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Last Rites for 'Huff'
June 25, 2006

Tonight on Showtime, the superior series Huff takes its final curtain call. What was supposed to be the season-two finale is, sadly, turning out to be the series finale; the dark, over-the-top and never dull show, which has garnered critical accolades and Emmy wins (the Best Supporting Actress win for the wonderful Blythe Danner was fully deserved), was cancelled by the network last week due to consistently low ratings.

In the May 29 issue of B&C, we reported that CBS chief Leslie Moonves, whose company acquired Showtime after the split from Viacom, panned the network's approach to high-brow, critics'-darling programming, saying,  “Showtime was a bit too much of an off-off-Broadway play. They were interested in critics more than audiences. Anybody who knows me knows audiences are the thing. I am a populist, and you can take your reviews and stick them. Just give me big audiences.” 

Huff, it appears, is a victim of being too high-brow, not appealing enough to the unwashed masses. And that's quite a shame because, after only two seasons, Huff was really just getting started. Here's hoping that tonight's finale, at 10 p.m. ET, isn't too much of a cliffhanger, although, judging from last week's high-drama episode, that is unlikely. I'll be sorry to see it go. 

By Rebecca Stropoli 


Posted by Caroline Palmer on June 25, 2006 | Comments (37)


June 27, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
go figure commented:

When Les Moonves is long gone, the lose of a smart high-end production will be appreciated. This is the mind that chased away Howard Stern from radio... GO FIGURE! Huff had a great script and fantastic cast. Love that Paget Brewster! Azaria is good, too!




June 28, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
ME commented:

Is there anything that we can do? It is a great show! What a cliff hanger! I think that HBO should be its usual smart self and pick it up. I'm cancelling Showtime, and I told them. (If anyone is listening)




June 29, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
nyjet commented:

"Anybody who knows me knows audiences are the thing" I know that Les Moonves is a hack, Love Boat actor. I know that he tried to sue Howard Stern. And I know that he had a hand in killing one of the best shows on TV.




July 3, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Griffin commented:

I only subscribed to Showtime to see Huff, and now I will cancel. I am sure that more violence and reality shows will be aired in its place, since the new owner wants "the common audience" instead of the "intelligent audience". Again, more "swearing and expletives" will appear as American's intelligence I.Q. becomes lower....."MORON"will eventually be the "average popular audience". The NEW CBS chief can go "stick" himself!




July 9, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Melody Kadlac commented:

The cancellation of Huff is unconscionable. Huff was the best that the cable series genre has ever had to offer with great performances from an excellent cast, most notably Blythe Danner, and Oliver Platt. I would be cancelling my Showtime subscription were it not for the upcoming return of Weeds. I despise Leslie Moonves, whoever the hell he is! Please, will someone do something to make Showtime reconsider???




July 16, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Its A Gift commented:

What is it with Showtime? First "Dead Like Me" now "Huff". These two shows were head and shoulders above the mindless fluff usually shown on TV. I am rather insulted by the suposition that TV viewers may not actually be entertained by shows offering something other than "survivors" or "idols". Let mainstream television pander to the sheep who need to be told what is entertaining . . . while cable gives us charactors and show worthy of our time and interest. Showtime, shame on you for selling out. You've lost yourself a customer.




July 17, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
expat commented:

Is there anything we can do? What a great show!




July 18, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
herm commented:

i just cancelled showtime (as it turns out, i am paying more to my cable co. because of the package pricing structure) it was worth it just to tell them it was because they cancelled my favorite show ps can you tell me who to email to air my greivances




July 26, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Mom of three teens commented:

Les Moonves apparently has no clue about the loyalty that a show like Huff earns -yes, it's slower, but once you get hooked... my three teenagers and I made sure to be watching Showtime every Sunday night; we discovered Huff the second season, used On Demand to watch the entire first season in about a week. Such a disappointment. Intelligent young people look for intelligent shows that speak to their experience (not to mention their parents look for intelligent shows, as well.) Eventually those teenage viewers will go out and choose a subscription channel for themselves. Except for Weeds, Showtime under this Les Mooves guy is a wasteland. Seriously considering cancelling.




August 27, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
really miffed commented:

Showtime's cancelling of "Huff" shows that it is determined to maintain its status as the also-ran "premium" cable channel. If it weren't for "Weeds," Showtime would be toast as far as I and my family are concerned. But I suppose that show will be next...




August 27, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Tina, Pgh. PA commented:

I AM EXTREMELY PISSED OFF!! Finally a smart, witty show with feeling and excellent writing and they cancel it. I had heard rumors and thought NO WAY, IMPOSSIBLE, it was just getting really really good, all the characters have depth and you care about each and every one. Someone should sent these comments to whatever Moron decided to make that decission. I agree with some of the comments WHO DO WE COMPLAIN TO? they HAVE RECONSIDER!!!!!!!




August 28, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
DGB commented:

Huff was my favorite show. With only the Brotherhood left, I may just cancel and wait fot the Brotherhood DVD from netflicks. Les Moonves -- you're an idiot!




August 28, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
viewer commented:

Dead Like Me and Huff were both GREAT shows and I will miss them. Weeds is the only reason left to continue my Showtime subscription. Is there anyway they could reconsider and continue Huff -the finale had so many cliffhangers!




August 28, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Jason commented:

When I heard Huff was cancelled, I was entirely at a loss for words. I didn't catch wind of it until last night's Emmy Awards, when Blythe Danner mentioned it on stage. I was literally floored. I just sat there, rocking back and forth, muttering to myself "I can't believe it." I repeated those words for about 15 minutes on and off to my wife. Her and I both loved the show like no other. What a great loss. HBO or FX should pick the show up asap. Any network should be proud to be raising the bar, not lowering it. I just don't get where the networks are coming from anymore, I really don't.




August 29, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Pat commented:

I wasn't aware of Huff being cancelled until I heard Blythe Danner's Emmy winning speech. I could not get past Huff's cancellation and the rest of the Emmy's became white noise to me. Huff was a program so character rich that it didn't matter how dark it got. It was definitely one of the best programs on the air, and Oliver Platt deserved more than an emmy for his performance. I will truly miss this show.




September 3, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
What's Left? commented:

Just under 30 minutes of programming is the only reason I still subscribe to Showtime. That's the series Weeds. Ever seen the ad Sunday is HBO? Well Sunday WAS HBO until the end of S** and the City and the Sopranos. Then there was Huff. We all turned to Showtime. Now without Huff and Dead Like Me, I sure hope Showtime has something worthwhile to offer or tons of people with cancel their subscriptions and watch Weeds at a friends house.




October 16, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
WayUnderTheTable commented:

I'm amazed that Huff has been cancelled.




December 21, 2006
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
Can't believe this! commented:

I've been waiting for the return of the glimmer of light in the showtime programming. HUFF would be it. I agree it was just getting started. The actors were getting very comfortable with their roles, the script was awesome, I could go on. SHOWTIME, you made a mistake.




January 2, 2007
In response to: Last Rites for 'Huff'
annette commented:

I did not know that Huff was cancelled and was stunned when I was tried to locate the Season 3 start date. This was the reason I subscribed to Showtime, so I am cancelling my subscription this month. It is a shame that Les Moonves does not recognize something truly unique. I had told many people about the show and some had started watching. Thanks for 2 great seasons.





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