Court will soon be adjourned for ABC’s new legal drama. The Whole Truth has been cancelled.
Airing on Wednesday nights, The Whole Truth stars TV veterans Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney. He plays a powerful defense attorney who was raised on the wrong side of the tracks. Tierney is on the opposite side as a Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney whose father was a sheriff. Viewers are shown how each side builds their case, using their own version of “the truth.” The rest of the cast includes Eamonn Walker, Sean Wing, Anthony Ruivivar, and Christine Adams.
For whatever reason, most viewers haven’t been willing to even give the series a try. The legal drama got off to a very poor start right out of the gate. Whole Truth debuted on September 22th to a poor 1. 5 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 4.85 million viewers. The news got even worse in week two and the rating dropped by 20%. The last two episodes seem to have evened off, registering a 1.3 rating and about 4.4 million total viewers.
The Whole Truth’s been ABC’s lowest rated show, attracting an even lower rating than My Generation; another freshman drama that was pulled after just two episodes. Likely because of the caliber of the show’s cast and because it’s being co-produced by Jerry Bruckheimer’s company, ABC has been more patient with it. That doesn’t mean however that they’re going to order any more episodes. ABC has now cancelled The Whole Truth.
Via Twitter, co-executive producer KristieAnne Reed confirmed that the cast and crew will complete the initial 13 episode order but that will be the end. At this point, it’s unclear how many of those will actually air.
Whole Truth remains on the schedule this week but will be preempted next week for the In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville interview special. On November 10th, ABC airs the Country Music Awards. Whole Truth is tentatively scheduled to return after that but those plans could certainly change.
Though Whole Truth has been cancelled, there is some positive news for fans of the show. With the news of the cancellation coming this far in advance, producers have time to give the series some closure. The cast and crew are still shooting and are scheduled to continue until mid-December.
What do you think? Should The Whole Truth have been cancelled? Why do you think it didn’t catch on?
Image courtesy ABC.
Please bring it back! It was my favorite new show of the season! It was a great idea! I don’t know what is up with ABC. They cancel some of the best shows on TV. I loved the Unusuals last year. The characters were fantastic! And now, instead of decent dramas with wonderful actors, we get to watch Skating with the Stars…whoopee…Makes you not want to watch any new show…as soon as you get invested in it, it gets cancelled.
It didn’t catch on simply because it is a legal drama. After Law & Order and all of the other legals shows, it seems that theme has been over done. Personally, I was tired of legal dramas too… but still gave “The Whole Truth” a chance. I was so glad I did! It’s a refreshing take on the legal aspect of our community. It not only gives insight into the whole process, it also has a great sexual, witty tension with characters that develop well the more that you watch the show. And that’s why it will get more popular… Read more »
I am sorry they cancelled this show. The format was unique, the characters well portrayed. Maybe a new time slot or something would help. It deserves a second chance.
I love this show and the cast…This really stinks! I wish that it wasn’t ending…. 🙁
This is an outstanding show. Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney were fabulous in this series. I don’t understand the low ratings? I’m still crossing my fingers that they’ll bring it back! With all the junk on TV, you gotta wonder why this show??
I loved the show. I truly hate to see it go. It had drama without smut and it made you think as you view. I think viewers are to comfortable with everything being shown or given to them. We have become to lazy to sort out detail as we watch show.
SORRY, crew you will be missed.
I can’t believe you cancelled this series. If it’s not reality it doesn’t stay on. What has happened to the TV world. I suppose exposing our 8 kids is way better then a good show. I’m sorry to see this go, it was great and I looked forward to it every week. Thanks for nothing
Big mistake. Great show.
This is the best show I’ve seen on ABC in years. I guess I’m not surprised they would cancel the show. It’s the last one I’ll be watching. It was such a good show. ABC needs to take a really hard look into the people responsible for their lineup.
The show was cancelled because I love it!!
Anytime I really like a new series, it is the Kiss of Death!!
I don’t understand the low ratings for this show, I think it is a great concept and the cast has an amazing chemistry with each other. I hope the rating system takes into account online viewing, because many of my college friends and I all watch this show every week online as opposed to when aired. My vote would be give this all star cast a chance and if a change has to be made maybe add a new cast member or a series changing plot twist. I believe this show could be as popular as any ABC show if… Read more »
I am sorry to see The Whole Truth cancelled. I think it was not given a chance. It takes awhile for folks to catch on to a new show. I saw an early episode and then forgot what night it was on. I think if ABC put it ONDEMAND or a different night when there is little else on, to help introduce it, like CBS did with CSI (remember it used to be on Friday!) then fans would follow it to another night. I know it is about the bottom line and not about quality.
I’m disappointed in this decision. Maura Tierney is a fine actress and I enjoyed seeing Rob Morrow(great in Northern Exposure). I especially appreciated the technique of the zinger at the end of each episode which let the viewer know if the defendant was guilty or not after the fact.
They missed the boat on this one. This was probably one of the best shows on TV this season. Why not try a different night? Remember “Cheers” was canceled after only a few airings and was given a second chance. Look where that went! Please bring back “The Whole Truth”.
I am so sorry to see The Whole Truth. Love the show. Great drama between the ada and the defense attorney. Every week I have been looking for it on the dvr. It didn’t have a chance. I was just starting to tell people how great the show is.