The once popular My Name Is Earl sitcom was cancelled last month. After four seasons on NBC, the show’s executive producer, Greg Garcia, was informed early in the morning, just 30 minutes before the news was given to the press.
While being dumped by the peacock network didn’t come as a huge surprise, Garcia wasn’t ready for the show to end. He told the LA Times, “There’s a lot of reasons the show would work well on another network, and I think we’d do very well with some promotion. We certainly feel like we have more stories to tell. That’s why we left the show on season four on a cliffhanger. And I know we’ve got at least another season in us and a lot of great ideas. So if another network wants to put us on, fantastic. Nothing that would make me happier.”
It was largely presumed that the FOX network would take on Earl since the sitcom’s produced by a sister company, 20th Century Fox Television. Execs at the network apparently downplayed the possibility and, when the time came, decided to pass.
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Ethan Suplee, “Randy” on the show, broke the news to fans, writing, “Thanks for the effort guys, we appreciate it. It seems that Earl is actually dead. Fox has passed. The mustache will live on in our hearts.”
Now, TBS is apparently interested in keeping Earl going. The cable channel has been airing the show in syndication and expressed some interest in picking up the show at the May upfronts.
Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks, told Company Town that the network likes to develop original programming but that new episodes of an established show like Earl would be an asset in drawing viewers to sample them. At the time, Koonin hadn’t been approached by 20th Century Fox but said, “Tell them to give me a call. We’re in the book.”
The discussions for 13 new episodes of Earl are still in the early stages and there are a some major hurdles that would need to be overcome before they could become a reality. The actors and writers have all been released from their contracts and they’d have to be renegotiated. Also, the show is an expensive single-camera comedy and the overall budget would be an issue as well.
On the positive side however, the show is already in syndication and more episodes would mean additional rerun money for years to come. With that in mind, the studio and participating talent will likely want to make the deal work if at all possible.
While Earl’s return is still considered a longshot, the fact that there are discussions to revive the series is certainly a good sign. What do you think?
Image courtesy 20th Century Fox.
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!! Karma will punish NBC for that, and all the others who refuse to give such a great show a chance. I love every Episode, so I bought all the Seasons that i could get in lousy old Germany. Please give use more of your incredible Work!
In fact, what the heck is wrong in your twisted world ? each show that realy kicks ass, is canceld. First they kill “Reaper” now “Earl”, whats next ?
My name is Earl is the best show ever i own all the seasons and hope that there will be a fifth one to buy! Good luck to gettin it back you def have my vote!!!!
I’ve bought every season!! I was shocked to see “to be continued” and heard the show was cancelled. It was the best show on TV!
Gutted! earl was brilliant, cant belive its been canceled, dont now what the tv execs where thinking earl is miles better than most of the garbage on these days, just shows the fat cat execs dont ‘get it’ 🙁
I love this show, you guys need to bring it back. Jason Lee & Kevin Smith could make a great episode if they ever worked together on one. Its crap that it was cancelled JUST as it was suppose to airing, i was totally excited to see the new season!!
i think this show is so funny, Joy is so pretty and my favorite. Please put the show back on the air you cant end it with no one knowing who earl jr.’s father is if it isnt darnell.
i think its crap that they cancelled the show. I love it, they are all so funny and i couldnt wait for this season to find out who was dodge’s father. Jason Lee is a GREAT actor and i would love to see him work with Keven Smith on an episode, they are both so gifted. Keep up the good work and i hope they put you guys back on the big screen where you belong. Thanks for all the laughs!!
Mel
My name is Earl was one of my fav shows I got do into it especially when Joy was going to say who dodges father was why was it CANCELLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Earl made me laugh out loud…a lot. Most of the comedies on TV these days are basically, not funny. I never missed an episode and the fact that it won’t be back is a huge disappointment.
I’m cancelling my cable. Earl was the high point of my week
My Name is Earl is a rare comedy classic on modern day t.v. and to let it go is just more proof that Network execs need to smoke doobie and be people, rather than try to figure out what we would like to see. Join us
I`m from Lithuania and i like this show !BRING IT BACK!!
some one needs to bring this show back,its a stupid comedy and i like stupid,the office and parks and recreation su#k,i dont watch nbc anymore.
my name is earl deserves a season 5 i thought friends was the bast show ever till i seen my name is earlplease make a season 5.
I’m a Hungarian teenager, but I like My name is Earl and I want to see the 5 season!