TVSquad

Joan of Arcadia fans are mad as hell, and they're not gonna take it anymore! They want the show to come back, even though CBS has canceled the show and will replace it with Ghost Whisperer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. This AP story has this quote from a CBS spokesman: "It was one of the toughest programming decisions we have had to make in the last couple of years because qualitatively, everyone here loved the show and was proud of the show." Which probably just frustrates fans even more.

So, when exactly did Joan of Arcadia become Buffy the Vampire Slayer? I mean, I'm not complaining - this was one of the best, and weirdest, hours of episodic television I've seen in a while. In this, the last episode of the second season, God sends Joan's dead friend Judith to tell her that she needs to start preparing for a "test". From there on, the episode heads into a labyrinth of physics and metaphysics, as each major character struggles with their respective spiritual callings.

The season finale of Joan of Arcadia tonight could directly influence CBS into bringing the show back for a third season. Despite the “critical acclaim” and loyal fans the ratings have been slipping. I've never heard of that dilemma before. But will enough casual viewers check in to tonight's finale dealing with a second, and evil, teen that speaks to God? We'll let you know what the ratings reveal next week, but don't expect word from CBS until mid-May.

[Joan of Arcadia, CBS Fri, 8 p.m. EST]

I wish CBS would wise up and give Joan of Arcadia a new time slot. I love the show, but my weekends are very precious to me, and I hate having to schedule my Friday nights around it. Why not put it on Monday nights, opposite Seventh Heaven or Everwood? It may involve moving a couple of those awful fat guy/hot wife sitcoms, but I think the fans of Still Standing could weather the switch.

Joan of Arcadia concievably appeals to the same audience as The WB's "clean soaps", but it's an infinitely better show. That's partly because there are no "very special episodes" - if someone is going to do drugs, have sex, lie to their parents, etc, they're going to do it because that's what their character needs to do, and they're going to do it when they need to do it - without any regard for sweeps. And don't be afraid of the God stuff - it's not at all heavy handed, it's actually handled very organically.

Okay, back to the episode at hand.

Mike Duffy of the Detroit Free Press offers a number of suggestions for those parents out there looking for family-friendly programming. It can be hard these days to know what is appropriate for all ages. When I was growing up I didn't watch “Hill Street Blues” with my parents, but if I had I wouldn't have been treated to graphic language either. Today is a different story of course, and while content has improved as far as quality, the increase in violence and language isn't the best for young viewers. Duffy' picks “Joan of Arcadia,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “American Dreams,” “Everwood” and eight others as his top choices. We also learn there will be a new version of "Little House on the Prairie" on ABC. Can't wait until March 26.