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'Day Break' done, but he's still Taye Diggs
So it has come to pass that Day Break is done at ABC, making the broadcast networks 0-for-the-season in their attempts to put on a serialized crime drama (see also Kidnapped, Smith and Vanished, provided you can find them online).
It was not supposed to be that way for Day Break -- for Day Break had Taye Diggs, as he reminded us during a session at the July press tour. As they had for the better part of two weeks, the critics peppered Diggs and the show's producers with questions about how they would stand out from the glut of other serialized shows, what would happen in the face of low ratings, things like that. Diggs eventually heard enough.
... [Y]ou'll have to forgive us if we come off as a little sarcastic or maybe defensive. But we knew that we would be dealing with a lot of these questions. And I just need to remind you that this is something very special to us. We think it's very different, it's unique. But at the same time, it's still a television show. And everybody here, we all know what we're doing. So when you ask us a question like, well, how do we get somebody to view in who hasn't been watching regularly, you know, how do you get anybody to view in? You know, I watched the first two seasons of 24, and then I turn on the TV and it's the fourth season. I watch one episode and I'm in. Why am I hooked? I didn't need the beginning of the fourth season to get hooked. The acting, the storyline, whatever it was, it got me hooked. And I think that this show will possess that. All these questions that you are asking, I could ask, well, how does someone do that for Desperate Housewives? It's a TV show, and we know what we're doing. Do you know what I'm saying? ...
We're not dumb. I'm Taye Diggs. I wouldn't sign on for that. So that's what you are feeling up here, so you'll have to excuse us. But you are just going to have to believe us, trust us, that it's going to be something very interesting and special.
Truth be told, from what I saw of it I thought Day Break was OK, if a little too convoluted for its own good. But trying to feed an unfamiliar and complex show to an audience already cranky about both the direction of Lost and the fact that it was going away for three months probably wasn't a recipe for success, Taye Diggs or no Taye Diggs.
I'll always have love for the RENT cast, but Taye needs to get over himself. His initial rant about why people watch popular shows is incoherent. And his proclamation that we must trust all Taye Diggs projects is hilarious. I think he lost our trust with Malibu’s Most Wanted and House on Haunted Hill. :)
Bobby | Dec 15, 2006 5:01:44 PM | #I loved this show, so am naturally dismayed to learn it's being yanked off.
I agree with your assessment about why it scored such poor ratings, because overall it was an enjoyable hour of TV.
Margaret | Dec 15, 2006 5:13:15 PM | #STUPID ABC.
If it isn't one show it's another...
Shessh...
The wife and I are now swearing off any new shows that come out. We get hooked on it and then they pull the plug.
We would have been satisfied if they would at least let the series end and then not renew it. Tie up all the loose ends.
Boycott ABC!!!!!!!!!!
I'M TAYE DIGGS!!!!!
[Sorry. Just fills me with joy to yell it...]
Daniel Fienberg | Dec 15, 2006 8:35:42 PM | #Is it possible to view the final episodes online? I was totally into Daybreak. I work evenings, so I set the DVR for Daybreak and when I get home I watch it. I want to see the end and ABC should at least finish the final few episodes. I would bet it's already filmed. Who cares about George Lopez and According to Jim reruns. I definately won't watch that crap. I wouldn't watch it if it was new, let alone repeats! ABC are run by idiots!!!
Eric | Dec 16, 2006 7:45:04 AM | #I Tivo "Day Break" and once I sit down to watch it I lose interest almost immediately. I adore Taye Diggs and have pretty much followed his career since his Broadway debut in "Rent." But, his performance in this show was less than stellar. There was too much information packed into the hour and too many characters to care about in this serial/episodic.
Sadly, I liked "Kevin Hill" better.
I still think the network should've given "Smith" a chance. It was its best show of the season.
Shoparazzi | Dec 16, 2006 10:53:43 AM | #Well, I can't say that I am surprised by ABC's decision to yank Day Break off its schedule. The ratings were declining week after week, but Day Break was far superior to any of the other serialized shows that were cancelled earlier this year (Vanished was laughable). I know that TV critics never warmed up to this series, but believe me, there were some loyal viewers out there who really enjoyed this smartly-written show.
I do compare Day Break to 24 in the sense that it may confuse viewers, but there is a PAYOFF at the end when the mystery is solved (13 episodes for Day Break, 24 for its namesake). I blame the idiots at ABC for scheduling this program in place of LOST's 13 week hiatus. Why didn't they just start LOST in January and show non-stop original episodes, a la 24? Then they could have fit in Day Break on any night of the week, instead of offending loyal LOSTIES with a 'place holder' show.
Day Break would have started out with better initial ratings, but ABC executives are MORONS, just like their counterparts at FOX. I will boycott ABC from now on. I watched Invasion, The Nine and Day Break--and I was burned when they were yanked from the air for...reruns of lame and aging sitcoms? Yeah, ABC you really are giving viewers that top-quality programming!
Kerry | Dec 18, 2006 8:38:45 AM | #It's too bad that too few viewers kept up with Day Break. It was well-written and had an excellent cast. From now on I will stick to HBO for great serialized dramas. Day Break was not a good fit on ABC; maybe the Sci-Fi network or FX.
I enjoyed Day Break while it lasted. Hopefully, we'll get resolution on DVDs. Viewers outside of the United States can't see the programs at ABC.online. ABC has given up on all their programs, except for their beloved Grey's, Lost and Desperate housewives. Good riddance to ABC and their short-sighted views!
As a Lost viewer, I can say that I probably had a little bit of that attitude that "I'm going to boycott this show because it's a Lost replacement", but ultimately the main reason I didn't watch is because it just didn't look good at all.
Jason | Dec 19, 2006 10:45:06 AM | #I WANT DAY BREAK BACK
I NEED TO SEE THE REST OF THE SERIES....YOU CAN NOT LEAVE IT LIKE THAT. COME ON NOW END THE SHOW BY SHOWING US THE REST OF THE SHOWS.....I LOVE THE SHOW.....
THANK YOU,
JACKIE OKANA
I was disturbed when I found out that Day Break was done. It was a great show ann ABC has made a HUGE mistake by pulling it. I agree with the other people who feel that the rest of the series should be aired! ABC needs to reconsider the poor decision they made!!!!
Tony | Dec 21, 2006 4:47:39 AM | #I agree with the other posters that ABC should have aired the remaining episodes. It's not like they could have brought back Lost any sooner. Network executives wonder why so many new dramas failed this season. Maybe because we the viewers have been burned in the past by networks pulling our shows (REUNION, FIREFLY, INVASION).
There was a multitude of reasons why Day Break failed (some have suggested poor promotion, low-rated lead-in program Show Me the Money, even racism against an interracial leading couple). However, I am leaning toward the main reason being that loyal Lost fans didn't want to see anything that might 'replace' their show in the future if ratings had proven to be a hit. I really enjoyed Day Break while it lasted. I am hoping for DVDs in the near future.
Jamie | Dec 21, 2006 8:02:52 AM | #I loved that show. My sister and I will truly miss it. Where can I find the final shows. I hope another network picks it up.
leo | Dec 21, 2006 8:36:25 AM | #I am another fan of Day Break who is sorely disappointed at ABCs decision to cancel before the 13th week. I was hoping that ABC would have aired the remaining episodes on Saturday nights instead of their movies.
Maybe Day Break fans can start e-mailing cable networks if they could pick up the entire series? I remember SCI-FI being good at airing all the completed episodes of Firefly (originally on FOX) and then Night Stalker (from ABC). We need to see resoltuion to the conspiracy. I'm still angry over Reunion's abrupt cancelation.
Frankie | Dec 21, 2006 10:41:30 AM | #ABC is stupid...point blank...I don't care if the show is doing bad or not...somebody somewhere is watching it...ABC owes it to them to at least let the series finish the season...pulling it in mid season is the worst decision any one could make...I will never watch the network again...why should I...they could pull the plug on any show at any time...so why bother...I guess the few viewers that did watch are not worthy of any type of closure...ABC sucks!
Kole | Dec 21, 2006 2:53:44 PM | #I won't miss Taye, but I WILL MISS Moon Goodblood. Wow.
MarkyMark | Dec 21, 2006 11:02:22 PM | #Whoops... Moon Bloodgood... WOW.. again.
MarkyMark | Dec 21, 2006 11:03:16 PM | #Daybreak is/was a good show !!!
As previously stated - The folks at ABC don't get it, there are fans like me who loved the show becase of it's mature nature and suspense, also great acting. We don't what to watch stupid sitcoms reruns to take the place of serious drama.
JerryB | Dec 22, 2006 7:42:38 AM | #Just to add insult to injury, ABC has NOT yet (as of Friday morning) put up this week's new episode of Day Break. I just tried to download the episode, but I found only the episode from 12/13/06.
An official spokesperson from ABC said that the delay was due to problems clearing the music licensing. Many loyal viewers of Day Break are calling this b.s. Wouldn't the network had to have the music rights cleared in time for the originally planned 12/20 broadcast anyway?
ABC never fails to disappoint their TV audience. I really hope that execs at ABC quickly realize what a huge public relations mistake it was to pull Day Break earlier than expected.
I WAS going to watch Lost when it returns in February, but this debacle with Day Break has sent me into boycott mode. From now on I will stick to HBO and other cable networks.
Sami | Dec 22, 2006 8:41:49 AM | #I would love to meet the executives at ABC that control what we watch. They have to be kidding... Reruns of crappy shows instead of Day Break. How does that make sense? Does anyone really watch According to Jim or that gay George Lopez crap? First it was Smith, then Vanished, and now Day Break. I hope another network picks up the show.
Johnnie Balls | Dec 22, 2006 6:46:30 PM | #This is very disturbing you finally haev a real show in a world of reality T.V. dribble. The story line was solid and kept you guessing and waiting for the next episode. I cant believe the show was pulled but abc kept Lost which had no real direction! BRING IT BACK! AT LEAST END THE SERIES PROPERLY!!!!
Lenworth Pratt | Dec 24, 2006 1:56:04 PM | #Just when I thought ABC was going to be a leader by bringing back real well written television shows, I get the rug pulled from under me. I am utterly disturbed that such a good show can just be yanked off (especially without any notice). I definitely need to see the remainder of the episodes. I believe that this show was witty & cleverly written. I definitely hope some smart executive from another broadcasting network pics up this show. IT WAS AWESOME!!
Collette Smith | Dec 24, 2006 2:00:28 PM | #"WHAT" on earth is ABC thinking. Day Break had great potential. I don't care about the ratings or whatever. This just plain sucks. But these executives only care about what they like. The fans mean nothing to them. No matter how loyal they are. Now I'll just wait for them to pull the plug on Lost. As if taking off a lot of great characters wasn't bad enough. Taye Diggs was amazing. This show always had me on the edge. And now they just pull off a show as if it were dust. At least let it finish. Good Lord. I can't wait til you guys crash and burn. You deserve it, not the shows. As for the cast and crew of Day Break, I'm so sorry and I hope you kmow how much we supported you. Hopefully another network will take it or special DVD will come out. Either way ABC is ending themselves and I won't shed a tear if fall hard. With the exception of Lost which needs improvments itself.
Isabelle | Dec 24, 2006 8:50:50 PM | #fuck lost and fuck you abc
bull shit | Dec 25, 2006 11:57:56 PM | #It's been over 10 days since ABC officially canceled Day Break, and no specific date as to when online episodes will be available.
This entire mess with Day Break has convinced me that ABC primetime is run by MORONS! No wonder ABC was in 4th place in ratings up until last year. They have the impatience of a whiny 3-year old brat, cancelling innovative and brilliant shows before viewers have a chance to catch on (EYES, KAREN CISCO, etc.)
Hey, remember the first seasons of 24, Seinfeld and Alias? Some critics predicted that these type of shows would never survive because they didn't fit into the typical drama/comedy mold. These programs continued past their first seasons and redefined TV genres on broadcast networks.
Along this same vein, I noted that Day Break's limited run format could have started a new trend in TV as well. Instead of stretching out story arcs over 8 months and 22 episodes, the creators wanted to reward loyal viewers with all the answers after 13 weeks.
It's too bad that ABC executives are so short-sighted. I have watched a lot of television over 2o years, and Day Break really was a promising and well-produced series (as much as ABC decided to air). Day Break would have had a better chance at surviving on one of the cable networks, like F/X or Sci-Fi.
Chalk this one up to another show that was 'brilliant but cancelled'. I will NOT watch ABC shows from now on...they do not deserve any loyalty from TV viewers.
Fan From Chicago | Dec 26, 2006 3:01:46 PM | #
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