The sitcom "Ben and Kate" has been wiped from the airwaves.
The new show will be taken from Fox's schedule immediately for failing to reach ratings expectations, a representative from the network confirmed to the
Huffington Post.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the show's lead-in, "Raising Hope," will take the 8 p.m. Tuesday slot with a second episode, before "New Girl" and "The Mindy Project." "Raising Hope," now in its third season, will keep the hour-long back-to-back slot until "Hell's Kitchen" premiers in March.
"Ben and Kate" aired just 13 episodes. It chronicled a single mom and her eccentric older brother. The show premiered to rousing acclaim and was named by critics as one of the best new comedies of the year. However, it failed to materialize in the market, achieving just a 1.4 rating and 2.9 million viewers per episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"Ben and Kate" received an order for six more episodes in October, but a Fox rep said he wasn't sure if the remaining five episodes would air at all. Around that time, Fox execs said they would be patient with the series, but it seems the patience has run out.
"'Ben And Kate' and 'The Mindy Project' have everything we want to stand for in comedy: smart writing, hugely appealing casts and comedy that feels contemporary and real – which is why we're confident they will continue to build on what is already an appointment comedy night for young, influential audiences on Tuesdays," Fox chairman Kevin Reilly said in a statement when the six-episode pick up was made.
It seems like Reilly's now eating his words.
One of the show's stars, Echo Kellum, made the best of the situation, posting to Twitter in response to the news:
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