The CW Cancels The Beautiful Life
Ashton Kutcher Show is the First Casualty of the New Fall Lineup
Sep 25, 2009
The CW has canceled its fall series, The Beautiful Life, after just two episodes. Produced by Ashton Kutcher and starring Mischa Barton, the show followed models in New York's fashion world. It was critically panned as derivative and received more talk about its star's personal troubles than about the show itself.
Its premiere was watched by 1.384 million viewers and got a 1.1/3 rating in the CW's target demographic of women, 18-34. Its second episode dropped to 1.046 million viewers and 0.9/2 in women, 18-34. That was enough for the CW to cancel the show, the first new series to be canceled by any network. Production ceased today. The CW will run repeats of Melrose Place in The Beautiful Life's timeslot for the time being.
The CW Orders New Reality Shows
This comes on the heels of two orders for half-hour reality shows: Fly Girls and the Untitled Tinsley Mortimer Project. Fly Girls is a reality docu-series following flight attendants on Virgin America. The untitled Mortimer project follows New York socialite Tinsley Mortimer. Each was picked up this week for eight episodes, but they won't be ready to air until January 2010.
The CW also has Blonde Charity Mafia in reserve, a half-hour reality show following Washington DC socialites. The CW pulled it from its summer schedule because they liked it so much they wanted to air it during the regular TV season. The network's lone scripted midseason replacement is Life Unexpected, formerly known as Parental Discretion Advised, centers on a young girl who finds her biological parents, changing all their lives.
Lackluster Fall Ratings
The CW has had a rough fall premiere season. Its returning series have been either flat or down in the ratings. Melrose Place, considered a lock during development season, continues to shed viewers. The network recently signed Heather Locklear to come on board and ordered an additional six scripts, despite its troubled ratings. The only bright spot has been The Vampire Diaries, which has maintained its audience, even on competitive Thursday night.
This cancellation is an uncharacteristically speedy move for the network, the earliest it has ever canceled a new show. The CW had run a racy ad campaign to raise awareness of The Beautiful Life. The campaign featured the mostly nude actors, covered only by banners with the show's name and the slogan, "What are you looking at?" Apparently it wasn't enough to stir interest.
The Live Feed has more: The CW cancels 'Beautiful Life.'
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