"Hollywood doesn't like the smell of failure, and I think 'North Shore' has gotten that smell," Polaha said, responding by e-mail to questions from The Advertiser.

"When a show doesn't get to see its full order fulfilled nor get to see its last two episodes air because they are being replaced by another show, that show is done," he said. "Any other theory is hopeful at best; but what do I know, I'm just an actor. I hope I'm proven wrong."

Cast and crew were informed last week that the show's season-ending 22nd episode will not be filmed. Production will continue through Dec. 17 on episodes 20 and 21.

The original schedule called for a holiday break from Dec. 17 to Jan. 1, with production resuming Jan. 3 on the last episode of the season.

The network is still scheduled to air episode 20 before turning over the time slot to the mid-season replacement show, "Point Pleasant." There are no plans to air episode 21.

Episode 22 was to have included a cliffhanger ending. Producer Harry Bring said episode 21 will be revamped to include a "season-finale type of ending" just in case the network decides to air it at a future date.

While not officially a cancellation, the decision to cut the 22-episode season short by one episode is a strong indication that the network is not likely to renew the troubled show for another season.

"Our hearts are saddened," said location manager Stephanie Spangler, who was notified last week. "This was a great production to work on."

Bring said the decision caught him off guard because he had repeatedly asked the network if they really wanted to come back after the Christmas break to shoot a single episode.

"And if I asked once, I asked five times," he said.

Bring said he checked with the network Wednesday and was told to go ahead with the final episode. The next day, the network reversed itself and canceled the episode.

"It's not the greatest (news) but it's not the worst," Bring said. "It's a probably a good financial decision ... but it's a little disheartening."

Ironically, "North Shore" drew a 2.7 rating/4 share for the episode that aired that night, it's strongest performance in several weeks. This despite lower ratings for its lead-in, "The O.C."

Polaha, who plays hotel manager Jason Matthews on the ensemble show, said he thinks the decision was made "out of haste and fear."

"Our ratings were low, not terrible, but low enough to raise eyebrows at the network," Polaha said.

Polaha said the show got off to a solid start, helping make the network's summer schedule experiment a success.

"However," Polaha said, "with a total of 2 1/2 months of pre-emptions and a poorly publicized night change, we had a slim chance of making it this fall."

The show was pre-empted for two weeks early in its run by the Olympics, then again for during a ratings sweep in October.

After the second hiatus, the network moved "North Shore" to Thursdays after "The O.C.," hoping the lead-in would help.

But even "The O.C." has struggled against tough Thursday-night competition, and the audience carry-over to "North Shore" hasn't been as strong as the network had hoped.

Bring noted that the network was supportive of "North Shore" during the show's rocky first year.

Despite declining ratings, Fox gave the go-ahead for a full season of episodes back in August.

Two months ago, Fox ordered three additional scripts for "North Shore," which would have extended the season to 25 episodes. However, no corresponding production order was ever made.

Actress Shannen Doherty joined the cast midway through the season in a move producers hoped would jump-start the show, much the way Heather Locklear's addition helped "Melrose Place" turn the corner. But Doherty's initial appearance didn't make much of a ratings impact, and the October hiatus disrupted the establishment of her character.

There remains a glimmer of hope that the network could still renew the show, based on the fact that no order has yet been given to dismantle the show's pricey stage set at Diamond Head Studio.

Bring said he hopes to receive a final decision before production ends on Dec. 17, although the network could wait until January.