Opportunity Knocked, but Viewers Didn't Answer

The latest casualty of prime time television is ABC's new game show Opportunity Knocks. The show, which has been bleeding viewers since its lukewarm debut, has been pulled from the ABC schedule, effective immediately. Instead, we're being offered another hour of Dancing with the Stars in its place.

I'm of two minds on this one. On one hand, the show really hasn't had that much of a shot to make an impression on viewers. It's been up against some stiff competition in its Tuesday night time slot, most notably CBS' huge eyeball-drawer NCIS. What I don't understand is why networks don't try to juggle their shows around a bit before just canceling them. Maybe Opportunity Knocks would have fared better on a Friday night, or on Wednesdays as a lead-in to Dancing.

On the other hand, Opportunity is one of those over-the-top gigantic productions that game show fans are starting to take a dislike to. Simpler fare like quiz shows and revivals of classic game shows are doing much better than these big showcases seem to be. Look at Million Dollar Password and The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular for example. Both shows use a familiar format that's more or less true to the original show, and both have done very well in the ratings. And it might stand to note that Password was a success on Sunday nights, while Price conquered Wednesday nights.

There are still six episodes left of Opportunity Knocks that haven't aired. We'll probably see them end up as filler between seasons, during the holidays, or during the summer, depending on when ABC has vacant time in their schedule.

Photo courtesy ABC