Fans aren’t the only ones who were upset to hear that NBC had cancelled Medium. CBS Television Studios, the company that produces the Patricia Arquett drama was not pleased either. While the studios and networks tend to play nice in public, this time the gloves have come off.
In a conference call with reporters, Ben Silverman, co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, praised the fan efforts to renew Chuck and slammed shows like Medium and My Name Is Earl for being devoid of fan support.
Just hours later, CBS issued a statement that said, “NBC’s cancellation of Medium is inexplicable to us. The ratings don’t lie. Medium outperforms many of NBC’s renewed shows.”
It continues, “Despite inconsistent scheduling, Medium, under the creative vision of Glenn Gordon Caron, one of the most preeminent producers in television, has always performed with distinction both creatively and commercially. Multiple-award-winning actress Patricia Arquette and the cast have delivered a stellar series for five consistent seasons. The awards and ratings speak for themselves. We believe the show has a significant future and await developments.”
What neither statements say is that, according to Nikki Finke, the series was actually picked up for 13 episodes last Friday. Arquette is contracted for 22 installments (and may have to be paid for that many) and CBS wanted at least 16 because of the profits it will make in syndication. Push came to shove and ultimately negotiations fell apart.
But, as is fitting with a show like Medium, “dead” doesn’t necessarily mean “totally dead.” Because it makes sense for the company financially, it’s a sure thing that CBS will pick up for another year. The network announces its schedule shortly.
Image courtesy NBC.
I feel very disappointed that Medium may have been cancelled, and I don’t get it. There are more than enough “reality” shows and game shows. Medium is a great show that has great family values. Cancelling it doesn’t make any sense!
Stupid NBC. It’s so peculiar when people and companies never can see a great thing when it’s been in front of their faces forever. Medium is one of the few shows that I actually will put aside other things just to tune in! Let’s see how many lame-ass reality shows it will take NBC to put on to fill Arquettes’ void. I hope CBS has greater success in a shorter amount of time with Medium!
I love this show. Every mid season I made sure to watch it or DVR it. When it got switched from Wednesday to Monday, I was there watching it. This season had such an unbelievable story line, I could NOT wait to see the next one. No other NBC show has this effect on me or many people I know. I would be so upset if Medium was cancelled that I might boycott the network all together.
as a mom of three i don’t catch much shows that aren’t preschool. this one i love…. i will be extremely upset if it does not renew. the story line is exceptional and theres a touch of humor here and there with alison and joe. i love it……
Last night, I watched what I believed to be the season finale of Medium. Today my daughter informed me the series was being canceled. What fruit loop was at the wheel making this decision? The important thing is that an intelligent, forward thinking network picks up the series. Looking forward to the conclusion, since I have followed this thought provoking series from scene one.
I just watched the series finale, and like many episodes, was living the moment. I don’t watch regularly but am always happy to catch an episode. The show has great casting as well as story line. Is it unrealistic to ask for a fictional family that is encouraging even while dealing with the blows life throws at them?
I didn’t realize until about 2 weeks ago that it didn’t say season finale, but with that ending someone had better get a clue. I would think that viewer approval would be noticed by the networks, they are also replaceable.
I didn’t even realize they were considering cancelling the series. My husband and I watch every week. I am so glad to see that CBS picked it up. I am not ready for it to be over. If I would have known it was going to be cancelled I would have written to NBC.
This is so typical. Not only NBC, but all of the networks can excellent shows for garbage shows. I have enjoyed Medium from the beginning, and will miss it. What else can I say……..I’m sorry to see it go. I wish NBC would reconsider.
Just look at NBC’s lineup and what they are cancelling … they thought that reality and game shows would save them. If Law and Order and Southland wasn’t still on I wouldn’t be watching their network at all … My DVR is set for CBS all week
I’ve watched Medium since it began and I’ve been hooked on every single episode since then. My whole family enjoys watching it. It just doesn’t make any sense on why they would decide to cancel the show. Hopefully another network picks up on $$ to flow in.
I have watched Medium since it first began. I hope that another network will pick up the series. I will miss this show. The characters are wholesome with great family morals. We need more shows with such characters. So much TV these days is based on sexually based jokes and way too many reality TV shows. I hope to be able to continue to watch Medium on another network.
It is a MISTAKE to cancel Medium.
Medium is one of the finest shows on the air today. I depicts a real life working family, juggling career and family while handling a slightly bizarre topic. My wife and U|I look forward to each week’s episode.
NBC has the most irrational decision-making team of any network in history. They deserve to be at the bottom scraping the barrel. Every year it seems they cancel precisely their best shows in favor of newer, crappier stuff. They are guaranteeing their own ratings demise.
Imbeciles.
I dont watch this show. But still I know it gets a minimum of 9mill viewers so yea it was stupid 4 nbc 2 cancel it. WTH is zucker thinking?