'Murphy Brown,' & 'Happy Together' to End After Initial Orders on CBS

[left-of-center2012]

... Murphy Brown reboot and Damon Wayans Jr. vehicle Happy Together both ending their respective runs after their initial 13-episode orders. Both series will clear room on the schedule for rookie comedy Fam and the third season of Matt LeBlanc vehicle Man With a Plan. A return date for the fourth season of Life in Pieces will be announced at a later date.

For Murphy Brown, the rebooted series was always intended to be a closed-ended order of 13 episodes. The multicamera comedy, featuring the return of star Candice Bergen and from original creator Diane English, has underperformed (6.2 million total viewers and a 0.9 in the key 18-49 demo) in its prime Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. slot and remains in consideration for a renewal. Fellow multicamera comedy Fam, starring Nina Dobrev and Tone Bell — which has already changed showrunners — will take over Murphy Brown's slot starting Thursday, Jan. 10.

Happy Together, meanwhile, is CBS' lone rookie series to not earn an order for additional episodes this season. The multicamera family comedy landed pilot season's biggest star in Happy Endings grad Wayans Jr., who signed on with one of the largest talent deals of the year. The comedy is averaging a lackluster 4.7 million total viewers and 0.9 in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic. The series will wrap its run and clear way for Man With a Plan starting Monday, Feb. 4, at 8:30 p.m.

As for the fall freshman class of 2018, only CBS' Happy Together and NBC's I Feel Bad did not receive additional orders.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/murphy-brown-happy-together-end-initial-orders-cbs-1164428

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I enjoyed seeing Murphy again.

Having her grown son working for the "wolf" network added a lot of laughs as well. Bring back the West Wing and I'll be really happy.

[badhair77]

3. I agree about West Wing but we would need Aaron Sorkin, too.

Adding the son to Murphy Brown was a nice touch.

[badhair77]

2. I've enjoyed the Murphy Brown reboot and record it every week.

After it’s gone I have no reason to check out CBS on a Thurs evening. I’ll watch 60 Min on Sun but that’s about it. Sorry to see it go. I wish someone else would pick it up.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Murphy is the only time my TV lands on CBS.

[BigmanPigman]

5. That sucks! I have been watching Murphy reruns for a few months on cable

and was thrilled when it came back. It is timely, funny and liberal.

[Rebl2]

6. Have enjoyed

watching it, but not as good as the first run.