Friday, February 09, 2007
Goodbye Reba – Reba McEntire’s Sitcom Cancelled
They say laughter is good for the soul--and for the body and mind. There are so few new shows on now days that give me that good laughter. One of my very favorites is the sitcom that stars well-known country singer Reba McEntire. The show is rightly titled Reba and centers around the main character Reba Hart who is a divorced mom of three. Her ex-husband Brock lives next door with his new wife Barbra Jean. Reba’s oldest daughter Cheyenne is married to Van and they have a baby. The young couple and child live with Reba along with a younger sister and brother.
Together all of these people are a modern day family and some how go through all of the ups and downs of life while making us laugh almost non-stop. I think a lot of that laughter comes from the characters of Barbra Jean and Van. They are both so dingy and funny and such endearing characters. Reba is just a down to earth show that the whole family can watch together and enjoy.
Sadly, even though Reba is one of the top rated sitcoms on the CW network it airs on, CW has decided to cancel the show without a warning to the show's many, many fans. There was still a contract in play, but no ends for the characters will be tied up, so some other shows could have at least be done to show fans how the characters will move on. The CW isn't going to do that though, they are just going to play the last three shows they have already recorded, and that’s that.
The actors wanted to stay around, but the CW spokesman said the show wasn’t aimed at the kind of audience they wanted to reach. Makes me wonder what kind of audience they do want? I would think any audience that moves a show high up in the all important ratings game on your network would be the kind of audience you would want to keep around and maybe even aim some new shows toward. Looks like not. Maybe that's why I've heard so many disappointed Reba fans say that when the last of Reba airs, that's the last they'll watch of the CW. I guess they feel there is no need to stay where they aren't wanted.
The final two episodes of Reba will air on the CW back to back on Sunday, February 18th starting at 7/6c. This show had so much more left to give. I would have at least have liked to seen them take the time to wrap up things, maybe have Reba find a new love and Cheyenne give birth to the new baby we just found out about. I wish another network would step in and take the show, saving it, but we all know that things like that don't usually happen. So...so long Reba. It sure was fun while it lasted.
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9 comments:
As a devoted "REBA" fan, I sympathize. But I do want to point out that the series is NOT The CW's top-rated show. Original episodes of "REBA" generally rank as the fourth or fifth highes-rated show for the network - but its top-rated sitcom.
Also, just an FYI that the show is not under any further contract. In early 2005, the show had been given a two-year renewal (for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons). When the two networks merged at the end of the 2005-2006 season, the UPN regime (who now oversees The CW) did not want "REBA" for the new network. But, since the show was technically renewed for one more season, The CW would have faced a rumored $20 million kill-fee to break the contract. Thus, the net ordered a short, 13-episode sixth season. With this order, the network has fulfilled its contractual obligations.
And, yes, sadly the show is ending prematurely. There are plenty more stories and hijinks that the Hart family could have shared with us. Too bad...
What upsets me about it is that there are so few family oriented shows based on ordinary, real situations where I can watch with my 4 & 13 yr old children. They both will sit and laugh with me and I don't feel I have to worry about content. How often does that happen anymore?
I think that's maybe why Reba fans are taking this so hard and I've seen so much anger from them on message sites. They just feel like there isn't going to be another show they can replace Reba with. Now if it weren't a family show, we'd have plenty to pick from to find a replacement. So Reba fans might still have been upset, but I don't think they would have been as upset. It was a family show, but also a one of a kind family show.
I'm guessing the audience they want is the same audience every advertiser lusts after: kids 15-35. It's harder and harder for older audience to find something we can relate to. All the crime dramas on feature actors in their 20s with great pouts!
I hadn't heard why, so I'm glad I read your blog on it. It was like they just gave up on the writing of it, from the last show. I will miss Reba. We watched her every week.
I think the CW is aiming for teens, and so-called young adults. Like other networks, they are to quick to dismiss the "older" audience.
I am very upset about Reba being cancelled it was a great family show we need more like this there is to much violence in t.v.
That totally sucks...I wish they hadn't done that..I'm a 24 year old military wife and mother and that show was and is the only show that I loved watching and looked forward to watching...It's funnny and witty and who doesn't love Reba..She's talented beyond all..and the whole cast...each one was someone you could easily relate to...:(
I've about decided if I find something good on, not to hang on too tight, because the get rid of the good stuff quicker than the rest. I think they got that backwards. LOL
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