Producer Patrick Schumacker announced via Twitter that fledgling sitcom ‘Powerless’ had been removed from NBC’s schedule at least for the next two weeks, with three remaining episodes un-aired. At the time of his tweet, Schumacker didn’t seem very clear about the show’s fate but didn’t seem optimistic.
#Powerless will not air this week or next. This, I know for sure. I can guess some other things but they’re not good. Thanks for watching.
— Patrick Schumacker (@PMSchumacker) April 25, 2017
The already-renewed ‘Superstore’ will instead air two episodes, one new, one repeat in its place. The show debuted in February to mediocre reviews and “dismal” returns. The most recent episode drew a paltry 2.1 million viewers only 0.6 of which were in the desired 18-49 age range. The show lost an average of 30% of the audience of its ‘Superstore’ lead-in.
Of course ‘Powerless’ might have been powerless to succeed from the beginning. You may recall that the show’s creator and showrunner Ben Queen left due to creative differences before it even hit the air. Audiences at SDCC were shown his original pilot, which took place at an insurance company that specialized in taking care of the Average Joe in the aftermath of super hero/villain battles. But the show was completely overhauled and the original pilot was scrapped. Schumacker and Justin Halpern were brought in to retool it. The show was now set at Wayne Security‘s research and development department and the characters were tasked with inventing new devices to help people survive these super battles.
The show featured radically altered versions of DC characters like Crimson Fox, Green Fury (better known as Fire) and Jack O’Lantern as well as references to Batman, The Joker, The Riddler and Aquaman among others.
The cast was led by Vanessa Hudgens, with Danny Pudi, Ron Funches, Jennie Pierson, Christina Kirk and Alan Tudyk, who played Bruce Wayne’s cousin Van, the head of Wayne Security.
According to Schumacker’s tweet, NBC hasn’t outright cancelled it yet, but it doesn’t look good.
Were you a fan of this sitcom take on the DC Universe? Are you sad to see it go?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
