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Date Posted: 20:34:21 10/01/01 Mon
Author: Tom
Subject: Re: Why was it cancelled? Seriously
In reply to: Kelly 's message, "Why was it cancelled? Seriously" on 00:09:10 10/01/01 Mon

Hi, Kelly! Welcome aboard. :-)

QL was cancelled because, while it did well in the ratings, it was never a major hit like Friends or ER. When NBC kept it in one spot (Wednesdays at 10 p.m./9 Central), the ratings were quite good, and every time they moved it around (which was often), it did poorly. While the show regularly ranked in the 40s and 50s in the Nielsen ratings, it was either #1 or in the top 5 for its time slot for certain demographics (groups of viewers). Unfortunately, these viewers tended to be older, and advertisers--the lifeblood of the networks--tend to favor younger audiences.

So after a disastrous move to Friday nights at 8/7 p.m. against then-ratings juggernaut "Full House," NBC moved QL back to Wednesday nights at 10/9 p.m. They aired a second week of back-to-back episodes in the summer, and the ratings improved again, though it performed basically how it had before in the Wednesday night (good, but not as great as they hoped). Finally, the network decided to move it again to Tuesday nights at 8/7 p.m. ... against "Full House." When they cancelled the series, they said it was due to poor ratings, but they had made sure it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There's a lot more detail and many different perspectives on this issue, but that's the bare bones of it.

As for a movie, I wouldn't give up hope just yet. The presumed success of "Enterprise" should actually work in the movie's favor, as the studios may see Bakula as a bankable star for the first time in ages (if ever). Bakula has a few months off in between filming seasons of Enterprise, and in the Sciography "making-of-QL" special last year, he reiterated his often-expressed interest in returning to the role. Like Bakula, Stockwell's been having trouble getting decent roles, but if the Sciography is any indication, he's still in good shape and also open to the idea of doing future QL stories.

The biggest obstacle in the way right now is the creator and producer of QL, Don Bellisario. He's currently working on "JAG," which is far more successful than QL ever was (which is inexplicable to this humble writer, but oh, well). All his attention is focused there right now. I've also heard recently from people in the know that there are creative control issues between him and his ex-wife Deborah Pratt (voice of Ziggy, writer of some of the best episodes). Seems their divorce was less than amicable and he doesn't want her involved. Whatever the case, I do hope they'll be able to work things out so that we can see further adventures of Sam and Al.

Hope this answered your question!

Tom

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