Despite valiantly fighting off the “evil” ratings juggernaut known as American Idol, it looks like Sam and friends have lost the battle. Reaper has been cancelled by the CW network.
Revolving around a young slacker whose parents have sold his soul to the devil, Reaper showcases the talents of actors like Bret Harrison, Tyler Labine, Rick Gonzalez, Missy Peregrym, Ray Wise, Andrew Airlie, Valerie Rae Miller, Donavon Stinson, Christine Willes, Allison Hossack, Ken Marino, and Jessica Stroup.
Once expected to be a breakout hit of the 2007-08 season, the series averaged just 2.7 million viewers and a 1.2/3 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. It was renewed for a second year but the network delayed it until mid-season and then scheduled it opposite American Idol.
Initially, the show did pretty well but then the numbers began to erode. As a result, the CW network has terminated the series after two short seasons.
There is a slim chance that Reaper could continue in first-run syndication. ABC Studios, who produces the series, is currently gauging interest. If they are able to keep the show going, it may have to be without Labine’s Sock since the actor’s signed onto a new FOX sitcom, Sons of Tucson. It’s unclear if Labine’s Reaper contract would still mandate his returning to the show if it moved to syndication.
As it stands now, next week’s episode, titled “The Devil and Sam Oliver,” will be the show’s last. In a recent interview with Steve Eramo, Labine said that the possibility that this would be the last installment was very much on everyone’s mind.
He said, “There’s always a certain amount of emotion that comes with what could be the end of something that you’ve put so much work into and where you enjoy the people you work with as much as we do… So it got a little emotional around the set during the final days of filming this story.”
Of the episode, the actor said, “I don’t want to give away any details of the finale, but I can say that it won’t leave you frustrated if we don’t come back. It should leave you feeling like you could go off and imagine what the rest of Sam’s life would be like. I thought that was really clever because when they wrote this episode, the writers weren’t sure if they were writing the end of the show or the end of the season. So I thought it was a good move on their part.”
Should Sam, Sock, Ben, and friends return for more adventures or will you be happy to let it go?
Image courtesy CW.
Same as some other people here, i started watching Reaper on netflix cause i was curious, a friend had talked about it before, and i had nothing else to watch. I instantly became addicted and like everyone else, watched the whole thing within a week. Of course, the whole thing is only one respectable season and a half season that had a lot of potential but was cut off. I honestly feel like beyond the individual feelings of all the die-hard fans, now that its been given time to breathe and especially now that its on netflix, if they brought… Read more »
Yes, Yes, Yes, bring it back please! I never knew the show ever exsisted until I happened upon it on my Netflix choices. I instantly was addictied. I watched season 1 and 2 in a week. I couldn’t stop. I am now broken hearted to find out that I will never know what happened. It’s a great show, full of whit, humor, adventure, and even a moral of the story thrown in.
It’s too bad when something origional gets excuited because its not bringing in nearly enough profit as “Show XYZ”
RIP Serenity “Firefly”
Welcome back to hell Reaper
Until next time
This was an exceptional show, everything about it was top notch.
I’m shocked that it was cancelled despite having solid ratings.
Such a shame.
I think Reaper has great potential. It’s downfall was more then likely do to it being aired at a time of year when people weren’t into this genre. I think now it would be a great success. More people in this time are into the afterlife, the spiritual. I think CW should give Reaper another chance.
I love this show!!!! That was not a good ending to the 2nd season. All Steve kept talking about is that Sam had a greater plan set for him and now we don’t get to find what that is?? Thats bull!! I don’t want to imagine what Sam’s future is gonna be… I wanna see it. But if they are going to bring back the show and not bring sock back there is no point. He is one of the reasons the show is amazing. It would not be the same without him.
this show is been a huge change in my life. after 2 seasons i feel like it should never end. its help me make so many positive changes in my life. and i found myself beleving more and more in religion. plz help. bring this show back. we promise to watch.
BRING IT BACK!! There are few shows that leave me wanting more, but this one really captured me! I loved it, SO FUNNY!!!!
Honestly, I just found Reaper on Netflix after I ran out of things to watch. I normally never post anything but I really enjoy this show and I got into the show and finished both season 1 and 2 within a week. The last episode did not leave me happy it left me with more and more questions and frantic to find out more of what would happen and why Steve was ordered to break Sam’s hand. I really wish I had found out about this show back when it was first being aired. Either way, I got my fiancé… Read more »
And Son of Tucson sucked- no offence Sock, but Sock is many favorite character in Reaper. So him sign back up and get season 3 going!
Season two leaves everyone with so many questions. What is the greater good? Is Andi doomed for hell? Will Andi and Sam’s relationship work out- will they get married? And the ultimate question: will Sam ever gain his soul back? Pleases give us a season 3 to anwer these questions!
I ALSO WOULD AGREE WITH YOU JUST MAKING THE FINAL SEASONS ON DVD AND FOR NETFLIX ONLY IF YOU CAN DO THAT PLEASE THANK YOU!
THIS SHOW IS TOTALLY AMAZING AND THEY NEED TO BRING IT THE HELL BACK SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY AIRED UNTIL NOW A FEW MILLION PEOPLE HAVE GROWN INTO THE DEMOGRAPHIC THAT WOULD ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE VIEWERS NEEDED TO KEEP THIS SHOW ON THE AIR AND ME MYSELF I WOULD EVEN AIDE IN THIS SHOW COMING BACK ON THE AIR IF POSSIBLE. THE SHOW IS AND WAS AMAZING I WATCHED BOTH SEASONS TOGETHER IN A NON STOP VIEWING OF THEM!!! THANK YOU TO THE REAPER CREATORS FOR MAKING THIS AND THEY NEED MORE SEASONS PUT BACK ON THE AIR ASAP
I love reaper
Bring back reaper.