THR’s James Hibberd today blogged from the CBS Executive Session at the TCA Press Tour in Pasadena, where Nina Tassler confirmed the cancellation of Three Rivers. The CBS Entertainment President also indirectly confirms that there is still a relationship between Alex O’Loughlin and the network:
On “Three Rivers”: Yes, it’s officially canceled. “We’ve all known each other long enough to know that when something is on ‘hiatus,’ it’s code for something else. Eight lives were saved because of organ donation awareness of that show.” In the huddle, Tassler is asked about whether “Moonlight” might return and remarks that they were the first network on the scene with a vampire show (of course, CBS was also the first to cancel one). She doesn’t expect a fan uprising over “Three Rivers” like there was over “Moonlight” and says they’re trying to find a new show for star Alex O’Loughlin.
TV Squad’s Joel Keller reports:
Howdy from Pasadena! I’m here covering the Winter TCA tour, and the first bit of news has already come up. During her executive session, CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler was asked by the throng of reporters here if the Alex O’Laughlin medical drama Three Rivers was cancelled. Her response?
“You know what? Yes.”
She went on to say that she didn’t want to beat around the bush on it; the show just took longer to develop than they hoped. She was heartened by the stories she heard from transplant patients who appreciated the show’s message, but that wasn’t enough to save the show.
In the reporter scrum after her press conference, Tassler told me that she didn’t anticipate as many angry letters from O’Laughlin fans as she got after she cancelled Moonlight, but judging from some of the notes we got here, I doubt that.
Additional reports by:
- Variety: “‘Jay Leno Show’ Good for CBS”
- iFMagazine: “Breaking TCA 2010 News: ‘Three Rivers’ is Finally, ‘Officially’ Cancelled”
- HitFix: “Press Tour: CBS Highlights — Three Rivers, Sheldon’s Sexuality and More”
- TV Guide: “CBS President: Numb3rs Not Dead Yet, Three Rivers is”
- Zap2It: “CBS Chief: NBC’s ‘Jay Leno’ was Misguided; ‘Three Rivers’ Washed up”
- Sitcomsonline: “TCA Winter 2010 Press Tour: CBS and The CW; Hallmark Channesl Does Daytime Time Shifting
- E! Online: “CBS Cancelled and CSI Will Get Better”
- TVbytheNumbers: “CBS: Moonlight Still Cancelled; Numb3rs, Medium on the Bubble”
- EW: Press Tour Scoop: Three Rivers Axed; Numb3rs Not Dead
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Press Tour Journal: Three Rivers Definitely Canceled”
- The Wrap: “Tassler on Leno, Letterman, Sheen, and Oh Yes, CBS’ Mid Season”
- TheTVAddict: “TCA Press Tour Live Blog: CBS President Talks Three Rivers, Flashpoint, Leno & More!”
- TheFutonCritic: “CBS Declares Three Rivers Dead”
- Courant.com: “Three Rivers’ End Official”
shame on CBS and Tassler…not the sharpest pencil in the box for sure!!! Mr. OH needs his own show, his very own show and/or his own series of movie deals. This hidden talent needs time to shine!!! Of course, his fold will follow him wherever he takes us…he just needs a platform to perform on…I guess we need to be much, much louder…CBS, I think is deaf? And, MizzoH…thank you for that spoonful of bad medicine…did know it was coming, but still hard to swallow ) : You amaze me how you always keep us in the loop! Happy new year…
She’s already said, “We love [Alex] and want him to stay around for a long time.”
And “‘Moonlight’ was a much more [O'Loughlin]-centric show, whereas ‘Three Rivers’ was more of an ensemble.”
Which might just be CBS codespeak for “he needs to be the lead and the only lead in his own show”
(And if that is the case, then it would rule out CM2 unless they made significant changes, IMO…)
Fingers crossed they’ll put us out of our misery and let us have good news soon, Grace!
Source for the aforementioned quotes: FanCast
what I meant to say is… shame on them for NOT giving TR enough time, as well as an appropriate day and time for them to shine. Tassler already stated what good came from that very short-lived show. Just imagine what would have happened had they been thoughtful enough to allow them more time and adjust the slot for TR. It’s apparent that “the networks”…no matter which major network, just aren’t the most thoughtful types when it comes to their audiences. However, I will be grateful…when I see CBS show Mr. OH the love…actions really do, speak louder than words. I guess I’m not Too patient when it comes to cbs…must less trusting of what they say they are going to do…but I’m just a LowLy fan ) : Always, mizzoH…thank you for this wonderful site and info you provide to us lowly ones…very, very thankful to count on you for the latest on the beloved Mr. OH!!!
I am so incredibly sad, but not at all surprised to hear this. I knew they wouldn’t give Alex and TR another chance. But I know that the next one will be the one. The one that will be the biggest hit for him. A part of me hopes that it won’t be for CBS, but where ever Alex goes, I will follow. We do have ‘The Back Up Plan’ to look forward to…can’t wait for April! Alex, I can’t wait to see you on my TV screen again. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long.
Thank you MizzoH. It’s really sad news. I know in my heart that Alex is once again very disappointed and hurt over Three Rivers. Alex has worked so hard and has put his heart and soul on Three Rivers.. Like fellow Australian actor Simon Baker, he was on 2 previous drama series on CBS before his third and successful show, The Mentalist. I know that Alex O’Loughlin will be cast as the leading actor for a soon-to-be successful crime drama series on our weekly television on CBS.