Winning ratings, millions of viewers and thousands of arrests are good, but not good enough. The staff at Fox’s “America’s Most Wanted” was briefed beforehand on the network’s decision to cancel the anti-crime crusade. Executive Producer Steve Katz, who has been with the program for 10 years, said there had always been a question whether the show would be renewed after Fox cut its budget last year. Some started to suspect this might be the year.
“There is a little surprise considering we did everything that was asked of us, including delivering a winning show,” Katz told Yeas & Nays.
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Over the past 23 years, the show has helped law enforcement solve missing persons cases and capture more than 1,100 fugitives.
“Everybody here is in tune with the fact that we’ve changed lives. It’s not the only place people can turn for justice, but it has a track record,” Katz said.
He also told us that, while the program’s staffers understandably are intensely interested in keeping their jobs, most are just as concerned about continuing to help people. “We’re pretty unique and I do worry about people who have nowhere else to turn.”
Still, he says, the show’s staff members remain optimistic that they will be able to continue their efforts — possibly on an international scale with a potential spin-off called “World’s Most Wanted.” Let’s hope so.
