ABC has clipped “Cupid’s” wings.
The network pulled the plug on production yesterday after work on the 14th episode was completed in Chicago, where the romantic comedy starring Jeremy Piven was set.
The series had won critics’ hearts – this one’s in particular – but had been unable to find a solid young-adult following as part of ABC’s Saturday night lineup.
Two weeks ago, ABC moved “Cupid” opposite “Frasier” but found that even NBC’s weakened Thursay lineup is a viewing habit hard to break.
Especially when such a fizzy romantic hour is slotted in between the lead-footed mayhem of “Vengeance Unlimited” and a somber documentary about a prisoner on Louisiana’s Death Row.
The debut of CBS’s “Turks,” with the reliable William Devane, doomed the rookie “Cupid” to fourth place in household ratings and among the 18- to 49-year-old viewers to whom ABC caters.
This critic, convinced that the only people who didn’t love “Cupid” hadn’t seen “Cupid,” invited 20 readers to a home viewing party last Saturday at which they were won over by several episodes that reminded them of “Moonlighting” – with more adult dialogue.
Each of the 20 had agreed to introduce at least 10 of their friends to the series this week – when Jessica Tuck guest stars as woman about to marry a man whose heart belongs to someone else.
Everyone who watched would write to ABC to say that no matter how low the Nielsen ratings might be, there is an audience for this show if ABC would try patience – and perhaps a more hospitable time period.
“Cupid” is still scheduled to air tomorrow and on Feb. 11, when Tiffani Amber-Thiessen (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) is the guest star in a Valentine’s Day episode.
Also still on the schedule yesterday is a Feb. 25 episode guest starring former “Melrose Place” vixen Laura Leighton.
So there is still a chance to sample the best new show of the season.
We still believe that if you try it, you can’t not like it. –