Tonight’s episode of Lipstick Jungle is the last episode shot for the NBC series. After a disappointing showing in the ratings, NBC opted not to order any additional episodes, effectively cancelling the TV show. Actress Brooke Shields subsequently proclaimed that the show hadn’t been cancelled and NBC started to backpedal a bit. Now, as we come to the end of the series’ second season, how do things stand?
Based on a best-selling book by Candace Bushnell, Lipstick Jungle follows the lives of three high-powered friends, played by Shields, Kim Raver, and Lindsay Price. The rest of the cast includes performers like Paul Blackthorne, Andrew McCarthy, Robert Buckley, Sarah Hyland, David Norona, Dylan Clark Marshall, Seth Kirschner, Matt Lauria, David Alan Basche, and Marcia DeBonis.
Jungle debuted on February 7, 2008 and attracted just 7.54 million viewers and a 2.9/8 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. The rest of the season averaged fewer than six million viewers each week and, because of the writer’s strike, only seven installments were produced. Despite the weak ratings, NBC execs decided to take a chance and renewed Lipstick for a second season of 13 episodes. If the ratings warranted it, they could always order more.
Unfortunately, absence didn’t make fans’ hearts grow fonder and even fewer people tuned in to watch season two. Airing on Wednesday nights, Jungle averaged just over five million viewers per week.
As a result, the network eventually moved Shields and company to Friday nights, following the even weaker Crusoe. In that 10pm timeslot, the drama attracted a terrible average of just over 3.4 million. It was around this time that the network decided to pass on ordering additional episodes, effectively cancelling the show. With the paltry ratings, that came as no surprise.
 Loading ... |
Then, Shields made a public statement saying that the show hadn’t been cancelled and that the cast and crew were still working. Though that was true, her statement made the show’s prospects sound better than they were. Nothing had changed. The cast and crew were just finishing the existing 13 episode order. The writers cleaned out their offices in mid-November.
But, perhaps due to the media attention and viewer support, NBC started to backpedal a bit. The head of the network, Ben Silverman, said that he was actually waiting to see how well the final episodes performed before making up his mind about the show’s future. By all accounts, this is accurate.
This wait-and-see attitude is likely one of the reasons that Lipstick was shifted to the more attractive 9pm hour. Despite an uneven holiday schedule, Jungle’s audience has been steadily growing — climbing from 3.44 million to 4.17 million. That’s pretty decent growth, especially for a show that was essentially dumped onto Friday nights and that airs opposite Ghost Whisperer, a much more popular series that’s aimed at a similar demographic. Unfortunately, 4.17 million still isn’t very many viewers for a network show. If tonight’s ratings are even higher, will they be enough?
Where does Jungle stand? By all accounts, NBC still hasn’t made up its mind about the show’s future. After tonight, they’ll likely compile all the numbers and see if it makes financial sense to order additional episodes. It seems highly unlikely that the ladies will be back but it seems this little show still has some fight left in it. What do you think?
Does NBC count those of us who watch the show online? I’ve heard they do, since we still get (limited) commercials — so limited, in fact, that it’s not even worth getting out of our seat. Rather than discount those who DVR the show (‘cuz they all supposedly fast-forward thru the commercials, and that’s REALLY what network TV is all about — not entertainment), marketers need to find ways of promoting a product in a way that causes viewers to stop FF’ing and WANT to watch a commercial — either that, or they need to look into more product placement… Read more »
Lipstick Jungle is well worth another chance. I usually watch political/news shows, but the world is in such a dire mess it was uplifting to watch Lipstick Jungle. Lipstick Jungle was an hour to escape to the whimsical lives of these three attractive, professional women and their enduring love stories. Most folks are holding their breath until this economy shakes-out. Lipstick Jungle was great “inexpensive” entertainment that I’ll miss watching.
I really enjoy Lipstick Jungle, the story lines and the actors in the show. Ppease do not cancelle this show.
Please don’t cancel this show, I love it
Please don’t cancel!!! I always DVR this show I didn’t know that this didn’t count. But I go out on Friday nights usually and Wednesday nights it was so late! I really hope they keep it around and find a way to count all of those who DVR it!!!!!
Please, please do not cancel this show. It’s such a treat to watch. My husband hates to admit it but he’s totally hooked on this show as much as I am. NBC needs to get it’s act together and give this show a solid time slot, stop moving it around so much and watch the ratings grow. I love Wendy, Nico and Victory!!!! I need more of the Jungle!!!!
I love this show!! I’m not sure why they thought peole would tune in on a Friday night! I wish they could count everyone that DVR’s the show. I have many friends who DVR/TIVO it and watch it over the weekend……Something needs to be done to save this show! If it was one at a better time, more people would tune it. I’m sure of it!
Please don’t cancel Lipstick Jungle! I’m dying to see more! In a time of more and more stupid reality shows, I can’t get enough of the brilliant, scripted, Lipstick Jungle!
ps. I agree that it just wasn’t promoted enough. I actually saw it online when I went to watch another show and wondered what it was, clicked on it and watched it online, then I fell in love with Lipstick Jungle.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL THE SHOW!!!! I think that it’s a really good show. I enjoy watching it! I actually like it 10 times more than Sex and the City. I tried watching Sex and the City but it never captivated me like Lipstick Jungle!!!! The actors and actresses on this show are amazing! The storyline is great! You can’t end it the way it did, you have to add more! Besides, a show about 3 strong women is great! It’s empowering! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL!
NBC will never improve in ratings if they continue to keep axing shows without really giving them a chance! I love Lipstick Jungle…it’s such a great show! Please give it a chance! I think last years writer’s strike really hurt this show, so it needs one more year to build up a great base of viewers! KEEP IT ON!!!!
In reference to your article the show agained in audience DUE TO NO PROMOTIONS FROM NBC. I think that say’s a “boat load” for this gem of a show. The fans put the word out and gained those numbers not NBC. I still have hope.
Well I must admit that Lipstick Jungle is pretty much the only show that I like to watch, it’s so refreshing, the characters are amazingly done and the stories are great. It’s much more than just a “women’s show” and I firmly believe it could be as big as Sex and the City was/is. Hopefully, it’ll come back and win over even those who are not completely convinced by it.
NBC can bet that shows like this will contnue to gain popularity as the economy gets worse. Keep the fantasy mixed with realism alive. NBC’s investment will pay off and the viewers fantasy bank accounts will be well funded to weather the current economic crisis.
Please do not cancel this show. It is one of the only real ones out there. All the women in my family come together on friday nights to watch this show. we love it, the actors, the plot, everything and we’d be heartbroken if this show was cancelled. Please keep Lipstick Jungle around.