Missing 'Commander'

A reader writes:

We thought you might know what happened to our favorite show, Commander In Chief? At first we thought it was just pre-empted by music award and seasonal shows, or moved to a different time slot.  But we can't find it anywhere.  CIC is a well-written, enjoyable, and thought-provoking show with a great portrayal of a strong, bright woman. The realistic family issues and Washington intrigue added to the fun.  Please tell us it isn't cancelled!  Thanks.

Oh no, "Commander in Chief" is the most successful new show of the fall season. It's far from being canceled.

The trouble with a full season is that there are more Tuesday night slots than the 24 episodes they'll show from fall to spring, so there are reruns and other things to fill in, especially during the holidays.

With its last new episode showing Nov. 29, and last seen on the air Dec. 6 (with a rerun), "Commander in Chief" returns Jan. 10 with the first of a new two-part episode, written by the newly enlisted executive producer Steven Bochco.

Update: ABC further delayed its return to April 13. By then even Bochco was removed from the show. With numbers of the three episodes that month averaging 7.5 million, viewers the drama was benched through May sweeps and will not be back when the new season begins in the fall. The three unaired episodes may run next month, the network says. And there is a possibility of a two-hour movie based on "Commander" by the story's originator, Rod Lurie. If it's any comfort the 15 episodes that have aired are available for viewing free at the network website, www.abc.com.

Comments

[Matt]

Commander in Chief was the best. I still can not believe that they cancelled it. ABC are idiots. This is like when star trek was sanselled. (Not that I was alive) There are so many fans of CIC. I am in the UK and loved the series. I understand that ABC kept swapping the time slot in the US which is idiotic.

ABC, bring it back!!!! We all miss it. I am so bored of The X factor, America has talent, Britain has talent, Big brother ... shall I go on???

Bring back CIC!!!!!!!!!

[G. Richardson]

It is a shame such a clean family program is missing.
What can viewers do to bring CIC back?

[Marilyn Sharum]

I cannot believe that this show has been cancelled. It was amazing and Gena Davis was totally awesome. The best show you have had on television in many, many years. CIC, I would not leave the house when it was coming on. You have made a grave mistake by taking this show away from the American viewers. Please reinstate our Lady President and bring this show back to Prime Time TV. Ratings apparently do not reflect what the American People really want to see.

[Tracy]

My family & I too really enjoyed CIC! I don't understand why ABC kept it moving making it difficult to keep up with. It had a great cast, excellent writing, very current! All networks - listen - viewers are sick of "reality" shows and stupid, push the envelope irresponsible shows. There is so little watch, please bring back CIC!

[Candi Olivares]

I am very upset that this show was cancelled.Shame on ABC for bumping this show...it was one of your best! Please bring this wonderful show back to us on Tuesday nights.

[margo]

I just signed the petition to keep Commander in Chief on the air. This show along with Gray's Anatomy started me to watching network tv again. I am very very very very disappointed that my favorite show has been cancelled. Thanks for nothing. Wny do you go to the trouble of comming up with a top notch show that gets a large following of fans only to cancel it. I had bought the first season of the show and was looking forward to others to follow. what a disgrace on your part ABC.

[W. R. Mineo]

Please sound off and let ABC know they have erred with loyal viewers and ask them to bring back Commander in Chief, you can sign this online petition - the more signatures, buzz and embarassment we collect might just make a difference in bringing back this quality show. http://www.freshdames.net/petition/index.php

[sandy]

I loved the show and it's amazing how such a top rated/award winning show just magically falls off the radar screen. I agree ABC kept moving it around the schedule so much, no wonder it's ratings dropped, the viewers couldn't find it. Maybe there is a truely political reason this show got cancelled? The democrats/republicans didn't like the direction the show was going and forced ABC to phase it out? No one will ever know? It's soo soo sad.

[maura]

I HAD SEEN ONE EPISODE OF THIS SHOW PRIOR TO BUYING IT AT COSTCO. BOTH MY 8 YEAR OLD AND MY 12 YEAR WERE HOOK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE IT ON AT A TIME THAT WAS CONVIENT FOR FAMILIES. WE ARE ALL SICK OF REALITY TV AND LOOKING FOR A DRAMA WE CAN WATCH TOGETHER. THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS SHOW IS THAT IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT ABOUT DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS BUT ABOUT DOING WHAT IS RIGHT.

[Bob Copeland]

If there was a pole taken regarding the popularity of this show we were'nt included, because our vote would have been "it's a definite keeper"! Why is it that great shows like CIC get canned and other trash continues on and on, forever?

[Samantha Lieberman]

I started watching television again because of this wonderful show. Why in the world would you cancel a show that is doing so well? Pick a night and keep it consistant, it's hard to keep up with a show if you keep changing it's time slot.

[Joshua]

CIC was amazing, I agree that West wing was superior but this was ABC's big chance to step up and fill a void. ABC is so stupid, they move one of ther great TV shows to a different time slot and loose viewers, and I have a feeling the same will happen with Grey's Anatomy since they moved it as well. I know that ratings are a big deal but if people stop watching the network then well, they will need to do something to fix that. ABC programming really sucks and the new Search for America's Talent please, if people watch that crap for anything more than a dumb laugh then we have a big problem. Bring back the good stuff, I would rather watch mash reruns then the crap they show.

[sue H.]

I, too am dissappointed and frustrated that a TV show that can truly model a positive roll for women and families like CIC has been given the ax. We have been continually checking in to see when it will be on/ or won't. ABC has nothing but garbage and judging by the comments, I am not the only person who feels this way. Try a fresh approach and listen to your viewers.

[Barbara Simon]

My husband and I enjoyed watching CIC very much. I'm glad the network decided to air the last few shows, although it is very sad watching knowing that it will not return next season. How does a show get cancelled when it started out getting such high ratings? Very strange.

[Austin Davis]

Fuck you ABC! You guys suck. Stop trying to keep your other dying shows afoot. This is one of the greatest shows I have had the pleasure to watch besides LOST. In fact, LOST and CIC are your only two best shows you have. I see you are keeping LOST, bring back CIC! I hope your network tanks for this poorly decided move. To hell with stupid ratings.

[T. Hayes]

I am a huge fan of CIC and feel that we've been robbed of an excellent show. We should have a petition going. CIC was a refreshing relief from todays reality shows and punch line sitcoms. Forget nielsen ratings, listen to the millions of fans that the show has captured. BRING BACK CIC!!!

[Michelle C]

I am so saddened that CIC has been cancelled and very disappointed in ABC. CIC is a great show with wonderful acting, writing and storylines. It was thought provoking and, heaven forbid, showed a woman in a strong and powerful position. Shame on ABC for bumping this show around so much that people couldn't find it and shame on them for not sticking by one of the few truely quality shows on TV.

[Mary Ann Marino]

Why is it that networks only cater to one or two genres now? CIC was a quality show with an excellent cast that deserved a chance to survive. The network could have put the show on Saturdays- competetion is low and the family audience on Saturdays would have welcomed the show as they once did Dr. Quinn. Is there no place anymore for a program that isn't a reality program and doesn't deal with dead bodies or inane sex jokes? What has happened to television? I'm convinced that the only ones you are even included in the nielsens are in the specific demo that the advertisers seem to want so badly. Shame, that most of that demo isn't buying their products to begin with!

[S W]

I am very upset that this show was cancelled. It was really great TV. What's the deal? Great cast, great writing. How can it get cancelled when there is so much other garbage on tv? What's the deal? Who are the sponsors? Who owns ABC?

[Phil K]

How could you possibly cancel one of the best shows of the entire season!!!! It so sad that you get viewers hooked and then snag it away. The last episode was SOOO good. Bring it back please!!!!!!

[Kathie Baker]

Commander in Chief was one of the best shows on abc!! you need to bring it back.Geena Davis did the presidency justice playing that part!!One of the best shows on t.v.

[john penhallegon]

Curious. Would like to know why Commander in Chief was canceled.

[Jo H.]

Sorry, everyone. They just announced today that Commander-in-Chief is officially canceled. First, West Wing, which was far superior, and now this.

[Lynn Parnell]

CIC was my husband's and my favorite new TV show. We look every week and it's not there! Where oh where has it gone and when will it be back???? We thought and heard it was a HIT!

[Roger C.]

After another hiatus, in deference the Olympics and "American Idol" and then to withstand the departure of show-runner Steven Bochco, "Commander in Chief" returns April 18.