Titans (2000 TV series)

Did You Know?

• The casting of Casper Van Dien and Perry King was announced in February 2000.
• Additional cast members included soap opera veterans Victoria Principal, Yasmine Bleeth, David, and Wagner.
• Four additional episodes were ordered in November 2000.

Synopsis

Aviation magnate Richard Williams is engaged to the much younger Heather, unaware she previously had an affair with his son Chandler, a pilot. Chandler discovers Heather is pregnant with his child. Heather clashes with Richard's former wife Gwen, who lives across the street. After Richard and Heather marry, Chandler's scheming brother Peter learns of the affair.

Broadcast

Titans premiered on Wednesday, October 4, 2000, before The West Wing's season two premiere, attracting 11.6 million viewers. Ratings declined for the second and third episodes but climbed to a high of 8.5 million for the sixth episode, after which four additional episodes were ordered. The show averaged 8 million viewers over its first eight weeks, ranking 83rd. It moved to Mondays for its ninth episode on December 4, 2000, but attracted only 6.6 million viewers and was effectively canceled the next day. Only two of the remaining four produced episodes aired in the United States, the last on December 18, 2000.

Reception

Critics had mixed reactions to the 2000 series Titans. John Kiesewetter of The Cincinnati Enquirer described it as a mindless soap about wealthy, immoral people but admitted he was hooked, suggesting it reinvented Dynasty for a new generation. David Zurawik of The Baltimore Sun found the acting stunningly bad, with Victoria Principal as the only saving grace. Phil Gallo of Variety called Yasmine Bleeth eminently watchable. Despite low ratings, Entertainment Weekly's Kristen Baldwin deemed its cancellation a mistake, expecting viewership to grow. Media buyer Bob Flood confessed to Variety that expectations for the show were higher than what it delivered.