Jericho: CBS Cancels It Again But Is the Series Really Over?
With a massive campaign, the fans convinced CBS to revive Jericho after it was cancelled last May. The network filmed seven episodes and said that, if the fans wanted more, the show would have to draw more viewers than it had in season one.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Despite debuting in the middle of the writers strike when most other shows were in reruns, the drama attracted an average of 6.2 million viewers and a less-than-impressive 2.0 rating of the 18-49 demographic. Though the 18-49 average matches the ratings of former Tuesday night occupant Cane, it’s significantly less the series’ first season numbers. Many have suggested that the later 10pm timeslot is, at least in part, to blame for the drop.
Whatever the reason for the decline, CBS has pulled the plug on Jericho for the second time.
In a written statement today, CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said, “The March 25 episode of Jericho will be the series finale. Without question, there are passionate viewers watching this program; we simply wish there were more. We thank an engaged and spirited fan base for keeping the show alive this long, and an outstanding team of producers, cast and crew that went through creative hoops to deliver a compelling, high quality second season. We have no regrets bringing the show back for a second try. We listened to our viewers, gave the series an opportunity to grow, and the producers put a great story on the screen. We’re proud of everyone’s efforts.”
Fortunately for fans, the cast and crew filmed two alternate endings for Tuesday’s finale. One would leave us with a cliffhanger that would be resolved in season three. The second, which will actually be used, offers a bit of closure — though series star Skeet Ulrich thinks it won’t satisfy the devotees.
He told TV Guide it will leave fans “probably not too happy. [The difference is] one major scene but the others are kinda tweaked a little bit to lead to that scene that is supposed to be the wrap-up. The other version… we’ve shot some stuff that, to my mind, hasn’t been seen before on TV.”
Though Tuesday’s finale will wrap up some season two storylines, it certainly doesn’t close the door on the possibility of the series continuing. Executive producer Carol Barbee has been looking for a new home for the drama for awhile, just in case. Last month, she said, “There were other people who were interested in us to begin with, and now, I think, with the whole nuts campaign, and also with the amazing reviews that we’ve gotten for these seven episodes, I feel like we have made this franchise more valuable to a cable network who would want to take us on as a niche market.”
One possibility seems to be a natural choice. Barbee continued, “We obviously have a relationship now with Sci Fi Channel, because they’re running our previous episodes. So I think that’s a natural place to start looking… There are other people who would be interested in the show…”
Sci Fi hasn’t announced if they have any plans to continue the series but were probably waiting to see what CBS would do. Will Sci Fi or another outlet pick up Jericho, despite its high production costs? We’ll keep you posted so stay tuned! 
April 8th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
i’m so sad and stupid i did not know that the season had ended so tuesday i was upset when the show did not record.so i went on line and low and behold they did it again CBS took it off .what seems to be the problem with those people? so i hpoe that SCI FI will pick up the show and make all the fans happy . we will miss CBS on tuesday’s.
March 29th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
With BSG and Jericho ending, I might have time to go out and cut my grass this summer? Really going to miss Jericho, that last episode definitely did not bring closure to the show.
Here is hopin that Sci-fi picks it up.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I had doubts CBS “wanted” Jericho in the first place. They kept pushing the “trash” of Big
Brother, Survivor, and shows that I.M.H.O. degraded CBS to the point of no return. If it weren’t
for Dave Letterman’s “Presidential Speeches” or “Top 10″ or “Paul Schaffer and the CBS
Orchestra” I wouldn’t be watching CBS at all! Jericho was my “all time favorite” seeing how CBS killed Major Dad, and Simon and Simon star Gerald McCraney “destroyed” all hopes for
any season for Jericho!
I believe the seven episodes was a “wash our hands looking good” pitch, shafted the series on a later time slot on a really bad night, and NO promotional effort. I believe CBS wants to be like
I hope MTV would pickup Jericho, and streamline Jericho to use more rock
MTV and push down our throats “reality trash” in stead of quality programming. If was I money
bag man, I’d “flush” CBS and start my own Network! I’m very disappointed, and my feelings are
extremely hurt that CBS has lowered and trashed itself (even after getting rid of Dan Rather)
to such a level that watching MTV News is more believable than Katie Couric, and MTV has
“better” shows!
groups! Make it like the Dukes of Hazzard, every time a rock band breaks the law in Jericho, it has to perform a couple of songs before being set free, at Bailey’s Tavern! LOL
March 27th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
My wife and I enjoy this show ant the “what if” possiblities it brings. The charecters and the plot twists keep us waiting for the next episode. If, it is not picked up for another season; we will miss the town and family “Jericho” .
March 27th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I think CBS should Jericho a chance. its quite an interesting story line that i believe is at its peak now. Am a faithful follower and would be happy to see all the series. Pamberi ne Jericho
March 26th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Man, until I saw the words “series finale” on TiVo I was holding out hope. I do not know if I want Sci-Fi Channel to pick it up. Season three would involve mutants
March 26th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
CBS should note that the day they announced its cancellation, it was the number one entertainment news item on CNN.Com
This is a very popular show but in an untraditional way - many of its fans watch over the internet.
C’mon SCIFI, you’ll add new viewers if you pick it up.
March 26th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
NOW THERE IS NOTHING AT ALL ON TV.. THEY R TAKING ALL THE GOOD SHOWS OFF AND REPLACING THEM WITH CRAP LIKE THESE DANCING SHOWS.. I AM SICK OF REALITY TV..
WE WANT JERICHO BACK!!! THEY ALSO CANCELLED MY OTHER SHOWS, CANE, THE UNIT, AND A FEW OTHER ONES. IT SUCKS…
IF ONLY THE WRITERS WASNT SO GREEDY BUT NO THEY HAD TO GO ON STRIKE AND MESS IT UP!!
March 26th, 2008 at 1:48 am
I thought season 1 was marginal until the last few episodes, but season 2 has been fantastic! It’s too bad people weren’t watching (although I agree with the sentiments that those numbers may be underestimated). I hope SciFi picks it up.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
We truly hope that Sci Fi picks up this show. We love the twists of never knowing if a person, such as Hawkins, is good or following a hidden agenda. The choices that the citizens of Jericho and New Bern had to make were not easy nor should they have been. Please let it continue!!
March 25th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Please Sci-fi pick it up! I love this show! I watch a lot of sci-fi and this would fit perfectly on that station. CBS is really missing this one. Changing the time was a mistake. I’m in my 40’s so I feel this show must be hitting on a lot of different age groups. I too am sick of un real reality shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 24th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I really hate to hear that Jericho has been dumped once again. I mean I know the numbers don’t lie, and production cost were probably pretty high for this show, but this second season has been exciting. Its just hard to imagine no one watching. I hope that some one picks it up, but sci-fi I am afraid will turn it into something that is completely different from what it was or going to be. I would still watch it though.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
IF JERICHO WERE IN THE TUESDAY 9:00pm SLOT BEHIND NCIS IT WOULD TAKE OFF,
THIS IS A SOLID SHOW WITH A GREAT STORY LINE AND A FINE CAST.
I FOR ONE AM TIRED OF THE “UNREAL” REALITY SHOWS.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
jerico is a great show, but for people my age, which is problaby the age group that mostly watches it. the later time slot is harder to stay up to watch. when it was on at 8pm, that was a good time slot. there aren’t enough good shows like this on tv anymore. too many reality shows, which frankly i am sick of. this show keeps you wanting more. i find it hard to believe that there aren’t enough viewers to keep it on. i do hope sci fi channel keeps it going. the story line is really good.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 am
I am totally flabergasted!! I don’t think CBS ever intended on giving Jericho a real chance..i.e. giving a 10:00 pm timeslot and not doing hardly any advertising prior to its return and also not showing the first season during the fall. I seriously feel this was a quench the viewers and fans so we can get them off our backs. I have never felt so betrayed and foolish in my life for what CBS has done. They would much rather have ridiculous programming that smacks of only wanting to dumb down American television. I hope that whatever ends up happening with Jericho, it comes back to haunt them when another network picks up the show and runs it the way it should have been done in the first place. Les, Nina and Kelly wouldn’t know quality programming if the script hit them across the face!!
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I am sooooooooooooooooo frustrated with this, I am not a neilson household but i watch this on my cable internet because rarely do i have time to watch on tv. I Have a friend who is a neilson viewer and she is only on certain type shows, these do not even interest her, i really dont trust the rating system they use…they should do a better job, there are probably more viewers out there than they realize for certain shows they keep cancelling!!! : ( alot of people tivo and record and watch the internet now because we dont have time on a daily basis to watch lots of tv, but are picky and chose… and after the NUTZ campaign they cancel again? This was one of the most successful campaigns ever, biggest for sure, so they want to make us do it again!?
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Well, this is interesting news that there’s a slight chance that a cable network would pick up this show.
But, if worst comes to worst, the fans can always convince CBS Consumer Products to publish either a comic book (with IDW Publications) or a novel (through Simon and Schuster) to continue this story. I mean, CBS’ most popular properties (read: “Star Trek” and “CSI”) already have such adaptations.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
I for one will miss Jericho. There aren’t many shows on TV anymore that are worth watch; expecially for the 50+ viewers. It seems like every show I like and get interested in dies an untimely death. Please present more programming for the OLDER viewers.
March 22nd, 2008 at 3:22 am
I think this is just the silly the way that they cbs has treated Jericho and us, the shows loyal fans!!! I have seen much worse on TV and they continue to keep pushing out all those shows. I really hope that Sci Fi will pick the show up. I don’t want to live without my Jericho!!!!