A scene from a RUNNING WILDE episode that may or may not ever air. / FOX
It looks like the end for Running Wilde, as EW reports that Fox has decided the remaining five episodes of the sitcom are not even worth essentially burning off during the slow month of December. [Update: Just got word from Fox that, contrary to the earlier report, the episodes will run / be burned off in December: Dec. 19 at 7 and 7:30 p.m. ET, Dec. 26 at 9:30 p.m. ET and a one-hour finale Dec. 28 at 9 p.m. ET.] Wilde took a lot of knocks during its brief run, but I’ll miss it.
It’s hard to know exactly how many of its problems stemmed from its concept (Mitch Hurwitz and Will Arnett essentially reprise Gob from Arrested Development) and how much was execution (Hurwitz has suggested that network notes compelled him to simplify the jokes and storylines). But I thought the show always had signs of the kind of charming screwball farce that doesn’t often get done in network-comedy form, and whatever the reason, I’m sorry it didn’t work out. As you ride off on your tiny, tiny horse, Running Wilde, I salute you.