Eli Stone: ABC Cancels Jonny Lee Miller TV Show
After lots of ups and downs in the ratings, ABC has decided that the ride is over for Eli Stone. They’re not ordering any additional episodes for the drama, essentially cancelling the TV show.
Eli Stone follows a handsome attorney (Jonny Lee Miller) with an ideal life and promising future. He works for the law firm owned by prestigious attorney Jordan Wethersby (Victor Garber) and is engaged to Jordan’s daughter, Taylor (Natasha Henstridge). Eli’s life radically changes when he starts to experience strange hallucinations. Is he a prophet or sick? With the help of his brother Nathan (Matt Letscher) and an acupuncturist, Dr. Chen (James Saito), Eli learns the truth about his condition and starts to understand his new life. Other series performers include Loretta Devine, Sam Jaeger, Julie Gonzalo, Jason Winston George, and Tom Amandes.
Stone debuted in January 2008 as a midseason replacement series on ABC. The premiere attracted 11.83 million viewers and a 4.2/12 rating /share in the 18-49 demographic. The second episode fell to 9.38 million and a 3.6/10. The ratings continued to fall after that, hitting a series low of 5.88 million and a 1.6/4 rating/share towards the end of the season. It was a hit with some viewers and critics so ABC decided to stick with the series and renewed it for a second season of 13 episodes.
Season two debuted on October 14th and the numbers were higher than they had been at the end of the previous season – mainly thanks to its Dancing with the Stars lead-in. The season started with a high of 8.82 million viewers and a 2.3/6 rating/share in the demographic. The numbers have been sinking ever since and Tuesday’s episode fell to 6.36 million and a 1.6/4. Those figures look even worse when you consider that Dancing attracted 17.59 million viewers. That means that over 11 million viewers would rather change the channel than watch Stone. Consistently losing a large percentage of its lead-in audience is ultimately what’s killed the show about the attorney with visions.
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ABC has decided against ordering any additional episodes of Eli Stone. Though they are not calling it a cancellation, there is little to no chance that the network will ever revive the show.The cast and crew are currently finishing up their 13 episode order and it’s not known if producers will try to give the show any sense of closure. Executive producers Marc Guggenheim, Greg Berlanti, and David Petrarca broke the news to the cast and crew earlier today.
For now, the series remains on the network’s schedule. If ABC pulls Stone before the remaining eight episodes have aired, the network will likely air them at a later date, post them online or, at the very least release a season two DVD set. Stay tuned! 
June 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Please bring back Eli Stone. You might consider that you are bringing in an audience that is vastly different that the reality pap you serve up. This is a great show with a tremendous cast and entertaining writing. This all adds up to an engaging show. You will see its numbers grow if you keep it. Or maybe it is too clever of a show for ABC?!?
June 12th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
It is so sad that the networks once again cancel a show that makes people feel good about life. What are they going to replace it with, another law in order or maybe a medical show. When will those who control our lives start doing things that reflect what we like and enjoy. Eli Stone is a huge loss to us that need that positive pick me up.