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 hope you bring back October Road i love it!! Its a great show and i love all the characters. The acting is great.. Bring it back Please..
October Road is one of the few programs out there that actually allows you to sit with your teenagers, watch it and enjoy it!! Must be kept on for at least one more season……let the storyline run! Let Us Enjoy!!!
If ABC is smart, they will keep October Road on. But I will not hold my breath. They cancelled Commander in Chief, even after Geena Davis won her Golden Globe. They cancelled Invasion – with no notice. What happened to Sons and Daughters? What a hilarious refresshing show. Gone. ABC makes bad decisions – they are just lucky to have Grey’s and Desperate Housewives or I would never have to use their network!
Please bring October road back. that is the only show that i actually stay up late to watch. It’s a great show. I will also bug you(ABC) until you bring it back.
Michelle
October Road is an awsome show. Just when it becomes very interesting ABC stops the show! Last night’s episode left so many unanswered questions and left me wanting MORE EPISODES! ABC….please bring this show back! It will pick up more views…just like Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives!
October Road is fabulous. I was disappointed to see that it won’t be on next Thursday but I am excited about Grey’s 2 hour show. PPPLLLEEEAASSSEEE bring this show back. The last episode was great. Nikkie running through the streets, the writers making us think he was running to Aubrey, but we all knew he was running to Hannah. We all want to know what will happen. Will Owen leave his family over what Ikie did? And the biggest ? of all, is Nikkie Sam’s dad??? Please please bring it back!!!
I really like October Road. It’s different than most of the other show’s out there. I could do w/out the Aubrey character, & was disappointed to see Gavin Goddard show up last night but now I want to watch it more. “Big Cat” is such an ass…he’s a great villan. I also love the Eddie / Janet story line. I can’t wait to see how it plays out. I wish they could make Owen’s wife more likable. I know she was ******** his friend, but she’s just so blah. I love the show. I look forward to it each week… Read more »
I love this show! PLEASE KEEP OCTOBER ROAD!!!!! THURSDAY NIGHT IS THE BEST NIGHT ON TV AND THIS JUST MAKES IT AL LTHE BETTER! IF IT IS CANCELED I WILL BE SO SAD!!!!! please keep this awesome show!
October Road is a fabulous show. When it’s on I never want it to end. Please bring it back next season.
I LOVEEEEEEE OCTOBER ROAD.
IT’S AMAZING. THE DRAMA, INTRUIGE, STORIES, FAMILY-TIES… CONNECTIONS, MORALS, ESP THE CAST AND CHARACTERS.
ITS A FANTASTIC/FABULOUS SHOW
keep it!!!!!!!
Bryan Greenberg does a great job.. as do the rest of the crew
October Road is a fantastic show. The actors are great, the story line great. Airing after Grey’s Anatomy makes for a great Thursday night. Please bring it back.
They gotta at least finish the story after that finale. i will be really mad not knowing what happened…..like a bad ending to a movie!!!!
I’m very happy with this show and would like to see it come back next season. It’s the first show in 10 years that’s gotten me to switch from “ER.”
I am sick and tired of putting what little time and energy I have to relax into tv stations that don’t stay consistent. I am sick of getting attached to shows that I love and don’t last. I thought it was my taste and the when I finally got frustrated enough with october road ending too early I looked it up online. ABC – big shock – let me tell you – I will not watch a new show out of ABC again. The attraction of new shows is building the characters and waiting each week until you catch up… Read more »
The writers would be crazy not to bring back October Road!!! Its just as good as Greys and Lost which are the only 2 (besides GH) shows I watch on this network… I even gave up watching ER to watch this show! Please PLEASE bring it back…