Over the weekend, Brothers & Sisters star Rachel Griffiths was in Australia and joked that her show was going to be cancelled. “I’m soon to be unemployed so I checked in with [welfare office] Centrelink and said, ‘Looks like I’m out of a job and wanna sign up.'” she shared.
A representative for ABC says that no decision about the TV show’s fate has been made yet but, quite honestly, it’s very rare for a network to admit a show’s been cancelled.
There has been talk for some time that the series won’t be renewed for a sixth season. Brothers & Sisters is quite expensive to produce and the ratings are a far cry from what they once were. Recently, they’ve gotten downright terrible.
There was a lot of talk that the show would be cancelled last season when the show was averaging a 2.9 in the 18-49 demographic and 8.99 million viewers but ABC ended up giving it another chance. The future was looking okay at the start of this season but the ratings have been inching downward for much of the season.
A few weeks ago, Brothers & Sisters hit a new series low with a terrible 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demo graphic and 6.32 million viewers.
The one thing that could save Brothers & Sisters is the fact that ABC’s had such terrible luck with new dramas. The network execs have been searching for new dramas to replace their aging ones for some time.
Unfortunately, with the exception of Body of Proof, they’ve struck out with about every new one this season. My Generation, The Whole Truth, Detroit 1-8-7, and No Ordinary Family have all been cancelled or will be cancelled soon.
These failures might give Brothers & Sisters a reprise but the numbers will have to start turning around for that to be a serious consideration. Last night’s 2.1 rating is a step in the right direction but it may already be too late.
ABC announces its new season on May 16th so there are just two original episodes left before a decision about season six is made.
What do you think? Do you think Brothers & Sisters will be renewed or cancelled? Is it time for the series to go?
Image courtesy ABC.
This is the best show on TV, please ABC do not cancel it. Reality shows are junk in my opinion, there is nothing on TV such as Brothers and Sisters that holds your attention all week. I find myself, throughout the week, thinking whats gonna happen on Sunday with Nora and her kids. This show rivals the greats of the past, ie Knot’s landing, Dallas, Dynasty. TV shows today are full of immoral, hostile actions theres too many dime a dozen cop dramas that deal with rape, murder, drugs, gratitous sex. Brothers and Sisters is just a normal family show,… Read more »
As a family we love this show…we call each up after and talk over the things that happened. It’s one crazy family but you can relate to it! We love Sally Field and the show would not hold together without her. ABC please keep the show on and on Sunday nights.
I forgot to mention that “Body of Proof” is awful…Watched it twice and done with that…awful. just awful..
I love this show, I have lost interest in Desperate Housewifes and I turn on my TV at 10PM to watch Brothers and Sisters every Sunday night. Such an excellent cast. The storylines are deep and hold your interest. What is wrong with these networks? I barely watch any Network TV shows. I dont like reality shows except for DWTS and Idol. In the summer when the seasons are over, we rent lots of movies. They could take off the Bachelor/Bachelorette…now, that is a waste of 60 minutes every week. I think ABC should change the night of broadcast or… Read more »
I cant wait for sundays ! Its the greatest show ever
Why do all the good dramas get cancelled and tacky,crude,low class reality shows remain on?
Unfortunately the popularity of trashy tv reflects upon how tacky Americans have become.
LOVE brothers and sisters– GREAT cast– DONT CANCEL!
Shannon, 30
Why in heavens name do all shows have to be aimed at pleasing thr 18-49 age group? Hard to believe, but people OVER the age of 49 DO watch TV! They take off beautifully written and acted shows like “Brothers and Sisters” and leave on crap like those stupid reality shows! Please leave “Brothers and Sisters” alone.! It is one of the RARE quality shows on the air. And PLEASE consider keeping Beau Bridges as a regular. He and Sally Field shine together! If you need to save money, let Miss Flockhart go. She hasn’t been the main focus of… Read more »
Very sad to see the show go. In this age of reality shows seizing the ratings it is a pleasure to look forward to a drama that captures real family life, trials and tribulations better than the reality show. The show is emotional, sentimental and sometimes conflicting (because people are complex individuals). I will miss the Walkers and the challenges of maintaining a strong family unit headed by a matriarch. Please bring the show back, it’s the best thing on Sundays after Desperate Housewives.
ABC please don’t cancel tbis show….It is a great show and I look forward to our Sunday nights because of it! Thanks
Keep the show going for another year. Sunday nites are slow to begin with and at least this show offers variety to the CSI formula and reality tv. Maybe if they measured the demographics in something other than the 18-34 group they would see there is supporr for the show.
Do not cancel Brothers and Sisters! I love this show!!
This is one of the best programs on television! I am sick to death of the “reality” junk that is taking over programming….ABC please do not cancel the one program that has nothing to do with police, death, murder! Geez
Love the show. Great cast, terrific story lines and Gil M. Would be truly disappointed if it were cancelled!
I have watched the show for 3 years now and loved it! I will admit I started to wonder about the show this season, after the NETWORK started messing with it. When you are following a show and they start, “in 2 weeks” and showing past episodes of last season in a new season, that starts problems. Then of course 2 weeks ago when the show was reaching a very dramatic point (brody and sara) the president cuts in and we missed it. The NETWORK, bad a big bad blunder, unless I missed it, all I seen advertised all of… Read more »
This is my favorite show. I can’t wait til Sunday night because this is the only show that I and my family can relate too. My family is just as crazy. Please DO NOT CANCEL!!!!