It seems that ABC might be just as confused about the future of Defying Gravity as the rest of us are. Yesterday TVOvermind reported that Defying Gravity had been canceled. Although no official announcement from ABC had been made, it seemed clear by ABC's actions, and the show's ratings, on what had happened, and many other sites also reported the cancelation (we did mention that nothing official had been announced, by the way). After publishing our article I personally attempted to get in touch with the show's publicist at ABC for a confirmation and some answers to our questions. While I didn't receive a response, it seems that The Futon Critic did, as they posted the below news article this evening.
LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) — Let the speculation end: ABC's "Defying Gravity" is still very much alive.
Nicole Marostica, the show's publicist for the network, has confirmed the Alphabet hasn't pulled the plug on the show and is still mulling scheduling options going forward.
Due to its late start this summer, ABC didn't have the real estate to air all 13 installments from its first season. "Gravity's" shortened run was made clear from the start: the network announced back on July 22 (read the story), "Brothers & Sisters" would return to its Sunday, 10:00/9:00c slot on September 27, leaving "Gravity" just eight weeks of potential air dates.
This coming Sunday, ABC will air the 2005 feature "King Kong" rather than put originals against CBS's coverage of the Emmys.
"Gravity" nevertheless has been a lackluster performer at best – last night's airing drew just 2.52 million viewers (including a 0.9 rating among adults 18-49), making it the least-watched program on the four major networks.
No indication was given as to when the show will return.
So let me get this straight…ABC pulled Defying Gravity from its schedule a week early, gave no previews for the next episode, and didn't think they should send out a press release explaining to fans of the show what was happening? How did they ever plan to get their audience back if they allow the show to mysteriously disappear with some future non-committal return date not even mentioned to anyone, anywhere? So they say it hasn't been canceled, but they don't have the slightest bit of a plan for when or how to air the remain five episodes of a show that's only pulling in 2.5 million viewers? Why is ABC being so damned passive aggressive with this show?
Before I say what I'm about to say, I just want to be clear that I love this show. But don't jerk our chains ABC. Don't hope that this is going to disappear in the mist that is the fall season, and that none of us are going to remember this show in a few months. Either have the guts to cancel this fantastic show and face us, or give us a plan of when we'll get to see the remaining episodes.
Yesterday I said that a Save Defying Gravity campaign was out of the question, but I think I might be having a change of heart. Anyone up for showing ABC that we love this show and want it back? Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think about saving this show. The most successful campaigns have been the ones where fans actually mail or buy something significant from the series to the executive staff at the networks. So what are you willing to do?
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(24 votes, average: 4.83 out of 5)
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Bryan Jones (aka AstroJones) is a Human Resources Professional by day, and a web designer and writer by night. Bryan is a hard core television & movie fan and also writes for MovieOvermind.com, Hyper Mosaic FlashForward site, & Walter's Lab. Bryan lives in Norman, Oklahoma with his wife and three daughters. You can keep updated on all of Bryan's writings by following him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/astrojones2 or on Facebook.
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Goodness, why do US stations cancel all the good series midway through? It seems series have 2 episodes or something to do well or else they're axed in the US. Another recent example that comes to mind is The Listener. Thankfully I live in Canada and saw the first season all the way to the very exciting finale (Hopefully CTV's going to have a 2nd season) but apparently the series was cancelled an episode before the show picks up in the US. If ABC is going to go through with cancelling Defying Gravity, that'll make it the 2nd really interesting and exciting (make-you-think) internationally-co-produced/produced series to get the axe this year as far as I know. (Why cancel on US airwaves when clearly the rest of the world likes it? There's something I'm missing in the logic I think)
I'm glad it's still airing in Canada, albeit on Space–at least it's still being broadcast here.
apparently everyone in this country would rather watch "reality" tv crap than a show with a real story, real acting, and a direction OTHER than crash, burn, and infidelity.
I discovered this program online and was trying to catch up in hopes of getting the latest episode this week when I discovered it had been cancelled. What a HUGE diappointment! This show is fantastic and of a quality and subject I would not expect to find on network TV. Please do not sell Defying Gravity short. At the very least, air the last five episodes. (I vote for at least five more seasons, one for each year of the mission, or maybe 7 more for each of the remaining planets.) The people who watch this kind of show are not used to looking for it on network TV. Give them a chance to find it and they will watch!
You can stream all 13 season 1 episodes at http://www.ch131.com/dgseason1.htm
cheers
dude thank alot I've been looking for those
The episodes are available on iTunes it turns out… but not all 13 yet, only 1-8… if you really love the show, then vote with your $ and buy the episodes on iTunes. I am (tho I really wish they weren't so expensive LOL).
I can't believe they're canceling (or possibly canceling) this show! I just found out about it. If this show was airing on Fox or some other station known for SciFi it would being doing spectacular. I rarely ever tune into ABC. And im sure most people interested in this show don't often either. I found Defying Gravity on Hulu and was immediately hooked. I hope the syfy channel picks it up. The great thing about this show is its not just cheesy science fiction its a very honest look into peoples lives. The writers need to be commended. My favorites episodes are "Bacon" and of course the final episode "Kiss". Grr…. this really ticks me off
I'm crestfallen. Finally a show that excited the imagination, brillant believable acting, loads of possibilities, and characters I already miss.
CRAVING another episode of Defying Gravity to the extent that I went and searched for info. Sad that it wasn't marketed well, I was tricked into watching one episode and fell in love. Just wanted to weigh in; come on ABC, with some patience you have a winner here.
Invasion, Journeyman, Sarah Connor and now Defying Gravity. What's the problem with US TV networks. The shows are/were fantastic but changing viewing dates and times not to mention airing three episodes and then nothing for weeks before they continue does not help their ratings. Not every show is going to be the new LOST! I understand that ABC isn't responsible for all the above shows but their business model reflects what's happening with most if not all TV stations. Here's a thought… don't axe the shows ..axe the idiots that can't market them properly!
Very disappointed with ABC for canceling DG. It is one of most exciting Sci-Fi series since Enterprise.
I think it maybe religion which was a factor in canceling the show! The faith of the character "Paula Morales" is questioned because she had false memories of a miracle that never happened.
Well, I am going to boycott ABC for this stupid decision.
I for one am not going to be watching any more shows on ABC. I don't want to get my hopes up if they come out with a new show that is utterly amazing and cancel it like they do with any good show.
I mean seriously, dump cougar town, the most ignorant piece of drivel I've ever heard of. And put Defying Gravity back on the air. I think it's one of the greatest shows ever. It's witty, comical, interesting, great plot development, and it's a new and fresh idea!!! How can they just leave us hanging like this?
This is a horrible move by ABC. Not only in the canceling of the show, but in their failure to actually market and advertise the show effectively in the first place.
Think I'll go watch Fox now…
Defying Gravity has been my favorite non-comedic show since the X-files. Dump 'The Middle' (did we really need a worse version of everybody loves raymond?) & please dump 'Cougar Town' (I couldn't think up a worse series if I tried) and get back to making interesting, thoughtful, and imaginative TV like Defying Gravity.
I have been watching Defying Gravity for four weeks in Scotland. I think it is great with a lot of areas of the plot still to be developed. Lets hope narrow minded executives at ABC don't pull the plug.
I do not watch much TV anymore but I have a knack of liking shows that are too intelligent for the mass market it appears. If ABC drops this show, that may be enough for me to drop ABC altogether. So, pure cable for me and may the mainstream stations fall into history …
This is the best new show around, period. It is still a bit rough around hte edges but has tremendous potential. It is the ONLY show I would even turn on the local ABC channel to watch. If this show really does get canceled it would be on par with the obvious mistake of the canceling of Star Trek a few decades ago. Someone at ABC please get the smarts to film at least another season and *promote* this show this time instead of letting us all find out about it by word of mouth or from friends in Canada.
excellent storyline. solid acting. good fx.
effing bureaucrats.
Yes, the show started off slow but I got hooked after the third week! I went online to watch the rest of the 13 shows and couldn't turn it off leaving me wanting more! I'm getting tired of investing my time in shows that get cancelled. Soon I’ll find other methods of watching TV rather than network TV! I'm tired of stupid reality shows! I want something with substance and this was a show that did it for me! The actors were solid the chemistry was great! This show is way better than SG-U!!!!
im from the uk, and i really like this show. I watch it on the internet an i really want more.
they set up a really big plot and never finished it….. depressing really
I agree with ALL the positive comments about this great show. What a stupid time to "launch" a show (pun intended).
I just found this show last weekend, went to Space Channel (Canada) and watched all the episodes online. Had to stop at 3am and finish the next day!
Please, please, please ABC – bring back this show!
I loved this show. The cast was great! And I can't believe we won't get to see the rest of the season which was already filmed! If at the very least, the dvd gets released, I hope the full season is on it. But I hope that they pick the show back up, perhaps in the off seasons (ex Jan, summertime).
I just got wind of this show a few weeks ago and just finished watching 9 episodes of it. I hate that it is canceled in the US, but I hope Canada still airs it so I can just watch it alternatively using something else. I think the show could have been successful, but it never was really advertised. If it had the same advertised time as "V" did, I am sure it would get just as much viewers….
Oh well, ABC's behind in this game, their loss and we'll await to see what their next move is. BTW, it seems out of the four major networks, ABC seems to lack some quality staff that can determine what viewers want..
Such an awesome program. Due to ABCs negligent promotions of this amazing show I didn't even know about it until after it was cancelled. I've been telling all of my friends to watch it for days online and now I find out I'm promoting a show they've already cancelled. If you aren't going to promote a show properly and give it time to find it's audience you aren't doing it justice. This was the best show since Firefly (may it rest in peace).
This is honestly one of the best shows I've ever seen. Shame on ABC for being idiots about it, and wanting it off the air due to their own stupidity. If this turns out to be yet another awesome new show that's pulled in favor of more of the same old crap on TV these days, I'd be ready to start never watching TV again.
Incredible! I don't understand how ABC can just take a show away MIDWAY! Here I am searching through the internet to find an ounce of information as to when the next season will start (watched all 13 online) and come to find that it's most likely CANCELLED! I feel insulted as a fan not being told by the network as to what they even plan on doing.
It's a shame letting such an amazing story line go to waste. I rarely watch TV and this definitely caught my attention. Now, how will I know what Beta and Gamma exactly are and what their purpose is? How will I know if Zoe and Maddax end up together? How will I know if that rabbit ever makes it out of space? How will I know what ANYTHING?! all these questions and definitely no answers… ABC, BRING ME BACK MY SHOW!!
What I don't get is why they released this show during the summer? This could've easily been a fall show.
Especially now that V is on air, they can have Defying Gravity as a follow up for V. Or they can even put it on Wednesday nights cause I bet you right now, it'll have much better ratings that Eastwick.
I'm hoping that ABC will put Defying Gravity back once any of its new 10pm dramas gets cancelled. Or when DWTS ends its fall season. Cause seriously, they can't end after the cliffhanger that's episode 13!
So does Beta go the way of [Beta Max]? Do we ever get to see more of Laura floating around nekid? What about the rabbit test, did it live? I'm pregnant with wonder!!! Hey Sci-Fi what will it take for youze guys to pick up the ball?
V iva V (re Morina).
I loved this programme and like many others came across it by accident. Lack of promotion at the BBC meant a lot of people in the UK missed it too but thats changed and the shows popularity here has really taken off. The characters are interesting and well drawn with natural human flaws and emotions hopes and fears etc. The Sci-FI scenes are impressive and to my mind are certainly the most contemporary I've seen in awhile. It beggars belief then that yet again the american network have cancelled a show that had enormous appeal. It seems that most american stations now are ratings whores and nothing else. I suspect though that it was probably to intellectually challenging for a nation addicted to reality shows and vapid no-brain television, consequently it had to go.
The problem as I see it is that the US relies on selling programmes in Europe to partly recoup it's production costs, continued cancellation of shows will sooner or later result in Europe's programme buyers refusing to pick up programmes where there is no commitment to produce the entire length of the show.
I know that recently C4 in the UK have expressed no interest in buying further shows from the US after the storm of protest unleashed at C4 executives following cancellation of the cult comedy show Reaper. Pro Sieben (Germany) and the BBC will probably follow suit.
So think on ABC, FOX etc. Keep on cancelling shows that have already been sold to foreign markets and sooner or later you wont have a foreign market!
Life, Sarah Connor and now Defying Gravity?? What are they thinking? These shows are all exceptional and what happens….they get cancelled. What a shame. These shows all have exception acting and writing and instead people (or should I say mindless idiots) are watching the multitude of reality shows. It really stinks for those of us who actually want a show with some substance.
I love Defying Gravity! Please give me more!! I need more!!!
canceling this show without some sort of plot resolution is like narative blue balls.
Exactly! at least give us some conclusion!
I think that abc should air the remaining episodes and be thankful for any fans they can pull for a show that actually has some depth…they should realize that the some of the people that would watch the show and be avid fans may not be couch potatoes so it might take a bit for them to notice it. Suck it up abc, and spend some money on creative marketing or if you really want just post the (full) season online then go straight for DVD sales…you guys have too much money anyway.
I just stumbled across this show and love it! I dont know how many seasons the storyline will carry. I think ABC needs to give this show more PR and airtime. It is well written, interesting plot line, and great actors. I cant believe we are getting V back and then a great show like this is not making it. I am in for a campaign to bring it back. I never get this attached to a show but something about this show has sucked me in. even got me to research what is going on and to write a posting!
I started watching this show the first night it was on and was instantly hooked. I have been waiting for weeks, watching the last few episodes online, wondering when any more are going to be aired. Finally when I go looking for information on when it is going to be on next, and find out that it is cancelled, what a let down. I would love for the show to be brought back, or even if ABC had just aired the last few episodes and told us what they were doing would have been nice.
Don't the executives at networks remember that shows take time to develop a following? Isn't Seinfeld the perfect example??? Ratings were horrible the first year and it nearly got the ax. They just aren't willing to give the good shows enough time. I just found Defying Gravity YESTERDAY only to find out this mess. I'm still gonna buy them on iTunes tho to show my support.
I am SO pissed off about defying gravity's mysterious disappearance from ABC – without notice, or any sort of answer as to why they were showing KING KONG instead of a new episode. I had to find Canadian video's online in order to watch the remaining episodes of the season! What a pain. Not to mention, the season left off with a huge cliffhanger that may unfortunately never be answered. It's frustrating.
This has left an extremely bitter taste in my mouth. I have begun to really like V and Flash Forward but I am weary that these shows may have the same ending as Defying Gravity and I might just have more questions unanswered and more incomplete stories. If this keeps happening, no wonder why their audience retention SUCKS.
People at ABC just don't understand that the audience has a connection with the characters, the shows, and look forward to a new episode each week. To pull these shows from under our feet mid season is just messed up. Especially since they were already filmed. There is no excuse or reason as to why they couldn't have at LEAST completed the season.
UGH. Bring DEFYING GRAVITY BACKKKKKKKKKKK