ABC has decided not to pick up the Reba McEntire-fronted comedy for Season 2. The series, which starred McEntire as a newly-divorced country music singer who moves to the West Coast for a fresh start, got off to a strong start with a 2.3 rating in the key demographic and 9.13 million viewers total. ABC's decision to cancel "Malibu Country", however, does not come as a surprise, considering numbers dwindled throughout its debut season until the finale, which boasted a slightly improved 1.4 rating and 7.04 million viewers total, up 25 percent.
Had "Malibu Country" not been canceled, Season 2 would have seen some changes from Season 1: Nastaran Dibai, who stepped in as the showrunner in November, following creator/executive producer Kevin Abbot’s stint in rehab, exited in April.
In addition to "Malibu," ABC canceled four more series from the 2012-2013 season: "Body Of Proof," "Happy Endings," "How To Live With Your Parents," and "Red Widow," which join the previously canceled "666 Park Avenue," "Don't Trust The B---- In Apartment 23," "Last Resort," "Private Practice" and "Zero Hour." On a more positive note, the network renewed "Castle," "Grey's Anatomy," "Last Man Standing," "The Middle," "Modern Family," "Nashville," "Once Upon A Time," "Revenge," "Scandal" and "Suburgatory." ABC has not confirmed the reported fates of "Family Tools" and "The Neighbors."
To replace the departing series, ABC picked up a number of comedies for the 2013-2014 season: "Super Fun Night" starring Rebel Wilson; ensemble "Mixology"; Malin Akerman's "Trophy Wife"; family comedy "The Goldbergs" and "Back in the Game" starring James Caan. On the drama side, in addition to "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," ABC picked up spinoff "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland"; drama "The Returned"; David Zabel's "Lucky 7" and "Betrayal"; the Christian Slater/Steve Zahn vehicle "Mind Games" and Sofia Vergara-produced "Killer Women."
Pilot Pickups For 2013-2014:
NBC's new dramas and new comedies
Fox's new dramas and new comedies
CBS' new dramas and new comedies
The CW's new dramas
Are you surprised "Malibu Country" was canceled? Will you miss it? Sound off in the comments!
