Though October Road debuted to strong ratings, ABC plans to cut the freshman drama’s season short and only air two-thirds of the episodes. Why?
The new October Road drama on ABC (no relation to the 2002 James Taylor album) tells the story of a young and famous NYC writer named Nick Garrett (played by Bryan Greenberg). Nick authored an extremely popular book which was essentially a “tell all” novel based on his home of Knights Ridge, Massachusetts. He subsequently gets a bad case of writer’s block and decides its time to return to his hometown after ten years away. As you might guess, his reception isn’t exactly a warm one. In addition to Greenberg, the series features Laura Prepon (That ’70’s Show), Tom Berenger, Warren Christie, Brad William Henke, Evan Jones, Jay Paulson, Slade Pearce, Geoff Stults (7th Heaven) and Odette Yustman.
Following a new episode of Grey’s Anatomy, October Road debuted on March 15, 2007 to great numbers. Despite mixed reviews, Road attracted 13.93 million viewers and came in at #9 for the week. The second episode lost 16% of its previous audience and about a half of lead-in Grey’s Anatomy’s viewers. Still, Road performed much better than Six Degrees or Men in Trees had in the same timeslot. You would think that ABC would be anxious to air the rest of the season’s episodes. You would be incorrect.
Like more and more new shows, October Road’s initial season is a short one, consisting of only six episodes. Rather than run all six of them to keep viewers hooked, ABC plans to air only four of them this season. If the show gets picked up for another year, the remaining two episodes will be broadcast at that time. ABC did the same thing to Grey’s Anatomy its first year.
You can view this stockpiling as either pretty good assurance that Road will return for season two or, that ABC execs don’t have faith in the series. The final decision will have a lot to do with how well episodes three and four perform. If Road’s audience continues to erode, it probably won’t be back. We’ll likely know by mid-May what ABC decides to do. Stay tuned! 
I love this show! I agree with previous posts that everytime a good show comes out, the networks rip it off the air. I don’t watch anything on FOX anymore because they are notorious for that. I hope ABC doesn’t disappoint me too. October Road is a great show for the 20-30yr. olds. I love it. Give it a chance!!!
Well, the 4th episode was on tonite and they said in 2 weeks there is another coming, so that looks good I guess. But 6 episodes? Seriously, people are going to catch 1 or 2, then it’ll be over, and they won’t be able to find it, etc. Do they pick studio execs by having a 1 digit IQ or something? It doesn’t even give word-of-mouth a chance to work!
I thought October Road was okay and I would give it a chance, but it just keeps getting better and better!
October Road is aweeeeeeseommmmmmmmme! KEEP IT!
October Road is a great show! I hope ABC decides to keep it. It would such a disappointment if they didn’t.
I loveeeeeeeee this show. I would be so mad if it doesn’t get picked up again. I want it on every hour every day of the week already.
i love this show and i really hope it comes back next year. i really hate it when a show debut and it is really good and when i get hooked on it, it gets cancelled. so plz don’t cancel this one.
I love october road and would like to see all this seasons episodes as well as see it picked up for next year.
I really liked October Road along with Men in Trees. I am so sick of getting into a show and then the network takes it off the air. They need to give it more time or pick a time slot and stick to it instead of rearranging the shows to different days and times! No wonder the ratings drop, when you go to watch it, it is on a different day or different time. I hope both shows return!
I love October Road, I work nights so I DVR it but it is one of the best shows around.
I love October Road.. I cant wait for it to come on and then i see a preview for that new belly show or whatever same night same time.. I swear everytime I find a new show that i really like it gets canceled, Or put on the back burner!!! Give the shows a little more time!!! What makes you think this belly show will be any better?? I hope you decide to bring it back because i was really looking forward to the series!! A GREAT cast and it comes on after Greys Anatomy, another GREAT show. The reviews… Read more »
I think this is a really good show and like it better than Men in trees, Six degrees, or even Ugly Betty. It should be picked back up. PLEASE keep the show cause I have already got hooked!!!
I’m looking forward to further episodes. The shows ratings have declined but the viewship is still strong at over 8 million. I think ABC would be smart enough to the show a chance to get a real fan base built up.
I love October Road and I hope it comes back next year. I will definately watch it. It is about time there was a show for 20-30 year olds to watch.
I love October Road. It definately fits in and is good enough to succeed in its Thursday timeslot.
I wrote a letter to the studio expressing my dismay that Men in
Trees was not coming back to this timeslot. Maybe “they” are listening!!!!