Home / Arts and Entertainment / O.J. Trial, Power Rangers Killed Gargoyles?
O.J. Trial, Power Rangers Killed Gargoyles?
8 Sep
Summary
- O.J. Simpson trial preempted the show, causing viewers to miss episodes.
- Power Rangers regularly placed ahead of Gargoyles in ratings.
- Greg Weisman is the co-creator of the Gargoyles cartoon.
The fantasy cartoon "Gargoyles" faced cancellation in the 1990s due to unforeseen television landscape shifts. Co-creator Greg Weisman explained that pervasive preemptions for the O.J. Simpson trial, a common occurrence on syndicated stations reliant on local news, led to significant viewership disruption. Many episodes were missed, causing audiences to fall out of the habit of watching the show.
Adding to these challenges, the burgeoning "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers" franchise emerged as a significant competitor. While the first season of "Gargoyles" achieved top ratings in its time slot, the second season consistently ranked second, directly trailing the "Power Rangers." This competitive pressure, combined with the earlier viewership issues, ultimately contributed to the show's demise.
