Tags: TV


I've been watching one of ABC's newest shows, Traveler, through TVShows. I've been enjoying it a lot. It's a decent replacement for Lost, which won't be back until early 2008.

So I thought to check Traveler's ratings to see if this show would last a full season, only to find that the show would end after only 8 episodes. Crap! I shouldn't have bothered watching this show until a full season was done. Too many shows get canceled quickly before they ever get any traction. Firefly, Jericho, and other shows I've already forgotten. But if people avoid watching new shows for fear of cancellation, then how does a TV series get started at all? I guess they need to be in a time slot before or after Lost, 24, or American Idol.

David DiGillio, creator of Traveler, blogged about the end of the show. Here's what he said:

Here's the point in the blog where you might expect me to lay into a diatribe about how the network has just screwed us and how the studio let it happen. Nope. Not the case. Because that crazy two weeks in the show's life becomes one of the most amazing experiences of my young professional career. And I am writing this entry as a testament to the work that was done by everyone on this show so that we could complete Traveler's first season in eight episodes instead of 13.

So, at least we will get an end to the series. The ending may feel abrupt and unsatisfying, but at least it should be a proper finale of some kind.

I actually like the idea of seasons consisting of 8 episodes, or some other small number. It forces the plot to be concise and focused. Why not air short-season series like Traveler in the summer? Or in the fall, when shows like Lost and American Idol don't air?

Traveler could continue to have mini-seasons like this one. It is billed as an action-adventure show, so short seasons would be a perfect fit. It's hard to stretch a show to 24 episodes when it's supposed to be action-packed and fast-paced in every episode. The DVD sets for such small seasons would be priced much cheaper, since it could fit on two discs instead of six or seven. Easy money!

DiGillio's blog mentions some fans trying to save the show Jericho-style, but I'm not holding my breath. Still, it shows that the blogosphere has gained some influence over other forms of media. So here I am trying to do my tiny part.

Anyway, I guess that means there are only two more episodes of Traveler before it's time to find another new show due for cancellation.