Pink Slips All Around!

Tis the season...to close up shop.

In the Broadway realm, 2005 Tony Award winner Spamalot has announced it will close up shop a week earlier than previously expected. The Eric Idle musical will now play its final performance on Jan. 11 rather than Jan. 18. The musical is "lovingly ripped off" of "Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail" and originally starred Tim Curry, Hank Azaria ("The Simpsons"), David Hyde Pierce ("Frasier") and Sara Ramirez ("Grey's Anatomy"). It plays at the Shubert Theater.

Likewise, new musical 13 will also close. The Jason Robert Brown ("Parade") offering will close on Jan. 4. The show tells the story of Evan Goldman as he turns that world-shaking age of 13, dealing with love, friendship and a new school. The principle cast is also comprised of teenage performers, many who were praised by critics in their reviews of the show. 13 plays the Bernard B. Jacobs theater.

Spamalot Original Broadway Cast recording is alreay out in stores; 13's will come out this Tuesday.

Theater isn't the only hard hit area. TV has been taking a bit of a beating as well. Last week, NBC cancelled Christian Slater vehicle "My Own Worst Enemy" and there were rumors that "Lipstick Jungle" was on the chopping block as well. However, Brooke Shields has said that nothing is confirmed about the fate of her show. In its daytime department, though, "Days of our Lives" has seen two surprise cuts: Marlena and John will be leaving Salem. Over at ABC, three shows have reportedly been told they will be shuttering: Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money. Looks like my plea at the end of my Top Model recap fell on deaf ears.

In regards to Pushing Daisies, I think one of its main problems was the Writers' Strike that gripped the industry this time last year. It finished up its remaining episodes by December and then ABC unwisely (in my opinion) did not rerun any episodes. If anything has been proved, expecting an audience to wait from December to September is quite stupid. Also, the reruns could've garned more of an audience for the premiere this year if done over the summer. I had been hoping for them while waiting for Top Model to start again because I knew my family liked the show. Plus, I love Kristin Chenoweth. Eli Stone had trouble finding an audience, ABC never let Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money keep theirs.

Also, ABC--holding Life on Mars till near February? Not smart. You're suddenly losing your Wednesday line up (Private Practice is moving to Thursdays in the new year) and already admitted to moving the series to fill it somewhat. Don't hold it. It's confusing when watching from week to week, imagine what a near two month gap is going to do to the audience? It didn't work for Heroes and it didn't work for Lost. Learn from past mistakes! These are shows with season-long arcs, not episodic like CSI or ER--which can withstand such a break. Don't let the audience lose interest!