'Xena' TV Series Canceled

Oct. 18 -- Xena: Warrior Princess may be undefeatable in battle, but even the sexy superwoman can’t slay declining ratings.

After six seasons, the syndicated adventure series is joining Hercules: The Legendary Journeys on the TV cancellation heap this spring.

First-run episodes of Xena will continue to air through summer 2001, according to Variety.

Star Lucy Lawless had previously said she planned to leave the series when her contract ran out this year.

Naptime BroadcastAlthough Xena, which is produced for more than $1 million per episode, is the top-rated hour-long action show in syndication, viewership has declined over the last three years.

Steve Rosenberg, president of the show’s distributor, Studios USA Domestic TV, blames the ratings dip on the show’s being booted from prime-time to weekend afternoons, when, natch, fewer viewers are tuning in.

Rosenberg also said that while no spinoff of Xena is in the works, it is a possibility down the line. And he’s intent on continuing to work with the show’s producers, Renaissance Pictures, and star Lawless on future projects.

Also getting the ax is Jack of All Trades, another tongue-in-cheek actioner from Studios USA, which starred Bruce Campbell as a spy during the Napoleonic era. The other half of Jack’s “Action Pack,” Cleopatra 2525, will now be expanded to a full hour starting in January, Rosenberg announced.

Lawless will likely talk publicly this week about her future, as she’s slated to appear on a number of talk shows.

We see a cameo on Kevin Sorbo’s syndie show Andromeda in her future — if, that is, the critically panned sci-fi series can survive long enough.