Azaria
"Huff" has taken its last breath on Showtime.
The pay network has quietly pulled the plug on the Sony Pictures TV-produced drama. The most heralded skein in Showtime history, it scored a record seven series Emmy noms for its frosh season.
The cabler notified the cast this week of its decision to end the series after two seasons.
Hank Azaria starrer revolved around a troubled psychiatrist and his dysfunctional family.
Showtime entertainment topper Robert Greenblatt was so impressed by the first few episodes of "Huff" in 2004 that he gave the second season a greenlight before the show had even premiered.
But "Huff" has had a tough time of it. After a low-rated first season, Showtime made a big push for attention with an aggressive Emmy campaign, in which DVDs of the entire season were mailed out to some 12,000 TV Academy members.
Move helped "Huff" co-star Blythe Danner clinch the award for supporting actress. Azaria and Oliver Platt were recognized with lead and supporting noms, respectively.
But even the accolades and press attention weren't enough to jolt ratings; numbers for the second season remain on par with the first.
Series finale airs Sunday.
Showtime will not be short on one-hours despite the loss of "Huff." Fresh seasons of "The L Word" and "Sleeper Cell" are slated, and new dramas "Brotherhood," "Dexter" and "The Tudors" are on tap. Half-hour comedy "Weeds" also was renewed for a second season.
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