Editing Less than Perfect (section)

== History ==
Though it was never a rating juggernaut, ''Less Than Perfect'' aired at a time when ABC was seeing a large ratings decline across the network. However, the series received steady, respectable ratings, especially for being in the last slot of ABC's Tuesday night sitcom lineup. The overall ratings for season two, which creator Terri Minsky later departed, actually saw an increase from the ratings of season one. However, in its third season, ABC moved the series to its [[TGIF (TV programming block)|TGIF]] revival lineup on Friday nights. This led to a major decline in ratings, and put the show at risk for cancellation; VGuide.com featured the show on a list of "Endangered Series." Due to the series being near the threshold for the number of episodes needed for [[Television syndication|syndication]], and the series still earning respectable ratings in the coveted 18–49 demographic, ABC ordered a 13-episode fourth season to air as a mid-season replacement.

For the fourth season, the series underwent a retooling that saw the departure of cast member Eric Roberts. Despite the close renewal, the future of the series was not assured. In January 2006, Zachary Levi said that many of the cast members were ready to move on after filming the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/hollywoodexclusive.jsp?feature=ce_hol_01122006 |title=Sara Paxton, JoJo, Emma Roberts Bonded on Pic - Netscape Celebrity |publisher=Channels.isp.netscape.com |access-date=2012-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027203255/http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebrity/hollywoodexclusive.jsp?feature=ce_hol_01122006 |archive-date=October 27, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In March, Sara Rue was cast in a CBS sitcom pilot ''Play Nice'', starring as a woman who runs a toy company with her brother (the pilot was ultimately not picked up). After almost a year off the air, the series returned on April 18, 2006, in its old Tuesday night timeslot.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060819213803/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-commanderinchief-lessthanperfectreturn,0,6470354.story?coll=zap-tv-headlines Zap2It]</ref>

After airing only three episodes of the fourth season, ABC cancelled ''Less Than Perfect.''  The series was one of several sitcoms cancelled by the network, as they discontinued both the Tuesday night and Friday night sitcom lineups.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds33121.html Digital Spy]</ref><ref name="mercurynews1">[http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/14592421.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525072226/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/14592421.htm|date=May 25, 2006}}</ref> ABC initially planned to burn off the remaining nine episodes with fellow cancelled sitcom ''[[Rodney (TV series)|Rodney]]'', which had taken over its time slot the season prior. ABC ultimately aired only two more episodes before pulling both series off the schedule.

The show joined [[Lifetime Television]]'s lineup on June 1, 2009 in syndication.  The network aired all 81 episodes, including the seven unaired episodes from season four. However, Lifetime dropped the series in 2010. In April 2012, ''Less Than Perfect'' joined the lineup of new [[Canada|Canadian]] network, [[ABC Spark]].

=== Opening credits and theme ===
From the beginning, ''Less Than Perfect'' had a simple opening sequence, credits which were played over the opening scene of each episode of season one. However, a new theme song and opening sequence were introduced at the beginning of season two.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.televisiontunes.com/Less_Than_Perfect.html| title=Less Than Perfect Theme Song| publisher=televisiontunes.com| access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref> The intro was abandoned after the first seven episodes, reverting to the previous simple credits which lasted until the end of season three. Season four introduced a five-second opening, in which the title can be seen on post-it notes on an office desk, while a brief instrumental version of the theme tune is played.