More TV Cancellation News (And a Shout-Out For Audra McDonald)

NBC canceled "Mister Sterling," the fine political drama about an idealistic U.S. senator, after only a run of three months. Apparently, Nielsen families aren't as interested in the daily workings of the Senate as they are with those of the White House (and even that may be fading, considering the rough patches "The West Wing" has been through recently, including the departure of creator Aaron Sorkin).

While "Mister Sterling's" lead actor in the title role, Josh Brolin, will obviously carry on - hey, he's James Brolin's son - the show's demise is yet another failure for the multitalented Audra McDonald, who played Senator Sterling's chief of staff. Once heralded as the future of Broadway musicals, Ms. McDonald's career on Broadway took a different turn with New York musical theater's emphasis on special-effects spectacle and broad, overplayed farces rather than on more challenging work that Ms. McDonald sought. The Julliard-trained singer/actress has tried Broadway. She's tried television. It's hard enough for classy black women like herself to find good roles in the movies. There's not much left.

I may have already griped about this here, but I noted once before that Dana Owens - Queen Latifah's real name - is the same age as Ms. McDonald (they're both 33). And quite frankly, I find it hard to believe that while Owens, who got her start in show business by making percussion noises with her mouth in a high school rap group and has spent most of her "acting" career in vulgar sitcoms and standard Hollywood movies, is enjoying acclaim for her role in the film version of Chicago, and has become the most important black female entertainer of her (and my) generation, Audra McDonald has a failed Lincoln Center musical (Marie Christine) and a failed mid-season replacement TV show behind her and is lucky to sell out small suburban theaters with her cabaret act.

What the HELL is going ON here, anyway?

P.S. On the brighter side, NBC renewed "Ed" for a fourth season. Ironically, the writers ended the show's third season by getting Ed and Carol together because they were afraid of being canceled due to slipping ratings and wanted dramatic closure. Now "Ed" will continue with the likable title character getting the girl at last. Maybe nice guys can finish first . . .. ;-)