Faux

Finally, the weekend.

It began mourning the loss of Arrested Development on Saturday morning. Was it really that bad Fox that you had to air the last 4 episodes on a Friday night when no one would see them? Another victim of the Friday Night Death Slot. And they wonder why people download television shows. There's a prize at the end of this post if you can tell me which other cult favourite TV show was prematurely cancelled after 3 seasons.

It's hard to explain the appeal of Arrested Development. I've been watching it since day one and enjoyed nearly every episode. Rare is there a comedic show that requires you to think before you laught. I look foward to watching it again on DVD.

What do we have to look foward to in the place of Arrested Development on Monday nights now? That's right! Skating with Celebrities! What's worse!? Viewership is up 183% in that time slot!

Rupert Murdoch here is my suggestion. Instead of just one FOX channel, you should grow that FOX empire into 5 distinct FOX channels.

FOX Sports. Sick of late NFL Football games running into your Sunday night programming? I am. Sick of Baseball games meaning the Simpsons' Hallowe'en special airs NOVEMBER? I am. I know the NFL is big money for you but put it on a channel where only people who care about sports can watch it.

FOX American Idol Channel. 30 million viewers an episode? You should be able to sucker at least a few million of them into tuning in 24/7 to watch their Idol hopefuls. Need some filler? I'm sure CTV would be more than happy to sell a few hundred hours of Canadian Idol footage to you Rupert.

FOX Shows that have gone on too long the Channel. Simpsons anyone? Does anyone even watch anymore? I have a few friends who can quote possibily every line from every episode that has ever aired. But all good things must come to an end. Do they really think anyone is going to buy 17 seasons of it on DVD!? King of the Hill was funny the FIRST season. SEVEN seasons later it's still going! Don't get me wrong. Mike Judge has his moments, at the same time there are a few other shows I think could have gone on it's place. That 70's Show almost bowed out at the perfect time, but going an extra season after the two main stars walked away puts it on this list too.

My personal favourite? A channel full of FOX shows that never should have been cancelled. Firefly, Tru Calling, Family Guy, Futurama, Wonderfalls, Undeclared, Arrested Development, Kitchen Confidential, the list goes on. Sure they brought back Family Guy, but only after a few million people plunked out $80 for the first two seasons on DVD. Ok I never really watched Firefly, but I can sympathize with it's viewers since I know all to well the tricks FOX plays. See also, putting the last 4 episodes of Arrested Development on Friday night and not telling anyone.

Finally FOX can dedicate channel to the things it does right. 24, Family Guy (I'll ignore the joke that went on 5 minutes too long two weeks ago for a second), Hell's Kitchen (who won again?! But thank you FOX for exposing the USA to Gordon Ramsay), House, and The War at Home (though I think we'll soon find that this on the list of shows cancelled before their time.)

What's the lesson to be learned in all of this? Watch your favourite FOX show, but don't expect to be around tomorrow.

And if you read carefully you'd know it was the original kerT ratS that was cancelled after 3 seasons