Shows that died on it first season. And what do you think killed it?

[mybotisgone]

Well a new show just got axed I think it was called "Smith". Man, did that ever die a quick death. In fact it's first season not even over yet and it was canned. So, what other shows din't get past there first season and got canned and why do you think it did as badly?

[Lord of Denial]

Well a new show just got axed I think it was called "Smith". Man, did that ever die a quick death. In fact it's first season not even over yet and it was canned. So, what other shows din't get past there first season and got canned and why do you think it did as badly?


Seems like ever show in the last few years that had a criminal and his gang as the central characters and the heists they pull off has died a quick death.

Guess people just aren't interested in that world. Ironic that shows like CSI and Law and Order and all thier spin-offs are a sure thing. Maybe that is a statement about peoples viewpoints.

[mybotisgone]

Seems like ever show in the last few years that had a criminal and his gang as the central characters and the heists they pull off has died a quick death.

Guess people just aren't interested in that world. Ironic that shows like CSI and Law and Order and all thier spin-offs are a sure thing. Maybe that is a statement about peoples viewpoints.
You could be right about that. I'm not giving much hope for Showtime's Dexter.:rolleyes: Are maybe it just boring.

[Royal]

Seems like ever show in the last few years that had a criminal and his gang as the central characters and the heists they pull off has died a quick death.


The Wire?

......

[mybotisgone]

The Wire?

......
No. That show is still going on. Here one if anyone can remember this show "Sleepers". Everyone that seen that show said it was so boring that it put people to sleep.

[xgeek52]

smith was bad...i'm surprised it lasted this long...

[meethraa]

Well a new show just got axed I think it was called "Smith". Man, did that ever die a quick death. In fact it's first season not even over yet and it was canned. So, what other shows din't get past there first season and got canned and why do you think it did as badly?
That's a question I've been asking myself these last couple of days. I guess that Smith didn't get enough ratings despite being one of the best new shows this season, but this policy of taking a show off the air less than a month after the premiere seems a tad exaggerated.

And seeing multiple shows with the same formula that only change the setting thrive while interesting new things get killed off from the get go doesn't paint a pretty picture of US tv audience, or at least of the image that networks have of said audience.

[mybotisgone]

How about Space Above and Beyond? That only lasted one season.

[Lord of Denial]

The Wire?

......


Okay one!

There have been like 4 or so on other networds and they all died quickly.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Players lasted a year. It was from Dick Wolf and had Ice-T involved. I miss that one a lot. A group of con artists forced to work for the government to not go to jail.

[Lord of Denial]

Players lasted a year. It was from Dick Wolf and had Ice-T involved. I miss that one a lot. A group of con artists forced to work for the government to not go to jail.


An entire year? WOW j/k

[Loren]

Well a new show just got axed I think it was called "Smith". Man, did that ever die a quick death. In fact it's first season not even over yet and it was canned. So, what other shows din't get past there first season and got canned and why do you think it did as badly?

Most shows die in their first season. Take the shows that premiered in the 2004 season. Among those that didn't make it to a second season:

Eyes
LAX
Second Time Around
Hawaii
North Shore
Center of the Unvierse
Medical Investigation
Complete Savages
dr. vegas
Father of the Pride
Point Pleasant
Quintuplets
Blind Justice
Clubhouse
Committed
Jonny Zero
Kevin Hill
The Jury
Listen Up
life as we know it
Life on a Stick
The Mountain

I had intended to put up a thread for people to guess which new shows would be the first to be cancelled. Too late for that now.

[mybotisgone]

Well you have a good pont Loren. And sorry about the hole thread thing. But now I just feel bad.:( But anyways 2004 was a big year in killing shows. But there are other show before 2004 like DC comics own "Flash" tv show. The sad part is I really did like that show but dead is dead.

[DoubleWide]

Alien Nation and John Doe (FOX) & Earth-2 (NBC) are others that were cancelled too soon. NBC kept showing Earth-2 out of sequence so the audience kept missing important plot points.

Anyone remember "The Powers of Matthew Star"? The show started with the two main charcters on the run from the government, but half way through the season they worked for the government and there was a new power a week.

And don't forget about Quark.

[EZMOHR]

American Gothic. It got killed because of 1.) Bad scheduling...no one ever knew where to find it. 2.) They showed the series out of order in the original series....so no one knew what was going on. 3.) It seemed like at the beginning it was a little forced on the weirdness and Twin Peaks vibe...but after a little while, it became great. 4.) CBS just was not into it and did everything in it's power to make sure it died.

[ragnarok_2012]

I think Profit was an excellent show that was quickly canned. Networks probably get a little uncomfortable when the main character is completely amoral.

The Wire is a different case because it's HBO. They don't have to worry about advertising dollars.

Network television, IMHO, doesn't just have to please the audience. It has to find a lucrative niche that it can sell to advertisers.

I'm just happy that there's so much excellent programming on HBO (Rome being my current favorite HBO show), and I'm happy that Battlestar Galactica has lasted so long.

I'm not sure what to do to fix it. Good word of mouth can improve numbers, though good word of mouth didn't save Firefly. Awards and critical praise didn't save Arrested Development (though it did last 3 seasons, so that's something).

[mybotisgone]

There was a show called "Bob" that was about an aging comic book artist starting Bob Newhart.

[Buzz Dixon]

Back in the 60s, ABC laughed a couple of knock-offs to LAUGH-IN. I can't remember their titles right off the top of my head, but one was so bad it was actually cancelled mid-way through the first episode when one chain of stations in the midwest refused to come back from the first commercial break to air the rest of the program! ABC got the message (none of their other stations liked it, either) and formally cancelled the show the next day.

[blackdragon6]

Guess people just aren't interested in that world. Ironic that shows like CSI and Law and Order and all thier spin-offs are a sure thing. Maybe that is a statement about peoples viewpoints.
that would be my thoughts.but then again theres the soprano's and the wire.

[Cephus]

That's a question I've been asking myself these last couple of days. I guess that Smith didn't get enough ratings despite being one of the best new shows this season, but this policy of taking a show off the air less than a month after the premiere seems a tad exaggerated.

Obviously it wasn't one of the best new shows this season if it didn't get ratings. Your subjective opinion doesn't mean a whole lot to the networks, it's just viewership and if it doesn't bring in the masses, any show is going to get cancelled.

[mybotisgone]

Obviously it wasn't one of the best new shows this season if it didn't get ratings. Your subjective opinion doesn't mean a whole lot to the networks, it's just viewership and if it doesn't bring in the masses, any show is going to get cancelled.
Is that why they keep that crapfest 7th Heaven going?

[OverMaster]

The Flash with John Wesley Shipp.

Hey, I liked it.

[mybotisgone]

The Flash with John Wesley Shipp.

Hey, I liked it.
The sad thing is I liked that show to.

[Ontir]

The Flash with John Wesley Shipp.

Hey, I liked it.

It died, because he got "outed." The news broke, and CBS said they were committed to the show, and then a few days later, it was dead!

American Gothic was a great show; but I think the darkness of the Sheriff being the devil, or at least a devoted servant, kept viewers away. A decade later, roughly, Sean Cassady re-tooled the show with aliens(?) instead of the devil, and crafted a fine show, yet somehow, Invasion lost the Lost audience, and it too died prematurely.

I was at a birthday party, talking to one of the assistant editors on Smith, which was cancelled the other day - largely because of the $3 million/ep pricetag. Still, the network knew the cost going in. Why spend the money, and NOT give it a chance at life. Run the eps ordered, and give people a chance to see it. I think the nets are screwing themselves, because TV Shows are a habit. If you don't develop a habit for a show, you don't make an effort to watch, and given the multitude of channels, and now web-casts, there are more distractions than ever, and they have to make a greater commitment than ever to get their product to the viewer.

[Crimson Avenger]

It died, because he got "outed." The news broke, and CBS said they were committed to the show, and then a few days later, it was dead!


That isn't the reason why "The Flash" was cancelled at all.

It was scheduled up against "The Cosby Show" and "The Simpsons." As a result, it never got high enough ratings for CBS to justify renewing it for another season, especially given the budget for the special effects.

[meethraa]

Obviously it wasn't one of the best new shows this season if it didn't get ratings. Your subjective opinion doesn't mean a whole lot to the networks, it's just viewership and if it doesn't bring in the masses, any show is going to get cancelled.
Our subjective opinions, regardless of their relevancy in practical terms, are what these forums are about. So there's no need for you to point out the obvious, I get it.

It doesn't change the fact that Smith was one of the best new shows this fall and not airing it past episode 3 was a weird decision, to say the least. If they made the effort of producing a show like that the least they could've done was to find the audience for it, and believe me, there is an audience for a well-written, well-acted television show... despite some evidence to the contrary.

[Loren]

And sorry about the hole thread thing. But now I just feel bad.

Don't. I didn't mean to imply that you beat me to it. The object of a TV Deadpool depends on its existence prior to the first casualties of the season. When one show has already been cancelled, and others are known to be on their last legs, then all the fun and speculation of the deadpool is gone.

I, for instance, would've picked CBS's "Jericho" to be among the season's first casualties. And man has that turned out to be a bad call. On the flip side, I think few people would've put "Studio 60" in their deadpool, but with four weeks of ratings out, in retrospect it might've been a good guess.

[Buried Alien]

Back in the 60s, ABC laughed a couple of knock-offs to LAUGH-IN. I can't remember their titles right off the top of my head, but one was so bad it was actually cancelled mid-way through the first episode when one chain of stations in the midwest refused to come back from the first commercial break to air the rest of the program! ABC got the message (none of their other stations liked it, either) and formally cancelled the show the next day.

Damn. That just *has* to be the record for shortest-lived television program *ever*.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[KenK]

Brimstone, FireFly, John Doe, Fastlane, Johnny Zero, MANTIS, Wonderfalls -

Failed 'cause they were on FOX's Friday night line-up. FOX has never promoted their friday night shows enough to get anyone interested in seeing them. Especially in the case of Brimstone, where I NEVER saw commercials for new episodes during the week. I'd see them the night of the episode, though!

[Forefinger]

Well you have a good pont Loren. And sorry about the hole thread thing. But now I just feel bad.:( But anyways 2004 was a big year in killing shows. But there are other show before 2004 like DC comics own "Flash" tv show. The sad part is I really did like that show but dead is dead.
I was going to mention The Flash as well. That show got really good ratings from what I remember, but kept getting pushed around to different nights and steadily decreased in ratings numbers until it was cancelled. CBS execs admitted to stupidity killing that show later.

I didn't see it mentioned, but I loved The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and knew many others that did as well. I don't know why they killed that show off; they even had a season finale, but then had a final episode the next week or something.

[Lester C.]

Nowhere man, Mortal Kombat and Prince of thieves. (It's been years since I've watched anything other than WWE.)

[DrewTheXenocide]

Man. They reran Fastlane a while back on court TV. That show was freakin' amazing. Just a good popcorn fest. Any show that can have Tiffany Amber Theissien in water with another chick should deserve two more seasons on merit alone.

[i_mmmchocolate]

My Big Fat Greek Life.

AWFUL. The movie was great, the series was overkill.

Too much of a good thing, y'know.

[Ontir]

That isn't the reason why "The Flash" was cancelled at all.

It was scheduled up against "The Cosby Show" and "The Simpsons." As a result, it never got high enough ratings for CBS to justify renewing it for another season, especially given the budget for the special effects.

When John Wesley Shipp was outed, CBS made a big statement, in a press conference about their continuing commitment to the show, and that they believed in it, and assured everyone that the star being gay wouldn't cause it's demise, that it would stay on the air. Then, a few days later, it was gone. That's what happened. It wasn't an issue of being renewed for another season, it was about keeping it on the air, for the season they were in - which they didn't.

[Scorpion13]

When John Wesley Shipp was outed, CBS made a big statement, in a press conference about their continuing commitment to the show, and that they believed in it, and assured everyone that the star being gay wouldn't cause it's demise, that it would stay on the air. Then, a few days later, it was gone. That's what happened. It wasn't an issue of being renewed for another season, it was about keeping it on the air, for the season they were in - which they didn't.


Maybe, but I gotta think that it getting constantly preemptted because of the Gulf War was mainly what killed it.

I remember trying to watch it with my family, but always missing it because of news coverage.

[saintsaucey]

I totally did not know that John Wesley Ship was gay.

I was sad wonderfalls didn't make it. such a brilliant show.

point pleasent on the other hand...

Im surprised that John Doe didn't get picked up everything i heard about it was how much people loved it.

[Deathstroke]

The Wire?

......

The Wire's cast features a wide ranging assortment of characters. The criminals are main characters, but they aren't the actual only focus of the story. In Smith they were.

[Deathstroke]

How about Space Above and Beyond? That only lasted one season.

Really bad ratings and on the air in a time when nobody really seemed to be handle scifi genre shows overly well.

The show was great, but once the ratings were in, it was almost a foregone conclusion.

[Deathstroke]

Players lasted a year. It was from Dick Wolf and had Ice-T involved. I miss that one a lot. A group of con artists forced to work for the government to not go to jail.

It was a decent show, as far as I remember I never missed an episode.

[Deathstroke]

The ABC show Nothing Sacred. It was about a catholic priest who challenged the more conservative leanings of the church. The show was incredibly well written and acted.

Needless to say, since it didn't show the catholic church in nothing but a positive light, the catholic special interest groups like the catholic league lost their freaking minds and got companies to pull advertising. The ratings weren't great but combine that with the advertising issues, and the show was...ahem...crucified.

[StoneGold]

There was a show called "Bob" that was about an aging comic book artist starting Bob Newhart.
Bob lasted at least two seasons. Although all the comic book stuff was retooled out of it for the second season.


Oh, and the answer to any and all of these questions can be answered with two words: crappy ratings.

[Ontir]

All is Forgiven was a great sitcom about the behind-the-scenes of a soap opera. Brandon Tartikoff cancelled it, despite its strong ratings. When this was pointed out to him, he said, "Any moron can cancel a low-rated show..."

The original Star Trek was increasing in viewers when it was cancelled, and it was the last season that ratings were taken as straight numbers. When they re-calculated the numbers by demographics, they found that it was exceedingly high in the all-important male 18 - 36, and did fairly well with women, as well.

Everything's Relative ran only one season, in which it nearly always won its time-slot. ABC dropped it at the end of the season.

[artist2b]

VR.5 was another one. It starred Lori Singer.

[DonC]

When John Wesley Shipp was outed, CBS made a big statement, in a press conference about their continuing commitment to the show, and that they believed in it, and assured everyone that the star being gay wouldn't cause it's demise, that it would stay on the air. Then, a few days later, it was gone. That's what happened. It wasn't an issue of being renewed for another season, it was about keeping it on the air, for the season they were in - which they didn't.


I realize this happened 16 years ago, but can you provide any links backing you up on this? I watched the show when it was new and I never heard one word about Shipp's sexuality, let alone it being the reason the show was canceled. Even back in 1990 no TV network would be that politically uncorrect.

It was an expensive show to produce that was up against The Simpsons, The Cosby Show and the first Gulf War. It just got creamed in the ratings. That's all.

[meethraa]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v96/Crackula/ddc.jpg

[Subotai]

I was at a birthday party, talking to one of the assistant editors on Smith, which was cancelled the other day - largely because of the $3 million/ep pricetag. Still, the network knew the cost going in. Why spend the money, and NOT give it a chance at life. Run the eps ordered, and give people a chance to see it. I think the nets are screwing themselves, because TV Shows are a habit. If you don't develop a habit for a show, you don't make an effort to watch, and given the multitude of channels, and now web-casts, there are more distractions than ever, and they have to make a greater commitment than ever to get their product to the viewer.

I think the same mistake was made with Kidnapped - some fairly big names on the show, and filming in NYC, it had to be *expensive*. But that show was terrific, it put Smith to shame all the way around.

Space: Above and Beyond made it to a full season, at least. I remember an issue of Space magazine - jeex, more than 10 years ago - profiling the show. The costs were high and reflected the great amount of detail, everything from George Bush dollars to the inscriptions on the helmets. Too bad the Sci-Fi network wasn't around then.

I didn't think much about Players, but Feds was a terrific Dick Wolf legal show about the Justice department. Terrific ensemble cast - Adrian Pasdar, as one of the leads, played a federal attorney investigating the tobacco industry who quickly found out they didn't play softball. Dylan Baker was pretty sharp as an FBI agent. But the show was most famous for having an in-show radio annoucement of Mike Logan's death after Chris Noth's departure from L&O.

My favourite show, which died too soon: EZ Streets. What a fine creation that was.

But like much in life, TV success is not based on merit.

[Pheonix-NoRelation]

I liked Fastlane. It sucked so bad how they left it. The season finale had one of the main characters (the girl, don't remember her name) kidnapped. She was then injected with a crapload of heroin I think, a drug she formerly had an addiction to. Then her kidnapper called her 2 male partners and they had to race to save her. What happened? I don't know. And that will bug me foreva!!!

[Deathstroke]

VR.5 was another one. It starred Lori Singer.

That's the case of show having what is commonly referred to as ABYSMAL ratings.

[Deathstroke]

I didn't think much about Players, but Feds was a terrific Dick Wolf legal show about the Justice department. Terrific ensemble cast - Adrian Pasdar, as one of the leads, played a federal attorney investigating the tobacco industry who quickly found out they didn't play softball. Dylan Baker was pretty sharp as an FBI agent. But the show was most famous for having an in-show radio annoucement of Mike Logan's death after Chris Noth's departure from L&O.

My favourite show, which died too soon: EZ Streets. What a fine creation that was.

But like much in life, TV success is not based on merit.

Holy Crap! I thought I was only person who remembered the radio announcement about Mike Logan from Feds. Apparently, he got better from being dead, huh?

EZ Streets was The Wire (minus the swearing) before we actually had The Wire.

Joe Pantoliano, Jason Gedrick, Ken Olin, Debra Farentino, Sarah Trigger...and oh so many more. It was an amazing show.

[mybotisgone]

Space: Above and Beyond made it to a full season, at least. I remember an issue of Space magazine - jeex, more than 10 years ago - profiling the show. The costs were high and reflected the great amount of detail, everything from George Bush dollars to the inscriptions on the helmets. Too bad the Sci-Fi network wasn't around then.
Space: Above and Beyond (http://imdb.com/title/tt0112173/) I think there where other reasons for it being canned. I remember a lot of people saying that it looked to much like that crapy movie Starship Troopers (http://imdb.com/title/tt0120201/).

Anyone remember Harsh Realm TV show created by the same guy that created The X Files, Chris Carter. Dead on it's first season.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Obviously it wasn't one of the best new shows this season if it didn't get ratings. Your subjective opinion doesn't mean a whole lot to the networks, it's just viewership and if it doesn't bring in the masses, any show is going to get cancelled.

Your have this bizarre idea that ratings have anything to do with quality. The reality is quite different. Lots of sucky things succeed, lots of good things don't. By your argument, Britney Spears would be the greatest singer of all time, and AMERICAN IDOL the best show of the past decade.

Lots of factors besides quality have an impact on what does and doesn't succeed.

[mybotisgone]

For some reason you just reminded me of the worst TV show ever made. And that show was "Chaotic" with Britney Spears and that other person.:eek: And I think we all know why that show died.:rolleyes:

[the film freak]

I realize this happened 16 years ago, but can you provide any links backing you up on this? I watched the show when it was new and I never heard one word about Shipp's sexuality, let alone it being the reason the show was canceled. Even back in 1990 no TV network would be that politically uncorrect.

It was an expensive show to produce that was up against The Simpsons, The Cosby Show and the first Gulf War. It just got creamed in the ratings. That's all.

I remember seeing an Enquirer or Star tabloid in the supermarket when I was a kid saying he was. But I don't recall any fervor. Everything I read on the show says the show got canceled because it was too expensive and the ratings weren't great. Maybe the outing hurt the ratings.

[mybotisgone]

doues anyone remember "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the live action TV show".

[Magneto_X]

Firefly.

Fox. What bastards!

American Gothic.

No clue. :(

Greg the Bunny

This show introduced me to Sarah Silverman. Had a crush on her ever since.

Dark Skies

Sure it was an X-Files rip-off but it ended up being extremely good. Awesome finale, too.

M.A.N.T.I.S

Best live-action "super-hero" tv show ever.

Sci-Fi's The Invisible Man

The ratings were good but not enough to keep it on the air since every ep was 1 million (The Sci-Fi Channel aren't rolling in money like ABC or WB.)

My:

I do. It was great.

[lonewolf23k]

I don't get why Father of the Pride got canceled after one season... I thought it was a good series...

[Magneto_X]

Is that why they keep that crapfest 7th Heaven going?

There are literally *millions* of Christians in America that are its target audience.

Why do you think the Left Behind books are so popular? (The movies ended up not doing well for LB, though. :confused:)

[drwho]

I can definitely see why Flash got canned. I rented it from netflx and couldnt even watch the show I thought it was so boring. Does anyone have proof that Flash's ratings were good cus I cant fathom it.

[cadmium_blimp]

Your have this bizarre idea that ratings have anything to do with quality. The reality is quite different. Lots of sucky things succeed, lots of good things don't. By your argument, Britney Spears would be the greatest singer of all time, and AMERICAN IDOL the best show of the past decade.

Lots of factors besides quality have an impact on what does and doesn't succeed.
You're right, ratings don't indicate quality. They do indicate if a program is worth showing, though. If your ratings are low, you won't get any money so there's no point in going ahead with it. Bad time slots are just one of many things that can cause bad ratings. I think people often dismiss first seasons too easily, too, because the first season is always at least a little shaky. The cast and crew still have to figure out the feel of the show.

[Young Avenger]

doues anyone remember "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the live action TV show".

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation. It's best left forgotton.

[Sean Whitmore]

Nobody else misses Strange Luck? I thought that was a great little show. I only started watching X-Files because it happened to be on the same night. Ahhh, and they were gonna cross over, too. That woulda been neat.

Firefly was not so much cancelled as it was executed. I mean, people try to excuse why things they like failed, but come on. Fox didn't air the series pilot first (imagine if ABC had done that with Lost), they ran the remaining episodes out of order, they gave it almost no promotion (I only started seeing previews for it the month it began to air), they occasionally decided not to air it some nights, and a good quarter of the series was pre-empted by baseball (one time, a new episode aired at 11pm).


SEAN

[Sean Whitmore]

I don't get why Father of the Pride got canceled after one season... I thought it was a good series...


It was cripplingly expensive to make, though. Over a mil an episode, and each one took about 9 months to make. The ratings may have been okay, I don't know, but they would have had to be FANTASTIC to keep it going at that rate.


SEAN

[DLFerguson]

Back in the 60s, ABC laughed a couple of knock-offs to LAUGH-IN. I can't remember their titles right off the top of my head, but one was so bad it was actually cancelled mid-way through the first episode when one chain of stations in the midwest refused to come back from the first commercial break to air the rest of the program! ABC got the message (none of their other stations liked it, either) and formally cancelled the show the next day.

Was that show "WOW" starring Ken Berry?

[mybotisgone]

Nobody else misses Strange Luck? I thought that was a great little show. I only started watching X-Files because it happened to be on the same night. Ahhh, and they were gonna cross over, too. That woulda been neat.

Firefly was not so much cancelled as it was executed. I mean, people try to excuse why things they like failed, but come on. Fox didn't air the series pilot first (imagine if ABC had done that with Lost), they ran the remaining episodes out of order, they gave it almost no promotion (I only started seeing previews for it the month it began to air), they occasionally decided not to air it some nights, and a good quarter of the series was pre-empted by baseball (one time, a new episode aired at 11pm).


SEAN
I liked Strange Luck. To bad it got canned. I know that most of you guys will hate me for this but I never cared for Firefly. The hole western space never did anything to make me like it.

Oh, here's a show that died on it's first season but became a successful movie. In fact three movies. And that shaw was "Police Squad!" (http://imdb.com/title/tt0083466/)

[saintsaucey]

This is only slightly off topic but I can think of two instances where shows didn't even air. the network/producers pulled them before they even aired.

Manchester Prep. A series based off of Cruel Intentions

and Fearless a kick ass show about Rachel Leigh Cook

[Sean Whitmore]

This is only slightly off topic but I can think of two instances where shows didn't even air. the network/producers pulled them before they even aired.

Manchester Prep. A series based off of Cruel Intentions

and Fearless a kick ass show about Rachel Leigh Cook


I remember seeing commercials for Fearless and thinking what a stupid concept it was. Are you sure it didn't air, like, one episode on the WB or something?

As for shows that never aired, Global Frequency is the one I regret most.


SEAN

[JeffreyWKramer]

You're right, ratings don't indicate quality. They do indicate if a program is worth showing, though. If your ratings are low, you won't get any money so there's no point in going ahead with it.

Economically, maybe. Keep in mind, though, that if you just went by ratings, X-FILES would have been cancelled halfway through its first season. Sometimes it's a matter of appropriately marketing a show, and giving it time to build its audience.

[Subotai]

Space: Above and Beyond (http://imdb.com/title/tt0112173/) I think there where other reasons for it being canned. I remember a lot of people saying that it looked to much like that crapy movie Starship Troopers (http://imdb.com/title/tt0120201/).


I'm sure there were other reasons, but I don't think that was one of them - Starship Troopers came out more than a year after S:A&B folded.

[Subotai]

Holy Crap! I thought I was only person who remembered the radio announcement about Mike Logan from Feds. Apparently, he got better from being dead, huh?

Yeah, looks like it. And he ate well (but who the fuck am I to talk?;)).

It's tough to see now, but 10 years ago Noth had a pretty strong internet fan base, more popular on the main show than D'Onofrio is now on CI. And they gave Wolf (Phallus Lupus they called him, IIRC) all kinds of shit over letting Noth go. They were right. Benjamin Bratt and Jesse Martin just don't cut it. Just another in a long line of reasons for L&O's fall from grace.

EZ Streets was The Wire (minus the swearing) before we actually had The Wire.

Joe Pantoliano, Jason Gedrick, Ken Olin, Debra Farentino, Sarah Trigger...and oh so many more. It was an amazing show.

It was, it was...I remember Haggis wanted to cast Due South's Paul Gross (the mountie) as the lead, but they went with Ken Olin instead. May have been a mistake. Olin was actually pretty good, but a Thirtysomething actor doesn't make for a compelling lead in a gritty crime drama (although come to think of it, Peter Horton was pretty good in Brimstone. Hmmmm....).

Always warms my heart to see EZ Streets get some love.:D

[Deathstroke]

Space: Above and Beyond (http://imdb.com/title/tt0112173/) I think there where other reasons for it being canned. I remember a lot of people saying that it looked to much like that crapy movie Starship Troopers (http://imdb.com/title/tt0120201/).

Anyone remember Harsh Realm TV show created by the same guy that created The X Files, Chris Carter. Dead on it's first season.

Didn't Harsh Realm last only 3 episodes or something like that. That was a colossally bad idea for a series.

[Deathstroke]

I don't get why Father of the Pride got canceled after one season... I thought it was a good series...

Ratings stunk.

[Deathstroke]

This is only slightly off topic but I can think of two instances where shows didn't even air. the network/producers pulled them before they even aired.

Manchester Prep. A series based off of Cruel Intentions

and Fearless a kick ass show about Rachel Leigh Cook

Yeah, I remember Manchester Prep never aired because of some sex scene that was SOOOO not going to be shown on air without a Janet Jackson like uproar.

Fearless, if I remember right, had the problem that they were never satisfied with Rachel Leigh Cook's performance.

[Deathstroke]

I remember seeing commercials for Fearless and thinking what a stupid concept it was. Are you sure it didn't air, like, one episode on the WB or something?

SEAN

No it never aired.

[Deathstroke]

It's tough to see now, but 10 years ago Noth had a pretty strong internet fan base, more popular on the main show than D'Onofrio is now on CI. And they gave Wolf (Phallus Lupus they called him, IIRC) all kinds of shit over letting Noth go. They were right. Benjamin Bratt and Jesse Martin just don't cut it. Just another in a long line of reasons for L&O's fall from grace.

Nahhh, I've liked all the detectives they've ever cast except perhaps Dennis Farina.



It was, it was...I remember Haggis wanted to cast Due South's Paul Gross (the mountie) as the lead, but they went with Ken Olin instead. May have been a mistake. Olin was actually pretty good, but a Thirtysomething actor doesn't make for a compelling lead in a gritty crime drama (although come to think of it, Peter Horton was pretty good in Brimstone. Hmmmm....).

Always warms my heart to see EZ Streets get some love.:D

Ken Olin was awesome in EZ Streets. Paul Gross in my judgement would've been a disaster in the role.

[mybotisgone]

Hey, About Firefly. I know it's all over for that show but anyways I just saw a show or an anime called Outlaw Star. I don't think Whedon din't know this but I could swear there are some similarities between the two shows. Like finding a girl in a crate. Small similarities but similarities.

[Subotai]

Nahhh, I've liked all the detectives they've ever cast except perhaps Dennis Farina.

Brisco, Ceretta, Logan, Greevey - gold. All the others, if you added up their personalities you might get an interesting character. Maybe.



Ken Olin was awesome in EZ Streets. Paul Gross in my judgement would've been a disaster in the role.

Olin did acquit himself well but I don't think he attracted that many viewers. Gross has done a good job with that sort of role before, albeit mostly on Canadian television.

[Deathstroke]

Olin did acquit himself well but I don't think he attracted that many viewers. Gross has done a good job with that sort of role before, albeit mostly on Canadian television.

Which would explain why I wouldn't think he'd do a good job. No Canadian TV here beyond Degrassi The Next Generation.

[Ontir]

I realize this happened 16 years ago, but can you provide any links backing you up on this? I watched the show when it was new and I never heard one word about Shipp's sexuality, let alone it being the reason the show was canceled. Even back in 1990 no TV network would be that politically uncorrect.

It was an expensive show to produce that was up against The Simpsons, The Cosby Show and the first Gulf War. It just got creamed in the ratings. That's all.

Sorry Don, this all happened before the internet (or @least b4 I had any connection to it). Back then, one had to watch things like Entertainment Tonight, and just remember what was said. John Wesley Shipp is, now quite openly, gay (I used to work @ WeHo's only all-male, clothing-optional hotel, where he was a guest @ least once.). The news hit publicly, while he was doing the Flash. There was a whole lot of sturm & drang when the news hit. CBS made a public statement as I said earlier, then they cancelled the show. When the show was on the air, the Simpsons were a new show on a still upstart network, that half the country couldn't get without a great deal of tinfoil, and the Cosby Show was already 4 seasons past the shark, and CBS WAS that politically Incorrect.

[drwho]

I still have to disagree until someone digs up an article saying that what you are saying took place. As I said previously the Flash was no way in hell a good tv show. It deserved to be tanked. I found watching shows like automan and manimal more entertainning than that schlock.

[mybotisgone]

I still have to disagree until someone digs up an article saying that what you are saying took place. As I said previously the Flash was no way in hell a good tv show. It deserved to be tanked. I found watching shows like automan and manimal more entertainning than that schlock.
Well I liked the show. But I have no info on any of this but here's the Wikipedia page on the Tv show The Flash (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flash_%28TV_series%29).

[DonC]

This is only slightly off topic but I can think of two instances where shows didn't even air. the network/producers pulled them before they even aired.

Manchester Prep. A series based off of Cruel Intentions

and Fearless a kick ass show about Rachel Leigh Cook

They actually cut up existing footage of Manchester Prep, orgasm scene and all, added a couple of scenes (read: some nudity), and made a direct-to-DVD movie. Might have made two of them, in fact. I know there is a Cruel Intentions 3 out there somewhere.

For some reason, I actually read the first Fearless book. It wasn't bad, I would have probably watched the show if it was decent.

[Deathstroke]

They actually cut up existing footage of Manchester Prep, orgasm scene and all, added a couple of scenes (read: some nudity), and made a direct-to-DVD movie. Might have made two of them, in fact. I know there is a Cruel Intentions 3 out there somewhere.


I just looked it up. Cruel Intentions 2 was actually the Manchester Prep pilot all dressed up.

[Crimson Avenger]

I still have to disagree until someone digs up an article saying that what you are saying took place. As I said previously the Flash was no way in hell a good tv show. It deserved to be tanked. I found watching shows like automan and manimal more entertainning than that schlock.

Here is an interview conducted with John Wesley Shipp himself almost six months ago.

http://www.bigfanboy.com/pages/interviews/johnshipp/shipp.html

This is what Shipp had to say about the cancellation:

So it was a combination of low ratings, scheduling, and pre-emption... and also the cost.

I've yet to see any evidence about Shipp's sexuality being the reason for the cancellation.

[Knightmare10880]

Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog was a good series that cancled way too soon. It had a great cast and had great special effects for kids' TV series in the late 90's.

[Callie]

Wonderfalls - It was quirky and weird. It was similar to Joan of Arcadia. It was on Friday nights (and moved to a different night without warning). And the clincher, it was on Fox.

[Subotai]

Which would explain why I wouldn't think he'd do a good job. No Canadian TV here beyond Degrassi The Next Generation.

Ah, that shit sucks compared to the original.

Would've liked to have seen a real gritty badass in the role, though. Chris Noth was unemployed at the time.

[genesis]

Murder in Small Town X- was a decent twist on the reality game show deal, but it was good. I guess it brought up to many bad memories to renew it since the winner died in the WTC.

Then there was another show on the WB i thought was good it was about a writer who returned to an island town he grew up on and was trying to find out who murdered his dad, but he would solve mysteries along the way. It was kinda like Supernatural, but just dealing with regular murder mysteries, like a clown keeping heads in a fridge was the last episode that aired i think.

Then there was the spinoff that was That 80's show. It had some good moments, but just not the appeal.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

kevin hill :( it died because........well who were they marketing it to????......general audiences? c'mon get real.

[Jack Zodiac]

"Strange Luck," from FOX's mid-Nineties new show blitz. I think the fact that it was thrown at viewers along with several dozen other new shows that year didn't help, considering I can only think of two shows from that time that managed a second season ("Millenium" and "Brimstone"). Sucks, too, 'cause I loved that show.

[Jack Zodiac]

I didn't see it mentioned, but I loved The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. and knew many others that did as well. I don't know why they killed that show off; they even had a season finale, but then had a final episode the next week or something.

Actually, I think "Brisco" lasted at least two seasons, 'cause I know they started the whole weird plot with Bly and the orb and then took a break, and then picked it up later. I think. They need to rerun that show more often.

EDIT: Nevermind, apparently it was only one season, but one incredibly long season for a new show (27 episodes).

[nateslate8]

I think Profit was an excellent show that was quickly canned. Networks probably get a little uncomfortable when the main character is completely amoral.


Yeah, that is the ONE show I watched when I was in high school that I thought would be thoroughly enjoyable, even though it was about the business world (which, as a high schooler bored me to tears). Every time I mention that show, people look at me like I'm crazy. I always say, "You know, that show where the Wall Street tycoon goes to sleep naked in a box."

[Ontir]

I still have to disagree until someone digs up an article saying that what you are saying took place. As I said previously the Flash was no way in hell a good tv show. It deserved to be tanked. I found watching shows like automan and manimal more entertainning than that schlock.

Disagree all you want. It happened, and it was a topic of much conversation for a good while among both comic fans, and my gay friends. Sorry it all pre-dated hyperlinks.

[Ontir]

Here is an interview conducted with John Wesley Shipp himself almost six months ago.

http://www.bigfanboy.com/pages/interviews/johnshipp/shipp.html

This is what Shipp had to say about the cancellation:



I've yet to see any evidence about Shipp's sexuality being the reason for the cancellation.

He also, for whatever reason, doesn't mention being outed. There's as much absent, as in that interview.

[mybotisgone]

Here's two shows that din't make it. "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (http://imdb.com/title/tt0071003/) and it's remake "Night Stalker" (http://imdb.com/title/tt0460665/). All I can say is that ABC din't like the show. Are it's remake.

[Cephus]

The Flash with John Wesley Shipp.

Hey, I liked it.

I did too, it was campy fun. But hardly anyone watched it so... down the tubes it went.

[Cephus]

It doesn't change the fact that Smith was one of the best new shows this fall and not airing it past episode 3 was a weird decision, to say the least.

No, it doesn't change the fact that *YOU THOUGHT* Smith was one of the best new shows this fall. Apparently, most people didn't share your opinion.

[Cephus]

Your have this bizarre idea that ratings have anything to do with quality.

No, ratings have everything to do with staying on the air. You seem to have this bizarre idea that your subjective ideas of quality make a damn bit of difference to the networks.

[Crimson Avenger]

He also, for whatever reason, doesn't mention being outed. There's as much absent, as in that interview.

So, you're calling Shipp a liar? Shipp's answer again:

So it was a combination of low ratings, scheduling, and pre-emption... and also the cost.

It was that simple, just like I said. It had nothing to do with his being outted. The only person who I have ever seen to claim this is you.

[Scorpion13]

I did too, it was campy fun. But hardly anyone watched it so... down the tubes it went.



Wrong. Up until they started agressivly preempting it, and shuffling it around the schedual.

Before that, it was CBS's highest rated show on that night until CSI.

[Ilash]

Okay, so this thread is seven pages in and no one has mentioned Freaks and Geeks?! Aside for maybe Buffy, F&G is easily my favourite hou-long show of all time and it didn't even get a full season.

Undeclared and Firefly are my two other top picks.

[meethraa]

No, it doesn't change the fact that *YOU THOUGHT* Smith was one of the best new shows this fall. Apparently, most people didn't share your opinion.
I do think about things before I type them, so yes, obviously *I THOUGHT* Smith was one of the best new shows this fall. Otherwise I wouldn't have said it.
Unless I was lying, which I'm not.

And most people didn't see the show, hence the poor ratings, so they didn't really have an opinion on the mater, did they? Which is where I think CBS dropped the ball.

[mybotisgone]

Did you know that "Stargate SG-1" was canned on shotime on it's first season but then picked up by scifi channel. Canned on it's first season but still going.

[DonC]

Wonderfalls - It was quirky and weird. It was similar to Joan of Arcadia. It was on Friday nights (and moved to a different night without warning). And the clincher, it was on Fox.


"Without warning" isn't true. As much as people hate Fox for canceling their favorite shows, in the case of Wonderfalls, they did try. When the pilot got good word of mouth, they re-aired it a day or two before the second episode aired. And when it wasn't doing well on Friday's, they did publicize moving it in hopes it would get better ratings. The only thing fans can legitimately complain about, in my opinion, was the quick axe on its new night. It aired once and was canceled the next day. But Fox made it no secret that if it didn't do well on its new night (Tuesday?), it was gone. I've never seen a network do that before. They came out and said, "Hey, if we don't get x amount of ratings, this show is going to be canceled." It didn't get the ratings and was canceled.

By the way, you should get the DVD if you don't have it. The series ends well.

Actually, I think "Brisco" lasted at least two seasons, 'cause I know they started the whole weird plot with Bly and the orb and then took a break, and then picked it up later. I think. They need to rerun that show more often.

EDIT: Nevermind, apparently it was only one season, but one incredibly long season for a new show (27 episodes).

I always thought it was two seasons, too, until I checked. And it is out on DVD, but it isn't cheap. I think the MSRP is around $90, but it is loaded with extras.

[saintsaucey]

Higher Ground. great show. great cast.

yeah i knew that about manchester prep.

Glory Days was good to but i would have preferred an ongoing mysterie than a bunch of different ones.

they should have given Harsh Relm a chance.

I loved wonderfalls i have it on dvd (actually my cousin does she borrowed it over a year ago and i haven't gotten it back)

I liked young americans. i wish they had brought it back

[Dennis K]

Stark Raving Mad

The Fugitive (remake obviously)



I make no apologies for liking both of these programs and saying they both deserved a lot longer than one season.

[meethraa]

Stark Raving Mad was very funny.

[Julusnc]

If I remember correctly the September 11th tragedy happened on a Tuesday and Firefly and John Doe premiered on September 14th.The news coverage and state of mind of most Americans at that time helped to the cancellation of two great shows.

[BoosterBronze]

"Muscle" a parody soap opera on the WB during the WB's first year was a comic gem. I loved it.

Sadly it was rated 160 out of 160 shows that year.

[saintsaucey]

anyone remember a show called black sash. it was a kick butt show.

[Lord of Denial]

Vanishing Son was a great show that never got the life it deserved.

[mybotisgone]

Well I said it before there was a show that got canned but made not one, not two, but three successful movies. "Police Squad!" anyone remember the "Naked Gun" movies.

[Adam West]

I think Profit was an excellent show that was quickly canned. Networks probably get a little uncomfortable when the main character is completely amoral.

This show IMO, is Adrian Pasdar best work. The problem is, the network think that the audience wasn't ready for that kind of central character. If Profit came out in 2000, it'll be a hit.

One show that gone too quickly is Rob Thomas' Cupid. Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall was great and they have good chemistry. I really hate it when they cancel it

edit: just read Sean Whitmore post, and I do missed Strange Luck, the show had good potential, the premise was interesting enough.

[Lord of Denial]

This show IMO, is Adrian Pasdar best work. The problem is, the network think that the audience wasn't ready for that kind of central character. If Profit came out in 2000, it'll be a hit.

One show that gone too quickly is Rob Thomas' Cupid. Jeremy Piven and Paula Marshall was great and they have good chemistry. I really hate it when they cancel it

edit: just read Sean Whitmore post, and I do missed Strange Luck, the show had good potential, the premise was interesting enough.


Jim Profit was maybe a bit to dark and amoral for the time. And I can see people being turned off by a character with no redeeming qualities.

But I love the guy. Thought he was awesome.

[Fish Sauce]

Stark Raving Mad was very funny.

Is that the one with Tony Shalhoub and the guy from Doogie Howser in it?

Damn, that's gotta suck, everyone knowing you as Doogie Howser and not your name.

[saintsaucey]

Is that the one with Tony Shalhoub and the guy from Doogie Howser in it?

Damn, that's gotta suck, everyone knowing you as Doogie Howser and not your name.


Neil Patrick Harris or if your part of the Harold and Qumar Go To White Castle fan club. NPH

[Buried Alien]

As funny as the Ropers were as supporting characters on the first three seasons of THREE'S COMPANY, their own self-titled show managed to last only a season. Ageism? Or were Mr. and Mrs. Roper just not quite as funny without Jack, Janet, and Chrissy to interact with them?

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Arawn]

These made it to a second season but still died before it was time...

Dead Like Me They killed people with toilet seats from space...How can you not love that?

Jeremiah Although I may have been one of 4 nation wide that wanted to see where it was going. They never did air the second 1/2 of season 2

[Steven F.]

My all-time favorite canceled after one season shows are

Fastlane

John Doe

Reunion

[Jack Zodiac]

Dead Like Me They killed people with toilet seats from space...How can you not love that?

I thought the show had even more potential after its second season. Why the hell was it canned? It was one of the only shows on Showtime I watched, besides "Weeds" and "Penn and Teller's Bullshit."

[JeffreyWKramer]

No, ratings have everything to do with staying on the air. You seem to have this bizarre idea that your subjective ideas of quality make a damn bit of difference to the networks.

You're moving the goalposts. Your initial argument was that if the show was good, it wouldn't have been cancelled. In reality, good stuff fails, and bad stuff succeeds, all the time.

But you're right that all networks care about ultimately is ratings, because ratings translate into ad revenue. They don't care about quality much if at all, and certainly less than they do the income. This is why they kept pumping out idiotic reality shows for awhile there, until people stopped watching. If enough people would watch footage of decaying roadkill, you can bet the networks would run it.

It's a happy thing when ratings and quality happen to coincide.

[Ed Cunard]

If enough people would watch footage of decaying roadkill, you can bet the networks would run it.


Oddly enough, I think I've been pitched that show before.

It's true, though--the only thing the television business genuinely cares about is the business of television. For as much of an Elitist McSnobbypants as I am, I don't let that get in the way of picking up programming I think will pay off in terms of maintaining or growing our group's revenue.