TV Costs Money!

The first casualty of the broadcast season is one of the best reviewed new shows of the fall: Fox is pulling “Lone Star,” its acclaimed drama about a con man leading a double life, from Monday nights.

Production has ceased on the show after five episodes. The third season of procedural drama "Lie to Me" will take its place starting next week.

Though the fate of "Lone Star" has preoccupied the media since its dismal debut last week, there's several other shows that are also endangered after only one or two episodes.

ABC's Wednesday night legal drama "The Whole Truth" (4.9 million viewers, 1.5 adults 18-49 rating) pulled only 15% higher than the premiere of "Lone Star." ABC's Thursday ensemble soap "My Generation" (5.2 million, 1.6) was likewise modest.

The second episode of NBC's "Outlaw" (4.9 million, 1.1) laid an egg last week, even by the humble standards of Friday night. And a return to the civilian format of "The Apprentice" (3.8 million, 1.4) is struggling on Thursdays.

Lone Star looked good, but I didn't get around to watching it. I guess it's not just me!