg that it was justified.

So does that mean that Life UnExpected is going to be opposite House, HIMYM and Heroes (well, no one cares about Heroes)? That’s rough.