It looks like the axe has fallen for the Paul Haggis/Bobby Moresco drama The Black Donnellys. But does it have to be replaced by a reality show?
The Black Donnellys follows the story of four young Donnelly brothers — a clan of Catholic Irish-American siblings who are involved in organized crime in New York’s infamous Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The story is told by unreliable narrator and Donnelly childhood friend named Joey “Ice Cream” while being incarcerated. The series stars Jonathan Tucker, Thomas Guiry, Olivia Wilde, Billy Lush, Michael Stahl-David, Kirk Acevedo and Keith Nobbs.
The series debuted on NBC on February 26, 2007 and took the place of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on Monday nights. The series’ initial half hour did well (10 million) but viewership fell off significantly in the second half hour (6 million). The series’ initial hour ranked #50 for the week. The subsequent episodes lost viewers and attracted as few as 5.5 million.
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While many hoped that a Donnelly dismissal would mean the return of Studio 60, NBC has other plans. The Real Wedding Crashers will debut at 10pm on Monday nights beginning April 23rd, just in time for May sweeps. It seemed like the Crashers reality show would air on Sunday nights but, NBC execs like the series enough to give it the benefit of a post-Heroes debut.
Unless NBC pulls the series even earlier, only eight episodes of Donnellys will have aired on network TV. The series’ third episode, entitled “God is a Comedian Playing to an Audience Afraid to Laugh,” was considered too violent for network TV and was released as an NBC.com exclusive.
The network has ordered 13 episodes and its unknown at this point what will become of the remaining four segments. They may air over the summer or could be released as online exclusives.
Whether we get to see the rest or not, it looks unlikely the series will be back for a new season in the Fall. NBC will announce their Fall schedule next month. Stay tuned! 
UPDATE: NBC has now pulled Donnellys’ last scheduled episode due to low ratings. The unaired episodes will be made available on NBC.com, presumably on a weekly basis.
what a great show this is…brilliant story telling, great acting, great premise. I cannot believe NBC pulled this show….u should be shot !!
is there goin to be a finale season?
Bring back the Donnelly’s – it was one of the best series that has been on.
Oh stupid NBC executives.
Im from all the way PORTUGAL, an European country and I freaking loved this series!
Season was awesome.
For me, its like better than Prison Break and Heroes.
Hope NBC falls back on the decision.
Donnellys rule
Tisk, Tisk, tisk…
You know…
i knew you guys were idiots but not like this…I’m sorry if im being vague here but,
you guys really shouldn’t have shot don’t the black Donnelly’s series.
Not a good move you guys, i’m telling you right now, and i’m not trying to be loathsome but you’ll regret this move, not very professional in my books.
or anyone else’s.
whoever decided that the black donnellys wasnt good enough for a second series and beyond is an idiot and obviously knows nothing about great television. the acting throughout was excellent. coupled with top quality writing and direction this had the makings of a hell of a series. the first and last episodes leave the audience gagging for more. this was by far the best series on t.v. people in suits pull your heads out and low it.
Cant believe this show is cancelled. It was really taking off in Ireland and we all cant believe its been cancelled!!! Bring it back!!!!!!!!
This serie is so amazing, is a really good show, i love it and i want to come back a new season, PLEASE
I can not believe that this show is not coming back, it was exceptional! We had lots of friends come over and we’d all watch the show together. This is very disappointing NBC. Hopefully some other channel will see the potential in this cast.
I was dissapointed when The Black Donnellys was taken of the air. I saw a little of The Spranos, hints of The God Father, and goodfellas. It even had some of the qualities I enjoyed watching the shield. I was addicted to the show and had the wind knocked out of me when it was cancelled. I bought the series on dvd and added it to my collection. I think FX would make a good home for this series
i really think that there should be a season two of the Black donnellys. i loved the first season!!! so there should be a second season!!!
I just watched the season finale and I thought it was one of the best endings. NBC needs to bring back this show. I am so sick of realty tv and it was nice to have an entertaining show on.
some of the best quality i have ever seen on nbc…why oh why did you cancel this show? it was sooo good. Bring it back after Wedding Crashers bombs.
NBC sucks, I kept holding off waiting for them to bring it back, thinking “Hmm, what the hell?” and so FINALLY I looked online and they screwed us over. Scrubs will be gone soon, and the “C”s will have nothing worth watching left.
How about SOMEONE (hbo?!?) making The Black Donnelly’s into a show again – please – i’ll pay for it – i already netflixed it and watched it again – one of the better and most original series made.