LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Two networks, five seasons and 91 episodes later, "Grounded for Life" is getting permanently "grounded."
The WB confirmed today that it doesn't plan to pick up the show's back nine order this season, effectively ending the series. Just seven episodes remain from its 13-episode fifth season, which resumes its run on November 5. (Two episodes from FOX's production run also have yet to air however it's not clear if the WB will broadcast them.)
Overall this season, "Grounded" has averaged a mediocre 2.66 million viewers, ahead of fellow Frog series "What I Like About You" (2.62 million), "Jack & Bobby" (2.42 million) and "Steve Harvey's Big Time" (2.37 million). Nevertheless with producer Carsey-Werner already having sold the show's off-network run to ABC Family earlier this year for $175,000 per episode (read the story), the network and studio may have had little financial incentive to continue producing the series.
The news marks the second blow to the WB's Friday comedy lineup this season, the first being the decision last week to scrap newcomer "Commando Nanny" before it even got to air (read the story). It's expected that the Fran Drescher-led sitcom "Shacking Up" will take over the Friday, 8:30/7:30c half-hour once "Grounded" completes its run early next year.
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