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ABC Greenlights Pilot For Rob Thomas’ CUPID!! Again!!

Published at:  Mar 14, 2008 4:49:19 PM CDT

I am – Hercules!!

Before he created “Veronica Mars,” Rob Thomas created the brilliant but short-lived 1998 Jeremy Piven/Paula Marshall ABC comedy hourlong “Cupid,” about a fellow who believes himself the god of love and the pretty psychotherapist assigned to treat him.

ABC is letting Thomas try again. The network just greenlit a pilot for a new “Cupid” series with the same creator/showrunner, the same basic concept and a different cast.

Thomas is also actively developing a “Beverly Hills 90210” sequel for The CW.

Read all of The Hollywood Reporter’s story on the matter here.





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    Readers Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:30:58 PM CDT

    Second. And this is REALLY stupid.

    by -guyinthebackrow

    What kind of moron exec thought this was a good idea?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:36:57 PM CDT

    Third. And didn't he used to be in Matchbox20

    by beetlegeuse

    I keed i keed. but seriously this is really really stupid

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:40:11 PM CDT

    Fourth, and screw you!

    by darth_nader

    Cupid was one of the best shows EVER. ABC execs screwed it over by never giving it a chance (remember that mantra?). I'm just unsure about the show without Piven. He rocked. If they greenlit a pilot, can they PLEASE release the original series on DVD?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:40:19 PM CDT

    Uh huh

    by charlie murphy

    glad Thomas is a busy mafucka these days, and i will catch this when it's on (as i'm a big Thomas fan and missed cupid v1) but... really? really?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:46:14 PM CDT

    Sixth, and I agree with Fourth

    by the ref

    Get bent, 1-3.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:48:19 PM CDT

    Rob Thomas is a whore.

    by pennsy

    ;) (mad props to the first one who figures out which Veronica Mars episode that was in)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:55:50 PM CDT

    Wasn't this reported MONTHS ago?

    by shiftyeyeddog2

  • Mar 14, 2008 5:57:11 PM CDT

    Original is being being prepped on DVD

    by shiftyeyeddog2

    Thomas said ABC wanted to put it out, but was holding back until new series hits to cross-promote.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:01:07 PM CDT

    What kind of fucking moron...

    by ebonic_plague

    ...does one have to be to get a job at ABC these days? They had a great show with a great cast, cancel it, the stars go on to bigger and better things, and then they wait until everyone has completely forgotten about it and decide to greenlight it again, thinking lightning will strike twice? This shit is beyond parody. Network television needs to be euthanized.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:05:43 PM CDT

    Twelth?

    by betaraybill07

    Ugh- I guess its this crap or the crap known as Knight Rider

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:25:18 PM CDT

    NBC follows suit, orders three more seasons of Seinfeld

    by suckitdorks

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:30:19 PM CDT

    I loved Cupid, but

    by stovetopstuffin'

    will it be the same without Piven in the lead? He was a main reason why the show worked. Unfortunately, they didn't know how the fuck to market the damn show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:39:19 PM CDT

    Rob Thomas is a whore

    by pre-sequitur

    was said by Piz to Veronica in one of the last episodes of the series... I think it was the second to last.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:43:24 PM CDT

    Amazing casting was part of this show's appeal

    by snowpuff

    Piven and Marshall were fantastic in these roles. It's like the show was made for Piven (was it?)

    I'm interested to see who Thomas finds to succeed these two actors in the role...

    And yeah, why did they cancel it again?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:51:46 PM CDT

    Try Ryan Reynolds

    by ryanmurray

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:53:23 PM CDT

    No Piven, no Sherilynn Fenn (Yum!), no dice.

    by dingbatty

  • Mar 14, 2008 6:54:58 PM CDT

    Whedon FIREFLY fans will now be out in force...

    by big dumb ape

    ...All chanting "It deserves another chance too! Sure, it was on TV and bombed. Sure, it got a big screen treatment and died. Which is exactly why it deserves a THIRD shot now!"Other shows now deserving a second shot because the public just didn't "get it" the first time around and because they were ideas way ahead of their time also include BJ AND THE BEAR, SUPERTRAIN and PINK LADY AND JEFF.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 7:17:59 PM CDT

    No JEZEBEL JAMES Premiere talkback?!?

    by steve trevor

    Seriously Herc, aren't you a HUGE Palladino supporter? I know this show will be cancelled by next Friday but COME ON!?!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 7:49:28 PM CDT

    Just Get Back to Veronica!!!!

    by arzbest

    For God's sake! We needs us lots more of the tiny blonde one!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 8:11:08 PM CDT

    Wait, this is coming back...

    by xannibal

    But Reaper is on the bubble, leaning towards a "no"? I just give up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 8:30:34 PM CDT

    Jeffrey D. Sams — Champ, be returning?

    by evilwizardglick

    Just asking.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 8:33:56 PM CDT

    no piven...

    by jarodvhale

    what's the point?
    really...it was all about him...
    and she was so hot...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 9:37:19 PM CDT

    Wait, a WHAT sequel?

    by larry of arabia

    Pardon me while I go bang my head against a rock.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 9:54:59 PM CDT

    This is wrong.

    by thehichhiker

    I LOVED the original, but a remake will be forever handicapped by the greatness of the original. Thats just not fair to anyone involved. Write something new, Rob. (and no, 90210 does not count!!)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 9:57:05 PM CDT

    Cool! This means

    by steve_dooku

    New Journeyman in 10 years.
    Excellent.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 10:28:35 PM CDT

    what's the big deal about Cupid?

    by punto

    It was boring.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 10:30:19 PM CDT

    Bring it On

    by karuma

    Those that disparage the short lived but very watchable "Cupid" must have never seen it. It was funny, poignant, and had an air of mystery and romance. Sure, there were mistakes made but they were few and far between and with the brilliant Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall it was far, very far from bad and should have stayed on the air. It was on Saturday night, for heavens sake, a death knell for any series in the late '90's. They don't even put new episodes of series on Saturdays anymore. E Online even named it one of the top ten shows canceled before its time. If you compare it with the drivel that actually stayed on the air for several years, i.e. Seinfeld (horrible concept poorly executed but very popular due to the dumbing down of our society), "Walker, Texas Ranger" (please), and Babylon 5 (poor writing, poor execution),just to name a few. In the end though, everyone knows it's all about numbers and not quality, otherwise our viewing habits would be vastly different.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 10:41:25 PM CDT

    Original Cupid

    by codymr

    I recall Piven was great in the original... That said, it was short lived the first time, why do they think it will catch on this time? Weird?!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 14, 2008 10:54:44 PM CDT

    90210: The Next Class

    by codymr

    Never a fan of the original, but several GFs over the years would watch it religiously... I seem to recall an ad on FOX near the end of the series' 10 year run promoting the premier of sequel series called something like 90210: The Next Class. It looked like they had shot at least a pilot, but I never heard anything after that one spot. I remember it because I rolled my eyes and thought 90210 would never die. My GF and a couple of her friends mocked me. Curious about it's fate for the sake of trivia.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 12:51:47 AM CDT

    The original Cupid was pretty good...

    by yeti

    it just had the misfortune of airing on Saturday night (back in the days when they still aired first run eps on Sats.) and being paired with the redux of Fantasy Island (the one with Malcom McDowall) but it wasn't the same without the creppy little runt shouting "da plaaaane! da plaaaane"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 1:24:28 AM CDT

    Wow, Thomas is completely out of ideas, isn't he?

    by annoyyou

    But I already knew this by watching the first few episodes of S2 Veronica Mars. Wow.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 3:50:03 AM CDT

    Wow, people are never happy.

    by password.swordfish

    I never saw the original (too young, too young), but I'm just glad that such a talented creator is back on the air dealing with subject matter that is fit for him. No, 90210 doesn't count, because it was a terrible, soapy, shitty, contrived drama (and I was a preteen girl at the time it aired... it was MEANT for me). Take this any day over CSI: Phoenix or sitcom X about schlubby funny man and his hot wife and kids. Rob Thomas, you've proven with VM that you deserve my viewership at least for the first few episodes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 7:11:18 AM CDT

    I heart Paula Marshall

    by i dunno

    I fell in love with her in Hellraiser 3. If only she made out with Dax in that movie, it would have been better than Star Wars. She must not give very good head though because she's been in more failed series than --- holy shit, I have IMDB.com open in another window...she's almost old enough to be my mother! Meh, I'd still hit it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 7:48:30 AM CDT

    BIGFOOT AND WILD-BOY RULES!

    by uncle stan

    TV that was TV.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 8:19:49 AM CDT

    Un. Fucking. Believable.

    by scarywaitress

    OK, I'm one of the few people out there who is still... STILL... pissed that Cupid was canceled the first time around. Piven was not just fantastic in the role, he was a total breath of fresh air in a world of same-old same-old on tv back then. I never understood the network's "plan"... it wasn't some little sitcom with a disposable set, it was an hour-long show, so OBVIOUSLY someone believed in it enough to throw money at it... and then they put it on Saturday night? And wonder why no one watched? So effing stupid. Karuma, you are SPOT ON... what the ever-living HELL is a show like Babylon 5 doing on the air, when Cupid gets canceled after six episodes. Ridiculous. I still consider canceling my cable service at LEAST once a week, just because there's nothing on... and when something good DOES get on, it gets discarded.

    There is ZERO point of bothering with this show if Piven and Marshall aren't the leads. ABC, you suck.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 8:53:51 AM CDT

    What's with the random attack on Firefly?

    by captain mal

    Fuck yourself, Big Dumb Ape.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 10:00:02 AM CDT

    Sherilynn Fenn was on the original?...

    by danielkurland

    Five feet of heaven in a ponytail, indeed.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 10:44:14 AM CDT

    Cupid's first run's downfall....

    by darth_nader

    Just like Fox and Firefly, I think after the first 3 episodes, Cupid never aired in the same timeslot/day from week to week. I remember one week in particular, they moved it to Thursday night, on Monday, so none of paper tv guides (before the Intertubes), even had it listed. If they do put it together, put it back in Chicago. Don't make it a NYC or LA show. Wicked Awesome....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 12:42:03 PM CDT

    Dumbing down of Karuma...

    by dreadpirateroberts

    Dude, you and I agree about Cupid, but you lose it when you join the masses who claim 'the dumbing down of society' whenever something YOU don't like happens to be popular. Seinfeld was not popular because people are stupid. It was popular because it took some simple topics most people could recognize themselves or in someone they knew and took them to extreme parody. Simple concept and usually funny as hell. Walker Texas Ranger was just the same recycled concept (Kung Fu, Hulk, etc.) and clicked with Chuck Norris (not that I ever saw the point personally). And Babylon 5 may have had script issues, but every now and then it rewarded its then Sci-Fi starved audience with a "knock it out of the park" sf episode and kept fans in.Sorry to be so harsh with the subject line, but everyone who does not like what you do is not necessarily dumb.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 1:15:08 PM CDT

    I liked 90210

    by dazzler69

    for the first 5 seasons but lost interest after Shannon the bitch left. She did the same thing for me for Charmed when she left that I lost interest. All shows should start off with Shannon.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 2:42:19 PM CDT

    I smell a failure

    by crayon

    Without the original cast, this one is gonna stink. Even with so-called "Veronica Mars mastermind" Rob Thomas back on it. ESPECIALLY if he uses the same casting agents as he did for VM, coz god they hired their share of turds.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 10:02:59 PM CDT

    Cupid rhymes with Stupid

    by drath

    The true god of love was named Eros. Just as the true god of war was named Ares not Mars. Let's go with the original Greek (better) names. I think of a fat baby in a diaper with a bow and arrow when I hear the name Cupid. Bluck!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 10:18:19 PM CDT

    No Piven?

    by juleebabee

    New cast? Pffft...I will not watch it..I might even boycott it. Gah..they canceled a great show and now they wanna bring it back like it never happened (withOUT the awesomeness that is Jeremy Piven). BLAH!!! >____<

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 10:53:11 PM CDT

    A complete reboot or indirect sequel?

    by prof. pop-cult

    Last I recall, they said the show's setting would be in Los Angeles. I would suggest that Thomas and ABC take the route that Joss Whedon did with his Buffy series verses the original movie: Make the new Cupid not an origin story (other than for quickly reiterating the show's premise in the first episode) but a continuation of the same concept and main characters, but don't make any direct references to specific events from the original series.I think that would effectively satisfy fans of the original series (me included), but also allow for the new series and its cast to establish themselves on their own terms.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 15, 2008 11:03:40 PM CDT

    Here's how they should do it...

    by prof. pop-cult

    Have it set up where Dr. Claire Allen has been running a practice in LA for several years now. Maye she's a celebrity book author who has written books about romance and dating scene advice. Suddenly, one day Trevor shows up. We then learn that Trevor disappeared unexpectedly 10 years ago, back when Claire was in Chicago.They could start the new series in such a way like this where it wouldn't confuse those viewers who never heard of the original series. But at the same time this version could acknowledge what came before in the original series 10 years ago.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 1:20:09 AM CDT

    They NEED Piven!

    by d'jesus

    He was fantastic in that show. And dammit, it should never have been canceled. Brilliant writing and acting

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 7:08:23 AM CDT

    Does this mean that networks will start mining failed series...

    by mister man

    for new shows? Supertrain 2010!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 11:10:31 AM CDT

    While networks want to remake a series all over....

    by tron

    Especially within a short time.....Why dont they remake American Gothic or Golden Years...truly two series that were cut short in their storyline. Damn CBS!!!! Damn You all to Hell!!!!!
    They could possibly bring back Nightmare Cafe while they are at it.!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 1:08:36 PM CDT

    Cupid was created the first time round because of McBeal

    by estacado1

    Now with the emergence of Eli Stone, it gets a second round.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 2:07:41 PM CDT

    I'm glad it's coming back...

    by allykatd

    I loved Cupid and was pissed when it was cancelled. It was a great and fun idea that never got to be explored. Although I loved Piven in the role as Cupid, I don't care if it has a new cast, I'm glad it's back.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 2:33:25 PM CDT

    By the way, Troy is pretty great.

    by le vicious fishus

  • Mar 16, 2008 8:24:26 PM CDT

    What ever happened to "WONDERLAND"?

    by moviemenace

    Speaking of short-lived shows with Jeremy Piven (I think he made an appearance). I liked "Cupid" but never had the chance to get into it. If memory serves, "Wonderland" was created by Peter Berg and I did not even get the opportunity to watch one episode. That shit got pulled quick.

    Did any of you watch it? Was it any good?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 10:20:19 PM CDT

    Hey Drath, about Eros vs Cupid....

    by darth_nader

    They actually did address that one in the first episode. "Trevor" aka Cupid rattled through some of his other aliases, and one of the other characters pointed out that his perfect opposite was the Greek goddess Psyche. Hmm, what was Paula Marshall's character, a psychologist. Nice huh? Oh, and the delectable Sherilyn Fenn only showed up in one episode. Trevor fell for her, but is convinced if he has sex with her, he's be stuck as a mortal. Yeah, I know the show. Hey Rob, hire me to work on the new series!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 16, 2008 11:32:34 PM CDT

    Loved the original but OK with a comeback

    by toomuchjoy

    Look, I loved the original, copied em all to DVDs for friends and crap, but just like Journeyman (another series I dug), Cupid didn't really click until around its fifth episode (the Halloween one, specifically). Then it got great--the Lisa Loeb ep was awesome--but by then it was too late. Being put on Saturdays was terrible, and they got to follow that wretched Fantasy Island remake; no wonder it tanked. The show was shot in Chicago at Piven's request since he's a native. Without him involved (presumably), it can go to L.A. The original was definitely a perfect fit for him, but cast right, it could be a great show for someone else. It wouldn't be the same series--how could it be?--but so long as they avoid being the freakin' Love Boat, that's OK.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 17, 2008 1:04:14 AM CDT

    "What's with the random attack on Firefly?"

    by big dumb ape

    You then simply said "Go fuck yourself, Big Dumb Ape." Wow, what a witty response, Captain Mal!For crying out loud, I was just making a joke...you know, a silly aside...which was ironically somewhat relative to the topic of giving CUPID a second chance at life since FIREFLY fans are ALWAYS among the first and most vocal to continually cry out that their show somehow got shafted (even after getting a big budget movie) and thus it deserves yet another shot. But all in all it really was just a toss-away joke in a simple talkback thread.But I guess the fact that you actually named yourself "Captain Mal" pretty much shows you aren't going to have a big sense of humor when it comes to all things FIREFLY. Hmm, I don't know why, but the image of William Shatner appearing on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE in an infamous sketch where he is talking to Trek Con fans and he utters a now-famous phrase is suddenly coming to mind...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 17, 2008 9:39:21 AM CDT

    Pray to the gods of TV that this doesn't work!

    by kid z

    ...unless you want to see "Joey" brought back with a different, younger cast! (shudder!)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 17, 2008 11:06:56 AM CDT

    BDA and Firefly Jokes

    by captain mal

    Forgive me for being overly-gruntled (and witty), but your "silly aside" compared a show I dearly love with BJ AND THE BEAR, y'know?

    For whatever reason, Browncoats get a lot of random hate on these boards, and I rarely comment on it. I'm not a Whedon zombie (never cared for any of his other shows), and I'm not even much a television watcher, but FF was something that really, *really* worked for me, and it's demise still hurts, man! It HURTS, bro! I lie in bed at night caressing my Serenity model and whispering "Everything's gonna be shiny... just keep flying..."

    So, yeah, I haven't got much of a sense of humor about FF's early death. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to sewing my Captain Mal costume. I'm gonna make those Star Trek dorks look like idiots at the next convention. Pointy-eared losers.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 17, 2008 8:37:28 PM CDT

    two stupid ideas for the price of one

    by jimcurry

    and of course Herc will be there to guzzle as much of Thomas' jizz that he can fit into his oversize gob.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Mar 18, 2008 8:24:55 PM CDT

    Captain Mal...

    by big dumb ape

    Really, I was just joking for fun, so actually I apologize if it stepped on a fellow geek's toes. And since this is a giant geek haven of all shapes, sizes and interests, you and the Browncoats don't ever have to apologize FOR being Browncoats as far as I'm concerned, much like Trekkers or Jedis or anyone else shouldn't have to apologize for their loves as well. I say more power to you (or anyone) if you really love your particular show that much.Hell, I just wish creative directors and rogramming execs showed as much passion in terms of getting behind things so shows WOULD last longer or at least have an actual fighting chance at surviving...

    Reply to Talkback

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