Breaking News: ABC Pulls the Plug On...?

As you guys know, I only break in during the day if it’s big news. And much like the last time I broke in, it’s bad news…

Both TVGuide.com and EW.com are confirming that ABC has cancelled “Pushing Daisies,” “Eli Stone” and “Dirty Sexy Money.” All three shows will complete their 13-episode orders, although there is no guarantee that all 13 episodes will air for any of them.

But if all 13 do air, then there is a slim chance if the ratings improve that ABC will change its mind, but I wouldn’t hold my breath…

It is important to note, however, that ABC has not confirmed any of this, although “Daisies” creator Bryan Fuller did confirm it to EW.com’s Michael Ausiello.

The good news for “Daisies” fans is that Fuller plans to tie up the loose ends of the show in comic book format. And speaking of comics, there may be some good news in this for “Heroes” fans, as Fuller has said publicly he would love to go back to “Heroes” if “Daisies” was cancelled (Fuller was a major creative force in the show’s first season.).

I’d like to say that I’m upset about “DSM” since it was my favorite new show last season, but the truth is that I’m not. I’ve been struggling on a weekly basis as to whether to cross it off of my TV-list. Now, I won’t have to decide since ABC has crossed it off for me…

Of course, the real cause behind these cancellations is the Writer’s Strike. “Daisies” and “DSM” were just starting to gain some momentum when they were yanked off the air. I’m betting that ABC is now seriously regretting its decision not to bring back “Daisies” and “DSM” after the strike (like CBS did with its shows). “Stone” would have never made it to a second season if not for the lack of choices ABC had because of no pilots being produced.

The only thing that saved “Private Practice” from cancellation is that it’s a “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff…

In all honesty, I think “Daisies” should have been given more time—especially since it scored so many Emmy nominations last year. If—as Chuck pointed out in his comment on my last post on this topic—ABC did a little more promotion it could have become a bona-fide cult classic. Personally, I think the network should have re-aired the previous episodes before the new season started—or at least the pilot—in order to set up the whole premise.

We can just chalk that one up as one more bad decision by my TV enemy Steve McPherson…