MRC puts hold on 'Valentine,' 'Easy'

Company freezes production on CW shows

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

'Valentine' is one of two CW series that MRC is shutting down.

Media Rights Capital has halted production, for now, on its two series for the CW, "Valentine" and "Easy Money."

Both shows will be shut down for about four to six weeks, the company confirmed Monday. Officially, MRC said the hiatus was pre-planned, and that the time off will allow scribes to catch up on the shows' writing schedules.

Shooting won't entirely stop, however, as both "Valentine" and "Easy Money" complete episodes already written (believed to be eight segs in both series' cases).

An MRC spokeswoman said the shingle still plans to produce all 13 episodes of its initial "Valentine" and "Easy Money" orders. But others note that the hiatus will also give MRC a chance to continue examining both shows' ratings in the coming weeks and decide whether it makes financial sense to finish out the orders for one, both or neither.

Early ratings for "Valentine" and "Easy Money" have been disappointing, with "Valentine's" second episode posting a 0.4 rating and 1 share among adults 18-49 this past Sunday, and "Easy Money" pulling just a 0.3/1 in the same demo.