ABC Cancels 'Selfie', Retains 'Forever'

Nov 08, 2014 07:23 AM EST

(Photo : REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni) Cast members Ioan Gruffudd and Alana De La Garza attend a panel for the ABC television series "Forever" during the Television Critics Association Cable Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California July 15, 2014.

ABC's Forever is unpredictable not only in terms of its plot but also includes the show's lifespan after the network announced on Friday a full-season order. However, Selfie, not unexpectedly, got the axe, although there are no specific details if the network would take it off the air or play the remaining of its pilot 13-episode order.

Like Us on Facebook

Digital Spy said the seven remaining episodes will still air every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

The network opted to have another season of Forever even if its viewer had tumbled down to 5 million viewers from its impressive debut of 8.3 million watchers. Its Tuesday episode got a 1.1 rating only in the 18 to 49 age group, making it the last-place finisher for Tuesday night shows, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Forever revolves around the assistance offered by immortal medical examiner Dr. Henry Morgan, played by Ioan Gruffudd, to New York Police Department detective Jo Martinez, played by Alana De La Garza, in solving crimes as well as the mystery behind why he does not age beyond 35 years old.

Movieplot, in its review of Forever, found Dr. Morgan's overall demeanor and quirkiness so fun and interesting since he does not fall into the stereotype of a usual TV "anti-hero." It noted that Martinez's NYPD detective character is "smart, aware, and usually asks all the right questions," balancing the "weirdo" character of Dr. Morgan.

The stars of Selfie, a modern take of My Fair Lady, are Karen Gillan and John Cho. Gillan essays the role of Eliza Dooley, who is social media-obsessed, while Cho is Henry, a marketing genius who helps Eliza rebrand her image.

In a review of Selfie, Esther Breger of New Republic pointed out the show has a terrible title and "condescending gender dynamic" of a shallow female who needs tutoring from a male, but added it has overcome the weakness of romantic comedy shows by having deeper supporting characters, and in the process, converting Selfie into a skewed workplace comedy.

Other ABC shows previously cancelled by the network include Manhattan Love Story, while it has picked up Black-ish and How to Get Away with Murder for full seasons. From other networks, Fox will axe Utopia, while NBC cancels A to Z and Bad Judge.