Despite valiantly fighting off the “evil” ratings juggernaut known as American Idol, it looks like Sam and friends have lost the battle. Reaper has been cancelled by the CW network.
Revolving around a young slacker whose parents have sold his soul to the devil, Reaper showcases the talents of actors like Bret Harrison, Tyler Labine, Rick Gonzalez, Missy Peregrym, Ray Wise, Andrew Airlie, Valerie Rae Miller, Donavon Stinson, Christine Willes, Allison Hossack, Ken Marino, and Jessica Stroup.
Once expected to be a breakout hit of the 2007-08 season, the series averaged just 2.7 million viewers and a 1.2/3 rating/share of the 18-49 demographic. It was renewed for a second year but the network delayed it until mid-season and then scheduled it opposite American Idol.
Initially, the show did pretty well but then the numbers began to erode. As a result, the CW network has terminated the series after two short seasons.
There is a slim chance that Reaper could continue in first-run syndication. ABC Studios, who produces the series, is currently gauging interest. If they are able to keep the show going, it may have to be without Labine’s Sock since the actor’s signed onto a new FOX sitcom, Sons of Tucson. It’s unclear if Labine’s Reaper contract would still mandate his returning to the show if it moved to syndication.
As it stands now, next week’s episode, titled “The Devil and Sam Oliver,” will be the show’s last. In a recent interview with Steve Eramo, Labine said that the possibility that this would be the last installment was very much on everyone’s mind.
He said, “There’s always a certain amount of emotion that comes with what could be the end of something that you’ve put so much work into and where you enjoy the people you work with as much as we do… So it got a little emotional around the set during the final days of filming this story.”
Of the episode, the actor said, “I don’t want to give away any details of the finale, but I can say that it won’t leave you frustrated if we don’t come back. It should leave you feeling like you could go off and imagine what the rest of Sam’s life would be like. I thought that was really clever because when they wrote this episode, the writers weren’t sure if they were writing the end of the show or the end of the season. So I thought it was a good move on their part.”
Should Sam, Sock, Ben, and friends return for more adventures or will you be happy to let it go?
Image courtesy CW.
Reaper is a great show!! Again corporate money monkeys win over creativity. Programmes that show independent thinking and also happen to be very funny lose out to sickly formatted shows were its the same déjà vu scenario get a grip bring back Reaper !!
This is typical of the stupid stupid way things are done, reaper was gripping and funny!! im from the uk but to see that it was canceled because of american idol is a joke! what a useleess show its shite the same thing over again awith boring sob storys bring back reaper!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe Reaper has been cancelled! It was one of the best shows in the UK .
The problem is not the show itself but seems to be down to very poor TV scheduling in the USA (And the millions of brainless morons who only watch ‘Reality TV’!). EVERYONE I KNOW watches, and loves, Reaper and it’s a bloody shame that we won’t ever be able to see how Sam and his mates get on…….
BRING REAPER BACK!!!!!!!!!!! (or at least write it and post it somewhere so I can read what happens next…….)
noooooooooooo reaper is my fave show!!!!! i have seen the end of it and it does leave you frustrated there was so much more to come! cant belive it they should do 1 more series for us!!!! or just carry on lol
Bring it back! We love it here in the UK, and weren’t satisfied at all with the final episode, which left us wanting more.
i loved reaper it was funny greating acting hope it comes back
What an awesome combination of my two favourite genre,s, comedy and the supernatural.
I hope Reaper stays!!
Well brassed off that this show has been cancelled. One of the best shows to come out of America. Why do people still want to watch the relentless barrage of fly on the wall / talent shows. Just regurgatated crap. I feel that Reaper had a lot of legs left, at least a couple of more series. The actors were brilliant, Ray Wise must be the best Devil ever. Unfortunately this show seems to be going the same way as Eli Stone, another show with a different and quirky slant…………
I’m also from England and I too was devastated when I heard over the credits that, that was the last episode EVER because it was cancelled. Not cool CW not cool at all. Bring back Reaper and bump any other dull and useless reality show, because they are all the same, the only thing that changes in these shows is the topic, and yet some how the content stays the same. So please bring back Reaper because the show is still in its first stages and needs more time to grow into the even greater show that everyone who watches… Read more »
SHOCK! Horror! Ray Wise has been inhabited by the devil to do this part. He is authentic and truely brillant. The man could do his own show as this character. I am truely disapointed to see this show axed because of this. Maybe someone could comeup with a 1 man show for ray asd this character on broadway. The other actor i highly rate in this show an lament his absence from our screenis Labine.
i am from the uk and last night the final show was aired on E4, who in their right mind oredered the show to be cancelled. i loved the show, it was great , CW had a show that was slow in growing, but it was going to work it was going to get better, they had a show that was or could of been know as classic tv. i would of gave it at least 4 more season then you could of ended the show. the cast in the show were great and truely professionals. The actor who played… Read more »
I am appalled that this show has been canceled. I saw the end of season 2 last night because I live in the UK which was a great episode to end it on. As I looked forward to season 3 the word “cancelled” ringed in my ear during the credits. I barely even watch TV these days as Im either spending my time surfing the net or going out with my mates. This was really the only show I tuned into watch, with it’s cancellation I hope CW are plagued with bad ratings and terrible audience figures for aslong as… Read more »
This is so annoying reaper is by far the best show i’ve seen in a long time. to cancel it is going to make me extremely bored, sinse its really the only thing I watch weekly. I tired to get into the loop but im afraid its just not as good. I really hope that abc takes on reaper because i do not want it to end the way it did, if anyone knows of any pititions or anything please let me know.
This was such a good show, i dont want it to end, i just watched the finale and it still leaves possibilities of a new season, i got hooked on this show from the get go and i am sad that it is possible it will not continue. It was what got me excited during thursdays as i live in England, sad to see it go and i want it to continue.
just when you finally have a great, humorous show, they go and cancel it. Reaper was one of my Tuesday night staples. Thanks a lot t.v. people.