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 The freshman drama has been replaced by an ABC special with a similar name — Revenge for Real.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.
My whole family loves the show, Keep it Going! We all call each other whenever it’s coming on to remind each other not to miss the episode.
This is a well written series and the wife and I looked forward to it every week. I can not believe that ABC would fool around with it when there are so many other programs that should have gone a long time ago. I will look forward to April 4, 2012 and see if I should ever again get interested in a good series on ABC.
This was the first show that my husband and I looked forward to watching every week.
Was very shocked when ‘Revenge’ DISAPPEARED! What is ABC thinking of?
I hope ‘Revenge’ the series, will be back, but I’m tired of trying to find out about the show.
ABC has lost us.
Revenge was one of those programs that kept you coming back for more…the worst thing a channel can do is have a new show followed by a repeat, week after week…no wonder the ratings fell…with reason. I’m coming to think that the people at ABC should have their collective heads examined…what are they stupid or what?
I will not be watching anything in the Wed. 9:00 slot if it isn’t Revenge!!!!!
I won’t watch their interim show either. Lots of other stations have decent shows in that time slot. Why on earth would ABC want to sabotage one of their good shows? Not too bright!
I love revenge I make sure I am home to watch but I have been disappointed to know that it will not be back until April I love all the plots the way they twist the story I want to know what is going to happen to Daniel and Emily what is Emily going to do to the Grayson’s will jack ever find out that Emily really is Amanda you just have to put it back on air like next week please
This is the first time I have ever watched a show on ABC (and the only reason I have to turn on this channel). This gap is extremely disappointing! No more ABC for me…..until Revenge is back on that is.
ABC is nuts! This unexpected and prolonged hiatus will only hurt the show. One which all it’s viewers were anxious to get back to after the holiday hiatus. Now this and NO explanation. An email to the ABC Contact Us link got back the usual form email telling me they don’t respond to emails. Nowhere on their site could I find anything saying when the show would be back. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was last Wednesday night when the “Revenge” that came on was not what I was expecting, but some trashy rip-off designed to suck in… Read more »
This is clearly a bad move. It can only decrease viewership. The last episode that aired came after at least two weeks without a new episode. And this new 4-week hiatus can only do more damage. Curiously, the earlier break in the regular weekly schedule came when Revenge got a TV Guide Cover and featured article. So whatever bump that publicity earned the show has been wasted. Either there is a serious problem in producing new episodes, some really stupid executives at the network, or both.
Oh, wait! This is ABC we’re talking about. Stupid management is a given.
It needs to be on at 9. I watch it online the next day cause i have to get up super early and can’t stay awake after 10. Prob be more viewers if it were on at 9. I know others who wish it were on earlier.
I’m inlove with revenge, I hope to see a new episode very soon can hardly wait
Revenge needs to be renewed for another season
It is a necessity for an I know for many other viewes please don’t
Take revenge away.
Revenge is the best show ever, I can’t remember seeing a series this good
Other series are good for a couple episodes but revenge keeps you interested
Love, love, love me some Revenge
I think the producers of ABC have “rocks for brains”!!!.. Revenge is one of the few decent shows that has been offered for viewship this season. If you want to REALLY give a show a chance, you don’t build momentum for your viewers and then in mid-stream decide to put it on a hiatus for 4 wks……..MIND BOGGLING!!! One can only hope when April 4th comes around, ABC will see that Revenge does indeed have a following of interested viewers and LEAVE THE SHOW THE HELL ALONE!!
Revenge is a good show. Why this reality TV nonsense?
If I want to watch reality, I can always turn on the news.
I will wait “impatiently” for the return of Revenge. I can’t wait to see what surprises they have in store for us! Daniel getting arrested for Travis’ murder and where is Amanda? Was she also a casualty in all of this? Wow….I’m truly stoked for this show!
I enjoy this series. Why are they cancelling for 4 weeks. This is really pissing me off. This is just playing games. It could hurt if you keep doing this to shows.
I like Revenge. It has enough twists and turns to keep my interest. Overall I think the writers are good and so are the actors in this series. I like it when I cannot predict what is going to happen.