(ABC/Angus Young)
Why did Speechless and Whiskey Cavalier have to end? Recently, ABC boss Karey Burke spoke with Deadline about the network’s decision to cancel the two TV shows.
A comedy, Speechless centers on the DiMeo family, headed by no-nonsense mom Maya (Minnie Driver) who will do anything for her family: husband Jimmy (John Ross Bowie), brainy Ray (Mason Cook), athletic Dylan (Kyla Kennedy), and teenager JJ (Micah Fowler), who has cerebral palsy. The series just wrapped its third and final season last month.
Meanwhile, Whiskey Cavalier follows an FBI agent and a CIA operative who must team up to root out corruption and crime and save the world. The cast includes Scott Foley, Lauren Cohan, Ana Ortiz, Tyler James Williams, Vir Das, and Josh Hopkins. The show debuted its first and only season in February.
During this week’s upfronts, ABC chief Karey Burke revealed the reason for Speechless‘ cancellation ultimately came down to ratings:
There was a lot of anguish for me and all of us at ABC. We love Speechless, it was a very tough decision. Scott Silveri is a former producing partner of mine and it was not without great gut wrenching consideration that we ultimately made that call. We looked at a lot of factors and ultimately it came down to numbers and feeling like we could shore up the night more strongly with Fresh Off The Boat.”
It seems Whiskey Cavalier suffered the same fate. Burke told reporters the series never really gained a strong audience:
It was a tough decision, it was the last decision we made. We thought we gave it very strong launch in spring. But we lost audience. We felt the biggest opportunity was to try something new. We looked for other time slots but did not see a real opportunity to grow.”
What do you think? Have you seen Speechless and/or Whiskey Cavalier? Would you have watched another season?
Whiskey Cavalier was a fast action show. The only show worth watching on Wednesday. I hope the show will be picked up by another network or maybe Netflix.
Yes i really enjoyed Whiskey Cavilear. Was looking forward to next season.
I watched both shows and am disappointed that they were canceled
I really was looking forward to this show as iI adore the two stars. I found it humerous which I enjoyed but I think it needed a little bit more action. I eventually stopped watching.
ABC means already been cancelled. There’s no sense in why they cancel shows. They’ve done it so often now that other than GMA, I quit watching.
I love this show. Please find a home for it.
Whiskey Cavalier was a fun show and I will miss it! Netflix PICK IT UP!
I liked Whiskey Cavalier for the “fun” they were having while spying and saving the world. There was no effort to be considered realistic and who would want that anyway? There’s plenty of that on TV already. There was an element of comedy to this show and hilarious sexual tension a la Pink Panther that was truly entertaining. Bah humbug to the execs for not finding a spot for it or continuing to market it appropriately.
Wiskey cavalier others shows like deception salvation take two ABC should be cancelled with the new shows that value nothing
Whiskey Cavalier! Finally a decent show on ABC and they cancel it after one season. Here’s a time slot for it, cancel Greys Anatomy! That show is boring and it SUCKS! Bring back WC! Bring back WC!
Iam with you Paul most off the shows off ABC sucks
I was looking forward to another season of Whiskey Cavalier. We loved the show and looked forward to each episode. I’m so disappointed you canceled it. I think if you had given it another season, it would have become a popular show for ABC.
Whiskey Cavalier was a fresh fast paced FUN series. They barely got a shot. I would LOVE to see this series continue. Maybe on another network? Or Netflix? The characters are delightfully layered and complicated. It is impossible not to fall in love with each one. I really hope this gets picked up. It is, in short, AWESOME
Whiskey Cavalier was fresh, original and funny. Should’ve known it wouldn’t last. Real shame.
I looked forward to Whiskey Cavalier each week. Hate it has to go.
I really think the show should get picked up by another Network. That probably was the problem