Though it was looking like the underperforming CW series had a chance at survival, the network has decided to pull the plug on Privileged.
Privileged follows the story of Megan Smith (Joanna Garcia), a perky young journalist who becomes a live-in tutor for two wealthy teenage girls (Lucy Hale and Ashley Newbrough). Others in the cast include Michael Cassidy, Allan Louis, Brian Hallisay, Kristina Apgar, and Anne Archer.
Despite positive reviews and buzz, Privileged debuted on September 9, 2008 to just 2.64 million viewers and a 1.2/3 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. Those numbers weren’t great for the junior network and ratings for subsequent episodes fell significantly over the rest of the season.
The network made multiple attempts to boost the show’s audience — giving it more exposure by rerunning episodes in various timeslot — but most viewers just didn’t seem to be particularly interested.
Though the ratings certainly hadn’t mandated it, the network had been considering bringing Privileged back for another season. A few weeks ago, it was announced that the CW would rerun the series during the summer months, an indication that the series still potentially had a future.
But, though Privileged matches the CW’s target demographic, the network has ultimately decided to cancel it. The CW has several potentially strong new series in the hopper and would rather take a chance on them.
Following the cancellation news, series creator Rina Mimoun wrote to Michael Ausiello, “It’s truly heartbreaking. I’m so grateful to everyone out there who supported our little show and fell in love with Megan Smith. She was the most delightful character I’ve ever had the pleasure to write and watching JoAnna Garcia bring her to life every day was a gift I will never forget.”
She concluded, “I’m incredibly proud of the work we did and forever indebted to all the fans, critics and to Warner Bros. for being so wonderful and supportive. I will miss this more than you know.”
How would Megan’s story have ended? We may likely never find out.
Image courtesy CW.
I am crushed. I JUST discovered this show and watched it for the first time last week (May30/June 7). I could not remember what night it was on and searched through the terrible TV guide that comes with my paper and could not find it, so got on computer to find the date and time only to find out it was cancelled!! Don’t know why, but I had never heard of this show and thought it was brand new and loved it. (I am sure that must have been the very first show because it is where she got the… Read more »
i love privileged. this is wretched! i was seriously hoping for the next season to come out, now this just sucks.
you cant cancel it i bought a tv just to watch that show and its my favorite show ever you have to continue it what happens next?
I can’t believe they cancelled this show. I thought it was doing great. I’m so mad!
NOOOO
I’m not going to survive without my dose of Privileged…
I’m so sad! D:
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!
SAVE PRIVILEGED!!!!!!!!!!
OMG!!! I also love this show!!! Please bring it back!!!
I cannot believe that theycancelled this show. I loved it and watched EVERY episode. I loved all the characters, the story and the acting. It was all beleiveable too. Wow, I am really sad to not know what ends up happening with Megan, Rose, Sage and everyone else.
Thank you all the writers and everyone involved with the production on this show. It was one great season.
thats bull ****
OMG!!!
i want second season!!
this show totally ROCKS!!!!
Loved privileged! We need season 2!
I enjoyed this show. I thought it was done well and kept my interest. It should be given a second season. I don’t understand how stupid shows keep geting renewed and decent shows get cancelled. Who’s making the decisons?
I am bs! Loved this show! Reaper is crap, should be the one they canceled!
Nope, Reaper’s gone, too.
@Jeff: Possibly but Reaper’s still a real longshot.
Could this be good for Reaper?