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 The freshman drama has been replaced by an ABC special with a similar name — Revenge for Real.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?
Get our free email alerts on TV shows in this article:
Image courtesy ABC.
loved the show,network or corporate decision to renew would be appreciated.At lease finish and n0t leave us guessing when it is on and give us a happy ending.No wonder you cant build a following.Its nice to have a good drama on tv again.
Another great show destroyed by bad network decisions. It cannot survive the miniscule attention spans of American TV viewers.
I love this show. I’ve been absolutely infuriated by ABC for this long hiatus. I almost don’t want to watch it to spite ABC – they have a hit and they’re too stupid to know it. But, I like this show like no other and I anxiously await its return.
Not many series have so many interesting characters with alot of things going on at the same time….it is so unpredictable what will happen….I’ve not enjoyed any other show like Revenge….I keep crossing my fingers a new episode will be aired soon!
I am told that my comment is Awaiting Moderation..WTH ,
are we your viewers not Important?I know many people that watch your stations.While ,I am only one person,does that mean my opinion doesn’t matter?
I think our revenge would be to not watch Revenge until a different station buys the series who can treat it’s audience as valuable customers. We have to suffer through dozens of boring irritating commercials and then be exposed to bad back office decisions, confused by a horrible show with a similar name. ABC deserves their own revenge!
Are you kidding me? Revenge is a great show. Maybe the problem is the scheduling, on then off then on again. You can’t get a faithful audience if you are not faithful with the schedule
I’m really hooked on Revenge, but with all the delays the show has had, I’m just super annoyed at this point. Of course I’ll watch it when it returns, but why does ABC have to be so stupid?!
Please bring Revenge Back.I Love this Show and I watch ABC Programming a lot ..I am ,However tired of your schedule Changes every week.I Love Cougar Town and you changed the night and time it is on.I personally have a hard time trying to figure out your schedule Changes.Please Make it easier For us Avid watchers of your shows to Keep up with your ever changing Days
I love the show, and i think it has big audience…will be huge mistake to cancel…
Very disappointing that they put so much space between the episodes. My wife and I enjoy the plot but you have to follow it to know what’s going on. It’s not like a series where each week it’s a brand new episode. I don’t understand why they would create such a gap and allow viewers interest to fall.
I happened to check ahead my DVR and Revenge is NOT back on April 4th!!! Don’t understand why, why ABC does this to loyal viewers who watch faithfully EVERY WEEK!! COME ON ABC!!! Bring it BACK ALREADY!!!
I agree!
Please bring Revenge back. Don’t jus drop it like you did Brothers and Sister. Bring back how it was in the past. Start in the fall and have a new episode every week and end it in the fall until next season. It is so dissapointing to never know if it is a new episode or not or if your favorite show has been canceled.
Linda
Revenge is my favorite show…although I wish it was on at 9! I miss it. Bring it back. I am upset that I have looked forward to Wednesday nights and then it’s not on.
I AM VERY UPSET !!! I HAVE WATCHED 90% OF THE EPISODES. THE ONLY ONES I MISSED WERE DUE REASONS BEYOND MY CONTROL……. THIS SUCKS….EVERYONE I TALKED TO ABOUT THE SHOW REALY ENJOYED THE SERIES……BRING IT BACK…..GO EMILY…WOOHOOO
Bring back Revenge!! It’s been too long. Don’t show reruns, either–that doesn’t help anything. We’ve already seen them. It was very crazy to have a haitus!
This was the best show on TV. Why they would add so much time between episodes to allow viewers to forget the storyline is crazy. Bring Revenge back soon!
I so agree! I hardly remember the last one, it’s been so long!