One of the most enduring mysteries on television moved toward a resolution Wednesday: Why hasn't the Fox network canceled its low-rated and low-regarded new drama “The Mob Doctor�
The answer had proved elusive all autumn, unless it had to do with the network not having anything else to insert into what has become a forbidding time period, Mondays at 9 p.m.
Finally, Fox on Wednesday seemed to be fitting a pair of cement shoes for the mob doctor in question, announcing that when the final completed episode of the series runs on Jan. 7, there will be no more this season.
Still, that was not quite an official rub out; Fox executives would not use the word cancel. So, conceivably, “The Mob Doctor†could be renewed for next season.
It should be noted, however, that this happens to shows with puny ratings about as often as cement shoes prove to be floatation devices.
Bill Carter writes about the television industry. Fol low @wjcarter on Twitter.
