USA Network has filed for divorce from The Starter Wife, citing irreconcilable ratings.
When the Debra Messing-fronted Wife debuted in 2007 as a six-hour miniseries, it attracted more than 5 million viewers and went on to earn 10 Emmy nominations. However, ratings for its 10-episode first season averaged just 2.4 million viewers — a decent number by most cable standards, but not for USA, where its top shows (Burn Notice, Monk) regularly pull in around 6 million.
In an exclusive statement, USA called Starter Wife a “critical and creative success,” and added that the Dec. 12 season finale served as a “satisfying conclusion” to the franchise.
Do you agree? Did Wife‘s climax satisfy you? Are you grateful you got those 10 bonus episodes, or should it have just remained a miniseries? And, putting your agent cap on for a moment, what do you think Messing should do next? Sound off in the comments section!
I’m kind of bummed. I liked it as a fluffy Friday night show. I don’t pretend that it was mind blowing entertainment, but it was fun for what it was. (And the ending was not satisfactory, Joan on the run?)
didn’t it end with joan actually fleeing from the police, no one knowing who killed her husband and molly breaking up with zach?? that is not a satisfying conclusion…!!
Thank goodness I won’t have to feel guilty for enjoying this show ever again.
I agree Karen. Are they serious? crappy ending. Its no wonder I don’t bother watching any of USA’s other shows. BOOOOOOOOO
It should have stayed a mini-series. I lost interest as soon as members of the original cast did not return.
I thought the show was really coming together and I enjoyed it. Debra Messing was terrific.
I’m kinda bummed too…I liked watching the repeats on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
i didn’t watch this show, but my mom said it was really good. I’m still made @ lifetime about the cancellation of that show about the chick who breaks off her engagement and starts a love affair w/the cell phone dude (i forgot the name of it), but i loved both it and the cast. JP from 90210 was on it as well
made should be mad…”i’m still mad @ lifetime”…oh, and Rita Rocks, well, it rocks!
Seriously? That’s how it’s going to end? The least they could do is make a final episode & finish it right.
The mini-series was way better. The replacements cast members didn’t hold a candle to the original cast.
I hope Debra Messing finds something new, she is much too talented to not be working.
That kinda sucks. I agree that it didn’t exact reach new heights of originality but it was a fun friday night show I’ll certainly miss. Debra Messing was terrific in that role. I guess looking back though, the finale wasn’t as much of a cliffhanger as I thought it was at first.
To USA Network: This sucks! (for lack of a better word).
The season finale (series) was not a satisfying conclusion! I loved this show and looked forward to it.
Debra Messing will get another show soon, she is way too good not to!
Maybe Lifetime will pick it up, they would love 2 million viewers.
Really? Joan relapsing in a bar while on the run from the cops is satisfying? I must be missing something. (Though I will admit to being relieved that I will never have to see Rodney’s heart get broken.)