USA Network Cancels Micheal Ealy's 'Common Law' After One Season

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• Orville | November 3, 2012 11:23 PMReply

  I thought the show was okay but I felt the lead actors didn't have much chemistry I felt it was forced. I thought 2 million viewers for cable was decent ratings so obviously someone watched Common Law. But Michael Ealy is a film actor anyway he might as well concentrate on films that's what he's good at.

• Jeni | November 1, 2012 12:40 PMReply

  It was terrible--never could watch a full ep. It was a waste of Ealy's sexy. The premise was tired, and the director was asleep at the wheel--the actors weren't in sync. I think Ealy's better at straight dramas, anyway.

• misha | November 1, 2012 11:54 AMReply

  Looks like I'm in the minority but I loved the show. It was fun, funny and I thought Ealy and Kole had great buddy chemistry. They were the best thing about the show, I thought. Disappointed to see it end after only one season.

• zeus | November 1, 2012 10:30 AMReply

  I watched 30 minutes of the first show. It was horrible. No chemistry at all! Totally sucked ass.

• Stacie | November 1, 2012 10:05 AMReply

  It wasn't all that bad. I watched it. It was cute. No different from USA's other show, Psyched, which I don't watch.

• Tamara | November 8, 2012 3:14 PM

  @ALM, "Suits" is on my to-watch list! I saw the pilot episode and loved it. Love Gina Torres and Gabriel Macht. *wink* I'm going to have to put aside a weekend for all of that law and ordering. Definitely a good show; very well written. @JUG What I so love also about "Psych" is the fact that they bring on old characters from old tv shows and film. Rob Estes is on an episode of "Psych", season six. I just love how they pay homage and do so in a clever and funny way. Just goodness all around. And yes, you are right, USA came out of the woodwork and quickly established their own identity with original programming. I will look to this "Graceland" you mention. Great discussion; thanks!

• Jug | November 6, 2012 8:27 PM

  WOW! SILK STALKINGS?!?! Man that's outta the shoebox on that one LOL I totally agree with you guys. USA used to be the place where movies of the week went to die. But they finally got an identity and went full steam ahead. The trailer for GRACELAND (by the guy who made WHITE COLLAR) looks like another hit. The only shows I didn't watch were COMMON LAW & SUITS, tho I heard SUITS really came on after 2 & 3 eps. Gave up on BURN NOTICE after copycat seasons 4 or 5 LOL

• ALM | November 6, 2012 8:18 PM

  @ Tamara: Girl, I used to watch "Silk Stalkings". LOL !!! USA has come a LONG, LONG, way since the days of weekly movies about crazy serial killer nurses who are infatuated with dolls. LOL!!! Have you checked out "Suits" yet? Another great USA show that I discovered earlier this year.

• Tamara | November 6, 2012 6:40 PM

  Just chiming in with ALM and AKIMBO, "Psych" is great. I love it because it is many things, primarily a whole lotta pop culture references and a cute and loving and brotherly relationship with Shawn and Gus. I love that the show gave and gives Gus's character (and all the characters, really) stories. It's not just about Shawn and his Dad. It's about the bromance LOL and the detective work and all the shenanigans that come along with it. "Psych" IS petering out, but naturally so. It's had a good run. I would it would continue until both Shawn and Gus are married and living in homes next door to one another with a backyard that shares a pool (reference), but it will end. "Psych" is solid; ridiculously solid and enjoyable, so much so, that I can say it's worth repeated viewings. Trust me. Because I viewed seasons 1-5 repeatedly and each time I watch I hear or see something that I didn't before. Only the really good "sitcoms" or "dramedies" do this. Another example, "Arrested Development". You want to talk about on-going jokes? Sheesh. The show is chock full of 'em. To end (my fan-girling) I'll say that anything "original" on the USA network is an acquired taste. Who loved "Silk Stalkings"??? Anyone? Anyone? And while I love "Psych", I don't too much bother with "White Collar" (since season one) and I haven't given "Royal Pains" and "Burn Notice" a chance... I got my reasons. But I love that this channel has good-to-great original programming. I'm sorry "Common Law" didn't stick. Premise was good and the leads, good to look at, but as a lot have posited: no chemistry, no explanation, etc. It got boring.

• Akimbo | November 3, 2012 12:40 PM

  While Psych is petering out, I gotta agree with ALM. The show is funny, well written, has great chemistry, and the relationships MAKE SENSE. Shawn and Gus squabble for a reason, Shawn and his dad don't see eye-to-eye for a reason, Lassiter hates Shawn for a reason. On Common Law, the two leads fought all the time simply because they fought all the time. Aside from a few superficial and backstory differences, they were like the same character, so the bickering was monotonous and pointless. This show wishes it were Psych or White Collar, but it failed to create two characters so fundamentally different that they couldn't help but clash. Good riddance and onwards & upwards for all involved parties.

• ALM | November 2, 2012 12:09 PM

  @ Stacie: Well, this proves the saying "different strokes for different folks". I love Dule in this role. It shows his diversity. The "West Wing" was his dramatic side, while "Psych" is his comedic side. I also think "Psych" is hilarious. There are a lot of subtle jokes about pop culture and music embedded into the show.

• Stacie | November 2, 2012 9:05 AM

  Psych is so not funny. It's just too goofy for me. My mother refuses to watch it even though she watches all the other cop shows on USA because she hates how silly the Black character is on there. She loved him on the West Wing and now feels he has cheapened himself. Plus, it's just not funny.

• ALM | November 1, 2012 10:27 AM

  @ Stacie: I am a major "Psych" fan, and believe me when I say that "Psych" is very different from "Common Law". The only thing they have in common is that both shows deal with crimes of some sort (sometimes it's a mystery on "Psych" as opposed to an actual crime) and the leads are an interracial pairing. "Psych" has believable romantic tension (btw Sean and Jules), good writing, excellent chemistry between the two male leads, and the show is hilariously funny. I have been watching "Psych" at home multiple times and said out loud, "They must have a diverse writing cast". I say this because there is an on going joke with Jaleel White, Keenan Thompson and Gus' character in a singing group. Whenever the group shows up (usually once a season), Boyz II Men sing the theme song. You have to see it. LOL!!!

• Melissaenafrique | November 1, 2012 9:20 AMReply

  It also aired here in Africa on DSTV. I caught one episode. No chemistry between the two leads. It should have just been Michael Ealy.

• Akimbo | November 1, 2012 7:13 AMReply

  Not a surprise. The show was terrible. Now he's free to do something better.

• starry118 | November 1, 2012 1:13 AMReply

  Was rooting for Michael Ealy, but the writing on this show was mediocre/blah, and the relationship between the two main characters was forced. I watched a few episodes and that was a wrap for me. I look forward to seeing him on a more interesting television series in the future, if he decides to go that route.

• ALM | October 31, 2012 9:16 PMReply

  Well, I watched every episode. The show was on Friday nights, so it was fighting an uphill battle already. Also, the promos were better than the actual show. I expected the show to be edgier, grittier and funnier all at the same time. It was like the show was all over the place at times, and the writers of the show weren't sure what they wanted the show to be. I will mourn the loss of my weekly Ealy eye candy, though. *Sigh* :)

• Tamara | October 31, 2012 10:57 PM

  Promos were definitely better than the show I agree ALM. The show was 'okay'. I stopped watching after about the first 3/4 episodes.

• Adam Scott Thompson | October 31, 2012 8:56 PMReply

  Films are cool but if you're not paid like top shelf then a TV gig represents a steady paycheck. Too bad. I hope it doesn't deter Mister Ealy from dipping a toe into next year's pilot season. Tomorrow is another day.