After months of speculation, FX has finally put rumors of The Riches’ cancellation to rest. The show is over.
The Riches debuted on March 12, 2007 on FX. The TV series follows a pair of Irish con artists and their children who assume the identities of a wealthy family who has died in a car crash. The show stars Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver in the roles of Wayne and Dahlia Malloy.
The series debuted to 3.8 million viewers and 1.9 rating/5 share in the desirable demographic. The numbers fell during the 13 episode season but FX still renewed it for a second year. The numbers fell significantly in season two and The Riches lost almost 50% of its 18-49 viewers.
For those that did watch, they only got to see a shortened season because of the writers strike. Only seven of the 13 planned episodes were produced and ended with storylines unresolved. It was hoped that the remaining six would be added to the order for season three but that won’t happen now.
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Though the season two ratings didn’t warrant a renewal, FX was hesitant to cancel the series. Riches was a hit with critics and Driver received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Ultimately, as is usually the case, it came down to economics and resources. Things weren’t likely helped by the fact that neither Izzard or Driver were available to return to production any time soon. Izzard is booked for two movies and has a busy stand up schedule that keeps him touring. Driver recently gave birth to her first child.
After months of waiting, actor Todd Stashwick (Dahlia’s cousin Dale on the series) broke the cancellation news to fans on Thursday. The network made the official announcement a few days later.
In a perfect world, a final episode or movie would be filmed to wrap up the series’ cliffhanger. Based on the show’s ratings, that seems unlikely to happen. Stay tuned! 
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The Riches
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i am so depressed that the show ended please!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! BRING THIS SHOW..."
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Damn writers, why can’t you just be happy that you have such a sweet job. The second series was crap, you can see they weren’t putting in the effort in anymore. It wouldn’t have been cancelled if the second season was as good as the first one. Why don’t American TV writers put some effort into their job instead of just making it up as they go along. In England and Ireland people write a whole series at once so it retains some coherence. You should learn from them. Also stop misappropriating clever, original British TV shows and remaking them badly. Have some originality for ****’s sake.
The first season was brilliant…so fresh and original. The writers just phoned it in in season two…even loyal fans were wondering WTF? It’s a shame…they destroyed a really good show. Not the first time FX had a good show then killed it… Remember “Thief” with Linda Hamilton and Andre Braugher? A great show with a multiracial ensemble cast that was really good but the moved it around so much that no one could find it!
I’m going back to TNT and the Closer and Grace
FX is making a big mistake in removing the show,it had a great story! All it needed was more of a twist in drama..and it would have brought more people to watch..it sad to see it end like the way it did with no endind..but maybe another network will pick it up and add the drama it needs…im sure the show can make it if you had better writters and more drama..on another network like TNT…FOR SURE…THE RICHES IS NOT REALLY A FOXNETWORK KIND OF SHOW……
fx please finishit or better yet somone can finish it as a movie
A poor move to cancel a show that had so many great elements. Many plot twists and possible moral messages too. We liked it allot! It beat the stuffing out of cop shows and reality TV drech on the networks today. You may have polled the wrong demographic on its value. Still, I’ve got a channel switcher and DVD player and I use it.
Please i am begging you bring back my favorite show, i still cant function without it, i miss this show so much. It was a really bad idea to cancel it, i want to see it back on please.
why do the intelligent shows get cancelled? you could have given it more than a season and a half. how many series hits developed after several lackluster seasons? duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! you goofed. bring it back.
I can not believe they would leave it hanging bring it back
The Riches was one of the best shows on TV…I looked forward to it every week…I will miss the show
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