BY SOPHFRONIA SCOTT

And they were on a roll too. NANCY beat cancer, ELLIOT grew up, Ellyn got married. Sure, Gary died, but MICHAEL took care of everything. How could they ever leave us now? But ABC canceled thirtysomething last week after four seasons. The show had gathered a faithful audience, who saw it as a reflection of their own lives, but ABC Entertainment chief Robert Iger said it was "time to move forward." The creators already have. Executive producers Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz are directing films, though they do have doubts about cutting viewers off cold. There may be 13 episodes done for next season or a spinoff show for the Melissa character. Hope springs eternal.