NBC cancels 'Enemy' and 'Lipstick'

NBC has pulled the plug on freshman tentpole drama "My Own Worst Enemy" and returning sophomore series "Lipstick Jungle," sources say.

The cancellation comes after both shows dropped to new lows in the ratings in recent weeks, with the Christian Slater action series sinking to a 1.8 among adults 18-49 (4.3 million viewers) on Monday night and "Lipstick" falling to a 1.2 (3.3 million viewers) on Friday.

Though the "Lipstick" number was an improvement on the previous week, the show's ratings have been below the line for a while now, and sunk into the red zone after the drama moved to Fridays.

NBC's expectation for the return of "Lipstick" was modest, but "Enemy" was considered an important show. A spy thriller with a grown-up budget inspired by the Bourne movies, "Enemy" received NBC's coveted post-"Heroes" time period. That valuable Monday hour of scheduling real estate has become less worthwhile in recent weeks, however, as "Heroes" shed viewers -- weakening the lead-in for "Enemy" and hastening its decline. Though many viewers said they enjoyed the "Enemy" pilot, subsequent episodes had a tough time maintaining what seemed to be a problematic premise.

No word whether Monday's episode will be yanked from the schedule, or if the show will solider on for a few more weeks, or what program will take its place. "Enemy" is currently shooting its ninth -- and final -- episode. "Lipstick" has shot all 13 of its initial order. Both are produced by Universal Media Studios; NBC had no comment. 

UPDATE: Brooke Shields says "Lipstick" not canceled

Updated: Fall TV series survival update.

Comments

[ej]

Wow. They didn't give Enemy much time, but then again, they blew by not growing the story. Again, this week, they continued with the fight between Slater's two characters. By the second week, this should have been decided. I liked O'Malley, but overweight, no muscle town guys don't make very believable spies.
As for Lipstick, this was moronic, insulting show. It started in the first episode when one of the female characters was bawling and the other genius girls offered blunts and brownies. Classy.

[Rich]

ej, isn't that the crux of the show? It's suppose to illustrate the differences between the two characters and the difficulties in dealing with two personas in one body.

[Shawn]

Yet crap like Knight Rider gets a full season pick-up... yeesh

[Frodo]

Sorry but I cannot resist saying it...CBS owns all!!! Eat it NBC, eat it. NBC should just call it quits, they should focus on news and give it up.

[Azubah]

Nice work, hopefully they'll cancel Chuck next and make the entire network worthless.

[Joe]

and the countdown begins until the same statement is made about pushing daisies :,(

[Pam]

I think it's a shame. I was really enjoying the show. Figures they'll keep crap on the air and cancel the interesting and different shows.

[Frodo]

On a serious note I hope James or someone else equally informed could let us know what Ben Silverman's life expectancy is over at NBC as a result of these cancellations.

[nitephnx]

Another show i like cancelled(..enemy) I suggest all who like the show to go over to the people choice awards and vote it as the best new drama...lets see what NBC thinks of that.

[matt]

i'm surprised they're throwing in the towel so quickly on My Own Worst Enemy as it seemed like only yesterday we were being pummeled to death with promos for it.

On the otherhand the last 2 eps or so did lower ratings then Journeyman and that was taken off by Dec. so i guess that makes sense. (I quite liked Journeyman--but then again I was curious enough in this show that i can admit that it sucks that its getting canned so fast. i figured nbc would at least let it play itself out and can it at the end of its 13 eps--although now its 9.)

I bet all the tea in china that the timeslot goes to MEDIUM. which'll be great cause I've always liked Medium...and I frankly wish they would just put it here permanently already and stop jerking it around the sked like some old girlfriend they can't stand but can't quite break up with either.

Silverman's repuation really hangs on the fate of Knight Ridder which is why that show got a renewal, slipping ratings and all. If they throw in the towel on K.R, you'll be able to tell that Silverman's grip on the net is weakening big time.

As for Lipstick Jungle---Will NBC at least let the last couple of eps air on its Friday night slot? they only have 5 or 6 left to air...i mean the heck else do they even have for that timeslot? 2 hour datelines of course! followed in the spring by Friday night Lights. (good thing direct tv stepped in to support that show--sounds like they could use that even if only as a time filler now more than ever.)

[Frodo]

People choice awards are a joke though when it comes to those categories, "best new ...", that awful sitcom "The Class" won best new comedy and it got canceled as well so the fact that MOWE is nominated does not say much especially since, and correct me if I am wrong there has not been many new dramas this year.

[Jessica]

Lipstick Jungle was such a good show. I know a lot of people who have started to watch it online since it was moved to Friday. I just can't believe they canceled it! I hope another network picks it up.

[Sar]

Does anyone count the amount of viewers to watch online to Tivo these shows?! I NEVER watch tv when its actually on because I dont have the time! I watch Lipstick jungle online because its more convienient for my schedule, as I am sure millions of others. I don't even know why I try and watch new series anymore, they all get cancelled!

[kelly Hart]

NO NO NO why are they cancelling LIPSTICK? This can't happen! Please bring it back!!

[Roni]

Best of luck for the cast pf both shows

[karen]

i love lipstick jungle!! what am I gona do now???!!!!???!!

News like this is what makes me stick to my Netflix! I absolutely hate just getting into a show only to find out they canceled it after half a season! I really like My Own Worst Enemy, I guess my opinion doesn't matter, since I'm only able to watch it online! Bastards! NBC, you know what....go suck it! That's it i give up on television, I'm going back to renting my TV shows that have at least made it a full season!

[Clay Dowling]

Wow, a lot of recording time just got freed up on my DVR. Sadly, I thought these were two of the best shows on television for the fall season. Lipstick Jungle should have remained as a mid-season replacement though, rather than trying to make a big splash in the fall season.

Lipstick Jungle is a great show.... they need to bring it back!!!

I LOVE Lipstick Jungle!!!!! What are they thinking!!! It's a FANTASTIC show. There's no more show worth watching on NBC now!! maybe another network will pick it up.

[Jen]

Lipstick Jungle is an awesome show! I cant believe they cancelled it.

[Jenny]

Why must they cancel such a great show (Lip Stick)???? I really enjoy having a show that I can watch w/o the husband and the kids. Plus, it shows how real women in this world are in many avenues. Not the "Susie Q Homemaker" every other show makes women out to be. Plus, every other dang show out there is based off of what a man wants...not a woman. And, I agree...are they keeping in mind all of the TIVO's recording that show? Or the people that watch it online?? This is BS. Hopefully another station will pick it up somewhere....

[anabel]

i'm so deeply sad that LJ is being canceled....i think it was an exciting show....i had just had a friend starting to watch it and she loved it! we are so sad! please someone else pick the show up....watching those girls i felt like i was w/my friends......please nbc think it over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sarah]

I cannot believe Lipstick Jungle was canceled it was such a great show. Why dont they end Knight Rider, that show is a piece of crap!!!

[NDR]

I cannot believe they cancelled Lipstick Jungle!!
Knight Rder is horrible.
It seems as though not enough time is given to some of the better shows and too much time is given to the dumb ones.

[Scott]

They can Enemy, the put Friday Night Lights on Direct TV. What the heck is wrong with NBC. That and they move stuff around all the time.

What I think is really funny is the old NBC guys keep Cheers on for 2 seasons before it ratings went up and became one of NBC best shows. Nobody in this world ever learns history. That is the problem with the world today.

[CM]

I can't beliebe they canceled Lipstick Jungle it was getting sooo good!! NBC sucks now even Heroes is so crappy now... The only thing they have left is the office... I hope ABC picks up lipstick jungle! Its the only network worth watching anymore...

[cody]

at least crusoe is still on. thank god!

[JJJ]

What did they think was going to happen to Lipstick Jungle when they put it on Friday's at 10. I would think that their demographic is out on a Friday night? First Friday Night Lights...then Lipstick Jungle...what about American Dreams. ALL great shows and they all got the short end of the stick. I love lipstick Jungle, I looked forward to it EVERY WEEK!

[Phira]

LIPSTICK JUNGLE CAN NOT BE CANCELLED MANNNNNN!!!!!!!!! NBC BRING IT BACK PLEASEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS SHOW.....

[Kime]

I love Lipstick Jungle. NBC don't cancel it. Someone pick it up. I can't wait to watch it every week. Knight Rider sucks. Take it off the air and keep LJ. We need a good primetime soap opera. This was it. I will buy the DVDs to watch it, because I love the story about these 3 amazing women.

[Carrie]

That is a bunch of CRAP!!! Lipstick shouldn't be cancelled for NBC's decision to move them to Friday nights! They should move Biggest Loser to Friday nights instead!

[LipstickLover]

PLEASE do not cancel Lipstick Jungle..it is a great show. The only show NBC has left that is worth watching!!! It was just starting to get really good! Give it one more chance!!

[Ashley]

I LOVE Lipstick Jungle! Please do not cancel it! Why do shows like Knight Rider stay on when shows like this get canceled? I TIVO this show every week and watch it on the weekends when I have some "me" time. I hate the way networks do ratings. The method is stuck in 1984, when all of our viewing habits are in 2008 mode. This is one of the only shows women can watch out there and they are doing away with it. No wonder NBC is last in the ratings!

[Smith]

I love Lipstick Jungle. Please at least show the remaining season. So Sad!!

[I LOVE LIPSTICK]

Bring Lipstick Jungle back! It is my favorite show and SO many people I know love it! We all watch it online or DVR it. Cant they air it online, on HULU and get ad dollars that way?! NO ONE watches TV live anymore~! The ratings ARE NOT accurate.

[Marilyn]

Lipstick Jungle! OMG, I love this show and now it's cancelled, of course!! GRRRR
I really enjoyed this show and then it was moved. No wonder ratings went down.
This was a show about smart women and had some really great storylines. I think they really could have taken it so much farther.
I'm so disappointed.

[ally]

OBVIOUSLY the ratings are going to drop after moving the show's timeslot to a friggin FRIDAY NIGHT..... I'm pretty sure the show's target audience has other things planned on a friday night...... It makes me sad that this show was about empowered females in the workplace and it was probably canned by a man. I feel guilty know about watching the show on-line instead of on television...... NBC should recognize and embrace the fact that people watch tv shows online so they fit their schedules better, those "ratings" should be taken into account!!!

[Timothy]

Have like LSJ since it debuted. I think it's a great show, great characters, and some good acting. Why is NBC determined to kill that show? First they move it to Friday and now it seems as it's gone. Knight Rider gets a chance at a makeover and yet it will still suck....

[Danii]

Of course it makes sense. NBC canceled Las Vegas, and let every fan hang as to what was going to happen (still chocked on that one) - and now when I finally have something to watch (Enemy) they go and yank that one too. And like an above post ... who the heck watches Knight Rider, like come on.

I guess its time to pull the plug on cable now, as there is less and less to watch. why pay $40 a month to watch nothing?

NBC is stupid!