Image Credit: Warwick Saint/CBSJulia Louis-Dreyfus may well be the saddest Emmy nominee in television history. The Seinfeld alum just earned her umpteenth nod for CBS’ The New Adventures of Old Christine, but she’s finding it tough to celebrate the victory while lamenting a crushing defeat: The show has been canceled. Yesterday the melancholy actress rang me up to commiserate and share a depressing update on the fate of her underrated series.
You must be experiencing some mixed emotions.
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS: Yeah. I’m just delighted with the Academy and less so with CBS. Today is a great day because it is very affirming, and it makes me feel better than yesterday. It’s incredible to be nominated, and it was just a shame that—well, I don’t know—CBS really squandered our show; that’s the reality.
For the record, ABC’s decision to pass on picking up the show means it’s officially dead, right?
LOUIS-DREYFUS: It’s finished. We are about to launch into syndication, which is awesome. We will live on in syndication for sure, but that’s it.
What would have happened story-wise had the show returned?
LOUIS-DREYFUS: It would have been nice to have had the opportunity to wrap it up. I’m fairly certain Eric McCormack and I would have been working together some more. It would have been just more fabulousness. I don’t know. It’s just a bummer.
Have you gotten together with your fellow cast-members since the cancellation news became official?
LOUIS-DREYFUS: Yeah, we all got together at a local bar and drank a few drinks—the cast and crew. It was actually very nice. But there was no official party or anything like that. It was just us all getting together because it was a very congenial group, to say the least.
Curb Your Enthusiasm also got nominated for best comedy series, due in no small part to the Seinfeld reunion arc. Is that a nice cherry on top of the day?
LOUIS-DREYFUS: Oh, absolutely. I’m really happy for Larry. Larry got nominated in the lead actor category, so that’s really nice. This is Larry’s baby, and I’m just so pleased for him. It’s just awesome. And that was a really fun experience, for sure.
What’s next for you?
LOUIS-DREYFUS: Believe it or not, I’m going to France this afternoon, so that’s the first thing I’m doing, which I’m stoked about. Then, I’m going to do another show. That’s what I’m going to do. The question is where and what, but I’m going to.
Have you given thought to what the premise will be?
LOUIS-DREYFUS: I’m giving thought to it right now, but I don’t have an answer for you. But I’m thinking about it all the time, so stay tuned.
Christine will definitely be missed…the entire cast was unbelievably talented and wonderfully funny. It’s a shame that CBS didn’t treat it like the jewel it was.
So bummed about them canceling that show. It was completely underrated and consistently funny. Not to mention the cast was one of the best out there, as far as I’m concerned
I do hope she comes back with something soon. She’s incredibly funny!
I really wish ABC had picked it up. It would have been a perfect fit on Wednesday’s with Modern Family and Cougar Town (and The Middle, which I don’t watch but I’m sure it’d still fit)
Even though I’m not a Patricia Heaton fan, The Middle is a pretty darn funny show. Give it a shot!
Aw, I’m a fan of hers. Didn’t like her character in Everybody Loves Raymond at first, but as the show wore on and Romano’s man-child antics grew exasperating, it was easier to get on the same wavelength with her character. But yeah, she’s always been funny. She was good on Back to You as well.
You should definitely watch The Middle. It’s hilarious.
If you want to watch The Middle, you may as well watch Malcolm in the Middle. Much better show, and better cast.
Good for her, taking the high road. Don’t think she’ll win the emmy in her category, but nice that she got nominated.
I’m so glad you had the chance to talk with her! I’ve been totally bummed that the show was canceled, but I’m thrilled that she got nominated and that she’ll be back on TV soon!
Did you spell her name wrong on purpose????? There is only one S in her last name!
‘Old Christine’ was the last good show on CBS. Now it’s all crap. But hey, as long as the ratings are good!
agreed man.
Ugh, like salt in a wound…just when I thought I was recovering from the news that this VERY FUNNY show was canned, it comes back. Go Julia…LOVED your show. Gotta also throw out a pox on EW…over the years, you covered this show very little. I’ve seen more mentions over its cancellation than any good coverage during its run.
Didn’t this happen with Christina Applegate last year right after “Samantha Who?” was canceled?
Yes, and Kristen Chenowith, too, I believe.
Yea, both Applegate and Chenoweth were nominated last year after their respective shows were canceled. And Chenoweth actually won in her category.
The networks are in the toilet, ratings-wise and creatively. They’ve canceled a ton of great shows the past few years, and cut short a lot of interesting story lines right when the series was picking up steam. I wish Ms. Loius-Dreyfuss a ton of success, along with the rest of the cast of Old Christine. CBS obviously likes to cater to lot of crappy television… I’m looking at you Two and a Half Men!
This.
I truthfully never thought it would be cancelled, i had even hoped that CBS would cancel it because i always assumed that ABC would pick it up and treat it like the gem that it really is. Christine is the rare sitcom that actually gives you a real laugh every time, it would not surprise me in the least if Julia won this year — she had some great material and I hope she chooses wisely — which episode do you think was her best performance?
I wouldn’t know what episode to pick – I think “Dr. Little Man” or “Scream” are two good choices off the top of my head, but I’d have to look through the list carefully.
Awwww, she sounds so [understandably] bummed. Can’t wait for her next project, no doubt it’ll be great.
Would love to see her make a few more Curb cameos too!
When will they put all the seasons of this show on DVD?
JLD should do a guest spot on Cougar Town. I think that would be awesome!