In news that may do his recuperative powers no good at all, sources say Patrick Swayze’s A&E drama, The Beast, will not be returning for a new season.
Insiders report the cop drama – which tells the story of a Chicago-based FBI agent with his own badge and agenda – has been canceled after only thirteen installments, with the final show aired back in April. The network itself has not yet confirmed this, but the signs are in place and it should just be a matter of time.
The main reason for A&E dropping the show is most likely ratings – Season one scored only 2.4-million in the critical 18-49 demographic, and on a commercial network that’s poison.
Patrick’s illness has also played a key role – He was due to appear at a ‘Television Critics Association’ soirée to plug the show in January, but was hospitalized with pneumonia and couldn’t attend. Upset those critics and your show can be doomed.
Throughout the first season, speculation was rife that A&E would get a new star in case Patrick was lost. Lou Diamond Phillips was enrolled as a guest, but insiders say he was not planned as more. Patrick’s fellow stars have been on hold until August, and all were unsure of their future until this news leaked.
In his January interview with Barbara Walters, Patrick said the show was one of his key reasons to live. Now what?
Source: Variety
