The NBC TV show that brought Christian Slater to weekly television was cancelled after just four weeks on the air. Production on My Own Worst Enemy shut down after nine episodes and it looks like NBC has plans to air all of them. One of the series’ stars, Madchen Amick, is confused by the network’s decision to cancel the show and has a theory as to why it may have happened.
My Own Worst Enemy debuted on October 13th on NBC. The action drama follows a man (Slater) who has two distinct identities — Henry Spivey and Edward Albright. Henry, his wife (Amick), and children (Taylor Lautner, and Bella Thorne) all believe that he’s a mild-mannered family man. Meanwhile, Edward is a super spy who works under supervisor Mavis Heller (Alfre Woodard) and is partnered with fellow operative Raymond Carter (Mike O’Malley). Others in the cast include Omid Abtahi, Saffron Burrows, James Cromwell, Sarai Givaty, Mark Ivanir, Mindy Sterling, Missy Yager, Eugenia Yuan, and Louis Giambalvo.
Despite a lot of high-profile promotion, the premiere attracted only 7.27 million viewers and a 3.0/8 rating/share in the 18-49 demographic. The following weeks saw the ratings fall and the show consistently lost a large percentage of its lead-in audience from Heroes. NBC cancelled the show after a handful of episodes had aired.
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Many devoted fans are outraged over the network’s decision and are quick to point out that the existing ratings system is flawed. Speaking to the NY Daily News, Amick is quick to agree. She said, “The thing that’s so frustrating to me is that we were a hit if you take into account Internet numbers, TiVo, DVR — these Nielsen ratings they’re going by are archaic… It would be one thing if America just didn’t get it or it wasn’t that great of a show, but fans were excited and were watching — it had a great following.”
Enemy has impressive special effects and production values, a fact that may have contributed to the show’s demise. Amick notes, “Our numbers came in from the first episode and we were huge, but I think it’s hard times for everybody, and they probably just don’t have enough in the budget to believe in a show that cost that much.” Stay tuned! 
Image courtesy NBC.
I wasn’t able to watch MOWE due to a schedule conflict, and I was awaiting the summer reruns ’cause it looked from the promos like a winner. Then I found it on Hulu and have been watching religiously; with every episode I like it better and better. (FYI: as of today, all the episodes will disappear from Hulu in 4 days). This is the same group of programming geniuses who dropped JAG after one season.. so CBS ran with it for 9!!! and made a bundle. Maybe some sharp exec at cbs or fox will pick up MOWE. We can… Read more »
I don’t watch much on TV because programming leaves a lot to be desired. But Enemy was a fantastic show! I couldn’t bear to miss even a second of an episode, and I’m heartbroken to learn it was canceled. NBC didn’t give it a chance. I know lots of people who had never even seen it, but were intrigued with my description and would have tuned in to check it out.
/sad
ok so im a huge taylor lautner fan ( not because of twilight, i hated that movie) and i started watching this show because of him; i kept watching the show because i was hooked, and it is very interesting. the only problem is that nobody knew what channel it was on. i asked a few people so could watch the show ,but no one had an idea. i say more commercial WITH an idea of where to watch it
It should be a rule that if they plan to cancel they should have the final episode at least wrap up nicely without leaving people entirely freakin out. Another show i watch that was cancelled atleast managed to squash everything they had planned so it wasn’t so brutal as MOWE was. If nothing else if would make some of the cult followers happier.
This show was awesome. I have to agree with Madchen Amick, this show has a strong following, as did its predecessor “Journeyman”. It appears that NBC is only taking into account the Nielsen ratings, which cannot paint a full picture. Look at all of the internet response, not just on NBC, but everywhere. This is a good show, and well worth keeping around for at least a season, preferrably more. Perhaps the creators will consider making a “MOWE” movie. My fingers are crossed.
NBC sucks. They canceled Scrubs (now picked up by ABC), now they cancel M.O.W.E. The show wasn’t even given a real chance. I was one of the viewers that watched it on my DVR since I was always working while it was airing. They do own Sci-Fi and they canceled Stargate Atlantis.
I can’t believe this show has been cancelled. Our entire household enjoys it tremendously and we DVR it every week. What is NBC thinking? Oh wait…they’re not!
Madchen Amick is hawtttt. Anyone remember her from Joey? Anyway, this show is phenomenal, and NBC disappoints once again..
Great show, please find a way to keep it on.
WOW! I wish I could get paid as much as NBC execs and still make tremendously stupid decisions. No wonder Leno has so much fodder to use against HIS OWN BOSSES! Isn’t Jay retiring?? I say he should become the programming exec. Maybe then NBC can figure out a way to turn the corner.
i agree, the whole nielsen rating IS archaic, and such crap…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Ratings#Criticism_of_ratings_systems
I’m in agreement..morons
NBC Universal owns sci-fi channel too
These are the same idiots that cancelled Stargate Atlantis to create
an edgier Stargate with “new” Younger actors..
They either missed the demographic that is actually watching stargate or
are trying to save many by hiring starving actors that will work for less.
They are officially stupid