New Amsterdam: Is the FOX Series Cursed? As Good as Cancelled?
If you were watching FOX during the Summer months, you surely saw promos for what seemed to be one of the network’s next big Fall series. So, where did it go?
New Amsterdam tells the story NYC homicide detective John Amsterdam (Nikolaj Coster Waldau). Described as brilliant, reckless and mysterious, John is also secretly immortal. He was fatally injured back in 1642 but was saved by a Native American girl’s spell. While the spell saved his life, John is doomed to watch his friends and family age and die while he remains unchanged by time. He won’t become mortal again until he’s able to find his one true love. Other series regulars include Stephen Henderson, Zuleikha Robinson, and Alexie Gilmore.
On May 11th, the series was given a 13-episode commitment. Six days later, FOX announced its Fall schedule and New Amsterdam was headed for Tuesday nights at 8pm. The romantic action series had a prominent place in the network’s promotions and was scheduled to be the lead-in for House’s fourth season premiere on September 25th.
At the July press tour, it seemed that the producers didn’t have a firm grasp on the show’s creative direction. Soon afterwards, the pilot was reportedly overhauled. On August 3rd, Amsterdam’s debut was pushed back to an unspecified midseason date. Rumors are that network execs still have creative issues with the series.
Word is that production on Amsterdam has been or will be shut down soon with just seven or eight episodes completed. This means that five or six episodes of the 13-episode order haven’t been filmed — and probably never will be.
The official word is that executives want to evaluate what’s been completed thus far before moving forward. The production halt is likely due, at least in part, to the fact that FOX is overflowing with midseason series. But, considering the network’s seeming lack of enthusiasm, it looks possible that Amsterdam could be bumped again and aired as a Summer burn-off series (ala Traveler or the second season of The Loop). Will this series about an immortal get a fair chance at life? Time will tell so stay tuned! 
April 15th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
This is one of the most interesting shows on television and it would be tragic is Fox cancels it. It is nice to watch something besides reality shows, which are way, way overdone. I can only hope Fox thinks long and hard about canceling New Amsterdam and gives it more episodes. It is very, very good.
April 15th, 2008 at 9:55 am
this is one of the few shows that i look forward to. why is it every time an interesting one comes on some one nixes it. i have lots of friends and relatives all over who seem to discuss this sometime after each show we have watched.
also i am a big fan of dancing with the stars and don’t mind if i have to turn off the last half hour as this show is great
April 13th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I cannot believe the amazing stupidity of some of these networks. I am sick to death of nothing but “reality” TV!! Whose reality? Enough of Idol!! How many times do really good entertaining shows like New Amsterdam with depth of story and characters have to be canceled in order to make room for drivel?? You are losing a quality audience, Fox!!
April 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
they cancel this show and theyll only loose more watchers.. to throw away a decent entertaining for drivel like american idol is rediculous..
this show sbould be finished or go on further. if nothing else ill buy it on DVD. shame that it should go the way of other great shows like Titus.
Fox has a long history of trashing anything worth watching.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:10 am
New Amsterdam was a good addition to the FOX lineup - too bad they aren’t giving it a chance. The storyline could go anywhere but nooooooooo we are again assaulted by American Idol! I will not watch that show, I do not listen to anyone who has ever been on the show. American who?
April 9th, 2008 at 12:07 am
if they cancel the show, it justs proves that Fox are idiots… New Amsterdam is actually a good show!! i dont mind if they turn it into a summer series, that actually works… gives me something to watch especially since the shorten season due to the Strike…
March 30th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I liked it ! I would like to see where they go with the story line. I’m not looking for an epic story here just some entertainment that is NOT a reality show. The viewing public has been bombarded with them for years . It is a fresh change. Give it a chance !
March 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
The networks have fianlly stsrted adiring this show and I love it. It has instantly become one of my favorite shows. It has a good storyline, great characters and it transistions between the past and the present rather nicely. I think that the network executive have a hit on their hands as long as they give it a chance. They would be fools to cancel it.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:58 am
The ads seemed good… but after actually seeing the show, I’m not that interested. Plus, the premise doesn’t really make much sense: how did the Native girl give *him* immortality, but didn’t give it to herself, or her own people? Why aren’t there more immortals running around, ala Highlander?
March 8th, 2008 at 8:00 am
This show not only has an intriguing presmise, but interesting characters and the ever-wild backdrop of New York City to play off of. If they cancel this show then they are confirming every degrading comment about idiots in monkey suits. Plus, I have read that infernal book “Forever.” The similarities are there, but there’re just that–similarities. In a way it’s like John’s flashbacks…it’s all been done before. At least it’s being done with good acting, great backstory and interesting characters! (Which is more than can be said for “Forever…”)
January 14th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
It seems any show with imagination gets shoved to the side in favor of ordinary TV. For instance, Firefly certainly had promise but didn’t stand a chance against fifty seasons of ER, or the other countless mundane shows.
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:33 pm
For those that might be interested, a fansite is now available at http://newamsterdam-forever.com
December 14th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
i have seen the pilot episode and am familar with the book in question. The only thing in common is it takes place in new york city, and that the charector in the tv show is kind of immortal which is not the same as the book.
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:32 pm
How does fox have any viewers at all? They live off of American Idol, Family Guy (when its on) and 24 for 3 months a year. “FOXed” is a perfect term…
October 24th, 2007 at 12:11 am
It has probably been taken off the schedule because of issues over the extreme similarity to the book “Forever”. Maybe there are legal actions because it was almost identical.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
this looked interesting…except it was remarkably similar to “Highlander”. Except there weren’t any swords in the promos that I noticed…
October 18th, 2007 at 5:07 am
Fox have been Foxing up any series with imagination for years - never forget Firefly!
Trouble is, it works for them - they have the money to burn and can afford to trash several series each year without blinking.
They take more risks than the other networks - but spend zero time and effort in fixing those that don’t work straight out of the box.
Today’s Fox execs would have scrapped the X-Files after four episodes.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
All I have to say is ‘New Amsterdam’ has been ‘FOXed’ and most people who follow TV won’t even have to ask what I mean.
That just shows how sad its getting over there.
Seriouly, someone should organize a mass intervention for FOX and start a support group for those who are suffering from being ‘FOXed’.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Maybe, if the 1st, and only season on FOX, is good and ends in a cliff hanger, then perhaps a move towards TNT, Showtime, NBC or The CW? Those are 4 networks that would seem to appreciate N.Amsterdam more than FOX.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
how, how, how can fox do this? I was really lookin’ forward towards da show. I’m sorry to say that it will probably suffer the same fate as Traveler, which I also loved to watch.