By Bruno Matarazzo Jr.
SALEM — The taste of the good life may have to wait for the Bertone family.
ABC pulled the new television game show "Opportunity Knocks" from its Tuesday-night lineup following weeks of declining ratings.
"It's not canceled," said ABC spokeswoman Marsha Smith. "It will return to the air. We don't know when."
Last month, TV production crews took over Crescent Drive to film an episode of the new show featuring Dan and Laurie Bertone and their three children.
Many expected the show to be aired around Halloween because of the city's fame in the witchcraft hysteria of 1692. In addition, Crescent Drive is in the Witchcraft Heights neighborhood, and one of the show's guests was Laurie Cabot, the city's official witch.
"Opportunity Knocks," which made its national TV debut on Sept. 23, asks family members questions about a subject they should know well — each other. If they answer correctly, they can win hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Smith did not know if the family has to wait until the show airs to receive the money.
Laurie Bertone said she is not allowed to comment about the prizes until after the show airs. She's not certain of the show's future.
Bertone said she sent e-mails to television producers but had yet to hear back. She is hopeful the show will be aired at some point.
Smith said the Bertone episode will most likely be aired later this season.
"Opportunity Knocks" faced tough competition on Tuesday nights at 8.
On Oct. 14, the game show was in last place on the ratings among the four top network stations. CBS's "NCIS" and Fox's "House" both had ratings that more than doubled "Opportunity Knocks," according to a Nielsen television ratings roundup. Even NBC's "Biggest Loser: Family Edition" had higher ratings.
ABC has made different plans for the 8 p.m. time slot for the next two weeks. A recap show of "Dancing With the Stars" will air tonight, and the following Tuesday will be the Peanuts Halloween classic "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown."
