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 The freshman drama has been replaced by an ABC special with a similar name — Revenge for Real.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.
Revenge is one of the best shows to come along in a long time, I think. It’s glamorous, sexy, interesting, and intriguing. I think it’s odd that ABC has treated it so badly.
Please hurry and bring it back!
I love this show! Can’t wait for it to come back on!!
I was seaching last night for Revenge only to find out that it had been replaced with Revenge for Real. ABC needs to replace Happy Endings that show is really boring and stupid. I have gotten to the point that I change the channel til it’s over, then go back to ABC for Revenge. ABC should replace Happy Endings with Revenge for Real but I have to tell you that Revenge for Real isn’t as exciting as Revenge. Please bring Revenge back soon it truly is a great show.
Thank You.
GREAT SHOW THE THING THAT HURT IT WAS NOT PLAYING EVERYWEEK.
Great show. Good plots etc. My wife and I both enjoy the show.
Don’t like when a show is repeated and the viewer is not advised.
Love the show…Emily and Snow great…hope it continues
Snatching defeat from the jaws of Victory. Revenge is the only show we turn to on ABC Wed. night at 10:00PM. The rest of the time we watch the hit shows on CBS. Good move ABC, you must have hired the people that drove General Motors into a Fed bailout. Maybe ABC is hoping for Federal Bailout Money. Instead of automatically tuning in to ABC for Revenge, we will check the TV guide to see if it is on, or has been pre-empted by some show that no-one will watch when they find out Revenge is once again booted from… Read more »
This move by ABC is MOST frustrating!! They have doing this type of thing way too much lately (with other shows also)!!! The big question is WHY they cannot let the series finish BEFORE bringing other shows between episodes?! Apparantly they are not concerned about losing viewers who will change to another network & get involved in their weekly shows. Hopefully the sponsors of these shows will speak up!!!
I really enjoy this show. The plot is well developed and full of intrigue. I certainly hope this show continues. Thank-you.
That is one sure way to kill a show. Taking it off for a month or more is not a good idea, why not show reruns, people might start watching it to see what it is about. It hurts when you show 2 episodes and then don’t show it for 2 weeks.
I have a marketing idea for new cable television network. Create a channel called “DMC” Did Not Make The Cut. Think of all the decent shows cut too soon. Well they could pick up shows that have been cancelled. Some may think this is lame. But, think how many viewers would enjoy seeing a show at least to some real conclusion. They would have a large supply of shows to choose from the networks. Also viewership would have mass appeal. The channel would have such a variety to it that the channel could not help but have good ratings.
I love Revenge. Best TV show in a very long time. My 11 year daughter is so hooked on this show. She talks about it so much, trying to figure out each character’s personality. What we hate the most is that they take Revenge off for a couple of weeks and then show 2 shows and take it off again – now for 4 weeks. We will be back on the 4th to watch again, but this is so irritatating. Get with it ABC – you have a hit on your plate and you don’t even realize it!
A big mistake to take a break from the regular show time. People tend to move on to something else when their program is interrupted.
Love the show……..love Emily Thorne
Great show, Horrible network. Disney/ABC sure do know how to kill a show! It was good while it lasted. I probably won’t be tuning in again. It might be a good idea to let the sponsors who pay the advertising fees know to ask for a discount when advertising on ABC, because chances are, the audience won’t know to tune into the show.