The once popular My Name Is Earl sitcom was cancelled last month. After four seasons on NBC, the show’s executive producer, Greg Garcia, was informed early in the morning, just 30 minutes before the news was given to the press.
While being dumped by the peacock network didn’t come as a huge surprise, Garcia wasn’t ready for the show to end. He told the LA Times, “There’s a lot of reasons the show would work well on another network, and I think we’d do very well with some promotion. We certainly feel like we have more stories to tell. That’s why we left the show on season four on a cliffhanger. And I know we’ve got at least another season in us and a lot of great ideas. So if another network wants to put us on, fantastic. Nothing that would make me happier.”
It was largely presumed that the FOX network would take on Earl since the sitcom’s produced by a sister company, 20th Century Fox Television. Execs at the network apparently downplayed the possibility and, when the time came, decided to pass.
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Ethan Suplee, “Randy” on the show, broke the news to fans, writing, “Thanks for the effort guys, we appreciate it. It seems that Earl is actually dead. Fox has passed. The mustache will live on in our hearts.”
Now, TBS is apparently interested in keeping Earl going. The cable channel has been airing the show in syndication and expressed some interest in picking up the show at the May upfronts.
Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, told Company Town that the network likes to develop original programming but that new episodes of an established show like Earl would be an asset in drawing viewers to sample them. At the time, Koonin hadn’t been approached by 20th Century Fox but said, “Tell them to give me a call. We’re in the book.”
The discussions for 13 new episodes of Earl are still in the early stages and there are a some major hurdles that would need to be overcome before they could become a reality. The actors and writers have all been released from their contracts and they’d have to be renegotiated. Also, the show is an expensive single-camera comedy and the overall budget would be an issue as well.
On the positive side however, the show is already in syndication and more episodes would mean additional rerun money for years to come. With that in mind, the studio and participating talent will likely want to make the deal work if at all possible.
While Earl’s return is still considered a longshot, the fact that there are discussions to revive the series is certainly a good sign. What do you think?
Image courtesy 20th Century Fox.
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Come on! Please bring back Earl! It was the greatest show and a lot of people can really truly relate to it. You don’t find TV sitcoms out there that can truly reach the hearts of millions. Just please, bring back Earl. I don’t care who takes it. This show was truly amazing.
They put on shows like the Office, Famly Guy & the 70dys show, they all stink. My name is Earl is why Better than all of them. In time Farl will be a Big winner, like Seinfeld maby even Better.
i am a huge fan of Earl (although i never watched it when it started), and at the time of writing this i am halfway through season 3, and i am really enjoying it. i may be wrong, but, all sitcoms that do well seem to be about middle to upper class people (30 rock, scrubs, frasier, two and a half men, raymond and sex and the city all had good innings) my point is this- do networks in the states or anywhere for that matter, want us the viewers to look upon earl and trailer dwelling friends with ant kind of affection? I think the show may have been cancelled for political reasons….6 million viewers in season four does not warrent cancellation.
look, its just a thought not an invitation to proove me wrong, having said that i would welcome a response.
thank you for reading this post
I watch “My Name is Earl” all the time and really think it’s a funny show. I hope that the show finds a way to continue because it would be a disappointment to its fans if it ends.
I think that fox or whatever network cancelled it will put it back on eventualy. Just like they cancelled family guy and replaced it with shows that are as good as poo on a burning stick. who would watch horrible shows like the cleveland show when you could watch new episodes of my name is earl. I am glad TBS will air it soon.
earl is the best show in a long time
My name is earl is the funniest show i have seen in along time when i watched one episode i had to see more so i bought all four seasons the next day.And now that they have cancelled i am mad i want to find out what happens next.Give it another chance.
My Name Is Earl…. Is The Greatest Show Ive Watched In Years…….. Nothing On Ait At This Time Has Any Sort Of Comparison In My Eyes…… Bring Back The Moustached Legend….
my name is earl its the coolest and funniest show ever it changes lot of people lives
My Name Is Earl is the best show on tv right now.I have recently bought all the seasons on dvd and They can’t just leave the final episode with a to be continued.Please bring back Earl even if it’s just for one more season.
my name is earl is eisily one of the best comedy shows i have watched in a long, long time. i have followed it scince the start and it would be a great shame to never see another new episode. another network pick up my name is earl, or fox, bring it back!!
COME ON! My Name Is Earl is the best show ever!
They keep that bullshit ‘Two And A Half Men’ afloat, but not My Name Is Earl?!? What?!?
I want to find out who Earl Jr.’s Dad is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARG!
Damn…
Iam from Greece and i watch My name is Earl like histeric i like very much that show and plz dont stop it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please bring back My Name is Earl!! It is an awesome show!! I want to know who Earl Jr’s dad is. I still havent gotten over the series Las Vegas being cancelled and leaving us hanging on the birth of Delinda’ s baby! Come on TBS- help us out!!
Just watched the last episode of season 4. Love this show, I need more!
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