ABC pulls the plug on three shows

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By MARIA ELENA FERNANDEZ / Los Angeles Times

HOLLYWOOD — Soon, the TV world will not have Ned the Pie Maker or the dysfunctional Darlings or Eli Stone/George Michael.

ABC President of Entertainment Steve McPherson broke the news Thursday that the network was giving up on three sophomore shows, “Pushing Daisies,” “Dirty Sexy Money” and “Eli Stone.”

Although McPherson never uttered the words, “You’re canceled” to producers, the message was clear to the cast and crews. The network is not ordering more episodes of the three series, though it will complete production and air all produced episodes of each show.

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ABC President of Entertainment Steve McPherson broke the news Thursday that the network was giving up on three sophomore shows, “Pushing Daisies,” “Dirty Sexy Money” and “Eli Stone.” (abc.com)

ABC President of Entertainment Steve McPherson broke the news Thursday that the network was giving up on three sophomore shows, “Pushing Daisies,” “Dirty Sexy Money” and “Eli Stone.” (abc.com)

Behind the scenes, ABC officials insisted “the door was still open” on all three shows.

McPherson “was very complimentary and thanked everyone ... ” said “Daisies” creator Bryan Fuller. “He never said we’re canceled, but that was the gist of it. He said they’re proud of the show and not ordering episodes at this time.

“Eli Stone“ executive producers Marc Guggenheim and David Petrarca gathered actors and crew members Thursday to give them the news.

An employee of “Dirty Sexy Money“ said bosses there also notified the cast and crew that ABC had called it quits.

“No absolute finality was given, but stranger things have happened because you see what happened with ‘Jericho,’“ Fuller said.

The CBS show was canceled after its first season and then renewed when fans bombarded CBS with peanuts as a sign of support. “Jericho“ was canceled again after its second season.

ABC moved quickly to announce the following additions to its midseason lineup:

- “Scrubs,“ which ABC bought after NBC canceled it during what was supposed to be its last season, will premiere with back-to-back episodes on Jan. 6, beginning at 9 p.m.

- “Life on Mars“ will move to Wednesdays beginning Jan. 28 at 10 p.m. in the slot after “Lost,“ which premieres Jan. 21 with a three-hour event.

- “Private Practice,“ will move to Thursdays beginning Jan. 8 at 10 p.m., airing after the show that gave it life, “Grey’s Anatomy.“