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.
This is BS the show makes no sense with that ending we need at least 1 more season so they can end it the right way not cut it off during the middle of a huge event.
I have been looking for reaper and googled it and found out about the lack of vision in cancelling that well written and acted show!!! Do us all a favor, all bring it back; it can survive given a far opportunity!!!
There are some crappy shows on tv but reaper wasn’t one of them. I think it’s hysterical an d I wish they wouldn’t cancel it. It deserves a second chance.
This was a great show! It is really sad that this show would be cancelled. There are a lot of fans out there who follow this show!
Every time I find “SOMETHING GREAT” on TV the corporates take it away! If this show had the right time slot it would be through the roof.What is wrong with you people? I’m 45 and my wife is 48 and we loved the show.Now Sock is on another show,I hope when you come to your senses you can get him back.The perfect “team” of characters,I just don’t get it.Hey why don’t you put on another “Flip this house show” at a time when nobody’s buying that will bring in the ratings,duh. I found this out when I seen the commercial… Read more »
Oh come on, really, the networks would not know a good show if it came and bit them in the arse. Bring it back, i am sure there is some out there that is willing to sell their sole for it 😉 anyone ?
Im going to be really, really, sad that its not returning, I had my hope for almost a year waiting to see the new season, and their zany characters, I loved this show, I hate American Idol, now what the hell am I going to watch?
Reaper definately needs to be brought back. I think if they (the network) had done more advertising there would of been more viewers. Any friend I mentioned the show to that checked it out stuck with it and loved it. I am starting to lose serious faith in the networks!! Any show I actually love gets canceled and I am starting to not have anything to watch at all on the tv. I have tried checking out other shows and either get bored or it doesn’t interest me at all but Reaper made me laugh and kept me interest I… Read more »
PS. If they get rid of Supernatural before it’s time, I will beat all people of the CW with a wet noodle till they can say my name in Chinese!
Figures all the good shows are canceled for the crappy ones like One Tree Hill or Melrose Place. The Neilson ratings are a joke! So many good shows have been lost to stupidity of men in suits who don’t even know what their own shows are about.
that is so true! melrose is awful and one tree hill is just getting pathetic.
no don’t end it there that was like the best show to me and i want to see what trouble sam andi soc and ben get into and i want nina back to she was so hot but all i’m saying is i want the show back on air please
Bring it back! I love the friendship between Sam, Sock & Ben. Sam is cute, Sock is hilarious and Ben there is just something about him. I saw somewhere that they had replaced the original Andi with another chick. They should keep the the original Andi. I think Reaper should come back and they should take off some of the vampire shows since those are everywhere.
Bring it back! I NEED much more Missy Peregrym!
I can’t believe that an entertaining show like Reaper was cancelled — networks seem to pander to the hordes of idiots. My husband and I have been so bummed.
ME NEED REAPER BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OR ME GOING TO GO CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!