NBC has canceled "Wind on Water" - that ludicrous soap opera that starred Bo Derek - after only two airings. And, oddly enough, I'm actually sort of bummed about it.
Not because I'll miss all that gorgeous scenery. Not because "Wind" was populated by so many gorgeous actors - and I use the term "actors" extremely loosely.Not because I'm a fan of vapid shows with laughable dialogue and plotting.
But this must be at least a little bit like it was for political reporters when Richard Nixon announced his retirement from politics after losing the 1962 race for California governor. TV critics won't have "Wind on Water" to kick around anymore.
Of course, with a show this awful there was really almost no sport in it. Kicking "Wind on Water" is sort of like kicking that mean dog down the street - just after it's been run over by a truck.
The show wasn't completely dead on arrival, but it was close. It opened to horrendous ratings, which got worse the second week.
This cancellation could be termed a mercy killing, both for the show and for viewers.
As to what NBC is going to air on Saturdays at 7 p.m., well, we don't really know yet. For the moment, we're getting reruns of "The Pretender." But the network has yet to officially name a replacement.
(That'll be momentous, huh?)
There's a second reason to lament the loss of "Wind on Water." There's always a chance that NBC will put something good on in its place, and I spend too much time watching TV already. We should be grateful for atrocious shows that we don't have to feel in the least bit guilty about not watching.
On the other hand, the odds of NBC actually putting something worthwhile in the time slot are pretty slim. Come on - we're talking about the same network that put "Wind on Water" on in the first place.
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING: You've got to give CBS at least a few points for honesty. The network will promoting an upcoming sweeps-inspired ratings stunt as "Shameless Crossover Monday."
OK, they're also calling the event, scheduled for this coming week, "Double-Take Monday." But "Shameless" is certainly a more accurate - and, thus, more unlikely - description.
"King of Queens" star Kevin James will appear on both "Cosby" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Raymond" stars Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Peter Boyle will appear on "King."
CBS ORDERS UP: CBS has given "L.A. Doctors" a vote of confidence, ordering nine more episodes of the Monday medical drama, bringing it up to a full season's 22 episodes.
The network gave a less resounding vote of confidence to the freshman sitcom "Maggie Winters," ordering five additional episodes of the Faith Ford show.