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 am shocked that What About Brian, was cxl it is one of my favorite shows ever. You have to bring it back. PLEASE!!!!
I can’t believe ABC has canceled this show. It was one of my favorites and I have been so looking forward to the fall for it to come back on. Get rid of the reality garbage (the Bachelor….Puhlease!!)and bring back Brian!!! Give it a chance. Try promoting it more. It’s a great show with a great cast. It had a lot of potential.
I should no longer be surprised at the hip-pocket response of broadcasters to ratings. However, it appears that once again Ratings Central was somewhere in the Everglades and most of those surveyed watch only football, wrestling and “reality” garbage which evokes no thought process. The ABC in the USA have disappointed us before and they will again, but the dumping of “What About Brian” rates pretty high on the “STUPID” totem pole. Thanks a lot guys – from all Australian fans.
the show just started to air in new zealand..and now i find out it’s axed?!?!!? does anyone know where i can watch the missing 3 episodes??? at least give us all a good, tied up ending!!!!
I think we should do something collectively. We should all email ABC and bombard their account with all this information and ask for it to return. I could not believe the amount of traffic on this blog. Everyone needs to email them and demand the return.
What??? No more What About Brian! Where have I been all summer. I didn’t know that. They could at least put the rest of the episodes online. I’m going to cry!
I also am so disappointed that What About Brian is not coming back. It was my favorite show. I agree with Hayley above in that it could have been the next Melrose/90210. I was a big fan of those shows and thought What About Brian was the first show since them that I have really been hooked on. I am so upset that it is not returning. I don’t know who they use to measure ratings but everyone that I know loves “What About Brian”. I can’t imagine that we need another cop/drama, etc. or reality show. Too bad they… Read more »
I just found out you cancelled “What about Brian”. I LOVE that show!!! PLEASE bring it back! It was one of the best shows on TV!
Hi, this was my favorite show and I am really sad to see it go. I am 27 and I really think shows like this should stay on. Good story lines and a catchy intro song. I really miss this show! I even kep the finale on my DVR so I could watch it before the next season, only now that is all I have left with What About Brian. What about listening to viewers?
Hi I must say I am very saddened that “What About Brian” won’t be returning for a third season. This was one of my most loved shows on ABC. I would stay up waiting with anticipation to what & made sure I was doing nothing else but lounging & glued to the tv set. THis show will be missed I hope you all know what you’re doing. I say give it another try because all the fans were amped for the continuation from last season.
I have been waiting patiently for “What about Brian” to come on again and am very saddened by the news I have received tonight. It seems like every time I really get into a show, it gets cancelled. The last time I really got into a show like this, guess what, it was cancelled too! If you have to wonder why sports gets good reviews, just take into consideration all the good shows that are cancelled! This stinks!!!
I cant believe that “what about Brian” is canceled…that show was great…and to beat it all they left us all hanging!
What a joke. Just another example of a great TV drama down the drain!
I was so hooked on What About Brian, and I feel like I’ve lost an eye or a limb after hearing the show was cancelled!! (ok, well not quite that drastic but you get the drift!lol)
Anyhoo, I’m now reduced to going to bed early on Sunday Nights!!
Thanks alot ABC !
Disappointed Aussie
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!!!!
Please, please, please renew the contract for this show. I looked forward to it every week, more than any other show on tv becuase I can relate to the characters. Im so sad that you finished it the way you did 🙁