ELI STONE SUMMER BONUS

I have to adapt to my favorite TV shows being canceled because over the years they always get canceled. Sometimes they last a few seasons... sometimes they last 13 weeks...COP ROCK...and sometimes I get extremely lucky...BOSTON LEGAL and WEST WING...and they last for multiple years.



ELI STONE was the latest victim and during the year it simply stopped after 8 or 9 shows. The story had multiple future ramifications regarding the plot line and when it stopped there was absolutely no closure and no Internet rumors about anything except that it was dead in the water.

It always blows my mind when shows with non-organized divinity ramifications* can't generate an audience. Eli Stone during it's regular run was averaging between 6 and 8 million viewers.

*NON-ORGANIZED DIVINITY RAMIFICATIONS = shows that introduce us to new and creative ways to experience GOD's love. Joan of Arcadia and Eli Stone both fell into that category and both had wonderful writers and great ensembles.

About 4 weeks ago I happened to look in the newspaper at the TV shows for Saturday night and there was an ELI STONE episode at 10 pm with an N next to the name. N of course being NEW SHOW.

It turns out that they had four more episodes that were either shot before the cancellation or shot since the cancellation. I don't really care because what they were able to do was gently wrap up the story line and leave their limited fan base with a certain type of closure.



The audience over the last four weeks had averaged 2.6 million so there were numerous previous fans who have no idea that the show had four more episodes.

If you get a chance to rent the 26 Eli Stone episodes....you will be highly entertained.



The creators Greg Berlanti and March Guggenheim should be commended for trying something different and although there aren't many of us....I just want them both to know that....


I GOT IT!


But like most shows I love...I will get it no more.


SAVING GRACE is the latest version of this unique genre and they don't need a huge audience because they are on TNT. Holly Hunter might easily be the best actress working on TV.

It's worth an hour of your time. Tuesday nights at 10PM on TNT

I wish ELI STONE had been on cable but then the production values would have not been as polished.

Oh well...at least Smallville keeps hanging on. Pretty soon Clark will have to put on the suit and that will be that. Of course Smallville doesn't fall into the genre I was referring to but everyone needs a comic book fix from time to time.

Michael Timothy McAlevey