DeathWatch Watch

Happy Trails

April 16, 2007

Page 1 | Page 2

34,000 players, 25 video iPods, and quite a bit of pleading from readers for us not to cancel shows (which we found baffling – we don’t cancel anything…) – we’ve had a ball playing DeathWatch this year.

We'll be posting a full list of winners here later in the week, but for now, here’s our final countdown:

1. In Case of Emergency (ABC) -- This critically-panned ensemble comedy just missed a chance at "safe." The series was allowed to play out the complete original order -- with a short run -- and it was never technically cancelled. Final odds of cancellation were 3:1.

2. Andy Barker, P.I. (NBC) -- Another show that will complete its original order in the coming weeks, this Andy Richter comedy drew critical acclaim but low ratings. Final odds were 3:1.

3. Raines (NBC) -- Jeff Goldblum's show hasn't exactly been bringing huge ratings, but it's still on the air. Final odds were 7:1.

4. October Road (ABC) -- Critics hate it, but audiences are watching it, thanks to the "Grey's Anatomy" lead-in. Final odds were 13:1.

5. Notes from the Underbelly (ABC) -- Skyrocketing from position eight to position five after the premiere episode, this "pregnancy is hilarious and gross!" comedy shows little promise. Final odds were 26:1.

6. The Winner (FOX) -- Rob Corddry's sitcom started off with a bang and then began to leak ratings. Plans for a second season seem shaky, at best. Final odds were 29:1

7. Rules of Engagement (CBS) -- Still kicking. Critics find it ridiculous, but audiences seem to find something charming about David Spade. Final odds were 82:1

8. Aliens in America (CW) -- A Midwestern mom decides to take in an exchange student from Pakistan. The CW is keeping this sitcom in development with possible plans for 2008. Final odds of cancellation were 96:1.

9. The Singles Table (NBC) -- Much-touted drama about five singles who are seated at the same table at a wedding and vow to reshape their lives. NBC says they plan to air the show, but no dates have been given. Final odds were 109:1.

10. Hidden Palms (CW) -- A family moves to Palm Springs and finds suburbia full of secrets. The CW had scheduled the show for March 6th, but has since pulled it from the schedule with plans to air "to be determined." Final odds were 112:1.

11. Traveler (ABC) -- This curious show is about a group of guys who are accused of domestic terrorism after pulling a prank in a major art museum. Plans to air it have been announced for May 30th, and we look forward to checking it out. Final odds were 112:1.

Comments

Dan Steinmiller wrote:

My Thoughts:

In Case of Emergency needs to be cancelled and ABC needs to bring back The Knights of Prosperity - because compared to ICOE it was actually funny.

Andy Barker, P.I. should be put on Thursday nights with the rest of the comedy shows - this way it would actually draw ratings instead of linger in limbo on Saturday nights.

Raines is so much better than it looks and the critics are fools for trying to compare it to ghost movies like The Sixth Sense. If anything this is a noirish-like cop show with a touch of Monk in it.

October Road one of the worst shows still on the air at this point. I got sick of this show after episode 2 yet I continue to watch hoping it will improve.. and it still hasn't. I hope ABC comes to their senses and finally brings back "Men in Trees" so we the viewers no longer have to put up with this below-the-bar crap that is October Road.

The Winner I think has alot of potential but it really needs to get rid of the laugh track - its one of the biggest problems with the show. If FOX is smart they'll keep TW and get rid of The War at Home - A show that should have been canned after its first episode, Michael Rappaport isn't a leading man and never will be in my eyes.

posted at April 17, 2007 12:36 AM

Waiting4Godot wrote:

wow, now what do we do? How will we fill up our days?

posted at April 18, 2007 02:24 AM

Angela wrote:

ICOE, I need a barf bag because the emergency is here. I just don't get it! This show should be off already and it had better be on it's way to web-re-runs.

posted at April 20, 2007 04:27 AM

Amy Weiler wrote:

I really enjoy October Road but also Love Men in Trees and have been wondering where it went. I hate it when they just stop a show with no warning. If you hate October Road you will be happy to know that everytime I love a show and get invested in it, it disappears. I am about to give up on the networks and watch channels like oxygen, lifetime and fx, that seem to keep shows even though they might not have 20 million viewers.

posted at April 20, 2007 07:19 AM

Robert Lemont wrote:

I enjoy Raines and Andy Barker I hope NBC will give them better time slots to build an audience, but it seems unlikely, in Andy Barker's case anyway. it seems that if the network dosen't get its ratings bang for its buck almost immediately, it bails on the show. Or at least tries to recoup some of its investment in advertising dollars until it is cancelledand a replacement is found or reruns of a more popular show is scheduled. Also a peeve is when they stop a show with no warning and wondering if it is ever going to finish its run. The networks should bite the bullet and at least let a show like Kidnapped finish its run and come to a conclusion.

My wife and I watch a few shows together, but we have some different tastes and other types of shows we watch on our own.i.e. She likes The Shield, I like The Amazing Race. We have a three episode test that we give to shows we want to watch, we have been doing this for several years. If we see a show advertised that looks promising, funny, or to our interests, we will watch the first three episodes. In our view, some shows need that to "meld" so to speak. If we are not hooked by the third episode-we bail out before a whole season is wasted. Some shows you can tell after one episode whether or not you will be coming back. For example, I gave The Class the three episode tryout, and I have not watched another episode. Couldn't stand it. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, but try the three episode test like we do. It works for us. Maybe it will help you too.

posted at April 24, 2007 04:08 PM

Dan Steinmiller wrote:

I finally saw Notes from the Underbelly and its tolerable at best. To me, its a slightly funny filler show - it has the potential to be better but I don't think the cast is up for the task.

posted at April 27, 2007 01:43 AM

Len Massaar wrote:

I'm gonna miss this :(

posted at April 27, 2007 01:45 AM

Kyle wrote:

ICOAE is a good little show. I liked KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY, but frankly, they didn't utilize Mikc Jagger enough on that show. ICOAE was starting to get good..Kelly Hu is hot, the Lori Laughlin plot with with David Arquette and his lawyer was getting interesting. It sure as hell would be worth airing instead of this piece of crap "Notes From the Fartbelly"..I still say they never should have pulled the Ted Danson show, but ICOAE was as good of a replacement as anything.

ANDY BARKER should have got picked up. Had the NBC people actually stressed it was CONAN O'BRIEN more it may have done better in the ratings, because it was a good little show. Really a shame, and Murphy's Law for Andy Richter.

posted at April 28, 2007 02:06 AM

Linda wrote:

Been hoping to see the list of IPOD winners. Am I looking in the wrong place?

posted at April 29, 2007 01:29 PM

ItsALongWayToTiperarry wrote:

Adios, amigos, see you in September,,I'm outta here!,bum ba dee da bum ba dee da bum Happy Trails to you,,,

posted at May 8, 2007 02:17 AM

Eileen wrote:

I guess we are never going to find out who won the iPods

(EDITORS NOTE: In fact, you will...we've been waiting for the final winners to get back to us...thanks for your patience.)

posted at May 14, 2007 06:01 PM