UPDATE: I hear MRC now has been asked to consider Moonlight for mid-season. This is such a shot in the dark it's barely worth posting. But I'm posting nonetheless. I've also been told that CBS continues to hold an option on the star of the show, Alex O"Loughlin, and that he's in demand for other projects.
...I just heard it's a no-go for Media Rights Capital, which is programming Sunday's two-hour block for the CW, to pick up Moonlight. So it's dead, gone, six feet under. The cancelled CBS show was officially offered to MRC yesterday. (It was also offered to others, but the people behind the show thought MRC was their best shot.) And there was enough of a chance of a pick-up that Warner Bros television took the unusual step of agreeing to delay its order yesterday to strike the Moonlightsets until Friday to see what happened. And a lot of lobbying and arm-twisting has gone down since then. However, first thing this morning, MRC officially passed. The reason I'm told is that MRC, rightly or wrongly, is committed to looking for fresh materal, not recycled. (MRC has already semi-announced its four original shows for CW's Sunday time slots...) But in my opinion, it's a dumb move by MRC. Not only would Moonlight's ratings be a huge improvement over anything now appearing on the CW, but the company could take advantage of the awareness already built up thanks to CBS's heavy (in other words, expensive) promotion of the show throughout this past TV season. At a time in the TV biz when it's so hard to market new shows, that's a big plus. A big minus, however, is the tough deal that WBTV would drive, and that's what sunk the show at CBS, too. In the end, like all things Hollywood, it's about business.
Thank you Nikki for the (sad) update.
Well, now it can be said that everything was done for this show, but to no avail.
I hope the fans take your advice and accept this.
Like you said, this is just business.
Comment by total eclipse — May 14, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
I may not be shocked, but hurt and saddened about sums it up. *sigh* The biz is a beast, and a beast I hate right now.
Comment by Mac — May 14, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
I feel digusted Moonlight was a great show, CBS screw you up, down and to the effing side
Comment by Alli — May 14, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
This is crazy! 7 million + fans flushed down the proverbial FOS urinal? Who in the world got so pissed off?
Comment by Cathy — May 14, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
MRC has let our people know that they create their own programming.
We are thus contacting WB and CW on our own to encourage them to work together.
MRC isn’t the only thing out there. We can contact the CW directly.
In vampire solidarity,
Leeser
MoonlightLine
http://www.moonlightline.com
(562) 256-0910
Comment by Leeser — May 14, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
Sorry Nikki - if they want us to go away then they do the right thing, but until then we fight on.
Two vampires and 8 million fans need a new home - until we find that we have to look at all the options.
Comment by Susie D. — May 14, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Is there no stone unturned, Nikki? Are you saying we should stop bugging MRC or stop campaigning everywhere?
Is there any network that has been at all moved by the pleas of Moonlight fans? Or that might be?
Comment by Mariah — May 14, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
I can’t believe it!!!!!!!!!
Moonlight can’t be gone. I can’t believe how stupid the TV stations are by not picking it up. Please review your decision and bring it back.
And this is my advise for the day….NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!
Comment by natalie — May 14, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
Am I the only one who thinks asking fans to NOT call is going to have the exact opposite effect? If the fans listened to the networks opinions of to and not to do, then there would have been no outcry over the show’s treatment at all.
No one is going to stop lobbying just because it might inconvenience the Networks. The only way CW will know that the fans are interested is if the fans call and continue to do so.
Comment by Josie — May 14, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
This is just more devastating than the original announcement of the cancellation from yesterday. I’ve been following the industry (and consider myself an entertainment guru) since I was 14 (and that was nearly 30 years ago) and I get why this is being done, but as a fan, it just totally sucks. So much behnind the scenes *crap* that just ruins all the fun for the viewers. I know the worldwide fan community doesn’t want to go down without a fight so they may not be able to stop themselves, and as a fan, I won’t blame them. This is just so wrong!!
Comment by Lee Ann (Rueben!) — May 14, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
You’re analysis is correct.
It would have been a cost effective pick up for MRC and CW but in Hollywood ego always gets in the way.
Comment by reelbusy — May 14, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Excuse me Nikki but I have to take this personally and so will alot of the Moonlight Fans based on not only those last comments but also Nina Tassler’s comments from earlier today. We will not give up nor will we give in. I can say this without a shadow of a doubt We Will Keep Fighting To Save Moonlight
Comment by Lisa Stevens — May 14, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
When people talk about shows moving networks why do they always assume they’ll get the same ratings at the new network they got on the old one? CW isn’t available in nearly as many homes as CBS and I’m sure some Moonlight watchers were people who were keeping the tv on after Ghost Whisperer or turning it on early for Numbers. And competition on Sunday (or any other night) is way higher than it was on Friday. Do you really think 8 million people were suddenly gonna start watching the CW if Moonlight moved there? I’m sure most of the TGIF shows that got picked up by UPN and WB back in the ’90s were probably only getting a fraction of the viewers they got when they were on ABC.
Comment by Mike — May 14, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Thanks for the info Nikki. And while you make a valid point about Hollywood being a business, it’s also a business that has been hemorrhaging viewers for years. Things like this are a big part of the reason. Many people no longer “invest” time and energy into watching first-run television, because shows just don’t last anymore. Of each new fall season it’s a miracle if a few of them make it to the end of the first year, even. You’re absolutely right that it’s futile to try to change it - until there’s actual accurate viewing habit information (Nielsen isn’t even close anymore, if it ever was), advertisers are paying for what Hollywood smokes up their tail pipes and not reality.
Only after the industry has completed orchestrating its own obsolescence will any of them look back and see what they did wrong.
As for me, I’m sticking with SciFi - at least they have the balls to commit to a set run and BSG will have a true ending.
Comment by Xee — May 14, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Just move on?? It is the first time in the 42 years of my life I really want to cut some tv-oresidents liver out and serve it to hannibal lecter….
Comment by DarkOne — May 14, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
I have a feeling that MRC is going to look back at this decision and regret it. The CW hasn’t seen ratings approaching 6 million in . . . um . . .is it ever? let alone the 7 or 8 that Moonlight was getting.
Ah well, live and learn MRC, live and learn.
Comment by Melanie — May 14, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Watching “Moonlight” is the only thing that seems to help my fibromyalgia. CBS is so cruel.
Comment by Peg — May 14, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
What are me and my cat Mr. Sissyboodles going to watch on Friday nights now???
Comment by Linda — May 14, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
The average home does not have a Nielson box. Everyday, at least 8000 women (and fewer men) blog about Moonlight. Very many of these are highly educated, middle and upper middle class women (an indicator of purchasing power).
In the average American home, there is a man, a woman and 2.2 kids. The person who purchases everything from toilet tissue to the anti-depressants that your advertisers are hawking for each member of that family unit is almost always the mother.
And for at least 8000 homes that mother (who purchases for 4.2 people) is a MOONLIGHT fan.
So- we Moonlight fans represent more than 33,600 people as far as your advertisers are concerned.
- And that is JUST among those who blog- there are many, many more than that!
Consider the normal estimation of 8-9 million who were tuning in!
CBS- you made an enormous mistake in disenfranchising us.
MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,
MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,
MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,MoonLight,
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Comment by hatingTheNetworks — May 14, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
It is a huge mistake for the networks to let Moonlight go! Sure a change in networks would cost some viewers, but even if they only brought a third of their viewers to CW, that would still make it an amazingly successful show on their network. I happen to think it could bring even more! The fact is that this is an amazing show and it deserved so much better than the way it has been treated by CBS! They have consistently tried to change it into just another version of CSI.
My heart breaks for the cast and crew. They have put so much heart into this show, only to have it ripped from under them.
Comment by Sherri — May 14, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
will miss the show, terriably! boohoo
Comment by JJ — May 14, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
Really? Don’t bother people by letting them know what the fans want? Heaven forbid the networks actually hear what their viewers, excuse me, I mean their ex-viewers, are interested in seeing. I understand this is a business, but it seems like a business that is out of touch with reality and with serving its customers.
Comment by librarian — May 14, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
Nikki,
No offense, but I am NEVER GOING TO GIVE UP! I may be emotionally spent about the current drama of my all time favorite show, but after your comment and Nina’s I am more pissed than ever. I am praying and hoping that another network will accept Moonlight into their home. If they do, it’s an easily a gain of 8M viewers going right into their pockets. All I have to say is that MRC is just making a stupid move just like CBS did.
Comment by Michelle — May 14, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
Leeser and everyone -
I realize denial is one of the preliminary stages of grief, but good god, that’s enough. There are several others too. You have just been told by someone who is obviously more knowledgeable than you are and non-partisan that this is over, plain and simple. Sad, but this is reality. You were also told to cease calling around and harassing working people who did nothing wrong to you or the show.
WB / Silver made valiant efforts and failed. Like Nikki says, it’s business. The sets are coming down Friday (or before, now that it’s known to be a done deal). This is IT. There is nothing to save here. It’s time to show some maturity and responsibility, thank everyone involved with the show and accept defeat. Again, nothing personal against the fans. It was a sound business decision on the part of a commercial network and I don’t fault them for it.
It’s time to heal, move on and enjoy the finale on Friday.
Comment by a fan who cares — May 14, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
It baffles the hell out of me that those in the business of making money can just let a magical gold mine slip through their hands! Maybe I’m just dense, but I don’t get it.
Comment by sandy — May 14, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Gee, thanks for the huge red X through Mick’s face.
I’m not giving up on my show, regardless.
It’s not business, it’s BS.
Comment by Christy — May 14, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
I wonder if the Sci-Fi Channel could pick it up. Who own’s them? they could actually make a go of it.
Just a thought.
Comment by Robin (Charlotte, NC) — May 14, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
I would like to point out a rather obvious point that the Network may not have taken into consideration. They assume that a large component of Moonlight’s ratings may have been holdover from Ghost WHisperer - I don’t think they’ve stopped to consider the inverse… that GW only had the ratings it did because of ML being on the air following it.
I will never watch GW again - it was just the show before the one I wanted to watch, and I know I’m not the only one who felt that way. I think CBS will be in for a shock when the ratings for their Friday night lead - in crash without Moonlight’s fans to anchor it. The same goes for Numb3rs. I think it’s ratings will fall off sharply as well, though it will probably fare better since it’s not a supernatural show and has fans outside that genre.
Comment by one of seven million — May 14, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
I’M NOT GIVING UP. I love Moonlight and I won’t be giving in any time soon. There is still some hope.
Comment by SunSoldRebel — May 14, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
Mike at 2:03 pm — you’re correct of course, there would be erosion in viewership certainly if Moonlight moved to the CW. But have you seen the CW’s current Sunday night numbers? Moonlight would have to erode to — oh, 15% or so. There’s no lead-in. There’s nothing to work with. The more I think about it - the more nuts I think MRC is for passing on it.
Comment by Melanie — May 14, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
This week we learned that TV viewership is down once again. Smaller and smaller numbers. Viewers are turning off and tuning out CBS and CW heads are showing no leadership or foresight, and quality shows like “Moonlight” don’t stand a chance. The fans are the victims here.
Comment by savvydude — May 14, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
The one I really feel for is Alex. He busted his butt promoting Moonlight. He sat for hours when you could see he was exhausted answering the same questions from interviewers again and again to get Moonlight out there. It pisses me off that CBS cost him movie rolls by telling him to keep himself available for that never gonna happen second season. We like Ghost Whisperer but after this CBS can shove it. I will never watch that channel again.
Comment by Janie Glass — May 14, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
Wow! Passing on 7-8 million viewers because you want to create new stuff that won’t get even half that number in viewers. :scratches head: The math on this seems really wrong. Do these people even know what a good business deal looks like?
Comment by Kimberly — May 14, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Hey all,
I’m from Germany and I was shocked too as I heard that Moonlight will get no second season. I’m still shocked and I hope it’s only a bad dream. This show is so great, beautiful and strong. Please don’t let Moonlight die.
Here in Germany the episodes doesn’t show on tv yet. But I know the episodes from a friend in the States. Here in Germany Moonlight will come in June on TV. And believe me - here are fandoms, too. Already before the Moonlight show is on TV. And we all hope that there is hope for our Moonlight, for Alex, Josef, Sophia and all the other actors. You are great and you all rock!
Moonlight have fans and they fight for this show. The donate blood and support Moonlight. That’s great. That’s a strong fandom. But I hope so much that it helps. It break my heart when Moonlight doesn’t get a second chance.
Greetings from Germany
Diana
P.S. Sorry for my bad English… hope you understand my words.
Comment by Diana — May 14, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Thank you for the information. But - was it really necessary to put a big red X over Alex’s face?!
Comment by Die CBS — May 14, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
To “a fan who cares” - did you say the same to Jericho fans when they started campaigning? Did Nikki?
The fact that Nikki has actually removed the offensive ‘give up and go away’ comment from the report speaks volumes in itself! (Although I could do without the graffitti over Alex’s face!)
You call yourself “a fan who cares” - a fan of what? who cares about what?
We are fans of MOONLIGHT, and we care about our show and the three talented leading actors who have brought to life (or undeath, if you like) the characters of Mick, Beth and Josef; Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles and Jason Dohring respectively. We’re not only doing this for us - we’re doing it for them too.
If I was ever ready to throw in the towel (which I’m not, BTW) just reading the latest blog on Alex’s MySpace page would give me the determination to fight on for another YEAR!
So NO, I’m not ready to give up - I’m behind Leeser and the gang 110% and my email account is fired up and ready to send out more messages.
Vampire Solidarity! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Comment by Lynette — May 14, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
OK - I guess this is a good time to get rid of my cable bill. I will not be watching CBS; I might as well get rid of the whole deal.
FYI: Total Eclipse - The Moonlight Fans will NEVER forget or forgive this!
Comment by JustMe — May 14, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
To: “a fan who cares”
It is easy to tell that you are no fan of Moonlight. It is easy to give up when you never cared in the first place.
To you give that easy with everything?
If Moonlight is not picked up then my TV goes. There is no point in paying for a cable bill.
Comment by JustMe — May 14, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
MRC should take both Moonlight and Jericho. Those 2 would bring in 2-3 time the number of viewers CW has been getting. Plus like the sound of the 2, almost like a song!
Comment by Cher — May 14, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Yep, CBS, you just lose a long time viewer. Never again…lost me for good. If MRC was REALLY interested in making money, they’d pick up MOONLIGHT. Like someone near and dear to us has said, “It’s just good business”.
Do the SMART thing, MRC…grab the money-maker.
Comment by CBSisDeadtoMe...DEAD — May 14, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Mid season maybe on CW through MRC. Man this got to fall into place. Please
Comment by Mike — May 14, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Nikki, the only way to be heard is to write , phone and raise the roof. This is how things are obtained in this world especially in business. If we slink away and just agree I can certainly guarentee Moonlight is history. So everyone keep up the great job, We are being heard.
Comment by Jo — May 14, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
We fans are not giving up on Moonlight. We love this show and we are willing to fight for it. Your “don’t drive the networks crazy with you phone calls” comment is not going to make us stop calling and give up, not by a long shot. CBS has messed up big time! They have made it very clear to some 7 million viewers that our opinions don’t matter in the least to them. I used to watch GW as a lead into Moonlight, so now that Moonlight is not going to be on, there will be no reason to watch GW. To any network ready to pick up our beloved Moonlight, there are 7 million fans at the ready!
Comment by moonriser — May 14, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
Instead of contacting CBS or MRC to save this show, why don’t you spend your time volunteering somewhere or engaging with your family. You people really need to get a life.
Comment by Joe — May 14, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Moonlight is THE new tv show to watch this year. Moonlight got over 10 millions votes and won the People Choice’s Award for new drama tv show of the year, and it fully deservers it. The star of the show, Alex O’Loughlin, even won the sexiest scifi actor award. With the news about the strike, the fans have known this year will be a difficult one and they’ve been fighting teeth and nails for Moonlight: sent garlic to CBS, sent emails and wrote feedbacks to CBS and WB, organized events for Moonlight, including blood donations in the USA, etc. It’s a great show filmed with a stylish film noir feel, with great cast and great writers that mix well suspense, horror, detective, action, romance and drama. And we want to get more of it.
The show has over 8 millions dedicated, devoted and passionate fans. Not all fans are counted in the Nielson numbers so the number is way higher than 8 millions, especially if you count the international fans, like me who lives in Canada. The show has won the demo each week. CBS is blind to these fact.
Moonlight fans will go wherever the show is picked up.
Make CBS’s loss your gain!!! Get Moonlight!!!
Comment by Nothingness — May 14, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
People who give up never win, It is the ones that stand the loudest and united that are heard. We Moonlight fans are ready to fight for what we want. Win or lose we need to try and no matter what business it is, We the clients that have MADE that business what it is, have the right to speak their opinions.
Comment by Jo — May 14, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
Janie, I totally agree with your comment. CBS and Warner Bros. ran Alex RAGGED promoting Moonlight and all for naught. I watched an interview where he seemed so exhausted he could hardly speak coherently, yet he was charming and sweet. I wish nothing but the best for our darling Alex, but whatever he does, he will always be Mick St. John to me. Alex’s star is on the verge of exploding and I’m proud to count myself among his fans.
CBS made a grievous error cancelling Moonlight, one of the few unique shows on television these days. Alex, Sophia and Jason have incredible talent and amazing chemistry; between the three of them, they make the screen sizzle. Alex is one of the rare actors that can say more with a facial expression than some actors can say with pages of dialogue.
I was a loyal CBS viewer–no longer.
Comment by Jen — May 14, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
Nikki Thank you for posting this update about possible Mid-season I hope they do pick it up
Comment by Lisa Stevens — May 14, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
A Moonlight fan give up?! I don’t think so….CBS doesn’t realize the potential to grow that Moonlight has. Hopefully CW and MRC have open minds and greater vision than the “every show has to follow the same formula” CBS.
Please CW/MRC - pick up this gem of a show - 8 million people can’t be wrong.
Comment by cagney — May 14, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
I never watched Moonlight - but it seems to me that 7+ million viewers would be huge to the CW. They should dump the long past it’s sell-by date Smallville and put Moonlighting in that slot.
It’s true not all fans could move because of CW not being available in all markets, but many would and new fans might be added due to the hype. I might be tempted to check it out if it was before Supernatural - instead of what I do now, which is avoid CW until Supernatural, or even watch it on CITY (a Canadian network available on my cable that shows it) so I don’t have to be annoyed with all the stupid CW ads including having a quater of the screen covered with writing telling me about Gossip Girl.
Comment by Neena — May 14, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
I hope another tv station will pick up Moonlight!
I’m “only” from Germany and the show isn’t on air at the moment. How Diana said, it’ll show in june this year and I hope the people’ll watch it!
I think the fans all over the world will say “Thanks!” to every tv station which pick up Moonlight!
I hope they’ll give Moonlight another chance and another (or more) season!
I don’t like romance series, but I like Moonlight! For me it’s a mix between romance, action and a little bit horror and that’s what I like. And I think Moonlight is different as other vampire series (because of the vamapires are more human than “monsters”, they don’t sleep in coffins etc.).
Just my two cents.
Greetings from Germany
Saichiiro
Comment by Saichiiro — May 14, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
I really want to let this one go because now it just feels like the studios are taunting us. Yes, I realise how stupid that sounds. But this whole mess feels surreal - why do I care so much about a TV show? In the end it just comes down to the fact that I do care. And that I’m willing to keep caring my way over to whichever channel is smart enough to snap Moonlight and me up.
For the record, CW/MRC, several of your other shows will get much needed new exposure if you bring the Moonlight fanbase to your channel. Even if 50% of us stick around, that’s roughly 3.5 million viewers - better than your current hits. And that’s not something to be sneezed at.
Comment by Caroline — May 14, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
Maybe we should email the Sci-Fi channel and beg them to pick up Moonlight. They have the Stargate franchise that has done veyr well.
I am going to give it a shot!
Comment by Misty — May 14, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
Boycott. The studios treat us like crap. Pick an established popular show on the network and boycott. We invest our time watching and then enjoying a show…..then it is cancelled. Pick a popular show like one of the CSI’s. Hell, you can always buy the dvd after the season.
Comment by Dave — May 14, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Wait, so getting high ratings is NOT the aim of MRC?!
This is ridiculous–why don’t you want 7 million viewers?! Why reject a sure deal for untested crap, especially given how badly all your other stuff has been doing?!
And people wonder why people aren’t watching TV anymore….it’s YOU doing these kinds of things!
Comment by sherrilina — May 14, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
I’m sure that the ‘Jericho’ fiasco freaked out Moonves, Tassler & MRC, but this is just plain stupid on the part of The CW & MRC. ‘Jericho’ was a great premise, but poorly written & ultimately a show that just didn’t make any sense.
The CW has atrocious ratings, which are caused by few shows that are watchable.
They’re going to see the ratings for ‘Smallville’ go into the toilet next year with half the cast & the showrunners gone.
And now these geniuses from MRC, who nobody heard of until a week ago think that they can create all new programming in just a few months?
What arrogance & incredible stupidity.
The nets business model is irreparably broken & they seem content to ride the Titanic to the bottom.
One of these days a network is going to go flat out bankrupt, the question is which one.
It will happen when the advertisers realize that they’ve been taken for a very expensive ride with nothing to show for it!
Comment by Unindicted Co-conspirator — May 14, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
It’s true, hollywood IS a business. A business that NEEDS US! It needs us to turn on our TV’s and dedicate our precious time to make it richer.
But I feel like this, you keep getting rid of original shows with original Idea, then I’m not going to keep “buying” your product.
CBS cancelled Moonlight for some lame island show that’s a COMPLETE rip off of Lost, so I don’t want to hear about how tv wants to make “new” shows not “Recycled” ones. All they do is copy off someone else idea.
I am officially DONE with CBS and I’ll tell you what else, I’m not watching CW on Sunday either!
You want to bring a corporation to its knees, stop giving it your attention, time and money.
Comment by Outraged fan — May 14, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Anyone thought of pressuring MyNetworkTV? Yes, they’re a junk network, but anything they can put on has to draw better than their old Fox magic specials, movies and Flavor Flav. It would make a good Thursday show to advertise WWE.
Comment by Nate — May 14, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
YIUR RIGHT IT WAS A DUMB MOVE!!!
Comment by Brittney — May 14, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
While I enjoyed Moonlight, The Ex List is one of the only new CBS shows that I was looking forward too. While it’s a bad fit on Fridays with a supernatural lead in and male procedural lead out, I will at least give the show a shot when it premiers in the fall. I commend all the fans of Moonlight for keeping up their love for the show though, maybe when the DVD’s are released if their successful WB Home Entertainment might order a DVD-Movie to wrap things up like MGM are doing with StarGate and Dead Like Me and which the WB also did with Babylon 5.
Comment by Rhuw Morgan — May 14, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
You speak of Jericho fans and what they did to save the show. You can now add The Unit to that list. There has been a huge underground movement to save The Unit. Letters, phone calls, mass mailing of Yellow Ribbons from all over the world. This has been going on for Months and I thank CBS for listening to us.
CBS does listen. They probably read this website.
So Moonlight fans do what we did and Jericho did as well. They do listen.
THANK YOU CBS for Listening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Robin (Charlotte, NC) — May 14, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
So, did CBS cancel Moonlight to put our Alex in some other pathetic show, just to abuse his talents and appeal?
Comment by luckyvamp — May 14, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Please give us updates how it goes. They will be very clever to take Moonlight with open arms it is a brilliant show and it allready has fans 8 million of them+overseas viewers
Comment by Dennis — May 14, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
Nikki, thanks for keeeping us up to date with the see-saw; I have such a headache!!
I cannot believe that CBS has made such a bone-headed decision and the MRC decision just baffles me.
Joe, most of us DO have a life and as a matter of fact many of us have donated blood. I am now a REGULAR apherisis donor; every couple of weeks- I spend toh hours with a needle in each arm donating platelets vital to hemopheliacs, transplant and bone marrow recipients. All as a result of Moonlight. Others of us are taking part in blood drives, collecting donations for the Myanmar and Chinese disasters and collecting food for local food pantries; all in the name of Moonlight.
What your comment says to me is that clearly, you have no idea just what kind of an impact for positive social good Moonlight has been. If other programs would touch people in the same way this would be a much better world. The efforts of ML fans to save a beloved show has resulted in lives being saved, bellies being filled and aid being sent to members of our global family who are in need. So, don’t denigrate our devotion or accuse us of not having lives; we just manage to get so much done that you aren’t even aware of it.
Comment by Sandi — May 14, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Shocked, Shocked, Shocked
How could CBS cancel this? I only hope there’s some network somewhere that sees the potential of this show and pick it up. All the fans out there need to find out how the Mick/Beth story ends.
Comment by Diane — May 14, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Persistance is a virtue and Moonlght fans are the most persistant out there-we will never give up on “our little show” especially after Alex’s heartfelt blog.
Comment by Joanne — May 14, 2008 @ 6:03 pm
As another fan of MOONLIGHT, I find it another arrogant move by the “so-called” networks. For years they have taken thoughtful, intelligent shows off the air to replace them with more “comedy” (never have laughed), or “reality” shows that put even more GOOD actors out of work. It seems that all they are interested in is to re-hash shows that manage to establish themselves (CSI, which spawned CSI-Miami, CSI- New York, whats next, CSI-Chicago or Los Angeles?) same story lines, different locales (at least you don’t have to pay a lot of Writers to come up with some ORIGINAL IDEAS, just adjust the other show’s scripts). I watch Showtime, the Sci-fi channel & Speed Channel. Now I have one LESS reason to waste my time watching a network. GOOD JOB! You have just lost ANOTHER viewer!
Comment by Ronnie — May 14, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Comment by Pissed off Moonlight Fan — May 14, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
i know this is business decision but i still take it personally. it’s not like some exec somewhere has just changed the flavor of diet coke which might piss me off a bit but no real biggie. no, a business decision has just canceled my favorite show, something in which i have a significant time and emotional investment. characters and stories i have faithfully followed these many months–i’m sorry, i plan to take that personally and i am definitely done with CBS.
Comment by Just sad — May 14, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
The suits in Hollywood are so quick to remind us that it’s a business and all about money. But they forget that without the viewers they wouldn’t be in business. All they ever do is look at numbers instead of going with a gut feeling or considering what the fans want.
They keep saying “Moonlight” was the lowest rated show in CBS’s Friday night lineup, but ratings had improved with each episode, and we know there is definitely a fan base. As I recall, the first season of “The X-Files” had similar ratings. Good thing it wasn’t on CBS, or it would have been canceled and long forgotten.
Comment by Jay — May 14, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
OMG!!!! Very sad and angry. I won’t do watching CBS Show, NEVER!
Comment by Ginger — May 14, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
In your blog you stated “CBS’s heavy (in other words, expensive) promotion of the show throughout this past TV season.” Sorry….I never saw much promotion of Moonlight until about a week before the last four episodes. Maybe a rare YouTube video which is FREE publicity. They didn’t even have a forum on the CBS site until a few weeks ago, and fansites have been promoting Moonlight for MONTHS. I hate the term “It’s just business…don’t take it personally” as someone that makes ALOT more money than you tells you that they don’t need you anymore, particularly because they aren’t getting enough money. The love of money is the root of all evil…..that is so true!
Comment by hoping — May 14, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
OK…these people that decide what tv shows that are going to actually be seen by all of us low-lifes (aka…the majority of the female population of middle class america)..because CBS says they are dropping MOONLIGHT because they need to find show thAT appeal to females…………HELLO……again, in case you diddn’t see any of the thousands of boards and blurbs or whatever….THE GENERAL CONSENSUS OF USA WOMEN WHO ACTUALLY WATCH TV..WANT MOONLIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Comment by Lindy — May 14, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
Nothing like giving the finger to 8 million people. CBS sucks, and their new shows will be cancelled so fast you better not blink or you’ll miss em. SCI FI, or another network needs to pick up the series. GW is just a poor rip off of Medium, and solving crimes with Math is just plain stupid. E=MC2 means yeah the butler did it.
Comment by Mike Phillips — May 14, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
I’m from Poland and “Moonlight” is coming to AXN channel here next month. I’ve already seen via “other means” all the episode except this Friday’s finale and I love the show absolutely. CBS’ decision to cancel it is more than stupid. Let’s hope this Friday’s ratings are going to be the best ever. “Moonlight” really deserves second season somewhere else. SciFi Channel (owned by NBC) would be perfect place for it. Or USA Network, also owned by NBC.
American TV networks are proving constantly that they don’t care about INTERNATIONAL fan base. Huge mistake…
Comment by Katarzyna — May 14, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
Don’t the words “CW” and “dumb” just naturally go together anyway? Someone desperately needs to stick a fork in that network, it’s done. And I’m not even a “Moonlight” fan. I can’t stand vampire shows. But neither can I stand networks that consistently shoot themselves in the foot. “Smallville” is rotting on the vine — it’s probably the worst-written show on TV — and should have been yanked years ago, and they just keep sticking it back in the same space where they could put something that might get decent ratings.
Comment by Reader — May 15, 2008 @ 5:39 am
Well, my wife and I turned on CBS ONLY to watch this show on Friday. Then BSG at 10PM. We’re also in their highly desirable age and income brackets so now we have no reason to watch CBS that night. For that matter we rarely watch CBS, except for Monday which I see they’re messing with too and The Unit.
Comment by S & S C — May 15, 2008 @ 6:09 am
All i know is that most TV series stink. With MOONLIGHT I looked forward to being highly entertained with a new and exciting type of program. Well bye,bye TV again………back to the movies and weather.
Comment by Sandy — May 15, 2008 @ 8:26 am
I am just so sick over this, ( this really is the first time I have cared about a show like this) None of this makes sense, and all the excuses CBS gives are all BS. This really is the end of CBS for me ( none of their other shows are any good), for now on on Friday nights I will be watching either dvd series I already have or the discovery channel. CBS can kiss my advertising dollar goodbye!
Comment by Amber — May 15, 2008 @ 9:45 am
It’s funny that so many people seem shocked by this decision. Not only is it history repeating, but it’s recent history. Another CBS Friday night program, Joan of Arcadia, was cut in 2005 (in this case, after 2 seasons) with the same average viewership numbers. I remember a lot of fury and campaigning from that show’s fan community after its cancellation as well, but that still wasn’t enough to convince anybody else to pick it up.
I’m not saying its right, and I hope Moonlight fans get another chance. And to be fair, if Jericho had some better results on its fan inspired comeback, the chances for Moonlight would be better. But don’t be fooled; your fanbase, no matter how fervent, isn’t any more special to the networks than any other one if it doesn’t get viewers. If taking on the show doesn’t work on a business level, then they will keep on passing.
Comment by Jay H — May 15, 2008 @ 9:45 am
Moonlight fans are gathering from noon until whenever..today and tomorrow at the entrance of TheWB and TheCW (4000 Warner Blvd, Burbank CA) to support their favorite vampire.
But don’t fret…even though their fangs will be showing, they will only bite if you’re a CBS executive.
Let the howling commence…
Comment by Rafferty Rulz — May 15, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Well, last night was the first night of many that our household did not have CBS on. The only time it will be on CBS now is when Moonlight is on, new or re-runs.
Comment by Nan — May 15, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Please remove that disrespectful X from Alex o’Loughlin’s face. How rude!
Comment by LindyB — May 15, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Nikki,
Wish you wouldn’t have put a red X across Alen’s face.
A little insensitive….don’t you think.
We are already hurting….Gheesh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by EvaH — May 15, 2008 @ 10:44 am
I am so upset - its not even funny! Someone, anyone, any network needs to pick up Moonlight! We will follow! What they seem to forget is that there is also Canadian fans, we too have cable and satellite, and pay A LOT of money to watch our favorite shows.
So guess what - CBS will not be getting my money or my time ANY LONGER!!! They have done it this time. NO MORE!
And I really think that these Nielsen boxes need to be sent to recycling and they need to come up with a better idea to track down viewers. In this day and age - its a disgrace!
Comment by Jennie — May 15, 2008 @ 10:46 am
I am curious. I thought Moonlight was owned by WB/Silver Pictures and that CBS did not own the show.
So how does CBS have a contractual option on Alex O’Loughlin?
What projects may be ahead for Alex?
Comment by Laura S — May 15, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
This reminds me of what CBS did back in the 90’s with a show Moonlight is very similar too and based off, Forever Knight. Sci-Fi picked the show up and the feel of the show drop off dramatically. i liked Moonlight, reminded me of Forever Knight. Pray for a DvD release and rehash the memories.
Comment by Stephen Monachello — May 15, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Creative and good story telling no longer count for anything in today’s society. Seems like everything is a numbers game these days. Gone are the days of “art for art’s sake.” Moonlight wasn’t really given a chance to catch on. The networks are catering to the brain dead younger generation, not the the thirty-somethings and the babyboomers and older crowd. What a shame. If they do bring Moonlight back, I hope they don’t make the fatal mistake as Forever Knight creators did by parading all of those young vampires onto the screen. Those young actors were boring and they couldn’t act, and the storylines became a little stale and farfetched. These big moguls should just let Moonlight find its own way on CBS Fridays and see what happens. This society runs on capitalism and stupidism. This is why this country is so in love with Obama for president. Heaven help us all.
Comment by Betty — May 16, 2008 @ 1:40 am
Well. Yet again, the viewers get hosed by the network who wouldn’t know talent in programming managment if it bit them in the…neck.
Didn’t they learn anything from the Strike? The viewers found something else to do, that’s why ratings across the board are down this spring. No one knew when the new episodes came on, because the promotional time sucked, and we’d found other things to watch on cable.
Keep canceling the shows we like, CBS. Keep programming drivel, like reality shows. Your viewership really WILL find something else to do, like change the channel.
Comment by Mel — May 16, 2008 @ 8:29 pm
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT, MOONLIGHT
PLEASE!!!!
Comment by filiz — May 16, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
I was a Jericho fan and am sad to see that yet another great show is going to die due to a lack of realism at CBS. There are a huge amount of people watching, this being shown by the fact that Moonlight came in first in their timeslot many times. Ya it may have had less viewers than other shows on other nights, but get serious CBS, it is a Friday night timeslot. What I would have done if I were them is put it on a different day for a couple of weeks, say in one of the slots that Big Brother left. Not permanent, but for a week or two to see what happened. Either that or wait until they see the response to the sales of the season DVD set, which I am sure I won’t be the only one to buy on day one of sales. It is very unfortunate that other networks aren’t going to grab it. I am sick that all these networks go by is the damn Neilson boxes. That does not take in to consideration all of the Canadian viewers, viewers that don’t have the boxes, people that use DVRs or TiVo (lets get real … it is a Friday night slot) or those of us that have a chance to watch it BEFORE that Ghost Whisperer show on another channel that pipes it from CBS (CTV in Canada for instance). I will say this, Moonlight was the ONLY show that I watched on Friday night, and will be missed greatly by me as well as many of the people that I know. Another great show is gone … to be replaced by what reality TV crap they come up with next? I guess that CBS doesn’t want to take a chance on talent of actors, why bother when they can have Survivor Season 56.
Comment by Nicole Sap — May 16, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
It’s a sad thing. We can hope for a mid season replacement, but considering the CW is owned by some of the same people that do CBS I’m not getting my hopes up.
The only thing to do now is ask WB to keep shopping this series out. The numbers don’t lie, for it being on Fridays it did extremly well (what are networks expecting on fridays, mid week numbers? one wonders if they had unrealistic expectations, especially since there wasn’t that much of a “we’re back” push in promotion since the writer’s strike ended), and it seemed like the writers were getting the storyline smoothed out.
Comment by Anony fan — May 17, 2008 @ 1:25 am
SAVE MOONLIGHT! I cannot even begin to tell you how saddened/crushed I am by the lack of insight that CBS has of its viewers. Many of the shows they have chosen to keep are old, banal, and mindless. Moonlight is unique, dramatic (People’s Choice Best New Drama…) funny, and engaging. The actors and the writers were just beginning to really hit their stride. CBS never gave it a chance. Friday nights? Come on. CBS also needs to look beyond the 18-49 demographic. The fifty-somethings have the ability to support advertisers and know smart TV when they see it. We will take our viewership and our money to any network that picks up Moonlight. I would like to think that CBS would see the error of their demographic studies, but I know they are far too myopic to recognize any error in their judgment. Moonlight deserves a second chance! There are millions of us that want our Moonlight, straight-up!
Comment by Gayle — May 17, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
I wonder if any movie producer would consider and pursue the rights to produce a Moonlight movie? Screw the networks and consider the big screen a la The X-Files movies. Then the writers could further explore character and storylines without the network restraints on content with regard to sex and violence. I, for one, am all for more Mick/Beth sex. My face was about to break out just waiting for him to kiss her these last four episodes. Thank Dracula I rolled tape on every episode. Les and Nina, I curse you. But if you don’t support vamps, you probably don’t believe in curses either. Too bad for you.
Comment by Val Connor — May 18, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
My heart is just broken at the stupidity of this decision by CBS. How many more indicators of a successful and totally BELOVED new show do they want? Awards, buzz, tons of press, more fan sites than can be believed, an incredibly outpouring of love and devotion and loyalty for this show. How can they consider nearly 8 million viewers (and that by the deeply flawed and irrelevant Nielsen system) as not a lot of viewers? On a Friday night ‘death slot’ at that. It’s also true what posters said about Smallville - time for that to go. We’ve already given up on CSI, CBS’s big show. I liked Numbers but I am not going to watch CBS anymore (as soon as they finish airing Moonlight episodes, that is). In fact, we were talking about cancelling cable and maybe giving up on TV altogether. Tired of having our hearts broken. Besides, I have enough DVDs I haven’t watched to probably last a lifetime! We don’t need network TV - they don’t realize they need us. They consider us a bunch of unwashed, ignorant masses that will watch whatever cheap drivel they put before us. Not so. Moonlight had an unusually intelligent audience (as well as unusually devoted). This was a love story and we fell in love with it, and when you love something… it’s not so easy to let it go.
Comment by MsFangFan — May 21, 2008 @ 5:28 am
I officially now hate CBS. You took away a GREAT show in Moonlight..GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Comment by A fan that now hates CBS — May 21, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
fuck you cbs!
Comment by Anonymous — May 21, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
CBS just Lost a viewer for good.. I will no longer watch CBS shows ever again they will be blocked from my TV. I hope that the other fans do the same so CBS really feels the punch like their viewers do right now.. I am saddend and dissappointed in this outcome, I could see if the show had no viewers but that is not the case. CBS you have made a very bad decision, Moonlight was a great show that many viewers just can’t get enough of.
Comment by Sarah — May 23, 2008 @ 5:40 am
No big loss. Maybe the slot can be use for something more uplifting
Comment by Lk — May 24, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
I am saddened to hear of the cancellation and even perturbed that the MRC passed.
I hope the Sci-Fi network picks it up, but I always thought USA would be a great home. They go for the off-beat and cancelled and make them successful. They picked up Criminal Intent. They have Monk, Psych, Burn Notice - to name a few.
I would have to say I watch that network way more than any of the other three.
You can certainly bet I will watch whatever network is smart enought to given Moonlight a second season.
Ph.. and I am educated, 55, working, married, mother, grandmother, with buying power - not someone “swooning” over a star - but someone who loves the genre and what the show CAN become.
Comment by Corinne — May 25, 2008 @ 9:43 am
I agree with Corinne (upstair)…go to USA!! They can keep vampires…I meant, really hot vampires.
Comment by Diane — May 27, 2008 @ 1:57 am
I’m truly disappointed. Not only is America dumbing down to make room for so-called “Reality TV”, the suits at CBS decide to cancel an entertaining and highly watched show. Apparently, MRC is just as dense. My focus will now be on Public Broadcasting, as I refuse to suffer through commercials on the major networks if they continue to cancel decent shows, and I will make every effort to avoid using any products of those advertisers who support poor quality television.
Comment by A Tisdale — May 28, 2008 @ 9:32 am
I can’t believe there will be no Series 2 for Moonlighting. Love the programme and Alex O’Loughlin did a great job!! Boo to MRC and CBS!!!
Comment by Emma Topsfield — June 2, 2008 @ 5:16 am
I just found out the devastating cancellation news!! I think when the millions of average fans realize this fall that Moonlight has been cancelled, there will be a nationwide anger. WHAT a big mistake CBS and the other networks have made this time!!!
Please save MOONLIGHT!!!!
Riggley Roots
Comment by Riggley — June 29, 2008 @ 3:33 pm