Jeremy Piven and Bobby Cannavale tried to play cupid, however ABC reduce their matchmaking ventures brief. In 1998, Rob Thomas, who rose to fame by changing a ebook concept into the cult TV present, “Veronica Mars”, created an elaborate TV present by which Piven’s character was accountable for convincing a skeptical physician that she may fall in love. As entertaining as the primary iteration of “Cupid” was, it did not cease the sequence from being canceled after a single season resulting from low rankings. Thomas did not lose hope of reviving the sequence years later, solely to undergo from the identical destiny.
1998’s “Cupid” follows Dr. Claire Allen (Paula Marshall), a relationship therapist about to drop her newest ebook on love after being let down time and time once more. She’s helped a number of folks discover their match by means of her earlier bestsellers, however her personal love life is virtually doomed. Claire’s new affected person, Trevor Hale (Piven), is dedicated to altering her thoughts. Lodged in a psychological establishment, Trevor believes that he’s Cupid, and has been despatched away from Mt. Olympus on a mission to efficiently convey 100 {couples} collectively.
Matchmaking proves more durable than anticipated with out his bow and arrow. He should learn to do issues the old school manner and problem his personal notion of affection. In spite of everything, Claire’s skilled experience is immediately at odds with Trevor’s method, along with his concepts about romance resembling these of contemporary relationships. Their banter was on the coronary heart of this short-lived cult basic, which solely lasted for 15 episodes.
The Cupid remake starring Sarah Paulson and Bobby Cannavale lasted a single season
ABC
In 2021, Jeremy Piven mentioned Cupid’s untimely cancellation with Decider. “That present was earlier than its time, and it will’ve been unimaginable to proceed. That may’ve been an excellent character and world to discover,” he stated. “I feel ABC sort of received that afterward after they tried to sort of reboot it with Bobby Cannavale.”
Cannavale’s model aired in 2009, with a reasonably related premise. Very like the unique, Cupid is expelled from Mt. Olympus and solely allowed to return as soon as he has accomplished his matchmaking job. Cannavale performed Trevor, the supposed “God of Love,” whereas Sarah Paulson starred as Dr. Claire McCrae, the therapist who typically denounces his techniques. The remake set itself in New York versus Chicago, leaning into the cynical relationship scene of a giant metropolis.
One in every of only some canceled TV reveals that got here again, Rob Thomas was optimistic. “I am getting an opportunity to do what writers by no means get the prospect to do,” he instructed Selection in 2007, quickly after the remake was introduced. Sadly, his second try at making “Cupid” a success did not pan out as he hoped. The sequence was canceled by ABC after struggling to seek out its viewers. The 2009 remake ended up on the pile of reveals that solely lasted for one season, at simply seven episodes — which was a fair shorter run than the 1998 authentic.
