'Once' Is Never Again

By Verne Gay

After three seasons and numerous time period changes, ABC's "Once and Again"-one of television's most engaging dramas- was canceled yesterday.

The show, which premiered Sept. 21, 1999, will end April 15. "We've been incredibly proud of the creative work done on 'Once and Again,'" Susan Lyne, ABC Entertainment chief, said in a statement.

For a change, that was not network hyperbole. Due in part to a complex financial structure on the show, in which creators Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz and ABC shared some costs of producing a weekly hour drama, "Once" stretched out its run even when weak ratings could have justified cancellation after a season. Instead, ABC kept finding places on the schedule for the show, insisting that it was trying to find the right one.

Both Herskovitz and Zwick were traveling yesterday and couldn't be reached for comment. But in a statement, Herskovitz said, "We have always judged our efforts on the basis of the passion with which they are received, not by the size of the ratings."

As for the finale, a spokeswoman said yesterday that both Lily Manning and Rick Sammler (Sela Ward and Billy Campbell) will be presented with "groundbreaking career opportunities." Then, Lily learns some personal news, which changes everything. Longtime fans can easily guess what that news is. __ New York Newsday (March 29, 2002)

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