TBS Pulls Plug On 'Lopez Tonight'

TBS will not renew its late-night talk show Lopez Tonight for a third season, the network announced Wednesday.

The George Lopez-starrer launched in November 2009 at 11 p.m. but was moved to midnight last November to make room for Conan O'Brien's Conan late-night talker. The final episode of Lopez Tonight will air Thursday (Aug. 11.), network officials said.

In its new time slot, the second season of Lopez Tonight dropped precipitously in Nielsen ratings. Through July 24, the show averaged 546,000, including 225,000 and 360,000 persons 18 to 34 and 18 to 49, respectively, according to Nielsen live + 7 data.

Those deliveries were off 40% among viewers, 28% with the 18-to-34 set and 34% with the group Madison Avenue covets most.

"TBS has reached the difficult decision not to order a third season of Lopez Tonight," the network said in a statement. "Thursday will be the final episode of the show. We are proud to have partnered with George Lopez, who is an immensely talented comedian and entertainer. TBS has valued its partnership with George and appreciates all of his work on behalf of the network, both on and off the air."

Lopez Tonight is the second late-night cable talk show to leave the air. BET two weeks ago said it has put The Mo'Nique Show on hiatus.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.