ABC pulls burnoffs after brief August runs

The returns of "The Nine" and "The Knights of Prosperity" to ABC this summer were never going to be permanent. But they turned out to be even shorter than planned.

ABC has pulled the two shows, which fell into the critically hailed but low-rated bin last season, from its summertime schedule. "The Nine" lasted all of two episodes upon its return, while "Knights" got the hook after just one airing.

As was the case the first time around, both yankings are the result of poor ratings. "The Nine," a drama about the survivors of a hostage ordeal at a bank, drew a shade under 3 million viewers in its return on Wednesday, Aug. 1. That number dropped to 1.9 million last week, which even in the dog days of summer is not a number a broadcast network can swallow (it would have ranked outside the top 50 even on cable).

Similarly, "The Knights of Prosperity" drew only 2.3 million viewers last week, losing a million or so people from its "According to Jim" lead-in.

Starting this week, additional repeats of "Jim" will fill the 8:30 p.m. Wednesday spot "Knights" formerly occupied. ABC will move its documentary series "NASCAR in Primetime" to 10 p.m. Wednesdays to take over for "The Nine."