|
|
|
|
Dec
22
Written by:
Bill Bonfanti
12/22/2008 3:01 PM
It’s been several weeks since it has been announced that ABC is cancelling Eli Stone, but I’m stilled really bummed out about it. This is a wonderful show that appeals to both fans of serialized television and those who prefer episodic television. Each episode contains a case that you know will be concluded by episodes end while propelling the story of Eli as a prophet and how that affects him and his wonderful supporting cast. This is the rare show that can mix legal drama, subtle comedy and song and dance numbers to blazing success. Hell… this show even made George Michael famous again (for reasons not involving rest stop men’s rooms). Johnny Lee Miller is perfectly cast as Eli Stone and deserves the opportunity to evolve this character over several seasons. The supporting cast is terrific, especially Victor Garber. His character Jordan Wethersby could’ve been a thorn in Eli’s side, but instead the writers chose to make him an ally and a friend. Watching Garber evolve his character from corporate cut throat lawyer to humanitarian has been quite a pleasure.
Listen, I know that which shows survive and which ones are axed is purely a business decision. It’s all about ratings and ad revenue, but I feel like the networks (in most cases) don’t give shows a long enough time to catch on. There have been quite a few times in the past that shows that didn’t perform well at first became huge hits over time. Seinfeld struggled in the ratings for 3 seasons. NBC stuck with it and it became the most successful sitcom in recent history. Cheers was the lowest rated show on network television its first year. Look at Jag. Jag originally aired on NBC its first season and was cancelled due to low ratings. It was then picked up by CBS, where it aired for nine more seasons and launched a spinoff, NCIS, which in its current season (the 6th) has become a top 10 show.
I also know that ABC did give Eli Stone a chance, albeit a short one. It premiered last season during the writers’ strike and although it didn’t perform fantastically in the ratings, it was renewed due to support from television critics and fans alike. ABC even gave it the plum time slot after their ratings bonanza, Dancing With the Stars. I understand at the time that this looked like a smart move, but in reality it was a death sentence. It forced Eli to have to perform right away or face the ax. The time slot it should’ve been given, if ABC truly wanted it to succeed, is Thursday nights, after Grey’s Anatomy. Grey’s and Eli should appeal to the same audience. Not to mention that Grey’s has been terrible this season and soon ABC is going to have to find a replacement. Eli Stone could’ve served as that replacement.
Eli Stone is in esteemed company though. ABC cancelled last season holdovers, Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money as well. The difference is that those two shows deserved to be cancelled. Dirty Sexy Money is a serialized soap opera and let’s face it, once a soap opera starts; it is difficult to jump in as a new viewer. The show was never going to grow in the ratings. The same can be said for Pushing Daisies. This was a show that would only achieve a cult following at best. Sure, it was wonderfully imaginative and beautiful to behold, but the premise, two people in love who can never touch each other, was already beginning to wear thin, after not even a full season of episodes. Eli Stone is an accessible show for new viewers, as much as Eli’s journey as a prophet is a serialized story, it is an easy storyline to catch up on, and like I said before, each episode also has a self contained case as well. Given time, Eli Stone, would’ve developed into a big hit, I’m sure of it. ABC needs to start taking chances now. Desperate Housewives can only have another 2 high rated seasons in it at best, Grey’s Anatomy has already begun to decay and the best show on television, Lost, has only 2 abbreviated seasons left. ABC needs to start preparing for the future today.
Tags:
2 comment(s) so far...
Re: R.I.P. Eli Stone
Bill,
I couldn't agree with you more. I watch Eli Stone every week and I truly think it is one of the best shows on television today. I understand that it is purely a business decision, but it is a short sighted. If ABC used its collective brain, they would realize that the show could be a huge hit if they put it in the right time slot. The revenue they would derive would be extremely profitable. Unfortunately, they look for instant gratification and sometimes things take a little time. I guess the geniuses who run the network can see the potential of this great show.
Keep telling it like it is Bill. I think you are always on the money.
.
By wjbsenior on
12/24/2008 2:49 PM
|
Re: R.I.P. Eli Stone
Thanks for Blogging about one of my favorite shows that in my oppinion show STAY on the air. I look forward to this uplifting show every week. Not only does it have a terrific cast it reminds me that we all have some intuition and it take just a bit to make this world a better place and pay a forward. Eli you will be missed!
By Rae on
1/3/2009 5:10 PM
|
|
|
|