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
Please Save passions!!! Its the only Soap I watch and if i dont watch it i go crazy…Please save passions do not cancelle it. It would be a biggest disappointment to many people!!!!!!!!
NOOOO! Don’t cancel Passions!! I still want theresa and Ethan 2 be a couple!! and Kay and Miguel!!
Passions is such a hip, fun and creative soap opera for young people. it has so much potential. please do NOT cancel it.
Passons is getting better everyday. I still can’t belive NBC will take it off the air!!!!!! Do the care care about the fans at all????? After the first 45mins. of the today show it turns in to fluff. How may more times Can Dr.Nancy be on the show? I have tried to watch the today show but can only get passed the first hour. So after passons is gone I will only watch DOOL. No more NBC for me.
Do we really need a FOURTH hour of Today?? I think not. Give the fans a chance to have their show…there are so many of us who don’t show up in the ratings because we have to tape the show or watch it later online. The strongest demographic has always been the teens and 20s for this show, but most of us have school and work and are not able to watch as its on…please take this into consideration and let us get old so we can contribute to the ratings!!
Don’t cancel Passions. I’ve watched from the beginning and it is the only soap I watch religiously!!
Passions is my favorite show on TV right now. I’ve watched it religiously for years. Even when I was out of the country for six months, I had my mom tape every episode for me so I wouldn’t have to miss a moment! Please please please reconsider! Why would you want to replace one of the most original shows on TV with yet another hour of the Today show??? I never thought I’d be the type of person to watch a soap opera, but I’m hopelessly addicted. And only to Passions. Please don’t cancel it.
I’ve watched Passions from the beginning and missed a lot from being in school but now that I’m not in school anymore I watch it religiously. I would hate to see it get cancelled. PLEASE DON’T CANCEL PASSIONS.
Passons is getting better everyday. I still can’t belive NBC will take it off the air!!!!!! Do the care care about the fans at all????? After the first 45mins. of the today show it turns in to fluff. How may more times Can Dr.Nancy be on the show? I have tried to watch the today show but can only get passed the first hour. So after passons is gone I will only watch DOOL. No more NBC for me.
I have been a dedicated fan from the beginning! It would be a shame to see such a popular soap opera cancelled! PLEASE FIND A WAY TO KEEP PASSIONS!
PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL PASSIONS THIS IS THE ONLY SOAP ILL WATCH. THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO CONTINUE THE SHOW SO THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO IT.
PLEASEE DONT CANCEL PASSIONS!!! THATS THE BEST SOAP EVER!! MY BEST FRIEND GOT ME REALLY INTO THE SHOW. AND NOW I LOVEE IT! WE ALWAYS WATCH IT AND IT CANT GO AWAY! =[[
I have been watching Passions since it started. I have seen the characters change and I really feel apart of the the Passions Family. When I heard that it was going to be cancelled I was devastated. Whenever I can’t watch it I tape it that is how much of a fan I really am. I love the whole Ethan Gwen and Theresa love triange and I think that it is great that Ethan and Theresa are finally getting close again. I don’t want Passions to go off the air, but if it does I think they should make DVD’s… Read more »
This show is a great change from other soaps. Sure it is not the “normal” soap style, but that’s what makes it unique and fun to watch. If given the choice, I would choose this show as the only one to watch daily. I love the way characters are imeshed and I miss Timmy but they keep his influence alive in thier thoughts and in Pandora. Let us continue to keep “Timmy” with us too! Save PASSIONS!!!!!!!
please sont cancel passions- im a college student and i began watching the show with my late great grandmother as a young girl- it has a sentimental value to me and really is a part of my life- please save passions =)