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 agree! What about Brian and October Road were awesome shows!!
ABC sucks! Cancelling What about Brian and October Road?? What are you thinking?
October Road needs to return. It was refreshing to watch a drama for a younger generation. Plus, it was my workplace Friday morning conversations and discussing what we think might happen next week. We need to know what happens!
I checked out ABC on line for the first time the other day. As I looked through the shows October Road caught my eye so I watched it, I was hooked right away. First time I’ve ever written anybody about my disapointment for a series being cancelled. I like everybody else hope you will keep it on the air, very good show.
I love October Road….I AM WAITING….I hope it returns!
Okay,I usually don’t do this type of thing, but this has to be said…again. Please, please, please bring back October Road. That was an awesome show! I couldn’t wait until the next week to see what happened. Sometimes I would tape two weeks in a row, just so I wouldn’t have to wait to see the next episode. I know silly, but please bring it back.
I also love october road!! I watch it and i also have to dvr it for my husband and i watch it AGAIN with him. Please dont take this show
I’m way out of the demographic the show is aimed at,59, just recently watched all the past episodes online and really enjoyed it. I hope ABC reconsiders or another network else picks it up. I for one would like original programing online.
My husband and I started watching October Road from day 1 and never missed an episode. EVER!!! We were gluded to the TV and Loved it. I would hate to see it be cancelled. My husband isn’t one to get caught up in shows like that, but he and I both did and told everyone that would listen how good the series was…PLEASE, PLEASE bring back October Road.
when was it on?????
I don’t watch much television, but I have to say when October Road aired, my eyes were glued, and I truely loved the series. I really like all the characters…they do an awesome job in keeping their audience connected. Please have them come back.
I really liked October Road! I have tried to send e-mails to ABC about October Road but they all come back saying ‘they have too many to look at all of them.’ I think that it is just rediculous! A good show with a good plot line geared towards the 20-30 crowd…and they just decide to cancel it? Give it another shot…maybe change the day/time before simply pulling it off the air!
Thanks and hope ABC reconsiders their decision!
October Road rocks!!!! You just HAVE to keep this show.
The series will return midseason after Dancing with the Stars finishes. If you do a search on this site you can find the updated info.
I feel like I have been waiting forever for this show to return. When is something going to be posted giving us more info than “it will come back”? This was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. I can’t believe some of the junk that stays out there and this is on the back burner. ABC is really annoying me now!!!!