“The Playboy Club” Gets the Ax

Chicago-based show first to get canceled this season

Well that was fast.

The much-hyped NBC drama "The Playboy Club," has been canceled after only three episodes.

The show, set in early 1960s Chicago and filmed in the city and suburbs, becomes the first show of the season on any network to get the ax.

You can blame low ratings for the decision. Just 3.4 million viewers tuned in for Monday night's final episode, a dropoff from the 5 million that tuned in for the premiere, according to Neilsen Data.

The show will eventually be replaced by the news magazine show, "Rock Center With Brian Williams," which has been scheduled to debut on October 31 in the same time slot.

"The Playboy Club" had helped spark a revival in interest in the era, including plans for a new club in the city.

Hugh Hefner first opened the first Playboy Club in Chicago 51 years ago.

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