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! 
Barry Watson can now be seen on the new show that aired last night with Christina Applegate. It is called Samantha Who?
After waiting for months to see the show it really saddens me that it will not air.It seems that all the shows that appeal to me never last.Thats why tv is in such a boring state with only silly game shows in place of a good series.Its only about money.
I agree it was one of the only shows ABC had going on and it’s because of their lack of continuity on night airing the show and lack of advertising for it that caused the show’s demise; not the show itself. It sure beat all the reality television being aired (don’t get me wrong, I like some reality, but with all the copy-cats, there’s way too much reality tv right now). Anyway, bring it back, set one night for it and give it a chance for pete’s sake.
Please bring this show back…awesome cast and story lines.
Can’t believe it’s not coming back for a third season. They left all the story lines open and could go many directions with them. My boyfriend and I have been looking forward for its return. It was the only good show ABC had other than Grey’s.
Please, please, please bring “What About Brian” back! I am soooo sick of all of these stupid reality shows that I could just scream!!! I loved “What About Brian” and never missed an episode. Please reconsider your decision to cancel 🙁
PLEASE BRING BACK BRIAN!!! Just when you get into a show..they take it away. Even if they seem good from the previews..you hate to get involved for this reason. It took me until season 2 before taking a chance on Grey’s Anatomy. They show you a few episodes then something interupts the series and it’s moved or something. Brian is just as exciting as FRIENDS were. It was fun even for us ‘older’ crowds. Please ABC..give it another chance. And don’t change nights OR times once committed.
I love this show. Please bring it back!!!!!!!!!!
I’m also very disappointed that “What About Brian” got cancelled. I keep looking for it to return this Fall and just discovered it didn’t get picked up for a 3rd season. ABC needs to get a clue and stop with all the reality B.S. nonsense. It’s true that it doesn’t even pay to get interested in a show anymore because just about the time you get interested and devoted to it, ABC cancels it. Does anyone remember “Once & Again”…..same thing….it aired from 1999 – 2002 and then they decided to cancel it……..ridiculous!
I love the show WHAT ABOUT BRIAN it give me something to look forward on Mondays what can we do to bring them BACk
I’m soooo disappointed that the show isn’t coming back on. The networks would rather put on crappy, so called, reality shows then give these shows a chance. I am a die hard fan of “7th Heaven”, so to see Barry Watson branching out in this mix is a treat. Someone needs to rethink this decision. Please Reconsider,and Bring the Show Back !!!!!
Could not believe they took “Brian” off the air. Have been looking for it all fall. Was my favourite show. It was not promoted properly, the show and cast were the best, ABC did not do their job, shame on them, they had it made and lost it.
Ang. Oct 16th 2007
This was the ONLY show that my husband and I LOVED to watch together!! Now we’re forced to watch the show with the girl with amnesia…DUMB! (but “Brians” on there!) Get with it ABC…leave things that aren’t broke alone.
What about Brian? What about us? I would have like 7 people at my house every monday night to watch the show, but all on one tv doesn’t count for ratings huh? It’s awful that people can keep an animated show like the Simpson’s on for like a decade but we can’t keep a show on that someone can really relate to one way or another. I mean, come on!! If you guys won’t play it then sell it over to FOX or E!, someone that cares what the viewers really want to see. BRING IT BACK!
I’m so bummed this show was cancelled. It was starting to get really good. I saw Barry/”Brian” on Samantha Who? and realized that WAB must have gone down the tubes. What a shame to have introduced the most poorly writen show in history “Carpoolers” and cancel a good show like “What about Brian.”