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! 
this was my favorit show 2 I will miss it I can NOT believe it has been cancelled this is the best show ever I hate this people that cancelled this show
greets from the netherlands
I am so mad!! Why would ABC cancel such a great show? My sister and I would watch it faithfully together every Monday. This year, I do not watch a single new show….they are all horrible. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BRING BACK “WHAT ABOUT BRIAN!!!”
Hi, I’m from Chile and i’m a really big fan of “What About Brian?” I think that ABC it’s not on the right track, the tv shows that we get here in Chile from ABC are about 75% reality shows and nobody watches them. And people that actually like ABC’s series are tired, including me. Every time that we have a favorite series, they canceled. So people, please star sending letters and posting on their websites and forums ’cause people around the world are getting tired of this and sooner than later ABC will be stuck on a financial crisis…again.… Read more »
I can’t believe they are cancelling this show!!!!!!!!! I love this show and I’m tired of ABC cancelling all of their shows…….If they had some stability in their time slots, days and seasons then maybe people wouldn’t be so confused as to when their show is on!!!!!!! Hence viewership loss jerkoffs!!!!! Leave this show alone!!!!!!!!!!!
What about Brian was one of the best show’s ever. It had the perfect balance of drama and comedy. It will be very missed by my husband and I.
I can’t believe this show is cancelled!!! This was the only show I watched on ABC and was looking so forward to the beginning of the new season. Not sure where ABC gets their ratings???????
What about brian was a breath of fresh air. It was like a modern version of Beverly Hills or a Melrose Place. I miss the show, please bring it back so my husband and I can watch it.
ABC Please bring back what about brian. That show really good and my husband and I loved watching it every monday…Please get rid of Samantha who?? and bring back BRIAN….I rarely get into new shows, but for some reason this stole my heart…..Please bring it back and give it a second chance….PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I want there to at least be some formal ending to the show…..You can just leave it hanging….
Arghghh!! My wife and I (from Sydney Australia)loved this show, it was one of the few TV series that we would NEVER miss. I always said to my wife it really should have been called ‘What about Marjorie’ considering we see so little of here after the end of season 1. Even so, as others have pointed out there are SOOOO many unresolved things and relationships that viewers really WANT to see. Tragedy that ABC would decide to pull it at the (shorterned) end of Season 2. BRING BACK Season 3! P-L-E-A-S-E!!!!
I am pissed that this show is off the air. This was one of my favorite shows! “Samantha Who?” is one of the dumbest shows I’ve seen. BIG mistake taking off “Brian” & putting this in its place. 🙁 Please put “What About Brian” back on the air, please!!!
Like most people who have posted comments, I am SO DISAPPOINTED that What About Brian has been cancelled. What the hell is wrong with ABC? All these idiotic reality and game shows! Will it never end?!! I wish there was a way we could send ABC these comments so they could see what a HUGE mistake they made.
Samatha Who? GIVE us back BARRY, so we can see what’s going on with BRIAN? Hello ABC, stick with the good ones and the loyal fans and maybe we will watch more. This show reminds me of 30something…which also was a big success, and fans like me remember this…when enough people complained to ABC, ABC brought back Moonlighting (Bruce Willis), so every WRITE and CALL ABC. Tell them to bring it back. C’me on Brian, we need you!!!
Please please listen to us!This is the best show since Friends!!! Bring it back
I’ve been waiting for WAB to air again …. can’t believe it was cancelled. It’s one of the few shows I made a point to watch each week. Please consider renewing the show.
I love this show…Bring it back!