One of the most upsetting cancellations of the 2008 -2009 season was ABC’s October Road. Faithful viewers were truly tied into the characters’ struggles and emotional journeys. When the show ended, there were many unresolved questions. Now, thanks to the creators and cast, it looks like we’re going to get some closure.
October Road was moderately successful in the ratings in its first season and earned a renewal based on ABC’s belief that the audience would grow. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and viewership only dropped in season two. There were some discussions about moving the series to another channel but there weren’t any takers. As a result, the series finale aired on March 10th.
Thankfully for the fans, the creators of October Road are just as invested in the show as the viewers. Though Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg had already committed to running ABC’s new Life on Mars series, they wanted to finish the Knights Ridge saga properly. Appelbaum told Zap2It, “We got the call that the show was cancelled on Tuesday at 9:45 in the morning and by 10 o’clock at night, [we] were writing the finale. It’s sort of like therapy for us, but the most important thing is that it means closure for the fans.” Soonafter, the team called each of the castmembers about being involved and they all signed on without question.
Rosenberg told TV Guide that he and the show’s writers felt they had a commitment to wrap up the show. “We had a small audience, but they genuinely fell in love with these characters, and I feel we owe it not only to them, but also to the cast.” They came up with a 15-minute episode called, appropriately enough, “Don’t Look Back: An Epilogue for an Epic Love.”
The mini-episode will pick up where the series left off, starting with the wedding of Ray “Big Cat” Cataldo (Warren Christie) and Hannah Daniels (Laura Prepon). It will then skip ahead seven years and viewers will be given answers to most of the series’ outstanding questions — including the identity of Sam’s papa, the Commander’s health, and the fate of each of the relationships.
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Applebaum says that the team has always known how they would end the series. He tells Zap2It, “Whether the show went two years or seven years, there’s always been a particular moment and piece of closure that we wanted and we’re going to be able to get to that intended end.” Series star Bryan Greenberg says that he’s in the same boat as the show’s loyal viewers — he’s got a lot of questions and can’t wait to have them answered.
The actual shooting schedule hasn’t been firmed up as yet but that shouldn’t concern fans. Lindy Booth (Pizza Girl) notes, “We all love the show, so we’ll all be there.” Applebaum echoes that sentiment by saying, “The nice thing about this whole experience is that this show about friendship has created an environment of friendship and community among the cast. And when we look at the message boards, we feel like that’s sort of extended to our viewership too. We’re happy to do this for them.”
The October Road creators won’t have to look far for one of the castmembers. Jonathan “Ronnie Garrett” Murphy has just signed on as a regular on Life on Mars.
It’s expected that the short-but-sweet October Road series finale will be included on the season two DVD set and may be made available online as well. Stay tuned! 
Figures…ABC loves to cancel the good shows. I was very disappointed that they cancelled October Road and Men in Trees. I’ve seen every episode of both shows and loved them! They offer no closure and just yank them off the air… and never really let anyone know until you start searching on the internet. Let’s boycott ABC. They’d rather show trashy reality crap like the Bachelor!
i am really upset the show cancelled as well. It was a good story and I was interested in seeing how it ended. I also really enjoyed watching it and I loved the characters. I cant believe people didnt though but i blame it on the time and day of the show. Monday nights people are busy or they had a long day at work because that seems to be the day where you always get out late and people are tired. I think it was a show based on real life, unperfect relationships, etc.. and thats I liked about… Read more »
I am so upset this show was canceled. There are still questions that I never received any closure to. Who is Sam’s real father? Are they going to air one last episode to bring everything to an end. I would hope so!
Are you kidding me?! October Road was hands down one of the best shows I watched it from day one never missed an episode. I even had my work schedule made so I was off on Thursday nights so I could watch it. ABC needs to reconsider this. I mean come on they STILL bring back 2 of the dumbest shows I’ve ever seen Bachelor and Bachellorette. October Road was like what actually happens in this world. I am seriously disappointed.
This is the one out of 2 shows I was waiting to come back this fall! Why pulling? I really thought this was doing well? Reactivate the cast dangit!
I’m sort of happy to see this show come to an end. I watched it faithfully, enjoying each show. But they never seemed to want to answer the question of who Sam’s real father was. They managed to bring up the subject in just about every episode. I think this show could’ve gone on for 5 more seasons continuing to drag out the baby daddy drama. I’ll miss the characters, but not much the repetitive story line.
Wow this mistake sounds familiar…did anyone ever hear about My-So-Called-Life and how it was cancelled off of ABC against all the wishes of plenty of loyal fans. That show still has a cult following. I loved it as well as October Road, and it figures that ABC would pull both shows off the air. PS..the Bachelor and Bachellorette and however many seasons of it that there has been is the worst show ever! I agree they should have gotten rid of that a LOONG time ago.
I am HUGELY disappointed to see October Road come to an end……….I absolutely LOVED this show and would rearrange things so that I could be front and center when it would come on. I hope we are able to get the closure we need……… Such an awful demise for such a great show. I agree with an earlier comment….”take of Bachelor or Ugly Betty”……….BRING BACK OCTOBER ROAD!!!!
This was the best series ever, shame on them for leaving all of us loyal viewers hanging. Please notify us if and when there is a ending and when and where we can see it.
My daughter and I loved this show,, it was so true to life. It was full of love ,, and all it’s elements made you rethink life and how it is full of so many twists and turns.. I am very unhappy with ABC and it’s BIG Mistake to cancel a heart-warming show!!!!! Get rid of bachelor or ugly betty Hate those dumb shows!
When will this season start? I am so bummed it is ending!!! Please bring it BACK
ABC sucks for cancelling a GREAT show. I NEED to know what happens to these characters. I’ve been watching for the new fall season start date and here I am reading that it’s been cancelled. WHAT, I SAY? How can you cancel such an interesting show? I don’t get it………ratings……..what about the people who care about this show? We deserve an ending. I demand an ending! PLEEEEEASE!
I am so upset this was cancelled!! I totally got into this show and it took me back to a great time in my life and made me cry, laugh all of the emotions a person could think of. I am so sick of all the bull**** on tv right now. I was so looking forward to watching this again. It figures. It just shows you what kind of world we live in now. The shows that made it are smutty and all about fake drama and that’s what people have become. It makes me sick! Seriously ABC… you should… Read more »
I can’t believe that they cancelled October road. I was so looking foward to another season. I wanted to know how Eddie and Janet did. This show was the most down to earth show and really made you think about things. I couldnt wait until the next episode! I hope that if any CBS execs read these post they will reconsider the mistake they made. Why don’t they take a look at some of the stupidest shows on tv and cancel those. i.e. the bachelor, swingtown
I am so sad they are not brining back october road. I was so engrossed in the characters lives. I am so sick of the same old realily tv. I miss having shows that make you think, cry, laugh and bring you back to a better time. October road was that for me and I feel as though abc is letting go of a diamond in the rough and should reconsider one more time. So if any of you executives from ABC read this consider it I do believe it can be a hit. Dont give up.