Back in mid-March, NBC premiered a reality show, The Chopping Block, centered around a group of eight chef wannabes who tried to open and run successful restaurants. The concept hardly sounded original since FOX has been running a similar show called Hell’s Kitchen for several seasons.
To little surprise, the series tripped out of the starting gate and attracted just 3.77 million viewers with a 1.4/4 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. Subsequent episodes dropped even further and the third installment garnered an embarrassing 2.58 million viewers and a 0.9/2 in the demo.
NBC pulled Chopping Block after three episodes and replaced it with Law & Order: Criminal Intent reruns. In a strange move, the peacock network has now decided to bring Chopping Block back to television for five episodes. They’ll be airing on Friday nights beginning June 19th.
The network is picking up where they left off, with episode four. The strange thing is that, shortly after Chopping Block was pulled off the air, the remaining episodes began being shown online. So right now, you can see seven of the eight episodes by visiting Hulu.com.
Does the network have so little available programming that they need to run shows that have already been burned off online? Is the broadcast department just not talking to the online staff? Or do they just not care?
Image courtesy NBC.
Newer and/or Related Articles
-
TV Show Obituaries: 84 Series from the 2008 – 2009 Season that are Cancelled or Ending
May 27, 2009 -
2008 – 2009 Cancelled TV Shows: 25 NBC Series That Won’t Be Back for 2009 – 2010
May 20, 2009 -
The Chopping Block
Apr 6, 2009 -
The Chopping Block: NBC Cancels Reality TV Show After Three Episodes
Mar 27, 2009
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Are they NUTS? Playing tests of the Emergency Broadcast System would have more viewers!
I’ve seen worsh shows, but no one cares to see a cheap imitation of “Top Chef”!
Well of course! We NEED more reality shows like this and less crap like Kings and Chuck. Let’s get rid of all scripted drama and have only publicity hungry losers and sad sacks on TV. Bread and circuses for the illiterate masses!!! (NOTE: Tongue firmly planted in cheek).
Great show ER ! Looked forward to watching it!!