[UPDATED] Shortsighted or smart? TNT's 'Saving Grace' has plug pulled by producers

TNT issued a press release today announcing its plans for a shortened nine-episode final season of  "Saving Grace," the cable network's at-times risque drama starring Oscar winner Holly Hunter.

Alas, these are not the "plans" TNT was hoping to announce. TNT did not cancel "Saving Grace." That was done by Fox Television Studios, a production unit at News Corp.

Although "Saving Grace" was a solid if not spectacular (i.e. TNT's "The Closer") performer, Fox Television Studios saw more risk than reward in going ahead with a full third season and a fourth season, which TNT wanted. The worry was that the show would not bring in enough money in reruns or in DVD sales to justify the production costs of the program.

Furthermore, the show, with its Southern feel and religious undertones, proved to be a hard sell overseas, which is where producers try to recoup a lot of their programming costs.

Still it is very unusual for the producers to pull the plug on a show, especially in this case since TNT's contract still had a few more seasons to run.

However, such a move might become more common in today's challenging marketplace. Perhaps other cable networks such as TNT, USA, FX, and AMC, who are becoming homes for these types of big-budget serial dramas should take notice on this one. 

The long-term value of these shows is not a slam dunk. Sure, HBO's "The Sopranos" can pull in big bucks from A&E in reruns, but that is still the exception, not the rule. That said, sources tell Company Town that Fox TV Studios did not even discuss the idea of TNT agreeing to pick up the reruns for "Saving Grace," something the network did with Warner Bros. on "The Closer."

It is hard to say if Fox Television Studios is being smart or shortsighted. But this issue is not going to go away and if studios want cable networks to keep buying smart dramas, both are going to have to find a way to make the numbers work or else viewers will walk. And then everyone loses.

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Holly Hunter poses for a picture at the Turner Entertainment Network's Upfront event in New York. Credit: Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Comments

[RebeccaH]

I never watched Saving Grace after the first couple of episodes for the simple reason that the Holly Hunter character was a messy skank with wild hair who always had a cigarette or a bottle of whiskey or somebody else's husband in hand. All in all, an unpalatable character. And then along comes God spitting tobacco juice into a soft drink bottle. Ugh.

[kim ogrady]

This is tragic News-this show is the best show TNT has by far. I hope the other channels have the intellect to grab up this show fast.

[Tracey Palmer]

This CANNOT HAPPEN!!!! Does anyone know how to go about starting a petition? Maybe we'll get lucky and some other studio will pick this up.

[redmollyo]

Big mistake all aroung Holly Hunter and the entire cast put out one of the BEST shows on the air.

[gloria]

THIS SUCKS!!!!!!! This show is one of my top favorites; EVER. Holly Hunter is brilliant playing an adult sex abuse survivor; something no other network has ever attempted and done so well. I always knew there was a reason I disliked FOX and this cements it for me. BAD CALL FOX...

[Tina]

This is really a shame. Saving Grace is a well-produced hour of television, with a terrific cast -- not just Holly Hunter, but all of them.

It's a thought-provoking drama that explores what it means to be religious vs. what it means to have faith, and the roles of fate and of free will -- all in a world that can really try one's commitment to God and any attempt, no matter what degree, to maintain your morals.

I think many Bible thumpers failed to really see the deeply spiritual (Catholic, in fact) underpinnings of the show. People are messy and complicated, and so are their choices, but failure in one area doesn't mean failure in all. Above all, God forgives -- that's the show's message, anyhow. He does, even if RebeccaH doesn't.

[Terrye]

Wow! I can't believe this bit of News... SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE "FOX PEOPLE!" This was ONE of THE BEST Series on TV today!! I'm from Texas - and this series ALL AROUND was the BEST!!! I've bought the DVD packages... just CANNOT believe the money grubbers at Fox... give it time, it would have paid off!

[Pam]

This IS a big mistake for Fox. While I love "The Closer" I looked forward to Saving Grace more than any other show. It made me laugh, think and wonder. Holly Hunter is amazing as is the entire cast. Please, please let some other "smart" network realize what a gem this show is and let it be picked up. Fox... you have blown it. Wake up people!!

[jean]

How can we save this entertaining show. By far my favorite TNT drama!

[amy]

HOW can you do this? This is the best show you have!!!!

[Michelle]

I am very shocked to find out this show was canceled. I actually had my cable canceled as i do not watch TV regularly. This was pretty much the the only show I watch with a compulsion and I buy the Epis from Itunes. Petition Time. If anyone has a URL for a petition I would sign for sure.

[Luny]

RebeccaH said it all, except in my case, I only lasted about 20 minutes into the first episode before I changed the channel. There are a lot better shows on cable - Leverage, The Closer for two - so why waste time on Saving Grace. Now all I can hope is that Jon & Kate +8 and 18 Kids & Counting are cancelled to make room for shows about people who actually contribute something to society besides more children.

[Alice D]

I have watched Saving Grace since the first episode and it is one of my favorite shows - it's thought provoking, with a great story line. Definately rough and tumble, and bound to offend some. Holly Hunter is a great actress, and the role is one difficult to arouse empathy and admiration, Grace is not a role model!! But Holly does it!! In these days of moronic, mind numbing and downright STUPID shows on network TV, TNT is full of good dramas, why are they canceling one of the brightest and best. How can we protest?

[J Rond]

Production costs?
I'd like to see an accounting since they don't appear on the screen.

[Ness in Silverlake]

I'm not surprised. The show had gotten stupid this year. The morality of the death penalty and her dealing with the condemn was engaging for the first few seasons. After he was killed off, the concept started getting ridiculous with her chasing and finding this girl who takes on different personalities. And the religious aspects were getting tiresome too. It just didn't have anywhere to go.

And don't let me get started on that dumb episode of the feuding angels. Please.

A couple of weeks ago, I took it off of my season pass. It was now just plain silly.

[Catherine Carter]

Definitely shortsighted...This is a great show, superbly written and beautifully acted by a fantastic cast, thought-provoking, interesting and intelligent. I often watch reruns of it online when there is nothing else to watch. Unfortunately, just the dumb shows are popular...

[Tom Barclay]

Penny-wise, pound-foolish. Fox Studios really doesn't know what to do with shows that aren't reich-wing agitprop kaboom-fests littered with brown corpses.

For you who think Grace not worth the drama . . . wouldn't you try to save a sinner? You never looked at the whole idea. It's a drama about a flawed - but still valuable - human soul.

Another victory for the sanctimonious with short attention spans. Is 'Brady Bunch' still in re-runs?

[h neal]

This is one of the best dramatic shows on television in the last 4 years. The subject matter is faith redemption, and hope, along with lots of humor, of an adult variety. This is a show for adults over the age of 25, who have gone thru the wars of living life, with its tragedies and triumphs to the fullest. I wonder what the average age of the producers is? How short sighted they are.

[Sharon]

Oh, sigh. Another show my husband and I liked is being killed. I swear, the studios should pay us to NOT watch shows. Deadwood, John from Cincinatti, Kings, Arrested Development are recent examples.

What happened to letting a show grow audience? Why does every show have to be a superstar out of the gates? There is a dearth of adult shows that capture you and pull you in, with complex adult characters, skilled acting, and detailed story lines.

I'm sick to death of watching 20-somethings try to act in roles that clearly require 40 years of life experience. I'm tired of 12 year olds trying to be characters that require 15 years of job experience, for example.

Another bad decision by another dumb studio. You can return to your regularily scheduled stupid and predictable shows now.

[Ness in Silverlake]

I'm not surprised. The show had gotten stupid this year. The morality of the death penalty and her dealing with the condemn was engaging for the first few seasons. After he was killed off, the concept started getting ridiculous with her chasing and finding this girl who takes on different personalities. And the religious aspects were getting tiresome too. It just didn't have anywhere to go.

And don't let me get started on that dumb episode of the feuding angels. Please.

A couple of weeks ago, I took it off of my season pass. It was now just plain silly.

[LD]

I am really disappointed in TNT, they don't take into consideration all of the fans out here who watch diligently every week, and who record any episodes they will miss if away from home during that time. I did find a few episodes a little over the top, but then so was "NYPD Blue" (12 seasons) and "Hill Street Blues" (7 seasons) at times; they were renewed season after season. I watched both until their final episodes. A&E is another channel who does not take into consideration their fan base. Production costs??? "Lets talk" as Joan Rivers would say. This is more like censorship by the station big wigs than production costs. Renew the show for this season and for at least two more. I really enjoy all the actors, but especially Holly Hunter, Leon Rippy, and Laura San Giacomo.

[Lawrence Majerczyk/bornagain]

This show, "SAVING GRACE" has been one of the main reason for me to watch TNT. Excellent writing, a fine ensemble cast featuring Holly Hunter. It is a shame that FOX studios is so short-sighted.
3.5 milliom viewers can't be ignored.
GOD Bless

[Jan Kerr]

I really enjoy this show. Yeah, Grace is a skank- but the show is great. There are a host of flawed main characters on TV (House comes to mind) just to name a few). This is what makes it interesting. You just never know what's going to happen! It doesn't fit into a neat category. I am not religious at all, but I enjoy the Earl character and if there is a God I think he would approve of him. You kinda wonder what Grace has up her sleeve a lot of the time. Its really one of the few shows that really are not formulaic. She is a loose cannon- and that is what I like. Of course, I am sure that is what makes is unpalatable for networks to pick up as re-runs. Its not a show that follows the good guy- bad guy routine. Most of the characters are flawed I think that she is a woman makes it harder for lots to swallow…

[Kathy Spain]

TNT/Fox Network truly miss out a large and silent audience. It is the ONLY show I watch. The fast paced gritty drama with a solid cast of multi-faceted characters is sorely missing in the major network lineups. BIG mistake to pull this drama. Holly Hunter's acting is dead-on.

[mary]

I like Saving Grace but it did get very muddled this season.
The religious overtones of the first season keep me looking forward, but it got to the point that I didn't or couldn't relate to the characters anymore. Thanks for Closer and Leverage