Fans of the ABC series Big Shots will be happy to know that the dramedy is returning this Thursday night. But for how long?
The series has been struggling in the ratings almost since the beginning of its run, losing almost half of Grey’s Anatomy’s audience. As a result, Big Shots was pulled from the schedule for the all-important November sweeps period (when advertising rates are set). The drama-comedy is returning this week but will be gone again next week when it’s preempted by a Barbara Walters special. Big Shots is scheduled to return again December 13th with the series’ ninth episode. After that, who knows?
So, is the show cancelled or not? When filming was shut down in early November, the crew was reportedly told that production would not resume when the strike ended. But, series star Christopher Titus told Hollyscoop from the picket line, “Big Shots has not been cancelled. I talked to the president of the network…The rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated.”
Though the series has not been officially cancelled, it seems like the network is treating it like a lame duck. Unlike Dirty Sexy Money, ABC still hasn’t ordered any additional hours of Big Shots beyond the initial 13 episode order. And, based on the way ABC’s playing with the show’s schedule, the network doesn’t seem to be planning much of a long-term future for it.
Realistically, if the strike continues, all of the networks will be desperate to air any original scripted content – and that includes episodes of Big Shots. Publicly canceling the series would serve no useful purpose right now and would likely only discourage viewers from watching unaired episodes.
So, right now, the show’s fate is still up in the air but it doesn’t look good. If ABC truly wants to give Big Shots another chance, the series should be given a new timeslot – ideally paired with another show that attracts a predominantly male audience. Stay tuned! 
More about:
Big Shots,
Dirty Sexy Money
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I really miss this show I thought for sure it would be back this fall I dont think it got a fare ride
I loved Big Shots. Well, maybe not loved but I sure liked it a lot. It kept me entertained and that is not easy to do. I use to watch Grey’s anatomy until all the uproar concerning Mr. Washington came about. I loved watching him and some not all the cast members. Since they took him off I do not watch anymore. Then came Big Shots. I thought what a great replacement. Then I found out it had been canceled. What a let down. It had so much potential. I was also saddened to see shows like Judge Amy canceled. If only shows like these would be given a better shot at it. I would watch these type of shows if only they existed.
Seems ABC ‘never’ actually wanted this show in the first place. Although, in the beginning there were several promos, three weeks ‘after’ it went on the air ABC ‘pulled all promos’ immediately, and didn’t let the public know about ‘programming changes’. The critics ‘helped’ immensely by chopping this show to bits “before” it even got started. I was so amazed with the fact the it was able to change from comedy to drama at the drop of a hat, and made you want to come back for more to see what the conclusion was to the previous episode.
Michael Vartan and Nia Long turned out to be the ‘most watched’ couple on the show, and just when their relationship was ‘expanding’, ABC pulled the plug.
I can’t understand why for the life of me ’someone’ at the station couldn’t have at the very least, done a ’spin-off’ with Vartan and Long since they were the most popular couple?
Also, this is now the second time that they’ve pulled the plug on Michael Vartan ’series-wise’, and I’m beginning to wonder if they’re subtlley trying to send him some kind of message (and yes, I do realize that these things happen in an actors/actresses career)? ABC can show all the reality crap that they please, I’ll stick to my repeats of ‘Big Shots’ thanks.
This was a GREAT series & it didn’t get a fair chance. Hopefully someone else will pick it up.
I DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT’S WITH ABC? THEIR CANCELLING ALL THE BEST SHOWS…I NEVER WATCH ANY OTHER (CBS OR NBC) BECAUSE THEY HAD THE BEST SHOWS! DIRTY SEXY MONEY? BIG SHOTS??CARPOOLERS?? PUSHING DAISY’S??? OCTOBER RODE???? THE PERSON MAKING THESE DECISIONS SHOULD BE CANNED!!! I GUESS IGNORANCE REALLY IS BLISS
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