CHICAGO - "Chuck" and "Jericho" got rescued, so why not Bonnie?
That's the thinking among fans of "The Bonnie Hunt Show" who are trying to save the Chicago native's show from cancellation. The syndicated talk show's demise was reported - though never officially announced - in December, but it's still airing its second season, with final tapings scheduled for May 6 (and as-yet-announced air dates to follow).
The notion of life without "The Bonnie Hunt Show" has mobilized a cross-section of viewers to action, Devotees in Florida and Toronto planned were scheduled to hold a rally Saturday. Another rally is planned for later this month in Los Angeles.
"We want to demonstrate with this rally that Bonnie's loyal fans will not let her show end without a fight!" reads an event flier.
But in this battle, the Bonnie Hunt Team is a pronounced underdog.
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"It's not impossible, but it's very difficult for such campaigns to be successful because usually there's a far-reaching business decision at hand that, unfortunately, can't be overcome by even the passion of a very loyal and vocal audience," said CBS spokesman Chris Ender, who nonetheless saw firsthand how articulate, impassioned testimonials turned the tide for "Jericho."
A 48-year-old Second City alumna who gained visibility in such movies as "Beethoven" and "Jerry Maguire," Hunt seemed a natural for the talk-show world following her sharp-witted yet warm appearances on "The Late Show With David Letterman" and other chat fests. The last of her three previous sitcoms, "Life With Bonnie," even cast her as a talk show host.
So it wasn't a huge leap for Hunt to host an actual talk show. Hers has a friendly, easygoing vibe and features a recurring segment with her mom, Alice, in Chicago.
Late last year, when the nonrenewal was reported, "The Bonnie Hunt Show" ranked No. 12 out of 13 syndicated talk shows overall, as well as in the desired demographic of women 25-54
THE HUNT CLUB
"The Bonnie Hunt Show" is the latest entry in what has become a lengthy TV résumé - filled with starts and stops - for the actress.
• "Grand" (1990)
This mock soap opera featured Bonnie Hunt as a woman who moves to rural Pennsylvania with her husband (Michael McKean) so he can work at the family piano factory. It ran in spring and fall before cancellation.
• "Davis Rules" (1991-92)
Hunt was added to the cast when this Jonathan Winters and Randy Quaid father-son sitcom jumped to CBS from ABC; it didn't last a full season with either network.
• "The Building" (1993)
Hunt's first starring/producing/writing vehicle, made with David Letterman's production company, was a critically acclaimed, improvisation-driven sitcom starring Hunt as a woman who moves across the street from Chicago's Wrigley Field. Only five episodes were aired, as Hunt refused to take CBS' advice to replace co-stars such as fellow Second City alum Holly Wortell with "names" such as Valerie Bertinelli.
• "The Bonnie Hunt Show"/"Bonnie" (1995-96)
CBS signed on for another Hunt-Letterman co-production, with the star playing a TV reporter whose reports were shot on the fly in Chicago. Despite positive reviews, the sitcom bounced on and off the schedule with different time slots and titles, and only 12 episodes aired.
• "Life With Bonnie"(2002-04)
Hunt had a full two-season run - and received a lead actress Emmy nomination - with this ABC sitcom in which her character balances her roles as a mother, wife and TV talk show host. Her celebrity interviews were largely improvised.
