(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?
I loved Whiskey Cavalier and I’m really sad to see it go. I would’ve totally watched more seasons :'(
Whiskey Cavalier had potential but the male lead character (not the actor) had no chemistry. I envisioned a character that was going to be strong, confident and aggressive without being another cocky smart-ass that you don’t care about. Instead we got a too soft straight shooter with a sexy kick-butt no prisoners woman. Didn’t work for me.
I watch both and love them. Speechless is well written and gets to the heart of issues people are afraid to talk about. Especially since it is one of just a few showing not every family is cookie cutter perfect. Whiskey Cavalier is funny and has not gotten enough time to gain legs
I just love Whisky Cavalier (I’m 62)! I think that the mix of characters is terrific and I don’t have to deal with the “will they/won’t they subplot. Who would think that an extremely violent show could also be funny? It may take time to build an audience as Gilbert Cantrell mentioned, but I think the network is looking for shows that have an instant audience that will buy the sponsor’s product. Just wondering: who *really” has the final say-so on show cancellation/renewal – the network or the sponsor (the silent partner). Who really markets programming to the 18-49 group?
Whiskey Cavalier was the best new show we were watching!! Yes, it was on DVR but it was only second on the DVR to Tom Hardy and Taboo. I’m saddened and hope Netflix or Hulu pick it up when/where advertising dollars aren’t the only important thing.
The Kids are Alright and Speechless were two of my favorite shows. Shame on ABC for canceling them and for not doing a better job of promoting them. Hopefully a better network will save them!
I watch both shows and hate to see them go. With whiskey cavalier I believe it should have been given more time. Usually it takes time to build an audience. All you have to do is remember Cheers was low rated at first. Think about what if that plug had been pulled quickly!
I absolutely loved both of them, especially Speechless. As a grandmother with an autistic grandson, I can attest it portrayed the family dynamic in a household with a special needs child truthfully. I am so sad to see it go.
cmon you cancelled two of the greatest shows, WC and Speechless. Shame on you!!
I love speechless. Fresh off the boat, not so much. I also liked Whiskey Cavalier
They shouldn’t have canceled ‘Speechless’! Speechless is funny, interesting, and has substance to it. I never watched WC, and never had any inkling to. I watched ‘Speechless’ devoutly. Big mistake ABC!
WC suffers from too loud music and background noise. That is why CBS dramas stay on the air.
Bad, bad decision. WC is a great show and deserved your support. Intelligent, sophisticated, and humorous. Hoping it finds a new home very soon. I watch very little on ABC, and I made an exception for this one. Boo.
I totally agree, it quickly became my fave show on TV. Hilarious writing and witty personalities, it was like a spy comic book! If ABC’s chicken, the producers should try another network!
Yes! I liked them both.
Yes! I liked them both . Speechless is so funny..
Whiskey Cavalier has potential.