CBS has long had a problem finding the right sitcom to round out their Monday night line-up. Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, and The Big Bang Theory work well but the network needs a solid fourth player. As this season began, it looked like Accidentally on Purpose just might be the one. No longer. It’s been cancelled.
Accidentally on Purpose revolves around thirty-something Billie Chase (Jenna Elfman) after she breaks up with her boyfriend/boss (Grant Show). She has a one-night fling with a much younger man, Zack (Jon Foster), and becomes pregnant. Billie ultimately decides to keep both the baby and the guy. The series also features Lennon Parham, Nicolas Wright, Ashley Jensen, and Pooch Hall.
The TV show got off to a pretty good start with a 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 8.91 million viewers. On Monday nights, the first 15 episodes ended up averaging a 3.1 in the demo and 8.23 million viewers. That’s actually quite good but the network has very high expectations because the TV show is surrounded by their very popular comedies. The real test is to see how well the series will perform on another night.
After a hiatus, CBS brought Accidentally on Purpose to Wednesday nights. With The New Adventures of Old Christine as a lead-in, the ratings fell like a rock. The three original episodes averaged a 1.8 in the key demo and 5.72 million viewers. If there was any hope for the series, these numbers dashed them.
CBS has now confirmed that the sitcom has been cancelled and will not be returning for season two. CBS can afford to be picky in what sitcoms it keeps and has also cancelled Gary Unmarried after two seasons and Old Christine after five.
Fortunately, the network aired all 18 episodes of Accidentally on Purpose and viewers got to see Billie give birth. Unfortunately, they won’t get to see how she and Zack cope as new parents.
What do you think? Are you sorry that Accidentally on Purpose has been cancelled or did CBS make the right choice?
Image courtesy CBS.
Such crap CBS you cancel shows that are excellent and then you keep
Katie Couric who is an A>>>>hole and makes your network look bad
Actually on purpose is an excellent portrayal of real humor.
5 million is more than you get for any of you news cast.
like Hannah storm is is terrific on ESPN your loss you loses
NOOOO!! It started in the Netherlands and it’s very popular! WE LOVE IT! Please make a season two!!!!
Accidently On Purpose was a GREAT SHOW!!! I loved the cast. I loved their characters. This show is what comedy sitcoms should be. The writing was awesome. The story was differt, very modern, very today. What do we have to do to get it back on the AIR???!!!
they should have ended two and a half men it has run its course people only watch because what it was. The kid is like 18 but still acts like hes 12 its like two men and a freekishly large teeneger who acts like a kid its just not funny anymore.
i agree!! and now it doesnt even have charlie sean on it1 its ashton kutcher! it really has run its course!
NOOOOOO! I love this show! Gosh, I can’t believe that crappy shows stay on air and they choose to cancel this? Who decided this? I bet you’re not funny at all ’cause this is one funny show that you’re removing from the face of the planet. This is one of my favorites and I love Zach and Billie and everybody else. The team chemistry’s great, the show’s great. I hope somebody else picks this up 🙁
i can’t believe another show has been cancelled….i’m in the UK but the tv reception is rubbish and i can’t get any sky or virgin media etc because i’m in a rented accomodation. i watch nearly all tv online and this keeps happening…. i didn’t even know this programme existed until 4od sighted it as one to watch- why do this if it was cancelled- programes like accidentally on purpose are great because you can dip in and out of them without worrying too much about missing key narrative elements CBS are just daft to think thay will get a… Read more »
What the heck!!! 5 millions viewers is a lot. That’s ridiculous. I can’t believe they are cancelling all these popular shows. There’s hardly anything good on TV anymore. Accidetally On Purpose was the only good new show around and now they have cancelled it. There are shows on the air with 2 million viewers so why not cancel them instead of cancelling the ones that bring in the viewers.
You never no though. They could bring it back. Family Guy was cancelled and bought back twice so fingers crossed they’ll bring Accidentally On Purpose back 😀
CRAP.. I THINK IT IS CRAP!
I am soooo sad CBS canceled this show! I think it rounded out Monday night well and if the ratings were not good when they switched to Wednesday, maybe that’s because they didn’t really tell anyone they were switching it!
I’m so disappointed it got cancelled!!
I thought it was really funny and fresh, and I was really looking forward to a new show to watch ever since falling out of love with the office.
I’m actually pouting in disappointment as I write this.
I really love Accidentally on Purpose. I’m sorry to hear that it is not being renewed. I hope Jenna Elfman brews up another show.
To find this out is a total shocker…I enjoyed watching this show so much with my boyfriend….it was so funny and I was looking forward to season 2….I guess all I can say is that they did an amazing job because personally the show was great!!!!
So disappointing to find this hilarious show and then to know that CBS has canceled it. This show has lines that are just genius and fun. It can match the other three predecessors. Should be interesting to see how Billie and Zack find their ways into parenthood. Alas! I do hope CBS changes their mind though.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!! How could they do this? Accidentally on purpose, Ghost whisperer and Gary unmarried are my favourite shows! I really wanted to see what Gary’s choice was and i wanted to see more episodes in accidentally on purpose. If the shows did not have a strong rating hand it over to Australia. We don’t have a lot of good shows and are forced to watch tv online. These [shows] would have been great to watch. Australia loves American sitcoms, but if they keep on cancelling them, how are we supposed to watch and enjoy them? I… Read more »
I am very disappointed that this show didn’t make it. I wonder if the people that this show would appeal to most aren’t the type that have time and energy to write, petition and even watch the show every time it was on! I saw most of the episodes on line because I have a long commute and don’t get home in time. Do they count the numbers of viewers that watch on-line even?!
This show had a odd kind of kindness and understanding even for quirky unusual people that made them endearing and that is rare these days.