The alphabet network has pulled the Bob Saget sitcom after just four episodes. The show was attracting nearly 10 million viewers, so what’s the problem?
Surviving Suburbia centers around Steve and Annie Patterson (Bob Saget and Cynthia Stevenson), heads of a typical suburban family. But, unlike the idyllic sitcom dads of the past, Steve has a cynical view of everything around him. Others in the cast include Jared Kusnitz, G. Hannelius, Jere Burns, Dan Cortese, and Lorna Scott.
Originally slated to air on the CW, ABC picked up the sitcom for a midseason run. Suburbia debuted on April 6th to 12.16 million viewers and a 3.2/8 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. The second installment slid to 11.25 million and a 3/7 in the demo. The most recent installment (on April 27th) hit a series low of 9.91 million and a 2.4/6 rating/share. While the decline certainly isn’t positive, the series still attracts more than many other shows on network TV. Why pull it?
Suburbia has the enviable fortune of airing out of the very popular Dancing with the Stars. Unfortunately, the sitcom doesn’t retain enough of that show’s audience. The most recent episode lost 50% of Stars’ viewership in both total viewers and the targeted demographic. That’s not good and ABC is likely convinced it can do better.
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In fact, Suburbia was preempted this week and so Castle directly followed Stars. The schedule change helped give Castle a nice little bump in ratings.
As a result, the network has pulled Suburbia for the remainder of the May sweeps period but has said that the sitcom will return on Wednesday, May 27th. The show is still scheduled to conclude its first season on July 1st but, because of the scheduling changes, there will still be a couple episode left unaired. ABC may or may not air them at a later date.
Though Suburbia’s renewal is certainly still a possibility, this doesn’t bode well for the sitcom’s chances for a second year. ABC will announce its 2009 – 2010 schedule on May 19th. What do you think? Is it worth saving?
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Surviving Suburbia
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I HOPE THEY BRING BK THE SHOW. I FEEL, UNDER THE HORRIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES WE EXIST (BAD ECONOMY, HIGH COST OF LIVING, HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, ETC….), WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMEDY SHOWS, LIKE SURVIVING SUBURBIA, TO HELP US REMEMBER WE ARE STILL CAPABLE OF SOME LAUGHTER. I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN IT WAS PUT ON HOLD, WITH ONLY A POSSIBILITY OF ITS RETURN. IM TIRED OF BORING REALITY SHOWS TAKING OVER SOME OF THE QUALITY SHOWS SUCH AS THIS ONE. SHOULD YOU BRING IT BACK U ASK? YOU DEFINITELY HAVE MY VOTE…. I REALLY ENJOYED THE SHOW AND FEEL IT SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO GAIN THE POPULARITY IT DESERVES. I’LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO RESETTING MY DVR FOR ITS NEW EPISODES.
I have never left a post regarding ANYTHING before! I normally HATE sitcoms, but I absolutely LOVE Suburbia!! PLEASE bring it back!!!
OK, So the show tonight was fantastic!! I know that this is one of those sleeper shows. I mean Henry and Courtney were awesome. Anne and Steve had great chemistry and I laughed out loud. Everyone was in the moment. Just loved it. Keep it ,let it develop. Funny funny stuff.
I love this show. It keeps getting better and better. The last 2 episodes had me rolling and everyone who watched with me loved it too. I think I especially like it when Henry has a big part. He is so much fun to watch. His timing is great and he interacts perfectly with everyone. This last episode was hysterical when he confronted the neighbor about the basket. Oh, and did anyone happen to notice his dimples. How cute is he?? I hope ABC sees the diamond in the rough and brings it back for a second season. Not a summer replacement. I mean Big Bang Theory was a bomb at first and now look.
This show is a piece of crap.Bob Saget is more of a DORK here than he was on Full House(which was a piece of crap in it’s own right)the sooner this show goes up in flames the better and hopefully we’ll never see Bob Saget ever agian.
I think the show is wonderful. It just keeps getting better and better.
Particularly like the kids and scooter lady. The episodes are intelligent but funny and sometimes slapstick but very charming. I have a good laugh every time I watch.
I would love to see the characters develop over the years.
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