This evening, fans of ABC’s Revenge may be in for a surprise. The freshman drama has been replaced by an ABC special with a similar name — Revenge for Real. That’s no doubt the network’s attempt to attract regular viewers to watch a news special. So, has the real Revenge been cancelled? When will it be back?
For those who aren’t familiar with the TV series, Revenge revolves around Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp), a young woman who comes to the Hamptons with a secret agenda; to exact vengeance on the wealthy people who ruined her family’s life and reputation. The drama also features the talents of Ashley Madekwe, Christa B. Allen, Connor Paolo, Gabriel Mann, Henry Czerny, Joshua Bowman, Madeleine Stowe, and Nick Wechsler.
Revenge debuted to a healthy 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 10.0 million total viewers. Week two saw the all-important demo fall 18% and week three dropped another 11%. Over the next several weeks, the ratings rose and fell, dropping as low as a 2.1 demo rating.
The way things were going, it looked like Revenge might be heading for the cancellation pile — like so many failed ABC dramas that had come before it — but the numbers evened off and the show’s been averaging a healthy 2.5 in the demo in 2012. While the show isn’t a big ratings hit, it certainly isn’t a flop either. Revenge’s demo average is actually stronger than that of aging shows like Castle and Private Practice.
Unfortunately, ABC has now put the series on hiatus for four weeks — a bit of a scheduling gamble that could seriously hurt viewership.
ABC News’ Revenge for Real will take over for two weeks and then repeats of a new Thursday night drama, Missing, will fill the slot for two weeks after that. Revenge isn’t slated to return until April 4th. It’s unclear if that night will feature a repeat or one of the six remaining originals.
The way things stand right now, it looks like a sure bet that Revenge will be renewed for a second season. Hopefully, enough viewers will return to watch the show after the hiatus so the ratings don’t drop and put the series’ future in jeopardy.
UPDATE: Revenge will now return on April 11th with a recap show. An original regular episode will air on April 18th and the finale will run on May 23rd.
What do you think? Will this hiatus cause the ratings to drop or do you think Revenge is assured of a season two renewal?
Image courtesy ABC.
We love Revenge, as do so many of our friends! We are shocked that it will be on hiatus for so long. Everyone that I know that has watched it, got hooked. We are so disappointed with such a short run, not to mention the fact that there were reruns within that short run. What an odd way to debut a new show.
Cancel this POS. Such a horrible show!!
My husband & I LOVE this show!!! He is not easily amused by an evening Soap, but, this is very different. Writing is good!! Certainly ABC will not consider cancelling such a good show while keeping junk on at other days. All the “doctor” shows get very boring to those of us who worked our careers in medicine! DO NOT CANCEL. However, I agree with the other writer. Networks have this habit of getting a great show on, then putting other “junk” on for several weeks. I am so disappointed to see this News Show on this week and then… Read more »
This is a great show. this show has been pre- empted so many times that how can you expect people to keep interested. We do not need another real life murder news show. Revenge is a great show and I look forward to it every week only to be disappointed. I also love Castle, Private Practice, and usually ABC is my favorite channel but if you keep this up it might not be for very long
what a bunch of crap, the minute something good comes on they mess with it!!!!!!!!!! I f they cancel this I refuse to watch channel 5 at all
You can’t expect to have a show like Revenge constantly start and stop. An audience loses interest because of lost momentum driven by cliffhangers. But I’ll continue with the show only for one reason — Madelaine Stowe. She’s so stunningly talented.
I love the soap opera Revenge…….please don’t take it off the air….I just wait all week for this show and hate when it is over…..there are too many shows like revenge for real!!!
I love this show!!! I don’t think ABC should cancel the show!!! or at least give the show a Ending instead of just leaving it… It better come bak on!!!
We husband and wife Love to watch it. Cant wait to see the next season. Hope it becomes a hit. and we also hope Amanda aka Emily wins the battle. Please do not cancel it.
This is my mom and my favorite show! It’s how we bonded):
I really like Revenge and hope you will continue with the show…also many of my friends are fans of the show…..PLEASE KEEP IT ON….
I love this show! Don’t take it from me!!!
Please do not cancel this show. My husband and I look forward to watching Revenge every Wednesday. We would love it if you wouldn’t show repeats for two weeks before continuing the series though. Perhaps this is why the yo yo with the ratings. We are sure you will renew for a second season.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
I watch Revenge every time it is aired and it keeps me coming back. I think it is creative and offers something different. It keeps my interest and keeps me guessing. I love this show and look forward to watching it on Wednesday nights. Please don’t cancel this show! I didn’t care to see ANOTHER true life Revenge for Real.. there are enough of those type of programs already. I want to be entertained and that was a BIG disappointment and I felt cheated, after watching it for a few minutes I turned it off.
Thank you for listening.
We love Revenge. We can’t believe it’s on a hiatus for 4 weeks. It’s wonderful.
We sat down to watch it tonight and it’s a real revenge story. We want the soap opera
one. It’s fantastic
i get so tired of shows like this that continue every week that the stations put 2-4 weeks between new episodes! ugh!!! heck i forget what happened last episode by the time it comes back on! why do they do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it makes me not want to get caught up in another show like this. but ya know….. I DID and this pisses me OFFFFF!!!! all i can say is they better put all the episodes on.