CBS Cuts Jericho Short Due To Lack Of Viewers
Jericho was able to stir up some fans – but it seems that it wasn’t enough to keep the show going. CBS has cut the show and will be airing the finale episode Friday night. Executives at CBS were hoping that bringing the show back would generate a big buzz among fans – but it didn’t work as planned.
“Without question, there are passionate viewers watching this program; we simply wish there were more,” said CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler. “We thank an engaged and spirited fan base for keeping the show alive this long, and an outstanding team of producers, cast and crew that went through creative hoops to deliver a compelling, high-quality second season. “We have no regrets bringing the show back for a second try. We listened to our viewers, gave the series an opportunity to grow, and the producers put a great story on the screen. We’re proud of everyone’s efforts.”
However, in what’s no doubt an attempt to ward off another 25-ton delivery of peanuts to the network’s New York and Los Angeles offices, the Hollywood Reporter claims that two potential endings for the series were filmed, and the one chosen for air isn’t as definitive as it could have been. Per the Reporter, the selected ending won’t necessarily preclude the series from coming back to the airwaves, albeit on cable, if at all.
Last June, Tassler, in the wake of the enthusiastic peanut-sending campaign that has already gone down in the annals of TV fandom, ordered a seven-episode second season of the show, hailing the overwhelmingly persuasive nature of sending the nuts—an idea borne from a line in the inaugural season’s finale—but warned that “for there to be more Jericho, we will need more viewers.” Unfortunately, follow-through doesn’t appear to be Jericho fans’ strong suit.