Commander in Chief Canceled

[erpowers]

ABC has canceled Commander in Chief. Does anyone think ABC did this to pander to the Republicans. I know the show had some flaws and the ratings were low, but Republicans have not liked this show from the beginning and wanted in canceled from the start.

[NYCGirl]

1. No, you said it yourself. The ratings were low. It costs a lot to produce.

In TVland, that's a death knell.

[sharp_stick]

2. I don't think so.

The show started off pretty well but the ratings really went into the tank and nothing they did brought them back. Just another show that people didn't watch.

[insane_cratic_gal]

3. I watched it, I liked it

the idea that a president doesn't pander to anyone party or corporation is too much to hope for.

[MADem]

4. I'm just too tired for fiction with commercials....

I never watched it. It's why I suck it up and pay for HBO, you can at least sit down and watch without some asshole waving a toilet brush in your face every five minutes! And with the ON DEMAND feature, you can watch it whenever...

You have to wonder how it would have done if they weren't constrained by the FCC, and could have gotten real down and dirty on cable? None of this "Oh fudge" and "Gosh darn it."

Probably would have had a shot...

[Buck Rabbit]

9. Dish DVR

We don't watch commercials and when we go home we have The Daily Show and Colbert Report waiting for us for our dinner time viewing.

Commander In Chief was okay to watch, but trying to bend over back wards to be non-partisan was a drain on the show and the viewers too apparently.


(edit because stupid spell check doesn't catch the right spelling of the wrong word dagnabit)

[JuniperLea]

10. I'm with you

The only fiction I watch is The Simpsons... If it weren't for PBS and C-Span and NetFlix, I wouldn't bother having a TV at all.

[acmavm]

5. I tried to watch it. It was about as realistic as believing bush**

is really running things. Both were/are terrible.

[formernaderite]

56. The scripting was terrible, the acting incredulous

I'm surprised it lasted this long. I watched the first episode, and a partial thereafter...I've had a crush on Gena Davis for years, I really wanted to LOVE this show. But it stunk. In fact, I was embarassed they'd portray a non-republican President as this weak and wishy-washy. Let's state for the record CIC was no West Wing.

[Renew Deal]

6. I liked it.

A president that cared about the people, worked hard, and had a clue. It was too unbelievable for 2006.

I hope they air the rest of the episodes, though I'm not sure. The show was moving along, then they put it on a hiatus, and then they claimed that ratings sunk. They put the show on like a 6 week break. What did they expect?

[kay1864]

13. IIRC...

It was put on hiatus *because* of the ratings drop--due to that show-killer American Idol. When Idol premiered, CinC tanked. ABC took it off to find a better time slot.

Two changes of producer didn't help either.

Too bad. Good show.

[aquart]

7. I stopped watching BECAUSE it pandered to Republicans.

By making their soccer mom-goes-to-Washington an independant, they totally copped out to the illusion that it's six of one, half a dozen of the other and both sides play dirty tricks.

Sorry. I will not watch that kind of pro-Republican propaganda. Because anything that contributes to that illusion can only help the Republicans.

[insane_cratic_gal]

11. It was not Pro Republican .. I have kid in Soccer does that make

me a repuke?

The show tried to not be biased, it tried not lean one way or another.

Cripes one of the bad guys was a Republican! the only Bad guy as a matter of fact. There was no Democratic bad guy in the show

[aquart]

51. "Tried not to be biased." Yup.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Even-handed. Fair. Guess you missed the Democratic dirty tricks episode. And the "bad guy" is a venerable figure one must respect. Yeah, fair, my ass.

I won't watch anything that pretends our government looks like that. It's a bloody lie.

[ronnykmarshall]

17. Yeah, right!

:eyes:

[insane_cratic_gal]

18. self delete

thought you were ya right'ing me

:evilgrin:

[enid602]

8. Oh

Oh . . . you mean the TV show. Ugh. Your title got my hopes up. Thought canceled was a euphemism for eliminated.

[savemefromdumbya]

12. The real Commander in Chief should be cancelled

[Kashka-Kat]

14. I liked it, -- bc I think they were honestly trying to portray what an

independent, non-partisan person of principle would look like as president.
Not "pandering" to either democrat or republican I dont think. Which may have been its down fall, I'm sure Republicans hated it as much as some of y'all-- bc Geena Davis character was such a LIBERAL-- showed her bleeding heart on a number of occasions.

Yep, a fantasy but on the other hand, I happen to think that "none of the above" would win in a landslide if that was offered on the ballot.

Actually, to be more precise--it was only the first shows before the hiatus that I liked. These last ones (after hiatus) were really duds. Not sure why--just seemed lifeless and stiff compared to the beginning, with story line going nowhere. I knew it was all over when the prez mother snuck out of the whitehouse to have SEX== I mean, really! When flailing for ratings, lets just spice it up with some good ole sex-- never mind if its in character or not...

[ComerPerro]

15. Its my fault. I never watched a single episode

[kay1864]

16. Well at least now we know who to blame

:rofl:

[Ava]

19. it was cancelled because it was a boring show

:shrug:

i didn't watch it but once, and i don't know anyone else who did.

[Touchdown]

20. I heard that the hiatus was due to Geena Davis

She exec produced the show, and she became a micro manager on the set, and delayed production. The schedule for new episodes was way behind, and ABC was losing patience in waiting for them.

[kay1864]

26. Where did you hear that?

I read that the schedule was behind because of the show's creator, Rod Lurie. And that the hiatus was b/c the ratings got slammed by American Idol. Never saw anything about Geena micro-managing though.

[Touchdown]

39. Someone in the breakroom.

So take that for what it's worth.:dunce:

[kay1864]

42. Oh well in THAT case...

I'll HAVE to withdraw my comments!

Wait...were they at the soft drink machine, or the coffee pot? Goes to credibility, your honor. :rofl:

[Touchdown]

47. LOL!

Sorry.:rofl:

[BooScout]

21. I watched it....

Can't say it was great tv. Pretty much it was plain stupid. A rip off and poor imitation of West Wing.

[AllieB]

22. Boston Legal is next

mark my words, they are going to cancel any show that dares to mention even one liberal viewpoint (Comedy Central and Keith Olbermann are the exceptions).

[NYCGirl]

23. No, they just renewed it for a third season.

http://television.aol.com/news/article/_a/boston-legal-back-on-docket-at-abc/n20060502043809990007?cid=461

[AllieB]

37. Thank Goodness!

It's my favorite show.

Denny Crane. :evilgrin:

[BooScout]

24. NEVER

Denny Crane:evilgrin:

[kay1864]

27. Denny Crane.

Denny. Crane.

Shatner actually made fun of his own character (who itself is sorta making fun of Shatner), when he got a Golden Globe or something. He went out to the press area, held up the award, and said

"William Shatner."

the same way. Cute.

[k_jerome]

25. maybe it was the flaws and the low ratings? nt.

[WI_DEM]

28. "West Wing" had a liberal bent, but it also had good ratings

for most of its run--if ABC had gotten good ratings for "Commander in Chief" the show would have been renewed. It's just the nature of the TV business.

[Vidar]

29. It was a brave effort. Not the WestWing, but I'm sorry to see it go.

[mandyky]

30. They moved it to Thursdays opposite ER

It was planned. Plus it was off air for several months before the move from Tuesdays to Thursdays. CRAP!! I liked this show.

[kay1864]

33. ER isn't the powerhouse it used to be

In fact when I heard it was moving to Thursdays, I looked at the lineup. Better ER than Survivor or CSI.

Despite that, on its return, it did worse than an ER rerun.

[Cleita]

31. I wouldn't doubt it because the Geena Davis character was pretty

upstanding and liberal although she was portrayed as an independent. Also, I loved the way Sutherland portrayed the sleazy Republican Speaker of the House/or Senate. Memory failing me here. Maybe that's what got stuck in their craw. It was too close to the bone of some Republican Congressional types.

It's too obvious that they are censoring everything. Look at how they censored Steve Colbert's performance at the WH Correspondent's dinner. It was a newsworthy item that was ignored. Fascism is on the rise here. That's one of the first freedoms that goes, freedom of speech.

[kay1864]

34. Ratings, not censorship

Network execs are ruled by the almighty advertising dollar. As another poster pointed out, West Wing did well despite its liberal slant, because of one thing--it delivered the ratings.

All the suits care about is how well a show sells cornflakes and toilet bowl cleaner.

[Cleita]

38. Yes, but I have noticed a tactic of moving shows around that

they want to get rid of so that they lose their viewership. They did it to Bill Maher most recently. I think it's censorship because as far as those kind of shows go Commander In Chief was a good show as good as any of the CSI shows. I far prefer it to The Unit, which will probably have a long run because it's about military.

OTOH, they couldn't do anything to The West Wing, which started when Clinton was in office and was too popular to pull dirty tricks on by the time the BFEE took over our lives. It would have been too obvious. Not only that they made the Republican candidate Vinnick look like a principled Republican. LOL.

[kay1864]

41. Well, in this case they HAD to move it

American Idol was killing it.

Bill Maher is not exactly "recently"--that was 2002.

As for The Unit, remember "Threat Matrix"? 'nuff said.

Bottom line: the only reason they "want to get rid of" a show is if it isn't making them money.

[insane_cratic_gal]

46. Are we so hell bent of the lack of what we deem "liberal" shows

we attack one that tried to be unbiased?

Are we that insecure we need to be fed our own ideas over and over again? Are we that pathetic?

Sounds like half the reason your unhappy with the show is because they tried to stay neutral. In this country were political boundaries and email writing campaigns ensue, I don't blame them for trying to Unite rather then divide their audience. I give them credit for trying. But I tell you there were episodes I watched where I only wished for half of presidential candidate that Genea tried to deliver. Sad but Bush has reduced us to wishing for some fantastical candidate that truly cares for those it governs, given his total lack of empathy for anyone who disagrees with him!

Maybe they tried to unite the country into believing that having a political rival, one must always do what is best for the PEOPLE and not the party. Isn't that what politics is all about? Well of course before Lobbyist entered into the picture, public service was a noble act.


I hate Bushco as much as the next person, but I don't think all republicans are Trent Lott style republicans or Cheney's though corruption sure does run through the whole party. My neighbors, both republicans but I love them to death, we don't let our political ideas get in the way of our friendship. They would do for me, as I would do for them. I know no matter what political decision is made, we are all in it together. Good or Bad.

The American public is married to the politician,and it's a shitty marriage. Often the public is abused and neglected and tossed aside for their candidates selfish purpose but still we don't try to replace them do we? Joe is still running in CT in 2006?

We don't' try to get anyone who is truly independent or different who cares about everyone vs what is good for just one sect of people. We are powerless, we take that frustration out on one another. Until a grassroots movements really blossoms in this country our ideas will go unrepresented in this country, and we will continue to feel anger over it.

There are days when I believe we are pissed off that we don't have our own version of fox news that we have to ban and label all tv instead of trying to break down barriers with the FCC for opening the playing field up.

How many bitch fests have you seen about x politician not saying this to defend that politician? Or one comedian didn't ask the right questions. Fire them ALL!

There are times I think we are just as extreme as those over in that other dirtier playground called freeper-hood. They are our mortal enemies. The ugly truth is we resemble one another in our out right refusal to be fair about any opinion that differers from our own.

It's intolerance, it's what led us to war, it's what keeps 32 percent still supporting that Asshat. It's what still and always will divide us as a nation. Intolerance is the biggest threat to peace.

[lies and propaganda]

32. ahah, again? ABC is almost a joke if not for LOST

this show did well, they cancelled it, presumably got screamed at, put it back on TVs 'best' night, all to bve cancelled again.

Like i said, if not for LOST....

[kay1864]

35. "Screamed at"? No.

That doesn't work anymore. The suits no longer respond to letters and phone calls, not since the 60's anyway. All they care about is ratings.

It wasn't cancelled the first time, it was put on hiatus. And that b/c it was slammed by American Idol. When the ratings dropped, it was no longer "doing well". So they had to find another time slot.

[rinsd]

53. If they cancel Sons & Daughters. I'm done with them (nt)

[KittyWampus]

36. Show sucked and Geena Davis CANNOT ACT. I don't care what award they

have given her.

[Perky]

40. Poor subtitute for The West Wing

Geena Davis just never got over the credibility issue. Poor choice for the lead. Should have gone with someone with more brains and less cuteness. Network Brass never would have fone for Sarandon....but she is the right type.

[derby378]

43. I loved the premise, and thought Geena Davis was great

But the plots were sometimes a little predictable. I hope they release it on DVD, though - it'll make a great Christmas gift.

[Marie26]

44. Oh no

I liked that show.

[muriel_volestrangler]

45. Interesting - to many of DU it's 'liberal' and she is 'independent'

while to British critics it is 'jingoistic' and a British DUer thought it favours "global gunlaw" - see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=191&topic_id=15760&mesg_id=15791 and the couple of replies.

[Mr.Green93]

48. They were afraid of a show

that brought power to the truth.

[onenote]

49. ratings. period. end of story.

Stop with conspiracy theories already. The show debuted with 16 milion viewers -- pretty good. But by November, it was down to 10 million and there were internal conflicts leading to changes in the writers/producers. Then it was brought back only to continue its free fall -- last week it only attracted 6.5 million viewers, and, most importantly, only 1.8 million in the preferred 18-49 demographic. Contrast that with the recently renewed Boston Legal -- a show that has been quite openly critical of chimpy -- it is attracting between 10-11 million viewers, but makes a much much better showing in the desired demographic.

onenote

[rinsd]

55. Dammit onenote, you're ruining the paranoia with logic!

:hi:

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

50. I love that show. Boo!

I'm really disappointed. It is one of the only first run shows I go out of my way to watch.

It certainly does get into the nitty gritty corruption etc.

I didn't watch West Wing enough to know if CIC did so more than West Wing, but WW started under a Dem administration anyhow.

Grrrr

:mad:

[Cha]

52. abc is always getting a good

show on and then cancelling it.

Commander-in-Chief won a best actress award for Geena Davis at the Golden Globes..I don't think they know how to help their shows.

[Zorra]

54. The show was sabotaged by RW media interests. n/t

[IHTFP]

57. Actually, the show sucked

About 1/50th as good as "West Wing" or "Boston Legal."