The Will 1904407 220809028 2008-06-21T18:06:47Z Franko1212 4493626 {{Infobox Television | show_name = The Will | image = | caption = | genre = | creator = [[Mike Fleiss]] | developer = | presenter = | starring = | voices = | narrated = | theme_music_composer = | opentheme = | endtheme = | country = [[United States]] | language = | num_seasons = 1 | num_episodes = 6 (5 unaired) | list_episodes = | producer = | executive_producer = | location = | camera = | runtime = | network = [[CBS]] | picture_format = | audio_format = | first run = | first_aired = [[January 8]], [[2005]] | last_aired = [[January 8]], [[2005]] | preceded_by = | followed_by = | related = | website = http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_will/ | imdb_id = | tv_com_id = }} '''''The Will''''' was an [[United States|American]] [[reality television]] series on [[CBS]] that lasted only one episode, shown on Saturday, [[January 8]], [[2005]]. It centered on the 'Benefactor', a multi-millionaire from Arizona named Bill Long. Ten of his friends and relatives competed in a series of challenges to win the right to inherit his "prized possession", a huge Kansas ranch.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/07/arts/television/07will.html?ex=1189915200&en=af6c8a56ff5a7c34&ei=5070 One Aging Rich Guy, 10 Heirs, and All Sorts of Plastic Surgery]</ref> The show was created by [[Mike Fleiss]], who produced ''[[The Bachelor (TV series)|The Bachelor]]'' for [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. ''The Will'' is one of only a handful of series in American history to be [[List of television series cancelled after one episode|pulled after one episode]]. <ref>[http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/modules.php?file=index&name=News&op=modload&topic=155 CBS cancels 'The Will' after only one episode broadcast]</ref> In the case of ''The Will'', cancellation was due to very low ratings. Despite receiving a heavy promotional push from CBS, the program averaged only 4.2 million viewers during its 8:00-9:30PM [[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]]/[[Pacific Standard Time|PT]] time slot, which made it CBS's lowest-ranked show of the week. The following Saturday, the network replaced it with a re-run of ''[[Cold Case]]'', a crime drama. The quick cancellation of ''The Will'' was lampooned on an episode of the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] late night talk show ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live]]'' with a montage of clips from the show, and the message "Will Miss You--January 8, 2005 - January 8, 2005." It has been reported that the remaining five episodes may appear on a US cable network in the future, but as of spring 2008 there has been no official announcement to this effect. It was formerly seen on the [[In2TV]] website. The series aired in [[New Zealand]] from December [[2005]] in an evening slot. New Zealand audiences were able to witness the show's contestants being whittled down to Penny, Billy, Bette and Scott in the final week, with Long's wife, Penny - largely considered the villainess of the series - winning the final round. ==Episodes== {| class="wikitable" |- ! !Protected Heir !Cut from the Will |- !rowspan=2|Episode 1: |<Center>Josh |<Center>Mickey<BR>(Bill's Best Friend) |- |<Center>Billy |<Center>Kristin<BR>(Ashley's Ex-Girlfriend) |- !Episode 2: |<Center>Penny |<Center>Danielle<BR>(Trusted Employee) |- !Episode 3: |<Center>Bette |<Center>Crystal - Withdrew<BR>(Close Family Friend) |- !Episode 4: |<Center>Billy,<BR>Josh |<Center>Ashley<BR>(Penny's Son) |- !Episode 5: |<Center>Bette |<Center>Josh<BR>(Bill's Adoptive Son) |- !rowspan=3|Episode 6: |rowspan=3|<Center>Penny<BR>Sole Heir<BR>(Bill's Wife) |<Center>Scott<BR>(Penny's Brother) |- |<Center>Bette<BR>(Penny's Mother) |- |<Center>Billy<BR>(Bill's Son) |} ==References== {{reflist}} ==See also== *[[List of television series cancelled after one episode]] {{DEFAULTSORT:Will, The}} [[Category:2000s American television series]] [[Category:2005 television series debuts]] [[Category:2005 television series endings]] [[Category:American reality television series]] [[Category:CBS network shows]] {{US-reality-tv-stub}}