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 love What About Brian. I cannot believe that ABC is canceling this great show. They are making a big mistake. The whole cast is great, the story lines are so interesting. I wish they would bring it back for at least one more sesaon.
I loved What About Brian and I am truly upset that they would take this great show off the air to put on more crap shows i.e. caveman – puleeze – c’mon maybe another network out there can pick it up!!!
This was a great show that my husband and I enjoyed watching. You drop “What about Brian” and pick up “Caveman” – seriously? That’s fine for about 30 seconds or 1 minute. Leave it there. Bring back Brian!
I really enjoyed this show last season and was excited for it’s return this fall. I came to this website to find out when it would start only to see it was cancelled. What’s up with that? I agree, it’s very frustrating to get into a show only to have it cancelled, moved so many times or weeks of the show not being on that it’s almost not worth it to watch any of the new shows this fall. I’ve noticed this happening more and more in recent years. It really is a shame this entertaining show was cancelled.
Please bring back What about Brian……it’s a great show and loved by many in Canada!!!!
Who is the idiot who comes up with the idea to cancel all these great shows, just because I may not watch it right that second does not mean I don’t dvr it.It irritates me and makes me not want to waste my time watching tv shows anymore. BRING IT BACK!
PLEASE Don’t forget to sign the petition. Hopefully if ABC won’t bring it back another will pick it up!!! I can’t believe ABC FINALLY gets a decent show then cancels the series for the “old peoples” shows!!!
http://www.petitiononline.com/fashh254/petition.html
I’m sad I want What About Brian to come back. I loved that show and that is like the only show besides Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy that I actually watch… PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!! 🙂
I didn’t know What About Brian had been cancelled. I love ABC primetime tv, but you cancelled the best show. This is the one I had been looking forward to seeing again. I feel so strongly about this, that this is the first time I have ever posted a comment on a website. BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!
BRING IT BACK!!!!!! I am tired of reality TV and crappy drama shows; this show was uplifting, funny, and refreshing! Bring it back!
This is so unfair…I loved What about Brian…As did MANY of my friends…what is this network thinking…Is there anyway to bring it back…Great cast…many vetern actors…The story had so much more to tell..As soon as you find a series you love , they cancel it.
The nine also was a good show.
Yeah, put on Caveman…c’mon execs….Be real…this was a womans show…that’s really the problem…isn’t it..Women won’t care about Cavemen…
As reading one of the other comments the one woman was right about constant reality shows on TV and constantly switching days and times for a show that you were definitely interesetd in. I loved What About Brian and it reminds me of an updated version of Beverly Hills 90210 which was also a favorite show of mine and I watch reruns everyday. I truly feel that if What About Brian is on at a reasonal time and not up against some Reality Show it would get high ratings. It is definitely a good show to watch. ABC needs to… Read more »
I am so sad!! This was one of my favorite shows!!!
I just found out What About Brian isn’t coming back….I can’t believe it! It was a great show! I’m so sick of court tv, and gruesome medical shows; shows like What About Brian are what we need!!
I too absolutely LOVED What About and Brian and am crushed it has been cancelled. Who can we protest/where can we protest our dissapointment?? We have got to have something other than reality tv out there.