DeathWatch Watch

CBS Cancels "3 Lbs"

November 30, 2006

Page 1 | Page 2

In one of the fastest cancellations we’ve seen on the DeathWatch so far, CBS has pulled the “brain surgeons disagree about a lot of things” drama from the air after only three showings. That’s a pound a week!

The show seemed to have been doomed from the beginning. Its debut grabbed a pitiful 2.9 rating. CBS had high hopes for the second episode, which came in at a 2.7. By Tuesday, the ratings had dropped to a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

Even the critics had it out for this show. The Time’s Allesandra Staley had this to say:

“It stands to reason that CBS would try to siphon some of the success of rival networks' medical dramas. The question is not whether ‘3 Lbs’ is familiar and predictable, but whether '3 Lbs' is entertaining. It is, and mostly because it is so familiar and predictable.”

Comments

Kristine wrote:

CBS and DirecTV still have next week's episode listed at a "special time" of 9pm...think they'll still air it?

posted at November 30, 2006 04:13 PM

JB Page wrote:

I wrote on imdb that this was DOA. I was right on the money cause it's gone after 3 weeks.

posted at November 30, 2006 04:18 PM

Craig wrote:

Wow - that was fast. I've only watched the first episode, but I kind of liked it. Next 2 are on the DVR - should I bother?

posted at November 30, 2006 04:46 PM

sabrina wrote:

Well I enjoyed the show, and I didn't feel it was a knockoff of House. Of course medical dramas will all seem similar, but this one was well done with an excellent cast. It didn't deserve all the negative reviews, in my opinion. I'm sick and tired of networks pulling the plug on new shows after only a couple of airings. There are other shows on all of the top 3 networks who've been renewed with lower ratings.

posted at November 30, 2006 09:28 PM

MR wrote:

I watched last night's show...
I didn't think it was as bad as some of the other drivel that is still on the air, such as; 30 Rock, Help Me Help You(why), How I Met Your Mother, The Class(SOOOO not Friend-ly) and half of the other shows that ordered a full season!

posted at November 30, 2006 09:54 PM

ekw wrote:

The things that bothered me most were

1. Trying for the "House" feel with Tucci playing the arrogant but right surgeon. Embarrassing for an actor like Tucci to have to ape another actor's invention because that is what the network wanted.

2. The creepy sidekick "doctor." This actor, Mark Feurerstein, had literally nothing whatever to do in each episode except trail Tucci around with his eager, quasi-gay (very confusing) idealistic persona grabbing dialogue when and where he can. Again, embarrassing.

3. In a further plagiarism from House, the secondary plot, another case which needs to be dealt with but this time Tucci wasn't usually involved. They left this to another neurologist who happened to be extremely hot, Indira Varma, to deal with. She falls for her first or second patient. Get the love story going quick? Not quick enough.

4. The name. "3 lbs"? The name alone could have cancelled the show.

posted at November 30, 2006 10:05 PM

Tracy wrote:

That sucks - another show gone that actually appealled to people with an IQ higher than 80.

posted at November 30, 2006 10:35 PM

lisacog wrote:

Yes, watch the two in the DVR! I liked it. So sue me.

posted at November 30, 2006 11:30 PM

Amy Weiler wrote:

I am very upset about this cancellation. This show was awesome. I don't understand how a show can make it when they don't even give it a chance. I cannot believe a show like Ugly Betty can thrive but yet a smart show like 3 lbs. and the nine cannot. It is wrong.

posted at December 1, 2006 12:21 AM

David wrote:

I'll never understand how quality ("Kidnapped", "Justice") or even tolerable ("3lbs") shows get jacked around or pulled without having a moment to solidify an audience, yet crap like "Help Me..." or, worse, "Till Death" manage to lock in a timeslot, build an audience, and manage to last.

Look, "3lbs" wasn't best-in-class, but it was well written and well acted. And good acting and decent writing need to have a place on the air. Formulaic and unfunny comedy are simply tiresome at this point ("dumb guy does predictably stupid thing, gets in trouble, repents, and wife loves him through it all" has only worked year after year on one show - "The Simpsons"). And with the announcement by NBC that the 8pm slot will be devoted to "reality" (read, "cheap to produce") television, there really will be no incentive for good writers to try to develop good drama for good actors.

posted at December 1, 2006 07:46 AM

PD Trent wrote:

The saddest part of all of this was that episode 3 was by far the best. The writing felt sharper and you really got the sense that the characters not named Doug were starting to find their own voice. I don't think this should go down as a "too good for TV" type of situation (like my beloved "Brimstone" *sob*), but it certainly looked on track to become something highly watchable and enjoyable. 3 lbs, we hardly new ye.

posted at December 1, 2006 11:28 AM

Marilyn wrote:

I've watched all three episodes of this show and liked each one better than the last. I think they changed Stanley Tucci's character after the first episode just enough so he was more human. I think it was a good idea and I have fond memories.

posted at December 1, 2006 11:35 AM

Rachel wrote:

3lbs was a horrible title but this show had potential. Much better than House and the characters were just starting to develop. Networks need to spend a little less time worrying that shows aren't the next 'instant hit' and look at the long-term potential of a project. It's hard to invest in network TV anymore because the minute you get interested, they yank it.

posted at December 2, 2006 12:00 PM

Barb C wrote:

I have enjoyed 3lbs. Loved the graphics, cast and stories. Could have used a better title, but the show was interesting and educational..It doesn't take a brain surgeon to enjoy a good show.

Sorry to see it go.... :(

posted at December 4, 2006 06:15 PM

Trevor wrote:

About the only 'well-written' show that's been 'given a chance' this year is Studio 60 - which admitted ly had a greeat premiere, followed by two much weaker episodes, and now seems to be very solid. 3lbs's premiere was - and I apologise to anyone who enjoyed it - terrible. It was predictable, formulaicly written, and poorly directed. I was actually able to tell who characters were - and in a couple of instances, what they were going to say! - just by where they were standing. Maybe it's the Mark Feurerstein curse - I believe his longest lasting role was Good Morning Miami.

posted at December 4, 2006 10:38 PM

TVSeriesFinale.com wrote:

I can't say I'm surprised. As much as people were saying it wasn't a House rip-off, it felt an awfully lot like it. I think CBS was hoping they'd capture the House audience after it aired on FOX. Didn't happen.

posted at December 7, 2006 09:16 AM

bill wrote:

I liked it. Only show I stayed up that late to watch. Good , now I don't have to be a tired slave.

posted at December 15, 2006 09:53 AM

emily wrote:

i loved this show. i'm so sad it's gone!

posted at December 17, 2006 10:12 PM

Dan wrote:

I am disappointed, I thought it was a great show.

posted at December 24, 2006 02:48 AM

Catherine wrote:

I loved this show, but it was up against another show I love as well. They could have picked a better time slot when it wasn't up against such tough competition from an established show. I watched it when I could and I was hoping they would keep it around. It didn't even have time to build an audience.

posted at December 27, 2006 06:50 PM

Phyllis wrote:

This was a good show and had a lot of potential. I hate that it was canceled so soon. I am disappointed that it did not get a better time slot and review time. Come on you decision makers - let a new show have a real chance.

posted at January 2, 2007 08:13 PM

Dominic wrote:

This was a great show. I have no clue why they would cancel it.

posted at January 4, 2007 09:28 PM

Send to a Friend