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 watch ABC almost exclusively, but I am getting really tired of getting into a new show only to watch it disappear. ABC should care more for its audience than it does. I like October Road, What about Brian, Men in Trees, but it’s not easy to stay loyal when it’s aired sporadically. If ABC continues this strategy, they are going to cure me of my TV habit. They may be doing me a favor.
Thanks for bringing October Road back. Tom Berringer is one of my favorite actors. He and I lived in Beaufort, SC and he was just a regular guy. Loves the series.
I love October Road! I hope they keep it on. It has a great cast and a great story line. All my friends love this show! I hope you keep it.
well its about time!!! ive been waiting as paitiently as i can….for the love of God man give the show a chance. show 4 episodes. what is that? you should have put it on beginning of fall now people are gonna ignore it. hey but lets keep the caveman show ??? what genius voted to give that air time? and itll probably stay. love october road…..and its about time i can sit down with my kid and watch a show together…so if you cancel what will you put on? you should have showed some of last yrs to reintroduce. see… Read more »
PLEASE!! bring this show back ASAP! Evan Jones is amazing!
It’s SOOOOOO much better than whats on Thursday and Friday nights!!
I really liked October Road and was anxious to watch the upcoming episodes. There was a lot of things that I could compare myself with. Really good show!! Please bring it back.
You got our attention…please bring back October Road..that was a great series….Right up there with Greys Anatomy!
It not just watched by 20-30 and so on i watch it with my mother and i like it a lot and im in my teens and i dont really wacth this kind of stuff.
I LOVE thisshow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!u need to kept on air!
I was so sad to see that What About Brian was cancelled. Please, don’t cancel October Road too.
I love October Road. I keep trying to find out if and when it will be back on. I will be so diasappointed if it does not return. Give it a better time slot and I am sure it’ll be worth it for you!
i love this show-the suspense is killing me, bring the show back!!!!!!!!!!!
October road is a fantastic show and I really hope you decide not to cancel it, but if you’re going to, than do it already so we can all stop wondering.
please don’t cancel october road! i love this show:)
WHEN IS OCTOBER ROAD COMING BACK ON? I LOVE THIS SHOW AND IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. COME ON ALREADY, PLEASE!!!!