So... If L.A. Dragnet is done, would Al Bundy move to "8 Simple Rules..."
11-06-03, 05:43 PM
#1
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So... If L.A. Dragnet is done, would Al Bundy move to "8 Simple Rules..."
I saw a post that said that L.A. Dragnet was on hiatus into December. The only confirmation I have on this is from the ABC website.
First, is their 'upcoming schedule' popup showing, ironically enough, that this week's scheduled Dragnet will be replaced by 8 Simple Rules (I'm guessing an encore of the evening winning hour special?) and the fact that the L.A. Dragnet webpage states that "The next episode of L.A. Dragnet has not yet been scheduled."
http://abc.go.com/primetime/ladragnet/index.html
Kind of anecdotal, I know, but usually within 24 hours there is some kind of 'official' word.
If it is on a more permanent hiatus, that does free up Ed O'Neill for a role in 8 Simple Rules... that so many people said they wanted, no?
Edited to add: Just found a confirming article - http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/go...wswire&id=6240
First, is their 'upcoming schedule' popup showing, ironically enough, that this week's scheduled Dragnet will be replaced by 8 Simple Rules (I'm guessing an encore of the evening winning hour special?) and the fact that the L.A. Dragnet webpage states that "The next episode of L.A. Dragnet has not yet been scheduled."
http://abc.go.com/primetime/ladragnet/index.html
Kind of anecdotal, I know, but usually within 24 hours there is some kind of 'official' word.
If it is on a more permanent hiatus, that does free up Ed O'Neill for a role in 8 Simple Rules... that so many people said they wanted, no?
Edited to add: Just found a confirming article - http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/go...wswire&id=6240
CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC has yanked its sophomore drama "L.A. Dragnet" for the remainder of the November sweeps period.
In its place this Saturday at 10:00/9:00c, viewers can expect to see an encore of Tuesday's special one-hour episode of "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" that dealt with the death of star John Ritter. Repeats of "America's Funniest Home Videos" will then take over the slot on November 15 and 22, the final two Saturdays of the period.
College football had previously been scheduled to pre-empt the series on November 29 and December 6, meaning the earliest "Dragnet" could return would be in mid-December.
The news comes are little surprise as the series has been nothing but a ratings disaster for ABC. Saturday's episode of "Dragnet" was seen by only 4.5 million viewers, making it the network's least watched program last week.
In its place this Saturday at 10:00/9:00c, viewers can expect to see an encore of Tuesday's special one-hour episode of "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" that dealt with the death of star John Ritter. Repeats of "America's Funniest Home Videos" will then take over the slot on November 15 and 22, the final two Saturdays of the period.
College football had previously been scheduled to pre-empt the series on November 29 and December 6, meaning the earliest "Dragnet" could return would be in mid-December.
The news comes are little surprise as the series has been nothing but a ratings disaster for ABC. Saturday's episode of "Dragnet" was seen by only 4.5 million viewers, making it the network's least watched program last week.
Last edited by Y2K Falcon; 11-06-03 at 05:45 PM.
11-06-03, 10:39 PM
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For pete's sake. 
The networks are F-ing cancelling or shelving every show I watch. I really liked Dragnet this year - so much better than NYPD Blue and the Law & Orders this season. I definitely think the show has improved over last season.
The networks are F-ing cancelling or shelving every show I watch. I really liked Dragnet this year - so much better than NYPD Blue and the Law & Orders this season. I definitely think the show has improved over last season.
11-06-03, 11:05 PM
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It's been cancelled.
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20031106/106818096000.html
Can't say I'm surprised. The only thing worse then cliche characters was the tired, predictable plots. I kept watching hoping I'd see at least a glimmer of the possibilities I saw the first season, but it never happened. 
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20031106/106818096000.html
Bad guys no longer have to fear the "L.A. Dragnet" crimebusters. ABC on Thursday canceled the show starring Ed O'Neill as police Sgt. Joe Friday. The series, based on the classic Jack Webb "Dragnet" series, had low ratings despite a second-season makeover.
New characters, a new look and a new title the "L.A." was added failed to lure viewers to the 10 p.m. EST Saturday series. It attracted 4.5 million in its final airing last week and ranked 103rd, compared to 27.3 million for CBS' top-rated "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
The cancelation represents a rare failure for producer Dick Wolf, whose TV empire includes the "Law & Order" family of dramas on NBC.
Five episodes of "L.A. Dragnet" aired this season. Production was halted, and five other completed episodes will be shelved for airing at a later unspecified date, the network said.
ABC will draw on a variety of shows to fill the time slot, starting with a rebroadcast of Tuesday's "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," the first episode filmed after star John Ritter's death.
The 2003-04 season has been discouraging for the major networks, with Fox the only network to record season-to-date gains, and that because of postseason baseball.
New characters, a new look and a new title the "L.A." was added failed to lure viewers to the 10 p.m. EST Saturday series. It attracted 4.5 million in its final airing last week and ranked 103rd, compared to 27.3 million for CBS' top-rated "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
The cancelation represents a rare failure for producer Dick Wolf, whose TV empire includes the "Law & Order" family of dramas on NBC.
Five episodes of "L.A. Dragnet" aired this season. Production was halted, and five other completed episodes will be shelved for airing at a later unspecified date, the network said.
ABC will draw on a variety of shows to fill the time slot, starting with a rebroadcast of Tuesday's "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," the first episode filmed after star John Ritter's death.
The 2003-04 season has been discouraging for the major networks, with Fox the only network to record season-to-date gains, and that because of postseason baseball.
11-06-03, 11:35 PM
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Originally posted by MrX
I like how they compare the ratings to CSI in that article
It was in a bas timeslot with a bad lead in. What did ABC expect.
I like how they compare the ratings to CSI in that article
It was in a bas timeslot with a bad lead in. What did ABC expect.
Originally posted by Buck Turgidson
Not enough Roselyn Sanchez. She and Eva Longoria should have been infiltrating underground porno films and corrupt strip clubs each week.
Not enough Roselyn Sanchez. She and Eva Longoria should have been infiltrating underground porno films and corrupt strip clubs each week.
Perhaps NBC could 'port it over and tag "Law & Order" on the front of it...?
11-07-03, 07:47 AM
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The series, based on the classic Jack Webb "Dragnet" series, had low ratings despite a second-season makeover.
Last edited by Morf; 11-07-03 at 08:51 AM.
11-07-03, 08:41 AM
#11
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Originally posted by Morf
More like "had low ratings because of a second-season makeover.
More like "had low ratings because of a second-season makeover.
I loved the first season of Dragnet - good acting, good storylines. The revamped LA Dragnet sucked donkey balls.
11-07-03, 09:00 AM
#12
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Originally posted by Morf
More like "had low ratings because of a second-season makeover."
More like "had low ratings because of a second-season makeover."
11-07-03, 09:56 AM
#13
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Grrrr. I was watching (though it was usually midweek- Thanks ReplayTV) and I was just getting used to the new format, though I did miss Embry.
Personally, I think this show died as a result of bad planning decisions- completely revamp it, put it in perhaps the worst time slot on TV, and don't do any advertising, and voila, you have a dead show!
I just can't believe that so many shows are being pulled so soon- what do the networks have to replace them with? reruns of their other mediocre shows? What happened to letting them have a shot, at least for a season?
Oh yeah, and the comparison to CSI in ratings- what are they thinking??
-jason
I also hope this doesn't cause them to cancel the S1 DVD set.. :-(
Personally, I think this show died as a result of bad planning decisions- completely revamp it, put it in perhaps the worst time slot on TV, and don't do any advertising, and voila, you have a dead show!
I just can't believe that so many shows are being pulled so soon- what do the networks have to replace them with? reruns of their other mediocre shows? What happened to letting them have a shot, at least for a season?
Oh yeah, and the comparison to CSI in ratings- what are they thinking??
-jason
I also hope this doesn't cause them to cancel the S1 DVD set.. :-(
Last edited by fuzzbox; 11-07-03 at 11:19 AM.
11-07-03, 11:28 AM
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I loved the first season of Dragnet - good acting, good storylines. The revamped LA Dragnet sucked donkey balls.
