At the recent upfronts, it was announced that CBS was cancelling The New Adventures of Old Christine after five years on the air.
Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the sitcom has been in danger of being cancelled each year and, on a few occasions, ABC expressed interest in taking it over. Though it’s looking doubtful that the alphabet network will indeed save it, discussions are still ongoing.
Kari Lizer, Old Chrisine’s creator, says that the cancellation didn’t surprise her, especially considering the fact that the show was taken out of the Monday night block of sitcoms and has been put on hiatus many times during its run.
She recently told TV Guide, “As far as what happened at CBS, we’ve suffered from a serious lack of support from them since the beginning… I hate to say it, but I’m afraid they don’t care much for the female-of-a-certain-age point of view over there. How else do you explain them squandering the talents of Julia [Louis-Dreyfus] and Wanda [Sykes]?”
The cancellation news came at a particularly bad time for Sykes. Her Saturday night talk series, The Wanda Sykes Show, was also cancelled by FOX. Lizer expects Sykes to bounce back though, noting, “She’s never funnier than when she’s pissed off.”
What do you think? Is CBS’ treatment of Old Christine some kind of sexism or just due to poor ratings?
Image courtesy CBS.
It really is sad because the show was amazing and hilarious and always felt like it could break out into something spectacular had it gotten the support from CBS. I was 30 when it first aired but I completely related to Christine and those upcoming phases in life, and so did many of my female peers – for a Gen Xer a decade away from my 40s at the time, with my nontraditional views and unconventional lifestyle, it was a big attraction. None of us cared if there wasn’t a hot male anchor. We cared that something finally related to… Read more »
I am so sorry for the loss. The show is so funny I really think she was a better actress and really got to show her talent after being second place star to Jerry
Its highly likely it was canceled due to its non hetro sexual content,I’ve never seen such a funnier show than christine and everybody loves the characters.But the show is not clean enough for children to watch,a lot of adults too.At times I wanted to throw the TV tru a plate glass window,given the stuff the show was doing and saying about non hetro activities.So they likley canceled rather than appear to be discriminatory.its a shame because I never loved a show better, I couldn’t wait to buy the complete series on dvd,it was a 8 season show easy.But I couldn’t… Read more »
Wanda Sykes ♀️
Thank you. Her name is in the article, she’s the lead’s best friend, she’s the female lead co-star. I’m also confused by the “non [hetero]” things that were so “gross” it would make someone want to throw their TV out a window. Some things on the show did make me cringe but that was usually bc Christine just didn’t know when to stop or shut up or when she ate several cans of chili to make her homemade alarm system or that her sofa smelled like farts. But if it is what I think it is, the “non-hetero” things weren’t… Read more »
I loved this show! It came on very late, like 1AM in my area…if ratings had anything to do with it – that might be why.
Sexism? Puh- lease… gimme a break…
That would’ve shut down Two and a Half Men!
I love that show too…
Anyway- was sorry to see it go…it was a favorite!
I’m confused – are you saying sexism couldn’t have had a part in the cancellation of Christine because something like Two and a Half Men would have been cancelled too??? I want to make sure you know that “sexism” or “sexist” criticism doesn’t refer to the “sexual content” of the show. Because it definitely sounds line the traditional sexism you get dealing with tv execs. NAOOC was a show with characters that didn’t fit the mold for TV execs who usually believe in the whole “sex sells” mantra for tv shows. NAOOC had an older woman as lead anchor and… Read more »
This was absolutely the funniest show and enjoyed by everyone in our family young, old, male and female. PLEASE BRING IT BACK! Thank goodness we have VEEP!
Yes!!! I Love This show! I want it back also!! Sexism? Can’t be any worse than Two and A Half Men! And I love that show too!! I say air “The New Adventures of Old Christine” at a reasonable time…9PM or 10PM instead of 1AM as in Baltimore, Md. Just might get better ratings!
Ciao!
You might be misunderstanding the use of “sexism” in Kari Lizer’s comments. Yes, Two and a Half Men contains material that many will feel is sexist. Lizer was saying that because “Christine” had two strong female leads (vs TaaHM’s two males), and had story that was told through a female point of view, that CBS – the network – was sexist in disregarding “Christine” in favor of its male-driven shows like Two and a Half Men.
This was 1 of my favorite shows when I was 19 ,20 years old . Bring it back , It was funny To me
Please bring this show back! It is so funny I will watch old seasons over and over, but would love new seasons to watch PLEASE!!