It’s the end of the world for “Jericho”

Shockingly enough, peanuts are not a predictor of a TV show’s well-being. This afternoon, CBS’s Entertainment president Nina Tassler issued this sad decree:

“The March 25th episode of Jericho will be the series finale. Without question, there are passionate viewers watching this program; we simply wish there were more. We thank an engaged and spirited fan base for keeping the show alive this long, and an outstanding team of producers, cast and crew that went through creative hoops to deliver a compelling, high quality second season. We have no regrets bringing the show back for a second try. We listened to our viewers, gave the series an opportunity to grow, and the producers put a great story on the screen. We're proud of everyone's efforts.”

Translation: “Last time we listen to our viewers.”

But, hey: Every new or midseason scripted show that has premiered in 2008, mid- or post-writers strike, has tanked. (Except for “Lost,” but fewer than 12 million viewers watched it last night, so even it’s further on the decline.)

Fox’s “New Amsterdam” is doing kind of OK, but only in comparison to everything else that tanked, including Fox’s “Canterbury’s Law” (newly consigned to Fridays, where it can die a quiet death) and “The Return of Jezebel James” (always scheduled on Fridays, as its death was preordained). Fox’s “Unhitched” and “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” performed underwhelmingly, as well.

ABC’s “Cashmere Mafia” and “Miss Guided:” Toast, or soon to be. CBS’s “Welcome to the Captain:” Already gone. NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle:” The final nail isn’t in its coffin only because NBC is doing so poorly otherwise.

Instead, the midseason’s middling successes are reality shows: Fox’s “Moment of Truth,” NBC’s “American Gladiators” and ABC’s “Oprah’s Big Give” (though it’s on a steep ratings slide, as well).

Some downer news to end your week, but then, Good Friday has always been about bad news. Unfortunately, I don’t see the networks resurrecting themselves any time soon.