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 The freshman drama has been replaced by an ABC special with a similar name — Revenge for Real.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 are hooked! We look forward to watching each week….and then are disappointed that the show will be delayed until a future week. And now, a final disappointment… that Revenge was replaced this week by a completely new show “Revenge for Real.” We simply are hooked on all the characters in Revenge…..PLEASE BRING BACK THE ORIGINAL “REVENGE”!!! We do not watch most sit-coms and are mainly movie buffs; however, we started watching Revenge last fall and hope it comes back!!!
Does the network really believe that viewers are so oblivious to their ploys that they get away with this switch and bait tactic?? I am a loyal viewer of Revenge but refuse to sit through these filler shows anymore than I am oblivious to the jacking up of the volume during commercials to get my attention. Give it up networks and advertisers we’re so on to you.
I certainly hope ‘REVENGE’ returns.
I love that show and need more of it.
This show is great!! I have enjoyed every episode (when new episodes were actually on TV). The network has contributed to the show’s falling ratings by playing repeats during the regular season. Who does that…and why?!?!
Please bring Revenge back its a great show!!!!
Iwas all set…looking forward to Revenge… and there it wasn’t. What a disappointment!
Love the show…bring it back!
please bring the show back. please also announce when the shows will be on or off as that affects the viewing of revenge.
Bring it back. The show is entertaining and original. It keeps me guessing and the plot lines are great.
I don’t watch Revenge and I don’t plan on watch it, as soaps generally aren’t really my thing and the premise of Revenge didn’t intrigue me. Even I can see that you don’t take a hit new show, which generates a ton of word-of-mouth buzz, and put it on hiatus for four weeks at the height of its popularity, though. Especially not for some dumb news program and repeats of some other new show you’re trying to promote. (Missing looks pretty bad, by the way, and is likely to flop no matter how many times you put it on the… Read more »
Love the show. But really, I kinda hope it only lasts 2 seasons. It started off strong, clipping people down quick, but now running out of people to take revenge on.
A solid second season with a clear finite ending is the way to go with this kind of show. Otherwise it starts spinning into a realm where it just doesnt work anymore.
Love Revenge! Taking the show off the air whenever they want like this is moronic and kind of disrespectful of the network. They spend so much time and effort trying to get these shows “right” and then they spend a fortune (probably enough to get some small countries out of debt) on publicity to get people to watch the show. Finally we’re here! Watching! (we the fans who love the Grayson’s & and all the other lovelies of Revenge) and what do we get in return for admiring and supporting the show? “Not on this week!” “Come back in two… Read more »
The morons at abc need to get a reality check. Revenge is brilliantly acted and written. You don’t need a feeble replacement for four weeks that no one will watch. Dave
I DITTO that.
I love the show and am very disappointed that I will need to wait four weeks to view it. I will not be watching the programs aired in its place. Revenge is the first show ABC has produced that has gottene to watch over the CBS line up. I hope they being Revenge back soon! PLEASE
Bring it back! Love it!
Bring back revenge .What a great writter. I love the show so many twists even have my husband getting to watch it now.