Zap2it.com is reporting that the ABC SF show “Day Break” that was the hoped-for fill-in surprise of the year has failed to reach an adequate audience to make the network want to bring it back next season.
The show came on as a mid-season replacement for ratings hog “Lost,” which went on hiatus until after the first of the year. ABC execs were hoping that fans of actor Taye Diggs and those use to tuning in ABC on Wednesday nights would stay faithful and hang in there for “Day Break” but it never came to pass.
The decision follows a weak ratings performance this week, with the show hitting new lows in the key adults 18-49 demographic (1.4 for “Day Break”).
“Day Break” told the story of a homicide detective who is framed for the murder of a prosecutor and ends up living the same day over and over in “Groundhog Day” fashion, but in a dramatic setting. He is the only character in the show that realizes it is the same day, as he must continue to gather evidence to prove his innocence.
What break? I heard that the show has been pulled from the schedule, completely. There WAS going to be new episode this coming Wednesday.
This is another indication that people don’t want to watch good TV. With all of my favorite “new” shows getting cancelled left and right, I’m now less likely to start a new TV shows. Even if the shows sound interesting. I just don’t want to be left hanging anymore.
Break, in the sense of, Holiday Break.
Yeah, okay, but the show wasn’t going to break for that time period. They were supposed to have all new episodes til the end of January.
I could’ve forgiven ABC if they at least aired the rest of the episodes of the series (whether it was Wednesday or a different day of the week), instead of just pulling it off the air. But now, forget about it.
Well, you never know. John Billingsley’s new show was also cancelled and all the epis not shown, but he was still shooting episodes throughout this week that will not be aired. The networks may stop showing show episodes during the normal season, but usually finish production so they have enough epis in the can for a full season to have ready for DVD release iTunes download, network internet site download or summertime fillers and for networks like SCI FI and USA to pick up and run – like has been done with Threshold.
Well, I hope I do get to see the rest of the episodes. I want to know what happens next. A DVD release would definitely be worth buying.
Two points:
First, I don’t think there was ever going to be a second season. It’s not a TV series per se, more of a miniseries, with a self-contained plotline and everything.
Second, I remember reading that ABC might be posting the remaining episodes online once they pull it off the schedule.
Kyle’s right, Day Break was supposed to run for consecutive weeks from beginning to end, and after it was over then LOST would return.
And yes, ABC should make all of the episodes available from their website, so folks who are interested can watch the rest of the series, and get some closure on how he resolves the mystery. I hope they do it.
As for not being a second season, why not? How many “bad days” has Jack Bauer had now?
I have a really really detailed idea on how Day Break should have gone, and I wish I could talk to someone on the production team and see if that’s where they were going with it. Especially if they had ideas for continuing the series beyond one season.
I really need to start writing all this stuff down.
I loved Daybreak, but there’s absolutely no way I’m going to fork over good money for the DVD of another show that a network’s canceled in the middle of a plotline. If a network wants to air serialized dramas, they need to freaking show all the episodes. This pattern of networks canceling a show and then charging the fans fifty bucks for a DVD and acting as if they’re doing us a favor has got to stop.
If they do the smart thing and put the remaining eps online like some of the posters above have suggested, that might be enough of a show of good faith for me to take a chance on another of their shows, rather than not watching at all to avoid getting involved in the plot only to have it canceled midway though.
Yes, I’m a little annoyed. And no, this has nothing to do with the unbelievable hotness of Mr. Taye Diggs. Why do you ask?
I suspect the last episodes of Daybreak will leak out, even if they aren’t released. I would suggest checking Bitttoreent Air, they not only have a quick fight to Britian, but also an occasional trip to the Nevernever.
BTW I think the best way to do a second season would be to have a different person repeating the day, it would be itresting to to just rotate the point of view and still have Hopper, just with some one else repeating the day.
I AM SO MAD THAT ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOWS WAS CANCELED DAYBREAK WAS FANTASTIC, WHY CAN-T ABC EXECS SEE BEYOND NUMBERS AND GIVE US QUALITY SHOWS LIKE THIS AND NOT MAKE US SUFFER THE LOST OF GOOD TV. ABC GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND AND GIVE US WHAT WE WANT. BRING BACK DAYBREAK. I-M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER WITH ANY NEW SHOWS BECAUSE YOU IDIOTS ARE GOING TO CANCEL THEM ANYWAY, I-M FEED UP.
Silly ABC execs. Finally they have a show worth something in their hands and they cancel it. Too bad HBO didn’t get the script first.
“Thank God” they didn’t cancel such excellent, intelligent shows such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition or Ugly Betty…
I HATE THEM FOR DOING THIS!!! WHY CAN’T THEY FINISH WHAT THEY BEGIN AIRING?
I HATE THEM, I WOULD KILL THE PERSON FOR MAKING THIS DECISION IF HE WALKED BY ME ON THE STREET!
ABC is making the unaired episodes available on their website, but I don’t know if they’ll be accessible to people outside of the US.
And killing isn’t necessary, but I believe pelting them with rotten eggs may be warranted.
Tara,
I know what you mean. I was looking forward to arranging an interview with Taye Diggs, but this scheduling change threw a monkey wrench into things.
But you know, there isn’t any rule that says we can’t talk to people whose shows have been rudely and prematurely cancelled….
I agree Summer, we should get Taye on anyway. He would make a great guest interview.
Every commercial I heard said that Day Break was the new number one show on television. I agreed. Appearantly the ABC powers-that-be must not listen to the commercials. Day Break was a great show, far better than most. I am so upset that I will never start watching a new program on ABC again!