Which begs the question, why will the third time be the charm?
"Shows make actors, actors don't make shows," Steve Sternberg, longtime television research analyst at media buying agency Magna, told TheWrap. "'Moonlight' failing was not his fault. It was a well-done show, but the premise [about vampires] was too narrow to draw the broad audience necessary to keep it on broadcast television. 'Three Rivers' was just not that good a show. But he's a likable actor, and 'Hawaii Five-O' will have broader audience appeal."
True, such television legends as Jennifer Aniston, Simon Baker, Jon Cryer and, perhaps most famously, George Clooney -- five failed series before "ER" -- all chalked up a lot of misses before their monster hits. That's the exception to the rule, though.
"After it happens once or twice, you start saying, 'I don't understand why they keep putting this person on my TV? I didn't like this the first time, but they're serving the same meal," Richard Lawson, an entertainment reporter for Gawker, told TheWrap.
Nobody is buying what he's selling yet, but O'Loughlin can rest assured that he's in good company. There's a long list of stars who have been given second -- and third, and fourth -- chances despite having checkered track records with audiences. Here are a few:
Alex O'Loughlin
Victims: "Moonlight" (2007-08), "Three Rivers"(2009-10)
Upcoming: CBS' "Hawaii Five-O"
Track record: Someone at CBS must really like the "Hawaii-Five O" star. Why else would the network take another chance on him after his two previous shows lasted less than a season? He also did a stint on FX's "The Shield" that seemed to end rather abruptly, presumably so he could begin work on "Moonlight." We should mention his latest effort -- last month's underwhelming big-screen effort "The Back-Up Plan," with Jennifer Lopez. It was produced by, you guessed it, CBS Films.
Lindsay Price
Victims: "Coupling" (2003), "Lipstick Jungle" (2008), "Eastwick" (2009)
Upcoming: Nothing announced
Track record: The raven-haired beauty had some success guest-starring on "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Becker," but add her to the opening credits and kiss the show goodbye. Price headlined "Coupling," "Lipstick Jungle" and, most recently, "Eastwick," all to limp ratings. ABC apparently took a pass on her recent comedy pilot "Who Gets the Parents," perhaps fearful that the fourth time wouldn't break the curse.
Mark Feuerstein
Victims: "Fired Up" (1997-98), "Conrad Bloom" (1998), "The Heart Department" (2001), "Good Morning Miami" (2002-04), "3 lbs.," (2006),"The Hustler" (2009)
Current: USA's "Royal Pains"
Track record: Finally, some success. After being dubbed "sitcom kryptonite" for starring in six failed shows, Feuerstein has cast off his baggage.
