WB's 'Lost' cause

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - The WB network has canceled its upcoming reality show "Lost in the U.S.A." worried that the failed producer of the series would be unable to fulfill its financial commitment.

The show was being developed by Hollywood dealmaker Michael Ovitz' Artists Television Group (ATG), which is dismantling its operations after two unsuccessful years. ATG's partner on "Lost in the U.S.A." Bunim/Murray Prods., the firm behind MTV's "Real World" franchise, was apparently not keen on assuming full control of the series.

In other ATG-related news, CBS Prods. is hammering out a deal to take over full financial control of the ATG-produced comedy "The Ellen Show," starring Ellen DeGeneres.

Still up in the air is the fate of ATG's two other series -- the midseason comedy "Cedric the Coach" and the summer series "No Ordinary Girl," both based at the WB. Insiders confirm producer Warner Bros. Television has passed on taking over financial control of "Cedric" but may still be interested in getting involved with "Girl."

With "Lost" history, the WB had to scramble to find replacement programming for the 7 p.m. Sunday slot. The solution: first-season repeats of the TBS reality series "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" beginning Sept. 30. The WB still plans to bow reality show "No Boundaries" on Dec. 2.