As we reported previously, ABC decided to spin the wheel and cancel three of its shows -- Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and, the big surprise, Eli Stone. Surprise to me, at least, because I felt that Stone was moving in the right direction since its very strong season premiere. With its slightly new direction, continuing character growth, and imaginative visions that placed the show nearly in the realm of 'musical drama,' the show seemed to be heading in the right direction.
When I think about Eli Stone I see it more like ABC's current hit Life on Mars than I do either Daisies or Money. Both Mars and Eli feature equal amounts reality and fantasy (though, it can be argued that Mars is all fantasy since the main character allegedly time travels to 1973), both have characters that are on a quest, and both feature an underlying sense that there is a reason for their situations. They also feature good writing, excellent actors, and a story that keeps viewers interested. Plus, Stone has the added factor that, on occasion, we get to see the characters do a little song and dance. And, who doesn't love a good musical number?
Then there's the fact that Eli was moving in new and interesting directions with the breakup of Wethersby, Posner and Klein into two separate law firms -- Wethersby, Stone and Associates and Posner and Klein. A new dichotomy for Jordan Wethersby and Eli was created as they jumped the hurdles necessary to regrow their new firm. With secondary characters like Matt Dowd and Maggie moving over to Klein and Posner there was also potential for new relationships to be created both in and out of the courtroom. As well as the added chance that these characters would eventually come back to Eli's firm to fight for the greater good.
There is one more thing that makes this show different than either Daises or Money: heart. And, a sense of spirituality that you don't find in many shows these days. Where love was at the heart of Daisies and greed and lust were the cornerstone of Money, faith has been the crux of Stone. Whether it has been a discussion of Eli's role as prophet between Dr. Chen and himself, or a musical number featuring Victor Garber that highlighted the week's spiritual dilemma, the show was one of those rare programs that entertained as well as made you think. That, in turn, made you care not only for the characters but the situations they encountered.
As you see, there are a number of factors in favor Eli Stone that should give the executives at ABC food for thought. Should they reconsider I would highly recommend putting the show on before or after Life on Mars, giving a boost to both shows which would allow them to continue for several more years. Should they decide that Eli Stone is no longer right for them, then I leave them in the hands of you, the angry viewers, who may reconsider tuning in when Lost or Dancing With the Stars returns to the network.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-24-2008 @ 11:21AM
Brian said...
Pushing Daisies & Eli Stone were two of the best shows on television. They were creative & focused on doing good.
Unfortunately they will no longer be able to lighten our hearts during a time when many could use a little love & a little faith. It's a tragedy that they couldn't find stronger audiences, because it seems they really were too good for network TV. Both deserved better, and could have really helped people escape the negativity of their current financial situations.
I don't understand why we need more Reality shows, and we can't keep a couple fantasies around for good balance.
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11-24-2008 @ 11:28AM
Carrie said...
I can't believe that they cancelled Eli! I really hope they reconsider. I also hope they reconsider about Pushing Daisies, but this is about Eli. The thing that makes it stand out to me is that even my dad loves this show! He usually hates shows that have a spiritual element and what he hates more than that are musicals! But with Eli, he complains when there is not at least one song in the show and when there's no real spiritual connection behind that weeks case.
We have been a long time waiting for a show like this and now they are taking it away from us. Thanks a lot ABC!
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11-24-2008 @ 11:30AM
Dorv said...
Nicely put, Richard... Its been pretty frustrating these last couple of days seeing all the talk about Daisies, but nothing about Stone (and to a lesser extent, DSM). I personally think Eli Stone is one of the top five shows on today, and think its a damn shame that its going on hiatus, and that no one has really talked about it.
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11-24-2008 @ 11:53AM
charles melrose III said...
Don't even consider law school--that's one of the least compelling briefs I've ever read. While I watch and appreciate TV enormously, I don't share with you or many of the participants on this site your affinity for fantasy and science fiction--who is this Whedon fellow?--and you have to accept that most consumers of TV programming--forget about reality programming for the moment--gravitate to accessible and relatable storytelling and characters. I regularly watch and enjoy Eli Stone but feel the flaw in the structure is the enormous leaps of faith required to accept the story lines. Most viewers won't do it and the ratings reflect it. Same deal on Daisies, Mars, Traveler etc. It may be nice art, but you should never be shocked when it fails as a commercial effort.
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11-25-2008 @ 12:02PM
Sam said...
So what you are saying Charles is that art doesn't play on TV. I find it sad that the bulk of the US population seems only to want mindless reality TV that is anything other than realistic - edited by producers to make it more interesting and conflicted.
Gone are the days when interesting dialogue and storyline prompt us to cry, smile or think. Stone was not meant to be a realistic depiction of the courtroom but as a commentary on spirituality and love and doing the right thing it did carry a message worth hearing.
The decision to cancel this show is so typical of ABC. I have been down this road before with this and other networks. In an age where cable attracts a big audience, the three big networks need to grow up and realize that no one show will win its time slot in total. I recognize that they are in business to make money but I wonder what they will find to replace the shows they are taking off. Today I see that they are bringing the NBC show Scrubs to ABC (a show that was critically acclaimed, struggled in the ratings and ended up going off the air and into syndication)...now revived on ABC. So do they think this one will draw a huge audience and win back all the viewers? I just don't get it.
11-24-2008 @ 12:00PM
eric f. said...
musical drama. that is the problem. I love Pushing Daisies, but almost turned away after the musical number of the first episode. If the song had continued, they would have lost me as a viewer, not that my viewing made a difference in the end anyway...
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11-24-2008 @ 12:36PM
Sue said...
My heart is broken. Eli is my most favorite show on TV. I am done with network TV. All they want to broadcast is crap. Last year it was Journeyman getting the ax and now Eli Stone. I am officially done with network TV.
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11-24-2008 @ 12:52PM
Tony said...
How about a case to cancel Eli Stone? It was given sweet lead in's (Lost, Desperate Housewives for two weeks and Dancing With The Stars ) and it STILL does not get great ratings!! What do you want ABC to do? You can make the case for Dirty Sexy Money which had a horrible lead in with Private Practice, was saddled in a night with two ratings challenged shows and was never given an opportunity to flourish behind one of ABC's stronger rated shows as did Eli Stone. (who's with me that Desperate Housewives would have been the perfect lead in genre wise??)
I don't like to see any shows cancelled but you can't blame ABC for this one.
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11-24-2008 @ 1:03PM
Richard said...
My wife and I both love Eli Stone! My wife happens to be a lawyer who has just had brain surgery because of an aneurysm. She could really relate to Eli. No, she didn't have musical visions, but we both like what the show communicates about right and wrong and everything in between.
Eli is also very well written and acted. Networks always tend to get rid of the good, quality shows. It's really a shame. Here's a fantasy: a network executive who puts quality before ratings. With DVR's and online watching, ratings really don't mean much anymore. We don't watch any shows live because we prefer to zip through commercials. WE WANT GOOD TV!
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11-24-2008 @ 1:35PM
KR said...
My hubby and I love Eli (and my brother even appeared in an episode last season. Its such a feel good show that aims above the lowest common denominator. Alas, the death nell in broadcast TV.
Just praying that another favorite, Lipstick Jungle is able to hang on.
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11-24-2008 @ 1:49PM
nattyff said...
I saw the PD end coming, buy i never thought that Eli and DSM were in the same bag... dame you ABC!!! :)
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11-24-2008 @ 2:16PM
Jason said...
I can blame ABC for this one. Captain of the ship... it's their fault the show is being cancelled when there's that much talent and good writing involved. If the show sucked, then it would be the writer's fault and no one would be having this conversation. Perhaps something like a time change to 9pm or a night move would have helped...
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11-24-2008 @ 2:22PM
Mellie said...
Sign the petition, Save Eli Stone!!!
http://tvseriesfinale.com/articles/eli-stone-petition-to-save-the-cancelled-abc-tv-show/
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11-24-2008 @ 3:08PM
lorelei25 said...
Amen.
I've believed all along that ABC simply did not know how to promote the show. It's such a "high concept": lawyer with brain aneurysm, see visions that come true, friend believes God might be talking to him. This would take a creative sell that was obviously beyond ABC's publicity department.
CBS picked up "JAG" from NBC and it ran for years. NBC could really use something to give them some cred. Maybe we should all just write the air/cable networks saying, "Please take a chance. We'll follow Eli anywhere."
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11-24-2008 @ 3:45PM
Phil J Leitch said...
About a week ago I told my wife that I thought Eli was my new favoritest show on (at least until Lost or BSG resumes)...but even then it would be in the top 5.
PD is a favorite as well but I'd gladly give that up in order to save Eli. Like the other poster I am getting close to giving up on network tv as well. I miss Journeyman. Now I'll miss Eli.
and Pushing Daisies.
and The Middleman.
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11-24-2008 @ 5:26PM
dan2ktj said...
To be honest I just want more Maggie Decker in the shower.
I love this show. Save Eli!
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11-24-2008 @ 5:48PM
Barry Boyer said...
Yea, we finally get a good spiritual show and it gives way to sex and murder and reality shows.
Eli was a good wholesome show that always has a good morale to tell. It worries me as to what this country is coming to that they find sex, murder and reality shows to be more interesting.
ABC is loosing me as a fan for sure....and to think it's a Disney owned network ????
11-24-2008 @ 6:39PM
foolish501 said...
Sorry guys, i'm afraid it's all my fault that Eli Stone has been cancelled. You see i bring a cursed onto shows. I don't watch many shows, but those shows i do watch are sure to be cancelled. It happened last year with the only 2 series i watched (Las Vegas & Journeyman), and it's happening again now. Eli Stone was such a great show, and after each show i would have a warm feeling inside, and this is from somebody who's not religious.
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11-24-2008 @ 9:29PM
Jean said...
I certainly am no fan of ABC. In fact, I have hated them for a couple of years. But I did come back to them for Eli Stone. Now that they have dropped the axe on Eli Stone, there is no real reason to continue watching. I gave up Lost a long time ago, and there is no other program on ABC that compels me to watch like this show has. Eli Stone does have heart, and the most talented cast on television. Any time you can have Victor Garber or Loretta Devine sing to you on network television has to be worth gold.
I think this show has been done an injustice. ABC just didn't properly promote the show. They also made an error in judgement and practically false advertised when they showed a preview very early on that insinuated that Sigorney Weaver, Seal and Katie Holmes would be on the same program. I'm sure a lot of people tuned in to see all of them ( who were lumped together in a commercial ) and when that did not come to fruition, tuned out permanently. They also showed boring ads that did not truly capture the heart of the show.
A show that is about faith and doing the right thing is what is needed now, but thanks to ABC and their pulling the trigger too soon, will not be seen much longer.
Thanks for the case for keeping Eli Stone Alive, it reassures me that some people know what good television is. For about nine years now, I have cursed what is called "reality" television. It offers nothing except crap, but I guess the rest of the tv watching audience is ok with it.
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11-24-2008 @ 11:08PM
Jason said...
You know, regardless of what does happen, the actors and writers really need to pat themselves on the back for 1. taking on such controvercial subject matter as having faith in a higher power and making it work on a level that isn't suffocating and 2. great writing and superb acting. No one involved with this show should feel their cancellation was somehow their fault. No one.
Great job, guys. Here's to your futures.
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