USA Network Divorces The Starter Wife

Michael Ausiello is reporting that USA Network has canceled The Starter Wife, citing low ratings. When the Debra Messing-fronted Wife debuted in 2007 as a six-hour miniseries, it attracted more than 5 million viewers and went on to earn 10 Emmy nominations. However, ratings for its 10-episode first season averaged just 2.4 million viewers – a decent number by most cable standards, but not for USA, where its top shows regularly pull in around 6 million.

In an exclusive statement, USA called Starter Wife a “critical and creative success,” and added that the December 12 season finale served as a “satisfying conclusion” to the franchise.