In May, ABC released a fall lineup that did not include According to Jim, a family-centered sitcom starring Jim Belushi.  However, ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson was quick to add that the network was still talking to the studio with the aim of working out a better deal.  Sure enough, on June 27, the network announced it was bringing back the comedy series for another season, ordering 18 episodes that will air next year.

“I’m really grateful,” Jim Belushi told TVGuide. “I love the show, I love the cast, and ABC and Touchstone have been really great.”

Despite the show’s great start in 2001, According to Jim failed to maintain its strong viewer count in the subsequent years.  The first season took in ten million viewers, while the previous season only took in 6.6 million.  The low ratings, due in part to competing against FOX’s highly-rated reality series, American Idol, ultimately prompted the network to consider retiring the show.

However, Belushi said that, despite the threat of cancellation, he truly believed the series would survive.

“I always had hope. I always believed it would work out,” Jim Belushi said.  “We have a really strong following, and with syndication, it’s increased the awareness of the show, it’s solid.  Our show has always been a solid performer, especially in today’s television market, with all the competition.  We actually do OK against American Idol, the one juggernaut of the decade.”

Belushi also explained that negotiations had actually been going on for a while, and that most of it involved licensing fees and the number of episodes.

When According to Jim returns next year, it will serve as one of the network’s midseason replacements. Although the show’s new timeslot has yet to be finalized, Belushi said that they have been discussing “story lines, arcs and directors” for the upcoming seventh season.


-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TVGuide
(Image Courtesy of E! Online)