On Monday night, ABC aired what was promoted as the season finale of the dramatic series What About Brian. But as fans of the show know, the March 26th episode only marked the 19th episode of the season. If the series was given an order for 22 episodes and there are lots of storylines unresolved, where are the rest?
What About Brian debuted on ABC on April 16, 2006 with the first of five initial episodes. The series follows the story of Brian Davis (7th Heaven alumni Barry Watson) as a “third wheel” in a group of close-knit friends and couples. The series also stars Sarah Lancaster, Rosanna Arquette, Matthew Davis, Rick Gomez, Amanda Detmer, Jason George, Amanda Foreman, Tiffani Thiessen, and Jessica Szohr.
Following the initial season’s ratings, it seemed fairly certain that the series would not return for another. ABC surprised many by renewing the series with an initial order of 13 episodes for a second season for Fall 2007. When the show returned on October 9th, ABC seemed encouraged by its early second season performance. On November 10th, ABC increased the 13 episode order to a full 22.
So, with the March 26th episode only marking the 19th episode, some are wondering if this means that there are three episodes that haven’t been aired? In short, no. Shortly after ABC gave the additional episode order in November, the ratings dropped by about 20%. A network rep has confirmed to us that the episode order was trimmed back, though this was not officially announced. Losing three episodes likely made it difficult for the producers to end the season as they would have liked.
ABC has already announced that 11 of its series have been renewed for next year. What About Brian wasn’t one of them. With the drop in viewership and its shortened season, it’s unlikely that ABC has enough faith in the show to give it another chance.
We’ll probably know Brian’s fate by mid-May when the network announces its full Fall schedule. Until then, Brian viewers can take sollace in knowing that they’ve seen all of the episodes that were produced. Fans of other ABC shows like Big Day haven’t been as lucky. Stay tuned! 
I also LOVED the show, and am upset that I deleted them from my dvr. Please bring back What about Brian. It was witty, clever, and sexy, a show I actually watched with my husband. We need more shows like this one. I laughed and cried during every episode. Please bring it back. I was a My So-called Life and Freaks and Geeks watcher, too and look what happened to those shows. Who cares about ratings bullcrap, if it is a good show with all the trimmings, let it ride to see how it catches on. Seinfeld wasn’t a big… Read more »
Dear ABC, BRING BACK WHAT ABOUT BRIAN!!!! PLEASE!!!! That’s all. B-bye.
What About Brian was a very well casted and clever, fresh show. I looked forward to watching it every Monday. Please bring back this show for another season.
i also loved this show and looked forward to seeing it every week was really bummed they did not renew it…Think-again????
I was hoping the show was coming back in fall. I just found out through this board that its cancelled! And why has ABC premiered so many idiotic shows this season instead?!
I was thinking What About Brian should be showing up around now, and just found out it has been cancelled. I’m not one to write comments on TV shows, but I am truly disappointed that this one won’t be coming back. I always looked forward to it, and it was one of my favorites. I think the powers that be are making a big mistake! Any chance they will reconsider?
I Loved “What about Brian”… I was really looking forward to seeing a new season of it. I’m upset that it was cancelled. That’s not fair! I’m gonna protest :P…
This was the one show that me and my wife both liked and agreed on watching together. What About Brian was great and really did show many of the issues that occur in life. It will be missed.
I’m sad What About Brian was cancelled.I was looking forward to the new season.
I absolutely loved “What about Brian” it was real situations and a great looking cast. I am so upset that I will never know what happens to them. I greatly enjoyed it and the show will be missed!
I am so upset this show was cancelled. I cannot believe ABC keeps letting good shows go. You should let people get into a show before you decided to cancel them. You should start this one back up
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I agree What about Brian is the best show, I looked forward to monday nights…why counldn’t they cancel ungly betty…who watches that show….LORD
I have read many of the comments and I feel the same way….why do we even begin to look at a new show because as soon as we do and we like it THE SHOW IS CANCELLED……I FOR ONE LIKED WHAT ABOUT BRIAN….I DON’T KNOW WHOSE BIG IDEA IT WAS TO CANCEL THE SHOW BUT I BET YOU IF IT RETURNED IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS AIRING BECAUSE FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR SO FAR….THE NEW SHOWS STINK…BRING BACK BRIAN…..
V-E-R-Y disappointed What AboutBrian got cancelled. It was a regular view for us, we greatly enjoyed it, and we were looking forward to watching it again.
JimConant Omaha, Ne
Of course another good show is cancelled. Everwood was another one that was good and then cancelled. Bringing 7th Heaven back made me sick, that show got so pathetically bad… What about Brian was so awsome. The people that make the decisions suck ass! I think the fact that they keep changing show times and do not advertise the new time slots has viewers confused and then they don’t tune in. REALITY SHOWS SUCK!!!