'Pushing Daisies' future in doubt

ABC's "Pushing Daisies" wraps production on its 13th episode today and industry sources are buzzing that the network does not plan to order more episodes.

An ABC spokesperson says no decision has been made, and series creator Bryan Fuller says he has not heard a verdict.

"We have heard nothing in any official capacity," Fuller says. "Our ABC exec was on the set last night saying they are still swinging in the fight to keep 'Daisies' on the air. Spirits are high and hopeful and everyone here is very proud of our work and this show."

The show will have to be alerted soon to avoid disruption of production.

"Daisies" has averaged 6.6 million viewers and a 2.3 adults 18-49 rating this season. 

Fuller has previously said he may return to the writing staff of NBC's beleaguered "Heroes" if "Daisies" is shut down. Fuller has also said that, if canceled, he might finish out this season's storylines in comic book form.

Working in "Daisies" favor: ABC hates to cancel shows. No network likes it, but ABC always seems the most reluctant. "Eli Stone," "What About Brian," "Dirty Sexy Money," "According to Jim" ... ABC is king of the one-more-chance. Even when a show is canceled, the network doesn't like to call it canceled. They still haven't admitted "Cashmere Mafia" isn't coming back. Heck, ABC renewed "Scrubs" -- and that wasn't even their show. ABC has only canceled one series so far this season, the game show "Opportunity Knocks," but basically told reporters, "it might return, you never know, it's just off the schedule."

Not yet updated: Fall TV series survival status report.

Stay tuned...

Comments

[Nick C]

Your season averages are wrong. They are 2.0 for the season in the demo.

[[The 2.3 rating is "Most Current," which includes post-premiere DVR use and is what the networks typically use for season-to-date averages. your number is Live Plus SD, which includes the premiere-day-only ratings for each episode. Both numbers are accurate -- JH]]

[Frodo]

Wow ABC had a great show and they managed to blow it, this is why CBS rules the day, ABC should have brought their shows back after the strike.

[matt]

it'd be really really nice and sweet if abc could save this show....either let it play out its run of eps on weds at 8 alongside Lost's return (lost's return would give it a slight bump up in the ratings for sure) or possibly move it to sundays at 8 and let it try its luck there. as overly whimsical as i find it---its definitely a show that deserves saving...its as original as anything i've ever seen on tv over the years and originality is def something we could use more of.

Ratings wise tho---can you really fault them? the show was getting beat by Knight Ridder and was practically tied with America's Next Top Model in demos. Not good America...Not good at all.

Me thinks Abc will play out the 13 and try yet another relaunch in the fall if for no other reason then because of the acclaim (critical, and emmy wise) and because the show once had great ratings. (last year) what exactly changed between last year and this year timeslot wise? Bones? Old Christine? those two shows couldn't have possibly taken away all their old viewers!

Good call on ABC refusing to cancel shows tho---According To Jim is a mighty handy time slot filler of a show to have. Performs ok enough in any timeslot its thrown with little to zero promotion ahead of time. that's pretty amazing. ABC did screw up tho by throwing away The George Lopez Show---that show too did well in any timeslot it was thrown with again little to no promotion ahead of time. and if anything the reruns would've bought more attention to any new eps. Ah but that would've meant paying Warner Bros more coin. never mind then.

what do i know tho? I'm one of the handful of people out there that wished they had renewed CarPoolers for goodness' sakes. (or at least aired the last handful of eps of Cavemen they have on a shelf somewhere---i admit it i would've watched it!)

at least they still got SAM WHO tho! I'm mighty glad to have that at Mondays at 9 30 so i can turn away from the awfulness that is Worst Week on CBS.