After Low Ratings, NBC KOs ‘Tony Danza Show’

Low ratings have put “The Tony Danza Show” down for the count, prompting NBC to cancel the latest series featuring the former “Who’s the Boss?” and “Taxi” star after last Wednesday’s telecast.

“Danza” got off to a disappointing start in September and was taken off NBC’s schedule for several weeks before returning this month. The program failed to exhibit signs of life, however, finishing a weak fourth in its time period.

NBC originally agreed to produce 22 episodes of the series in an effort to woo Danza back to television. Only five of the 13 completed episodes have aired, and NBC will likely have to reach a financial settlement on the balance of that commitment.

Danza--who played a divorced sportswriter on the series--came back to prime time two seasons ago in “Hudson Street,” an ABC sitcom that also fell victim to low ratings.

The star’s current show becomes the third casualty among eight new series scheduled by NBC this fall. The network previously pulled the plug on the sitcom “Built to Last” and a sci-fi drama, “Sleepwalkers,” after only a few airings each. A network spokeswoman confirmed the cancellation but wouldn’t comment on a replacement.

NBC remains the prime-time ratings leader despite experiencing an audience decline this season that has raised concerns at the network. The Wednesday lineup is a major problem, with NBC’s anchor that night, “3rd Rock From the Sun,” orbiting at a significantly lower ratings level than its principal time-period rival, ABC’s “The Drew Carey Show.”