'Painkiller Jane' Crash Lands Into Cancellation

On what's sure to signal an overall change in programming for the cable channel, SciFi Channel has decided to cancel its series "Painkiller Jane" after just one season. "Jane," which garnered poor ratings on the network, is the second series to get the ax this month following another one-season wonder, "The Dresden Files."

Both series got off to bad ratings starts, "Dresden" earning a 1.4 household rating in its series premiere, and "Jane" getting a 1.3 household rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. Ratings never recovered, and after "Dresden" got the boot earlier this month, it was almost expected that "Painkiller Jane" would be next on the chopping block.

The series is currently wrapping production of its 22 episodes, and SciFi intends to air the remaining episodes of the series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It starred Kristanna Loken of "Terminator 3" fame as an agent with regenerative powers looking for people who have extraordinary neurological abilities. It was based on a comic book of the same name.

So far, 2007 has not been a good year in terms of longevity of television series for SciFi Channel. The network had already pulled the plugs on popular series "Stargate SG-1" and allowed producers of "Battlestar Galactica" to decide that the upcoming fourth season would be the last.

The year isn't over yet, either. Although it touted it as its biggest premiere of 2007, Friday's debut of the new "Flash Gordon" series earned a 1.5 household rating, slightly above the premieres of "Dresden" and "Jane." With dismal reviews by television critics, there is still a wait and see on whether or not "Flash" will last past its first season.

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