'Southland' Sunk By Gun-Shy NBC

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 9th 2009 07:59AM

The acclaimed but little-watched cop drama 'Southland' was given the axe by NBC after network brass felt the six episodes yet to be aired were too dark and gritty for primetime. Because of the addition of 'The Jay Leno Show' every night at 10 p.m., the show -- which starred Benjamin McKenzie as a rookie LAPD cop -- would have had to be aired an hour earlier. According to the Hollywood Reporter, this was apparently too early for the Peacock network.

Michael Cudlitz, who plays McKenzie's partner on the series, showed his anger for the decision on his Twitter feed and urged fans to hound NBC. "Don't go quietly. People need to know when they f--k up this big ... Dumb f---ing people. Call NBC and ask them where the promos are. I am serious."

Cudlitz said that despite NBC's decision, the show is still in production. "The shows are very, very good ... They have broken their word. I should know better."

He added: "Honestly, not bitter. Kinda pissed. I still believe the show would have done well on Fri."

Watch a Clip From Season One:

The show's executive producer released a statement, letting fans know he'll be searching for a new network.

"I'm disappointed that NBC no longer has the time periods available to support the kind of critically-acclaimed series that was for so many years, a hallmark of their success. We remain extremely proud of Southland; and are actively looking for another home for the series."

'Southland' started off strong when it premiered in mid-season on Thursday's at 10 p.m. But despite solid reviews, the ratings sagged.

So, what will be aired at 9 now on Fridays? The much-cheaper-to-produce newsmagazine, 'Dateline.' No word on if the network will air any of the six finished episodes.

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Benjamin McKenzie Pics

HOLLYWOOD - MAY 14: Actor Benjamin McKenzie arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. "Terminator Salvation" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on May 14, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Benjamin McKenzie

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Benjamin McKenzie Snapshots

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Benjamin McKenzie arrives on the red carpet of the Los Angeles premiere of "American Identity" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on March 25, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. "American Identity" Los Angeles Premiere - Red Carpet Samuel Goldwyn Theater at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Beverly Hills, CA United States March 25, 2009 Photo by Todd Williamson/WireImage.com To license this image (57048339), contact WireImage.com

Todd Williamson/WireImage.com

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 25: Actor Benjamin McKenzie arrives at the premiere of "American Identity" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on March 25, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Benjamin McKenzie

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Benjamin McKenzie arrives to the Los Angeles premiere of "American Identity" held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater - Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on March 25, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. "American Identity" - Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Beverly Hills, CA United States March 25, 2009 Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57047260), contact FilmMagic.com

Michael Tran/FilmMagic.com

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 25: Actor Benjamin McKenzie arrives at the Premiere Of "American Identity" on March 25, 2009 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Benjamin McKenzie

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Actor Benjamin McKenzie arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "American Identity" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on March 25, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. "American Identity" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Samuel Goldwyn Theater at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & S Beverly Hills, CA United States March 25, 2009 Photo by John Shearer/WireImage.com To license this image (16631238), contact WireImage.com

John Shearer/WireImage.com

Tags: benjamin mckenzie, BenjaminMckenzie, michael cudlitz, MichaelCudlitz, nbc, Southland

Comments

(385)

Friday 09 October

By NBCSUCKS

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NBC is a joke! This was the best show they had and Leno just flat out sucks. The only reason he ever did any good at NBC was because of the nostalgia associated with Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show. Leno has never been any good, and never will be. Southland will get picked up by and flourish on another network!

By ednyou

Just perfect. Southland was the only show left on NBC that I watched. I guess this show cost too much also. Maybe they can expand the Today show to 5pm and then have two hours of news with Jay Leno taking over at 7pm. Ha ha ... will the last person leaving NBC please turn out the lights.

By derel

IT was a show with a lot of potential. They could really take off if FX took it on, let them go and give them the promotion needed. Could be the next Shield!

By Barry

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hopefully ABC or CBS will pick up Southland. Do we really need Jay Leno 5 nights a week???????????

By D'Ann

I think NBC made a HUGE judgment error letting Jay Leno have that 10 o'clock spot every night. I refuse to watch Jay Leno. I've found shows to watch on other networks during the 10 o'clock time slot. I knew, after hearing Leno would have the slot, that there would be shows that would have to be taken off air. I hope NBC sees the error in their ways after enough months of rating slides...

By Terry

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I hope another network picks this show up. NBC has really messed things up by putting Leno on at 10:00. Give me a break!

By jonzbeach

three words for you Southland Producers

T - N - T... all the bes shows are on TNT or even F/X. Screw NBC, spineless suits.

By Scp024

While I enjoyed Jay Leno on the Tonight Show, I just can't get into watching him at 10 PM I don't think that is the right time for a show like that. I used to enjoy Law and Order at 10 and now I sometimes even forget it's on earlier. Maybe they should have put Leno on at 8 and left the later time slots for more mature shows. NBC just can't seem to get it right. When they do get a good show, they lose it.

By jb

The network of "Hill Street Blues", "L.A. Law", "St. Elsewhere" and all the quality sitcoms of the 80's and 90's has become must not watch TV. When the Law and Orders are gone the network is gone.

By Dav

This decision, and others like it, are textbook examples of corporate ignorance. Obviously, this is but one of the reasons that NBC is at the bottom of the ratings.

By Tom

It's just a stupid cop show. WOW! How original! Get over it.

By Greg

NBC has had its share of errors in programing over the years, all a part of the human factor. Southland is an example of content and programing at the highest level. I feel positive that AMC would be more than happy to welcome a property such as Southland to a new home. Never give up!

By shescookie

When the news blurb said an acclaimed show was cancelled, I said oh, I hope it's not Southland. This show was unbelievably good. When I first saw an episode, I thought, oh my god they are having real conversations, and the reactions/comments by the people are normal and not in sound bites like other shows. The actors are actually acting, and the casting was not pulled from a bad modeling agency. I wondered, wow, who made this show? Now it's gone. I think the answer was money - If crappy Dateline and Leno are much cheaper and formulaic - then the network goes with that. Welcome to the wasteland called network television.

By Disappointed

Having worked in law enforcement for a long time, this show really hit home. The story lines were great, the acting was awesome and I will be very disappointed if it doesn't find a home on another network. I like Jay Leno, and I wish him well, but I wish NBC was smart enough to leave him where he was, in the #1 slot, and have room for shows like Southland for adults who want good drama at 10 pm.

By Lee

The country is getting an over-dose of Jay Leno.. He was a fair choice at 10:30, when there was little else on, but to be forced to look at him every night at 9 pm... too much. What a pity that really GREAT shows are being dumped to accomodate a worn out, tiresome "comedy" spot... with nothing new..and after the news, its more oversaturation with "funny men" At least Im getting more sleep.!!

By M.T.LUMPKINS

hard to believe that NBC is trying to state that SOUTHLAND is to DARK and GRITTY,I can only imagine allthe MONEY that NBC is making off LENO!!and I don't see me switching from my OTHER NETWORKS,of MY PRIME TIME SHOWS to watch this LAME SHOW.If I was looking to be REALLY PUNISHED I'D WATCH something with ROSANNE,or ROSIE in it,but thanks but I won't be SWITCHING CHANNELS any time soon for this..WHAT EVER YOUR NETWORK WANTS TO CALL IT!

By Frank Bodden

Oh, great! Yet another great show I get hooked on, such as "The Unusuals," that then get the ax. And for Leno? Jeez, Leno's good, but to replace quality prime time shows so Leno can have five nights a week in prime time, because they're too dark for prime time? Life's dark, bud.
Screw NBC.

By GBROB

Why get rid of it, Leno bombing so axe him.

By Ken

The Jay Leno show is boring Southland is a much better show.Thank goodness we have all the other channels at 9:00pm to watch,

By sherrie

I am watching less & less T.V. Loved Vegas, gone loved Life, gone. It seems as NBC is trying to fail Waiting on a bail-out? really who is in charge there? Consistenly taking good shows off & keeping the bad ones, I am sick of the biggest looser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bachelor crap!!!!!!
After the "summer" schedule they should be bankruped by now.

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