This evening, fans of ABC’s Revenge may be in for a surprise. The freshman drama has been replaced by an ABC special with a similar name — Revenge for Real. That’s no doubt the network’s attempt to attract regular viewers to watch a news special. So, has the real Revenge been cancelled? When will it be back?
For those who aren’t familiar with the TV series, Revenge revolves around Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp), a young woman who comes to the Hamptons with a secret agenda; to exact vengeance on the wealthy people who ruined her family’s life and reputation. The drama also features the talents of Ashley Madekwe, Christa B. Allen, Connor Paolo, Gabriel Mann, Henry Czerny, Joshua Bowman, Madeleine Stowe, and Nick Wechsler.
Revenge debuted to a healthy 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 10.0 million total viewers. Week two saw the all-important demo fall 18% and week three dropped another 11%. Over the next several weeks, the ratings rose and fell, dropping as low as a 2.1 demo rating.
The way things were going, it looked like Revenge might be heading for the cancellation pile — like so many failed ABC dramas that had come before it — but the numbers evened off and the show’s been averaging a healthy 2.5 in the demo in 2012. While the show isn’t a big ratings hit, it certainly isn’t a flop either. Revenge’s demo average is actually stronger than that of aging shows like Castle and Private Practice.
Unfortunately, ABC has now put the series on hiatus for four weeks — a bit of a scheduling gamble that could seriously hurt viewership.
ABC News’ Revenge for Real will take over for two weeks and then repeats of a new Thursday night drama, Missing, will fill the slot for two weeks after that. Revenge isn’t slated to return until April 4th. It’s unclear if that night will feature a repeat or one of the six remaining originals.
The way things stand right now, it looks like a sure bet that Revenge will be renewed for a second season. Hopefully, enough viewers will return to watch the show after the hiatus so the ratings don’t drop and put the series’ future in jeopardy.
UPDATE: Revenge will now return on April 11th with a recap show. An original regular episode will air on April 18th and the finale will run on May 23rd.
What do you think? Will this hiatus cause the ratings to drop or do you think Revenge is assured of a season two renewal?
Image courtesy ABC.
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Be consistent abc! Everyone I talk to loves this show!
One the best shows on and want to cancel it for some crap reality show!!! They have got a real demented view of what is a good show! Revenge is one of the best shows on television! Please do not put another crappy reality show on that will last 1 (or less) season!
what the heck. bring it back already. I am NOT watching something called Revenge for Real. Don’t insult your viewers ABC.
bring it back excellent show!
PLEASE for all your viewers DON’T cancel Revenge. I agree with most of the comments of what was a risky move taking it off for a few weeks and replacing it with a similar named show. It took the momentum and captive interest in Revenge away and totally broke the anticipation of the weekly fix we all look forward to when captivated on a fav show. I remember when a season went from fall to end of spring a viewers delite no break in the series except for holiday specials. What happened to those days. Now a season consists of 2 or 3 in one yr. Summer was the only time for repeats. Every one out there get family and friends to pitch their opinion in favor of keeping Revenge on for many seasons.
Please bring back Revenge, Missing, and GH, they are all good shows cancel some of the criminal shows, there are so many of them………………
ABC please renew Revenge!!!! I love that show! And no Not Revenge for Real, that stupid crime reality show that replaced it, I wouldn’t watch and changed the channel, I hate reality shows!! Only Revenge will do! I love all the characters in it, Jack, Daniel, Declan, Nolan, Victoria and Emily/Amanda (Emily VanCamp)-her character, even though she’s devious and so does so many wrong things, the way she plays it you still feel for her and want her to get revenge for her father being framed. I hope her dad is found to be alive still though, I liked that actor who plays him, he was good on Men In Trees- I also love watching Missing, GCB, Once Upon a Time, Don’t Trust the B-, Smash, Glee, New Girl, Raising Hope-Hope they all get renewed, especially GCB and Smash-GCB really makes me laugh and would fill a void left when Desperate Housewives is gone next season-
DO NOT CANCEL REVENGE. I’m unsure why you want to cancel only good shows. Cancel something crappy like shark tank.
Bring it back. We need variety.
Good thing the show aired a recap recently of what had happened on REVENGE previously. We are holding out a slight hope that the show w/new episodes will return but the author of the above article is correct – ‘our viewership is no longer committed to ensuring that we watch the show’. REVENGE was exciting for us but then when it was taken off the air with no explanation; no expectation of when it would return; we moved on. Probably we will tape it but we are not willing to watch a show that can not presented w/consistent expectations. The same as a restaurant, if the items on the menu are sometimes available and sometimes sold out then eventually you stop going because it is a hit or miss.
ABC has lost their minds! Revenge is so fun and who wants another reality show!?!? Give me a series that I can enjoy. Please keep Revenge.
I think ABC made a real big mistake! Everyone I spoke to was watching Revenge until they kept on repeating the same episodes
Especially now, with a big interval between shows. Don’t they get it that people are going to lose interest! Anyway, I just hope that Revenge continues because lately it’s been the only show that keeps me tuned into the t.v.
Why are networks continually surprised when they take a show off the air for a month or two and no one comes back to watch it when they finally get around to airing it again? This happens on all networks and they never seem to learn. You have to be consistent with a new show or people are going to walk away.
Yeah , I agree!
Come on ABC please don’t cancel Revenge, Missing or GH!!
ABC just bring back the best show of the season. Tired of all those criminal shows.
The audience is tired of being jerked round.
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