According to industry scuttlebutt, My Name Is Earl is on the ropes and at risk of being canceled by NBC. Nikki Finke is reporting that it's practically a done deal at NBC, but Earl could be moving to Fox.
It's not just the lousy Nielsen ratings that have done the shaggy-dog sitcom in, it's also the rising production costs. NBC has an entire line-up that's bleeding in the ratings, so surgery is required. It is very likely that Earl will get the ax.
But that may not be the end of Earl Hickey. Like Scrubs before it, My Name Is Earl may find a more friendly home on another network. Fox reportedly is inclined to pick up My Name Is Earl. The Fox roster is devoid of sitcom successes, unless they're animated. Brad Garrett's 'Til Death may still technically be coming back in the fall, but nobody would call it a hit show. The last legitimate sitcom of quality on Fox was Arrested Development.
Well, former NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly is now running Fox and he's interested in bringing Earl to his net. His interest isn't purely altruistic or even nostalgic.
20th Century Fox Television produces the show and without enough episodes broadcast, the value of the program in syndication is zilch. Also, Reilly would probably like to see Earl succeed on Fox so he could stick it to NBC. I would.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-03-2009 @ 9:25AM
Malren said...
I feel like Earl has just run its course. It's consistently boring now. Joy's the only thing on the show worth watching, and she's only got the one good note.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 1:36PM
Jennifer said...
I'm with you. I loved the show, but it's gotten boring. I think it started going downhill around the time of Earl's coma, and they don't even seem that interested in "the list" any more. Also, whatever happened to Catalina?
4-03-2009 @ 9:36AM
SadOldMan said...
Earl has been very good lately, but if they have to cut costs as dramatically as Scrubs has...no thanks.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 9:50AM
J. said...
Well it's already jumped the shark. One more jump won't hurt anything.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 10:07AM
StillBash said...
Would be one less Scientology show on the air. Good riddance.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 10:50AM
CeCe said...
Don't take away my Earl. I think it has hit its stride again this year. Every ep as been solid, funny, and in such an odd way, sweet. There are only 4 sitcoms on the air that are worth watching, BBT, HIMYM, 30Rock and Earl.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 2:39PM
tcc3 said...
Then Fox could cancel it.
Its like hiring a hitman instead of doing the deed yourself.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 3:44PM
stg said...
I agree on Earl being stale and kinda boring now. There's only so many good deeds you can do with your never ending lottery money
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 4:15PM
Peanut said...
Earl's still one of the best shows on TV. After it's cancelled or moved, The Office will be the only thing I watch on NBC.
Reply
4-03-2009 @ 10:48PM
yourstarla said...
I loved Earl the first two seasons - but lately it has just gone a tad over the line, in terms of being completely ridiculous. It's always had a colorful cast of characters - but there's only so far into the obsurd that people are willing to go (well, I guess I should just speak for myself). But, no matter what else is happening, I still love the scenes with Joy. I'm sick of the rest of them, but I could watch a half an hour of Joy.
No matter what though - it's still waaaaay better than Kath and Kim.
Reply
4-04-2009 @ 2:30AM
Tom said...
Oh snap!
Reply
5-03-2009 @ 12:55AM
erin said...
i think my name is earl is getting better. i think it still has hope for another season. im sorry to say i think 30 rock has to go. at lease a certain actor. i think joy and earl is pretty funny together.
Reply
5-16-2009 @ 3:20AM
memo to greg garcia said...
maybe My Name Is Earl is getting cancelled because NBC & 20TH Century Fox
know now after all the evidence
that was provided by Mark Gable’s
world renown lawyers, that garcia really
did rip off Mark Gable's script Karma. And NBC & 20TH Century Fox are embarrassed to be associated with garcia.
cause greg is full of shit.
ask greg to explain Karma by Mark Gable.
Mark Gable wrote My name is Earl, read the lawsuit.
what kind of man accepts an award for work he didn’t create?
pats on the back, limo’s, champagne, hamptons mansions, red carpet events and lunch at the ivy mean everything to hacks like greg garcia.
it’s really tragic when the only way a man can get a hit and win an award is by pretending someone else’s work is their own.
writer? Toni morrison is a writer.
greg garcia is a hack and he should step up and return Mark Gable’s work.
Reply