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! 
Love October Road. It’s the best show on television right now. I don’t watch anything else on television but this show and if you cancel it my life will have no meaning. Just kidding that’s a little dramatic but I do really like the show.
Does anybody know where the show actually is filmed????
We’re an older couple (65 and 69)who really enjoy October Road.
We vote for ABC to “get wise” and keep it on the schedule.
October Road is great. It makes me think about those years right after high school and how quickly things change but somehow remain somewhat the same in small town america. THe characters are appealing and draw you into the plot.
I love October Road. I never watched ABC at 10:00 until this show came on. I hope the Executives listen to the audience this time. Everytime I like a show, “they” cancel it.
Keep October Road on the air.
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!
I love October Road. The cast is amazing, and the show is just incredible. I love the time slot it’s in, because it is my two favorite shows back to back. I’m so tired of getting into a show to find out that as soon as I begin to love it, networks pull it. If I see another reality show I am going to scream. No offense execs, but THE BACHELOR?? Okay, definitely overdone on that one. How many times does a guy have to date a bunch of women, get engaged, and then after the finale airs have a… Read more »
I LOVE October Road. I have all my friends watching it. I hope that it come back next year!!!
PLEASE KEEP THE SHOW!!!! My roommates and I love it! I am dying to know what happens.
Please Please Air October Road 2nd season…..That show is awesome and I was completely bummed when the season finale aired…..I am a tivo queen and I am hoping that tivo doesn’t make ratings drop by not being able to get an accurate number of viewers. All my friends love that show and like me are tivo queens
MY SISTER AND I LOVE OCTOBER ROAD. WE WANT IT TO COME BACK.
I love October Road. Us 30 somethin’ people can totally relate. Great music- Great show. You need to give shows more than 4 episodes to catch on. People go to watch the show and it’s not on or it’s been changed to a different time. Give this one a chance- GREAT SHOW!
I am so angry with ABC….Once again, I have allowed myself to get all caught up in a show only to have them yank it off the air for no apparant reason. It is much better than Men in Trees, even though I also enjoyed that. I am also anxious to see how everything goes for our favorite October characters….especially Eddie and his new relationship and Phil with his pizza girl. Bring back October Road soon!
I really enjoy October Road –
I hope you plan on bringing it back for many more seasons.
Also, I want Men In Trees back on the air – also, another good show.
There is never anything good on Saturday nights.
Please, try that time slot.
My family and I really enjoy this show. We either record it or we watch it on ABC.com. Please continue to air it. I have enjoyed the character development and think it has great potential.