The peacock network is announcing today that the eight-year-old soap Passions has been cancelled. This comes as a shock to some but the writing has been on the wall for awhile. Still, things may not be as grim as they may seem.
Passions debuted on July 5, 1999 and was created by Jim Reilly, a writer from Days of Our Lives. Reilly is the head writer on the soap and is an executive producer with Lisa de Cazotte. The supernatural sudser takes place in fictional New England town Harmony and replaced the long-running Another World. Now it looks like Passions will be replaced itself.
The soap has been in danger for quite some time. When NBC renewed the series in May 2006, the network renewed it only for one year and required significant budget cuts. As a result, $4-5 million was slashed from the yearly budget and caused several crewmembers and performers to be let go. Now, nearly a year later, NBC has cancelled the soap. Why?
NBC recently announced that they would be expanding the popular Today Show from three to four hours weekdays. The Today Show is a great cash-earner for NBC and has been around for 55 years. The cast, including Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry and Al Roker, is scheduled to hold a news conference today at the Television Critics Association (TCA) winter preview tour to announce the news show expansion.
That “super-sized” version of Today will leave NBC affiliates with one less hour in their mid-morning slot. To compensate, NBC is releasing the Passions timeslot to affiliates. As a result, Passions will be pulled — though not for awhile.
The present Passions contract runs out in June but the new expanded Today won’t debut until Fall 2007. To fill the summer months, NBC is expected to negotiate with the Passions cast and show creatives to extend the soap until August. That could be the end.
But, like Tabitha and any good soap fan knows, there are always possible ways to cheat death. How could Passions survive?
NBC is proud of the soap. As recent as last week, the network issued a press release touting the fact that Passions was fourth in the ratings for all soaps in the very desirable female 18-34 demographic. Passions even tied for first place (with Days of Our Lives) for that demographic for the first week in January. As well, NBC owns Passions completely, allowing the network to keep all profits.
Because of its strong popularity with young women, there are rumblings that NBC may try to keep the series alive elsewhere. Possibilities include producing the soap (perhaps in a shortened version) for Disney’s SoapNet cable station, the struggling MyNetwork TV or even on the Internet.
The soap won’t go off the air for several months so we probably won’t know what the future holds for Passions and the Harmony residents for quite some time.
What do you think? We know there are lots of Passions fans out there. Would you like to see the soap continue? If so, consider signing our petition (leave a comment) so NBC and Passions executive producers Jim Reilly and Lisa de Cazotte will know how you feel. We’ll keep you posted on any new developments. Stay tuned — and in the meantime, let’s save Passions! 
Please note, due to the overwhelming response, 4,500 petition comments have been archived (for bandwidth issues).
To NBC Daytime Programs
cc: Jim Reilly and Lisa de Cazotte
We, the undersigned have enjoyed much of your programming, particularly the ongoing Passions series. We have enjoyed the stories and the work of the cast each week and are dismayed about the announced cancellation.
We believe that the ratings have not accurately shown the show’s popularity and potential for future revenue.
We respectfully request that you reconsider your decision to cancel Passions and to find a way to keep it on NBC daytime. If that is not possible, we implore you to find another venue to continue telling the engaging stories of the people of Harmony.
Thank you in advance for your attention and consideration.
The Undersigned fans of Passions
Save passions, I am a stay at home mom of two and expection our third. Passions has always been my retreat from the everyday havoc. I always laugh, sometimes cry..either way I enjoy every moment. I couldn’t imagine my day without. God, who can deal with another hour of the Today show…they now need to realize that this next generation that is watching passions is going to be the generation that they will be relying on in the near future. Don’t piss us off! 🙂
I have watched Passions from the very frist show and I haved loved every one and I would hate to see it go now
thank you Donna
PLEASE DONT CANCEL PASSIONS! I LOVE THE SOAP OPERA.THERE ALOT OF OTHER SHOWS YOU CAN CANCEL BESIDES PASSIONS ALOT OF US LOVE TO WATCH PASSIONS.YOU TAKE IT AWAY ALOT OF US WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTED .
Passions should not be cancelled. It is the voice of a new generation. I have been watching Passions from the beginning and have been hooked ever since. Most soap operas were started like 50 years before I was even born. Since I’ve watched it when it started, I know the characters and have grown with them which is the reason why this show shouldn’t go. I still want to see the day my favorite character Theresa gets to be with Ethan and have a family with him. I still want to see the day everyones secrets come out one by… Read more »
Passions must be saved, it is everyone’s top priority. Many viewers like I have been watching since day ONE!! and to see such an awesome soap go off the air is a devastating end that we can’t bear to see happen. The Today Show already is on air for 3 hours I don’t see the need for adding an extra hour since its already on air long enough. The sole reason for adding an extra hour for the Today show and kicking passions to the curb is that the Today Shows is the one that generates huge cash flows to… Read more »
Don’t cancelle the show. I know the story line has been a bit strange at times but, new writers can help that. It’s always about profit and not about what the people want. CBS has cancelled most of it’s sitcoms that is sad. Keep the show on do we really need 4 hours of The Today show. Ithought 3 was pushing it. I think NBC could be a little more ceative. What next cancell Jay Leno and start the Today show at 6:00 am to give it 5 hours. Maybe make NBC the Today show network.
DON’T take passions off the air move it to a different time something but dont take it off the air. DO you really beed the today show to be 4 HOURS long I know i am sick of watching it after an hour. If it gets cancelled I will never watch nbc again. It the best soap out there its crazy, funny, loveable. I watched from the first day. PLEASE dont take it off.
pliz don’t cancealed passions i love that show
Hello There,
Please do not cancel this show!! It is the highlight of my day and I have watched it since the very start alongside my grandmother. We first only watched Days of Our lives, but because instant addicts to Passions. Please do not put Meredith Viera on for any longer than she already is!!
PASSIONS IS AWESOME IT CANT BE CANCELLED!!! ANOTHER NETWORK SHOULD PICK IT UP!!!
I have watched both Dats of our Lives and Passions since the first day they aired. From that information you are aware that I do not fit the teenage demographics that advertisers are looking for but I still count as a a consumer and viewer. I hope that the people in charge of the show can find another home for this fun piece of entertainment. It is enjoyable seeing some of the nonsense the characters get into.
I know many people that would miss this show dearly
I have watched Passions since it first aired. I absolutely love this soap. I don’t understand why NBC wants to add yet another hour of the Today Show. Three hours is long enough. It’s at the point where there is nothing on tv anymore except for news. There has been mention of airing Passions on another network, or online. What about the individuals who love this show that can’t afford the internet, cable, or satellite?
PLEASE DON’T CANCEL PASSIONS!!!!! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL PASSIONS!!!!! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL PASSIONS!!!!! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL PASSIONS!!!!! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL PASSIONS!!!!! I know what is going on with all of the characters but there are a few of them that really stand out with me right now. That would be Theresa and Ethan. When are you ever going to give those 2 a break? Look at ALL of the times that Theresa fought life and limb to win over Ethan. If it wasn’t for Rebecca (Mrs. Donkey herself) and Gwen, Ethan and Theresa would be together right now with Little Ethan… Read more »
SAVE PASSIONS! i’ve watched it since the begining and i alwasy rush home from classes to see it! I’m going to be very upset if it ends. we NEED passions!
i love Lindsay.