Endangered/Cancelled TV Shows 2008
As the 2007-2008 television season draws to a close, there are approximately a dozen shows on the verge of being canned for next season. See if your favorite small screen hits are on the borderline.
According to the Hollywood Reporter:
- “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” Fans need not worry: Sources say that “Terminator” will be back. Fox executives like the creative product and thought the finale’s performance last week was solid. The network also spent a considerable amount marketing the show, giving Season 2 some cost benefit. Also: The fourth “Terminator” movie comes out in 2009, and as “The Simpsons Movie” proved, there are promotional advantages to film-TV synergy.
- “Scrubs.” The dead comedy-turned-backroom hot commodity remains poised to jump to ABC from longtime home NBC. The cast has been told to return to work March 24. Cast member John C. McGinley said recently that he was told that “the 18 episodes we’re going to do starting that day will be on ABC next fall.” But the show’s producer, ABC Studios, insists the work is just “reshoots.” Just, you know, everyday reshoots of a series NBC has refused to order more episodes of.
- “How I Met Your Mother.” Granted, “Mother” usually is the weakest ratings link in CBS’ Monday night comedy lineup. But that lineup sets a high bar, representing the most successful comedy block on television. The headline-making stunt casting of Britney Spears in an upcoming episode is sure to boost viewership. Not to mention, CBS’ comedy-starved rivals would be tempted to snatch up the show if canceled. Verdict: Probably not going anywhere.
- “Knight Rider.” The February movie performed well for NBC. Sources say the network is in talks with a producer who is familiar with NBC primetime, which suggests a regular series order is likely.
- “Moonlight.” CBS is playing wait-and-see with this Friday night show about a vampire private detective. The network is curious whether the show’s fans return once it comes back from its strike-induced hiatus. But “Moonlight” fans are passionate, the show fits well into CBS’ Friday night alternative crime block and an eventual pickup is probable.
- “Jericho.” CBS must decide quickly since only three episodes remain in Season 2, and the network has to choose Ending A or Ending B. Two conclusions to the season have been shot. One puts a narrative lid on the apocalyptic series (lest protesting fans pelt CBS executives with thousands of pounds of nuts again), the other more of a cliffhanger. CBS notes that the show gains from DVR viewership and online viewing, but after its performance the past two weeks, most doubt the citizens of “Jericho” will live to fight another season.
- “Reaper.” Critics loved the pilot of the CW’s supernatural drama, then griped that the series lost its way. The show returns Thursday night against ABC’s “Lost” and needs divine intervention to come back strong enough to make the network add it to its list of previously announced pickups. The chances for the CW comedy “Aliens” look even slimmer.
- “Law & Order.” The longest-running primetime drama on television will come back for a 19th season, sources say, with new co-star Anthony Anderson. USA Network’s “L&O: Criminal Intent,” which is recycled on NBC, looks likely to return.
- “Friday Night Lights.” NBC is in talks with DirecTV for the satellite broadcaster to share the costs for a third season in exchange for some exclusive distribution opportunities.
- “Prison Break.” Producers are pitching a Season 4 story arc to Fox, which is expected to pick up the show.
- “According to Jim.” ABC’s perennial bubble show is looking likely to escape the ax one more time.
- ” ‘Til Death” and “Back to You.” Despite modest returns, both Fox comedies probably will return in the fall.
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On May 27th 2008, lee matlock wrote:
What about “Breaking Bad?”
On September 2nd 2008, Cate wrote:
What about Angie Harmon?
On September 2nd 2008, Cate wrote:
Women’s Murder Club?
On September 2nd 2008, Marcy wrote:
Whatever happened to IN PLAIN SIGHT? That was a great show.
On September 2nd 2008, Hammy wrote:
I am so sick of Law & Order, I can’t believe they are still showing it.
But on the other hand, if they cancelled it on regular TV, TNT will stop showing anything else, since it’s almost on all the time anyway. Why not just call the channel L&O channel?
On September 2nd 2008, Paige wrote:
How much longer do they give Jon & Kate Plus 8? It looks like they are about to be engulfed in a controversy similar to Kid Nation — the exploitation of children.
On September 2nd 2008, Karen wrote:
What about Las Vegas ? Will we ever find out what happened to the cast? Where are they now & where we might see them in the future?
On September 2nd 2008, Jack McCoy wrote:
In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories.
I’ll prosecute your face hammy.
Law And Order forevs.
On September 2nd 2008, Betty wrote:
I loved Moonlight and I want it to come back. It was my favorite show of the week. I was devastated when I heard it was cancelled. How could they?????
On September 19th 2008, denise semenok wrote:
As a huge fan of your programming, I feel that I must comment on a few things , such as the way you ended Las Vegas and left your fans hanging. we at least deserved a little closure after being loyal fans. I noticed you did the same with other shows when you cancelled them{Jericho,Cane and others} I feel like I dont even want to start shows on your programming anymore if this is the end result. I am sure I am not the only person feeling this way either. You need to look into what you are doing with these and at least give the fans some closure or they may give you closure on your ratings and such. I am only one opinion, but as a loyal fan I hope my one opinion might count for something.
On October 13th 2008, KATHLEEN wrote:
I ALSO AM VERY UPSET AT THE WAY LAS VEGAS WAS TAKEN OFF THE AIR WITH NO END TO IT!!!!
THEY COULD OF DID ONE MORE SHOW TO END THE SERIOUS ON A GOOD NOTE NOT LEAVE US HANGING!!!! NOT RIGHT!!!!
On October 16th 2008, Trucker Lick wrote:
really, with the vegas thing? makes you wonder what happened? at least some type of media release saying that the show isnt coming back and why it isnt coming back. kinda goes to show you that the stations dont give a crap about anything but the $$$. thanks nbc!!
On November 1st 2008, jeff wrote:
Vegas was canceled because of the writers strike. i heard the set was torn down before the strike was even over.
On November 7th 2008, LMAO21 wrote:
I hope that Knight Rider gets canceled soon, the story is awful and the cast sucks even more.
On December 5th 2008, Shannon wrote:
ABC is crazy to cancel DirtySexyMoney,Eli Stone and Pushing Daises. They were the best new shows on. Instead they put Scrubs on. That show is soooo lame.
On December 10th 2008, Danielle Pietri wrote:
yeah i completely agree with denise. i can’t believe you ended las vegas the way you did. i def. don’t think i will start a new show on your program in fear that you are just going to drop them without any closure or warning. thanks a lot.
On February 27th 2009, Dorothy Martin wrote:
Friday Night Lights is one of the best shows on TV. It has drama, humor – is not smutty but shows life as it is. I love this show – don’t take it off!!!