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 have enjoyed this show so much from the very first episode. Please bring it back for another season. I would like very much to see the last two episodes for this season as well. I totally agree with what many have said regarding the frustration of getting involved in a show, looking so forward to watching it each week and then having it yanked. October Road is a keeper.
I really love October Road. Unlike most of you I also like Men in Trees. They should have left it alone on Friday night. I absolutely love the Eddie/Janet story line. Eddie is my favorite character. Please pick up October Road for another season!!
YOU BETTER NOT CANCEL OCTOBER ROAD!! THIS SHOW IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN UGLY BETTY AND I DONT CARE WHAT THE RATINGS SAY! LET THE SHOW STAY!!!!!!
I loved Six Degrees and was mad when you guys took it off that air. But when you put October Road on the air, I fell in LOVE with the show..U HAVE TO BRING OCTOBER ROAD BACK!!!!!
KEEP THE SHOW!!!! BRING IT BACK!!! AHHHH STOP CANCELING OR PULLING ALL THESE GREAT SHOWS!
I love October Road. I will be extremely disappointed if it’s not picked up next season. You can only watch so many reality shows. It’s nice to be lost in something as good as October Road for an hour a week.
I absolutely love October Road. I really hope that they decide to keep airing it. It’s a very addictive show. The characters are so great and work awesome together. Please keep it going next season!!!!
I really have enjoyed the show October Road and hope that it will be picked up by the network. I would think it is hard to judge a program’s ratings by a mere 4 episodes. I took to the story line and characters immediately, but for some it might take longer. I think it is a much better show than Men in Trees, which seemed to be a story written around sex. I watched 2 episodes of Men in Trees,, and I knew it wasn’t worth my time. It is good to see a show that delves into people’s lives… Read more »
I cant believe they are thinking about canceling October Road. Im a big Greys fan but I have grown equally fond of October Road in the short time it was on. KEEP IT ON!
If ABC would run consistant episodes of October Road, I know it would have a larger audience. But when it is on one week and not the next how can anybody get in the habit of watching. I love the show, I re-watched all the episodes online. I can’t wait till the next episode is on. Do not take a great show away. PLEASE!
Look at all these Posts– WE LOVE OCTOBER ROAD. We should all email ABC with our concerns. I’m going to!
I love this show. Yes the writing can sometimes be a little cheesy but the cast more than makes up for it. I really hope ABC brings it back for at least another season if not more.
p.s. From a guys perspective , i hoped Nick would choose Aubrey over Hannah. She is so much cooler and hotter!!!
Is there anyone to write to ask for October Road to be continued? if so can someone post it. Thanks!
Love love love it!!should be a summer series…i want more! i do not think gavin gaerret is sams father…who the hell is he??
October Road is one the greatest! I think it is way better that Men in Trees for sure. Please keep the show. It would be in your best interest. Sincerely…..
I really like October Road. I don’t usually get into watching to many prime time tv shows, but I look forward to Thursday’s. Now what am I going to watch after Grey’s Anatomy. And after reading a ton of reviews, looks like there is a lot of us out there that feel the same way. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they pick it up for another year.