Sunday, December 8, 2024

TV: Is ABC Getting Ready to Ditch “The Conners”? Network Order For Only 1 Extra Episode Instead of Full Season Could Be For Finale

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“The Conners” is already in trouble. ABC may be getting ready to ditch the “Roseanne” spin off.

The trades report without editorial comment that ABC has ordered only more episode to be added to the ten it already contracted for this season.

A full half season order is 13, which means ABC didn’t even fill that out. And they most certainly didn’t ask for a number like 22 which would take “The Conners” to the end of the current TV season next spring.

The 1 episode order makes me think it’s just a finale to the ten as a good will gesture. And then “The Conners” would go back to the mists of TV’s own walking dead.

So far, “The Conners” ratings have been less than spectacular. The first episode brought in 11 million viewers, the second week dropped to 7 million. If the drop continues, it may be too expensive to keep around, given John Goodman’s and Laurie Metcalf’s salaries.

Roseanne must be cackling from whatever hen house she’s been locked up in. She was the sizzle on the griddle on that show. Without her, “The Conners” is like a good meal without any spices. Or for you oldsters, something salt-free.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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