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Showtime has renewed The Big C for a third season ahead of the dark comedy series’ second season finale on Sept. 26. Ten new episodes will go into production starting early next year for debut in the second quarter of 2012. The Big C is created and written by Darlene Hunt, who serves as executive producer, along with showrunner Jenny Bicks, Laura Linney, Neal H. Moritz and Vivian Cannon. The Sony Pictures TV-produced series stars Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison who this season become an all-out warrior in the fight against her Stage 4 melanoma, while her husband, Paul (Oliver Platt), stepped up to become her greatest advocate and treatment “cancierge.”
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Oh yes, that hilarious cancer show, whose numbers are dropping. lets renew quickly!
Is your glass half empty or ALL empty? Thanks Debbie Downer.
Great reply. Thank you.
The great thing is if you don’t like it then you don’t have to watch it. It’s a great show & I love every episode!
Thank you, I love this show…
dropping numbers???really??? i for on think its a rock out loud fantastic show…it puts humor in something no one could find humor in before…my aunt died of cancer last year but she wasn’t afraid she said this show helped her overcome her fear of dieing.
I agree 100% with a couple of you guys. I believe if you don’t like, DON’T WATCH! There are a 1001 shows that I think suck but am not ranting and insisting to get off air, so I am sure there are plenty of shows for you “Debbie Downers” to watch and enjoy with your special brand of enthusiasm. Personally, I lost the man that was like a father to me from cancer, ALL of my grandparents to it, my Godmother, an Aunt, an Uncle, and most recently a dear friend that was only 39 yrs old with a 2 yr old at home. My friend traveled the globe volunteering as an RN. Even to Indian Reservations. When she became to sick to nurse anymore, she traveled the country with a toddler at toe, immersing herself into campaigns and fundraisers to raise money for cancer survivors and cancer awareness. Up until 2 wks prior to her death on May 17th. May 5th she lead the Pink Ribbon march at the Kentucky Derby where she was honored for strength, hard work, and dedication to the cause. I too am chronically ill (you don’t have to have cancer to appreciate the message / the moral of the story)and had to have a tumor biopsied just the other day. I will find out soon what the outcome of the biopsy is. Having shows like this and people like my friend, helps people who are chronically sick. It helps to make a very frightening situation a little less scary, even if its just for 30 minutes each week. It portrays strength and hope to places in your heart that may have lost its way in the midst of fear. It adds just the right amount of humor to normally an uncomfortable topic and makes it okay to laugh, cry and talk about to people. It helps the loved ones of a cancer survivor / patient understand the perspective of a person they care about that is sick. It helps to open up lines of communication (Q & A) that may have been to unapproachable in the past. So to be so insensitive and say “good riddens” to a show like this because cancer doesn’t effect you right now, is self-fish when there are 500 more channels with shows and movies that you would like to watch. In fact, everyone now has 12 other showtime channels to watch during the time slot this is on. Think about it. I forgive your ignorance. But just remember in “real life”, ignorance only hinders you, it is no usable excuse. It is our responsibility as part of the human race to educate ourselves even to things that don’t dramatically impact our lives immediately. It’s called having a heart (like the tin man on Wizard of Oz). It helps other people around you tolerate your existence, make you somewhat likable, and more likely for them to put up with your “word vomit”.
I absolutely loveeeee this show can’t wait for 3 season
laugh and cry with in the same episode AMAZING
This is a very sloppily written review. This show is NOT a “comedy series” at all.There is a kind of dark humor in it that is realistic to the situation but, the over all theme is this woman’s journey with cancer and most certainly is not a “comedy” How shallow. Does the writer think that just because humor continues when you have cancer that having ANY sense of humor at all makes the entire situation a “comedy” Clearly, the writer did not even watch the show. I can’t believe people get paid to write something like this.
I clearly see your point, Sara. I don’t think the blogger of this review intentionally set out to mock or under estimate the mean existence of this disease and its capabilities by misrepresenting it as a comedy vs. being classified as a drama with dark comedic under-tones. I believe when it first came out, it owned the technical label – “dramedy”. Kind of like when the press shortened Jennifer Lopez’s name (or whom ever did) to J-Lo. With this you have a drama then bits of comedy which out together, you got “dramedy”. I believe its still rated MA, meaning you pretty much have to be old enough to grasp the maturity level of the topic and understand that even though this story line is very plausible, it is still a fictional story and characters. Be it that may, a fictional story, does not cheapen, distort, or lessen the quality of the message it is telling. I wouldn’t let it get you that upset and ruin your day. I think anyone who watches the show, would clearly see the writer’s intentions.
Just finished watching the 2nd series and can’t wait for the 3rd. Can’t believe how talented some people are to be able to write such a fantastic show.
I think this show is brilliant. Change the channel if you don’t like it. Do you hate Dexter as well?
You’re incredible naive to make a statement like that. Please grow up before commenting next time.
YAY ! Wonderful show, great writing, truly excellent spot-on cast.
Well, I guess the lead character won’t die this year.
This show should really go into submission.
Sorry you feel this way. As a cancer patient I can tell you that love, prayer, positive thinking and a sense of humor will see you thru. Perhaps those who have not experienced the emotional and physical hells of cancer can’t appreciate this awesome series. I can’t wait for it’s return!
I am dealing with lung cancer and found this show on netflix. I find it very inspirational. Can’t wait for season 3.
I too was diagnosed with cancer and was going through treatment during the first season of this show. I was afraid to watch it at first, but thought I would give it a try. I got hooked on it from the very first time I saw it and it was so helpful during that awful period of time for me. The writers of this show are fantastic and although there is nothing funny about cancer, this show helps put things into perspective. Love it. Keep it going.
I meant ‘remission.’
Oh, never mind.
Wow! How witty!
This show has been steadily getting better and the acting/writing is very good , glad to see them keep it going.
This is great. Really enjoying the show this season. Laura Linney rules!
Y’all are haters. This show speaks to the masses and has a great comedic undertone throughout. The cast is amazing. Lovvvvve this show!
comedic “undertone” being the key word. aka non-existent.
I agree completely!! I found this show late,but I think it’s wonderfully done.
The big C is my FAVORITE show. our entire family loves it and my kids love the theme song w/her in the pool and they sing to it. I just hate waiting 3 months between seasons. Does anyone know WHY they wait so LONG inbetween seasons?
This is just more proof that Showtime has some good programs on television. They wouldn’t just renew this show if it wasn’t a good show. The ratings might not be as good as some people want them to be but it’s a good show and worth the renewal.
Only 10 episodes?
Doesn’t this season have 13?
That’s not good.
I’ve been disappointed in this season.
For all of us who have dealt with loved ones having cancer this show is like a big plate full of comfort food. Thanks for the renewal Showtime. Can’t wait for the The Big C Ben and Jerry’s ice cream flavor, my title would be Survival Guilty Pleasure and it has to have the most fat content of any B&J ice cream.
I feel just the opposite. Watching someone die of cancer is a horrible experience. The person is, generally speaking, not particularly perky or pretty or able to swim much or run or drink or fuck or even drive a car, nor do they look like the wonderfully robust Laura Linney or sexy Hugh Dancy in any way. This reminds me of the ‘Sex in the City’ arc about breast cancer — utterly fake, delusional, for laughs only. For many of us living through it right this minute, we can’t turn the channel fast enough. (And I love these actors, all of them. It’s not them. Maybe it’s Jenny Bicks I’m sick to death of.)
Jenny Bicks is a cancer survivor and a great writer, I bet she’s sick of you too…
As someone who is going through “it” right now, I love the show. It hits home in more ways then anyone who hasn’t dealt with “it” knows. I love that they have the guts to tackle this issue head on with humor because sometimes that is all that gets you through when you just can’t think about “it” any longer. Even if it might not be as gritty as real life, it’s close enough for me and I’m thankful for it.
I totally disagree with you not everyone is so sick they cant do anything.. there are people who do the very same thing as Cathy and are still just as beautiful.. all really depends on the person and their treatment not all cancer patients have the same treatment.. and this is a great show and hits home
I like this show. It shows you that you can fight cancer and may win the outcome. My mother-in-law fought cancer but lost the battle after 3 years.
I like the show and Laura Linney. But If do not think I could handle it when she starts dying. It will hit too close to home for me.
I can imagine how they’ll do it–somewhat realistically but with some of the physical and emotional spears retracted. This show performs an incalculable service for those who’ve had any brush with cancer, fear it, or have to live it with another.
Laura Linney said hello to my adult daughter once for absolutely no reason at all. She’s brilliant in the series and in her life.
While the show isn’t as slapstick as it might be advertised not a single episode doesn’t go by where I don’t laugh out loud at least once or twice. I like that its a mixture of drama and comedy without becoming the standard 1-hr dramedy, not to mention Linney and Platt are fantastic together.
I was scared a third season wasn’t going to happen with the ratings – but I’m glad to hear showtime is sticking with it. After another season or two I could see the show being matured enough to end.
Last season was an atonal mess, sorry to say. But this season has improved tremendously. Linney is quite good, as usual, but the MVPs are in the supporting cast: in particular, Gabourey Sidibe, Boyd Holbrook (as Ukrainian Myk) and Hugh Dancy, who never made an impression on me until now.
I love that a nearly 50 year old cancer patient is so hot that she can turn a 30 year old gay man. Great writing. another perfect show for showtime, it makes no sense in the real world.
What show are you watching ?
Laura Linney and Oliver Platt are great on this show. The rest of the characters are weak and they really bring the show down.
I absolutely LOVED this show from the first episode. ALL the actors are so wonderful and believable.
I am so impressed by Oliver Platt and of course Laura Linney (was a fan even before) The only one episode I didn’t like as well was the Thanksgiving one. This very last was so emotional and unexpected. The # 1 reason to have Showtime in my humble opinion. Looking forward to next season.
I think it is uplifting to many people that may be in her position of illness. Maybe I’m wrong about that but it gives a different perspective anyway.
Loved it! Loved it!
This show was very spotty in season 1. However season 2 is pretty good. Linney and Platt are solid pros, and have good chemistry together. Hickey plays a good nutjob. Very well written. I am glad it is renewed for another season
I tried to avoid this show like the plague as I had lost a dear dear friend to cancer only a year prior to it’s debut. My wife made us watch it, I laughed, i cried and I missed my friend Al terribly. But I loved it, every minute. Was I the only one that was blind sided by Marlene’s departure (sort of departure)?
Now I swear if they have actually killed Paul for season 3 even if he returns as a ghost I am done with this show! I’ve almost given up the couple of times they pretended to kill Thomas.
As someone who had lost a father after a brutal battle with cancer, I thought I’d never be able to watch this show, but morbid curiosity got the best of me and I was hooked from the first episode. It is so well written and the cast is perfection. SO glad this will be around another season.
Wow, how many of you work for the show or network? This is god awful. Gabourey Sidibe can’t say a single natural line, the brother who lives in a dumpster dates hot chicks who show up and bring him lunch, Oliver Platt’s talents are wasted, it’s not funny or enlightening, just another true piece of shit on showtime.
Weeds has died, Nurse jackie and US of tara both suck, HBO is taking cable back in a big way.
Yeah, US of Tara was cancelled already, unfortunately while Weeds still lives.
Wow, aren’t you just a ray of sunshine. Personally, I like the show and will look forward to season 3.
I’m surprised by this, too, as well as the supportive comments on this thread. Almost everyone I knew who enjoyed the show last season has thrown in the towel.
“The Big C” had a certain ache and sadness the first season, when it was truly Cathy’s story. But this year, the writers decided to make it an ensemble piece, with the result being clunky b-stories with the unappealing Platt, the uneven (and often, just plain awful) Sidible and poor John Benjamin Hickey, saddled with the most noxious, repellent character currently on television.
It doesn’t help that the show inexplicably killed off Marlene, the most promising character from season one, with the most believable relationship to the lead.
The show didn’t work at all this year. I hope Bicks and co. take the renewal as an opportunity to turn this ship around.
I’ve been informed, in reply to my comment above, that Ms Bicks is a cancer survivor. I’m sorry to hear it. But it does not make her a good writer on the subject. Too many antics, too much avoidance and skidding across the surface. And as I previously stated, as someone who’s lived alongside more than one agonizing cancer death, no one I’ve known in the throes of it has ever looked as robust and healthy, or acted as superficially silly, as the people do on this sit-com (and it IS sit-com). Same goes for the Samantha cancer subplot in the final season of Sex and the City. I’m not a fan of Bicks’s writing. Discovering that she’s had to deal with cancer does not make me any more a fan, though I’m sorry to hear that she had such a crap disease.
I am a fan of Ms. Bicks’ writing and Ms. Bicks, and I think the fact that Darlene Hunt and Bicks have succeeded in creating a compelling, funny, heartfelt, complicated show about cancer — something that people previously assumed couldn’t be done — is a huge accomplishment.
Of course the tone is tough to get right week to week, especially with all the baggage and sadness that viewers bring to the topic having dealt with it personally or peripherally, but it takes a brave writing staff and network to try something like this — and it takes no bravery at all to anonymously criticize on a comment board.
Honesty if you are not a fan of her writing, why are you watching it?!?! Why even waste your time writing your babbling if you are not a fan?!?! I LOVE THIS SHOW! From the first episode until the last episode! This show is so touching and inspiring! I love every character and I hope it runs for at least a few more seasons! WTG Showtime! I love almost every show that comes on Showtime! But I’m also a huge fan of HBO too! Thank Goodness for DVR, too many shows and not enough time!
I LOVE Laura Linney in this show! it is so great to finally see her get to show her incredible comic timing. she is amazing in everything she does, even movies that 2 people have seen like P.s. with Topher Grace (equally great performance)! She deserves the Emmy. It is about time people realize she is her generation’s Meryl Streep. She has such authentic emotion and makes you love her even when she is doing dispicable things.
i totally agree!!!
If you like Laura Linney, rent the series “Tales of the City.” There are sequels, More Tales, and Further Tales. It was her debut and she was marvelous in them.
Cancer has hit way too close to home twice in our family but regardless this is one of my favorite shows. Unlike that god-awful Matt LeBlanc show Showtime did, the Big C is actually about a subject matter that matters.
Linney and Platt are terrific. Sean is a hilarious/sad/thought-provoking character.
Happy day that it got renewed. Thanks showtime.
I work on the show thank god they signed kids get to eat next year
My mother’s name is Cathy and years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is perfectly fine now but then I had to watch her go through treatment after treatment, lose her hair, prepare to die.. this show reminds us (my immediate family and I) of that time and how extremely lucky we are to still have her around.
Maybe season 3 will magically get a few more episodes approved?? Who knows…but I adore this show.
I was a caretaker of my best friend with lung cancer stage four. It was hard, emotional and there were days I did not think I could make it. I saw this show on showtime and it took me to a happier level. I did not think I could watch this show, but I am happy it is renewed for another year.
Cancer affects different people in different ways. And you need to take into consideration she is not doing chemo or radiation. Someone close to me died of cancer and this show shows realities for what it’s like and how that person feels. It’s very touching and amazing.
I totally agree with you that it shows how the reality hits people in different ways. I think the show is very touching and amazing and it shows how people feel