ABC cancels 'Eli Stone,' slates 'Scrubs' for Jan., shuffles schedule

The executive producers of ABC's "Eli Stone" had the sad task Thursday afternoon of informing the cast and crew that the show will not go on.

Executive producers Marc Guggenheim and David Petrarca gathered actors and crew members to let them know that they had been notified by ABC that the show will not continue. Production will end when it completes the network's 13-episode order, according to a source who attended the meeting.

The drama, which stars Jonny Lee Miller, joins the ranks of "My Own Worst Enemy," which NBC canceled last week. The networks are in the process of finalizing their midseason lineups after a very difficult fall.

An ABC spokesperson said the network could not confirm if the meeting between producers and the show's cast and crew had taken place or what producers had stated.

ABC officials also would not comment on the fate of "Dirty Sexy Money," which Greg Berlanti also produces. The dramedy, starring Peter Krause, has suffered from low ratings all season and is not expected to survive. Berlanti could not immediately be reached for comment.

Even though ABC was not willing to discuss shows it is removing from its schedule, executives offered some news in the way of additions.

"Scrubs," which ABC bought after NBC canceled it during what was supposed to be its last season, will premiere with back-to-back episodes on Jan. 6 and  Jan. 13 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Then it will settle into its 9 pm slot on Jan. 20.

"Life on Mars" will move to Wednesday nights on Jan. 28 at 10 p.m. in the slot after "Lost." "Private Practice," will move to Thursdays beginning Jan. 8 at 10 p.m., airing after the show that gave it its life, "Grey's Anatomy."

--Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: ABC

Comments

[James]

Scrubs just won't go away, will it? I thought Zach Braff wanted to move on to bigger and better things... Jersey State anyone?

[Ben]

ABC always does this! They don't give a show time to grow. They shuffle it around so people who follow the show can't keep track. Dirty Sexy Money is an entertaining show. A show last season; Hot Shots was an entertaining show, but got canceled. ABC will pre-empt it with an awards show, then a sporting event, then a reality show. Then move it to another time slot! Then fan base can't find it, and looses interest. They tried this years back with NYPD Blue. After years of the same time slot on Tuesday night, they wanted to air it on Mondays. I just don't get it. Maybe they need new leadership!!

[WeLoveMusic]

I am really saddened by this news. Eli Stone is one of the few shows I watch regularly. I already know I will not watch Scrubs

[elistonelover]

I am so sad to hear that eli stone is being cancelled. i really love that show. some times i wonder what these network people are doing. i thought it was such a cool concept and i'm really mad that they've cancelled it.

[Wendy]

Any word on Pushing Daisies?

[Jeff]

Figures. One of the best shows on TV, and it's cancelled. So typical. They dump the good stuff and keep all those mindless "reality" game shows designed for morons. Some smart cable channel should pick up Eli Stone and run with it.

[rufus]

Tv networks are acting like professional sports teams......

[Brenda]

It never fails. I find a show that I really like because it has great writing and great acting and the network decides to cancel it. because it's not getting great ratings. Of course, that may have something to do with the scheduling of the show. Why would you put a new show up against a powerhouse like Law and Order: SVU?

Eli Stone is really one of the best shows around. Where else could you find a drama with interesting story lines and cool musical numbers? I'm sorry more people didn't watch it.

I don't know...maybe this is why I'm watching more cable these days. I do know this makes one more night I won't be watching ABC.

[Brian]

Eli Stone is, hands down, the best show on television. The acting is impeccable, the concept is extraordinary and the humanity is overwhelming. Shame on ABC! The writers, producers and actors should all be proud of the show they created. They have chosen the higher ground of creating an extremely entertaining program while seeking out the best of the human condition and not exploiting the worst. You will be missed Eli Stone!

[Brenda]

I can't believe it!!! Here's a great show with wonderful acting, good story lines and cool musical numbers being cancelled.

Don't know how ABC can expect a new show to do well up against a powerhouse like Law and Order: SVU. What were they thinking?

This makes one more night I won't be watching ABC.

[Avidtvviewer]

Unfortunately, "Pushing Daises" is done, too....What a shame...

[Opal Bowen]

I am a faithful watcher of Eli Stone like the other people who have commented on the cancellation of this show. I've never watched Scrubs and never will, so, ABC, you've lost another viewer for that time slot. Eli Stone was a good show, different from all of the other run-of-the-mill shows that I don't watch for that reason.

[RJ]

This is crazy! Eli Stone is really a unique show! So far it's one of a few good shows that has substance and lessons to learn. You can not just cancel a show just because it doesn't get 15 million viewers or so! 9million or 3 million viewers are still viewers who believe in story line of the show. ABC should get real! The show is aired at 10pm in the evening. Sure enough people wanna sleep too! I assure ABC if they air it at 8pm, it's gonna be a record hit because people of all demographics, even kids, would surely fall in love with the show! Get real ABC! You're greediness would do no good on tv ratings! Scrubs? pshaw! CBS is winning because their programs are substantial! you should invest in those too! just give each tv programs time to make viewers acquainted with the show.

[Susan]

Every time a new and innovative show appears the networks cancel it! Then they resort back to the same old, same old and more stupid reality shows! Eli Stone is a good show, creative and different and the network people are anything but creative and different. They are boring and the shows they give us are equally boring! Time for some new thinking and new people at these networks!

[TheDoctor]

Are the same morons in charge of the nation's auto manufacturing also responsible for television programming? At this point, canceling "Eli Stone" is beyond stupid.

[kelly]

Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, Chuck. I'm sure I'm leaving a few off, but COME ON! These are all high quality shows with very good writing. And let's not forget Boston Legal and ER. Sadly, I still long for Frank's Place...
Pay attention, networks!

[Dan Mulvihill]

So Posner and Klein win after all. I'm really not surprised - a typical network move. Not really knowing where the ratings where last season, I can't say if they took a chance this season. However, I would venture to say they did not. Rarely do they stick their necks out for art or altruism. And frankly I'm surprised they even took chance with Eli Stone. The usual pabulum is normally their staple. It is ironic that Jordan and Eli make the difficult choice of not selling out, instead focusing on the betterment of mankind and thus sending a positive message to the world. Something the networks are rarely capable of. Poetic justice huh?

[JB]

"You're kidding," my husband exclaimed. "Eli Stone cancelled? Why would they do that?"

"I don't know." I replied. If it's interesting and thought provoking its doomed. Like the Saturday Night Live knock-off last year. Or Jericho."

Is cable t.v. going to have the only good t.v.?

[eyeball]

I've watched Eli Stone and found it pretty boring, the gimmick of the cgi didn't catch on with me, and the law stories are pretty much what you find in the other court dramas (Boston Legal, LA Law, Law and Order). I don't want to badmouth the whole show as I think that cast and acting are good, but the stories aren't compelling and I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did. And yes, cable tv is great. Monk and The Shield are great scripted shows, not to mention great unscripted shows on the Discovery Channel.

[Nancy]

Email ABC a complaint on the cancellation of Eli Stone:
http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=CONTACT