CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The syndicated television show "The Cape" has been scrubbed.
Despite strong viewer support in the local market (WKCF-Channel 18), MTM Productions has confirmed that the show has not been renewed for a second season because nationwide ratings did not support the high cost of production - about $1 million an episode.
"We are continuing to discuss and explore alternative venues," a spokesperson said.
Bonnie King, Space Coast Film Commissioner, was disappointed with the news.
"I knew that the longer we didn't hear, our chances were getting slimmer," she said.
The production pumped "a healthy $18 million" into the Brevard County economy last year, King said. "We won't have that (this year), and it will really hurt us, so we have to hope we get something else."
"The Cape" will continue to be aired locally at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through the summer, general manager Dave Ward said. Fresh episodes will be seen through May. Twenty-two episodes were shot for the first season.
"The Cape," starring Corbin Bernsen, is about the space program and the personal and professional lives of astronauts, astronaut candidates and NASA employees. It debuted in Central Florida Sept. 13.
It was filmed at Kennedy Space Center and other Brevard locations, with technical guidance from veteran astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Bruce Melnick.
Brevard Talent Group in Melbourne placed most of the extras, many of them Space Coast residents.
Among those who were shocked at the news was Page Hall, who played an astronaut candidate as an extra on show.
"Oh, I don't believe it " he said. "I had heard it was going to get renewed. They were calling some of the people back. It makes me feel sad."
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Well, at least the locals - and a few others out there in TV Land - loved it.
Last year, when WB's syndicated series "The Cape" debuted, the bouquets far outnumbered the brickbats:
"It has great entertainment value and I also think it made a good case for the capability of our space shuttle program and for the people who are a part of it," said Bob Sieck, KSC director of shuttle management and operations.
"They look as good in bathing suits as in space suits, but the NASA folks who live at `The Cape' aren't your typical TV astronaughties . . . So long as you don't expect another `Apollo 13,' this could turn you into a solid rocket booster," wrote USA TODAY's Matt Roush.
Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda. But didn't.
As of now, "The Cape" is grounded, and not being renewed for a second season, because unlike the shuttle orbiters the show depicted, nationwide ratings didn't soar. (The current season of the show will continue to air locally at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on WKCF through the summer.)
The cancellation means so long to star Corbin Bernsen, sightings of whom fluttered hearts along the Space Coast; so long to playing "spot your friends as extras" in the background of each episode; and so long to $50-to-$75-a-day pay for being said extras.
But with big-screen vehicles such as "Contact" and the fabled remake of "I Dream of Jeannie" on the horizon, we need to stay ready for our closeups.
Ready when you are, Mr. DeMille.
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Disclaimer: This document in no way represents Nyx or the University of Denver. All opinions and erorrs are mine alone.