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! 
PLEASE BRING OCTOBER ROAD BACK FOR A 2ND SEASON!! I WILL KEEP BUGING YOU GUYS INTILL U DO!!! ITS ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS!!!
I love October Road and Men in Trees. I think the network needs to stick with both of them and forget about all the reality shows like the bingo show. They should stop introducing so many new shows. It is frustrating to get into a show and have it cut after 4 episodes. And reality shows are getting alittle old and predictable.
This is absolutely the best new show I have seen in years. It has some great actors, great stories and great music. Please bring this back next season. It reminds me of growing up in a town much like the one portrayed in the story. Simply wonderful!!
Please give it more time i love the show and ABC needs to give it more time just like men in trees it would have lasted if you would have given it more time but everyone i talk with in our town and and family and friends and etc.. they all loved it please give it more time please!!!!
everytime I get in to someting you guys get rid of it and there really is nothing on TV anymore.
Marcy
Please don’t cut this show.I look forward to watching this show on Thursdays for once.I agree with everyone else that it’s about time for a show that 20-30 year olds can watch.I love the cast and I am hooked!Please bring it back.
I LOVE OCTOBER ROAD!!!!! IT IS A KEEPER, PLEASE BRING IT BACK SOON!!!
I love October Road, It is a great show and could easily become a multi season show. ABC. Please bring it back. Terri
I love October Road, It is a great show and could easily become a multi season show. ABC. Please bring it back. Terri
My wife and have have watched ER faithfully since it started. There has never been another show in that time slot that could pull us away from it… until now.
This show has everything that I look for in a show that I will spend my time with (there are only 2 other shows that I will give my time to). I think it would be truely foolhearty to cancel this show. It has the potential to be one of the great ones.
I absolutely love October Road! My roommates and I have really loved watching Grey’s Anatomy, and then being able to stay put for another great show!! PLEASE keep October Road. We need more good wholesome shows like it around! PLUS I can’t stand just being left with not know what is going to happen!
I have been watching October Road from the beginning. I agree – it seems like the only thing to stay on TV is the “Reality Show” – get real!! October Road is 100 times better – and the characters actually have personality. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be back.
I absolutely love October Road! I hope they bring it back for another season, I don’t know what I would do without this show 🙁 To be honest, I like it better than Grey’s….I know it’s a big statement, but it’s true. I love October Road!!!
I love this show. ABC Please don’t cancel the show!
I love October Road. It is a great show. I would be sad to see it go. expecially since Brian Greenberg is such a good actor. I hope the show will continue to be aired, because i know i will keep watching it. They can’t just leave it where it is at. There is just so much more that i want to watch. Expecially since i want to know if “Nick” is his dad!
Please dont take October Road like previous statements it has been a while since a show this good has been on. I love the show and the characters and my dvr for recording it lol so if you really care about fans then leave the show alone!