Southland cancelled already and other cancel/renewal news

[Calvin Government]

In a truly bizarre decision, NBC has cancelled Southland before airing a single episode of its second season, of which it has already shot 6 episodes.

Yes, NBC has some of TV's best shows. The Thursday line-up is must-watch TV, Friday Night Lights remains one of TV's best dramas, Chuck's second season was a near-brilliant blend of action and comedy, etc... but overall, they just seem kind of like a mess.

On the upside, a number of solid new shows have been picked up for full season orders, including Glee, The Good Wife, and Modern Family.

AV Club (http://www.avclub.com/articles/big-day-for-tv-pickups-and-cancellations,33879/)

Sepinwall (http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/10/bad-day-to-be-drama-fan.html)'s Blog (http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/10/good-day-to-be-comedy-fan.html)

[Atom_basher]

absolutely retarded southland was GREAT nbc made a horrible decision

[Zero Hunter]

Its NBC we are talking about here. The network that thought 5 nights a week of Leno in prime time was a good idea. Nothing they do surprises me now.

[Chiasm]

The fact they cancelled it must mean those episodes were good. Given NBC's track record over the last few years its apparent they live in bizarro land where up is down, black is white, and bad TV gets put on the air.

[Calvin Government]

Credit NBC for what they do right - they renewed FNL and Chuck, despite low ratings, made a truly hysterical Thursday night lineup, and they have taken a number of chances on scripted TV. Kings was probably the strongest drama to air last year, and despite abysmal ratings, NBC let the run play out.

But, yes, NBC seems to be dying quickly and painfully after losing some key personnel. Personally, I blame Jay Leno.

[Frank]

Continue to start your shows in the summer, NBC, you're genius.

[Jared]

Cancelling a show *after* renewing it and production has been underway for months...even Fox isn't that stupid.

[Ontir]

This is an astoundingly stupid move. Especially since they're reporting Leno's numbers haven't been what they'd hoped. Not a shock, as the show is an utter dud that even Robim Williams couldn't elevate!

[Zero Hunter]

Oh but just wait. When the other networks start showing reruns Lenos number are going to sore :rolleyes: Seriously that is what NBC is thinking right now.

[JCAll]

Are they trying to get a Tax break doing this or something? You don't just renew a series and cancel it half way through filming.

[Simbob4000]

Talk about a dumb fucking move, Southland was the only good show NBC had in prime time...beside their Thurday comedies.

[StoneGold]

For whatever it's worth, it does probably mean that Chuck will debut early, and get a full season order instead of just the 13.


I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing either way. Personally, all the Moonlighting/Sam and Diane will they won't they crap got tiresome last season.

[Subotai]

From what I read, they were planning major changes on Southland, trimming the cast so it was less Hill Street Blues and more NYPD Blue, focusing on the two major cops.

FNL, unfortunately, won't return on NBC until next summer - this fall it's only on DirectTV.

[Sean Walsh]

FNL, unfortunately, won't return on NBC until next summer - this fall it's only on DirectTV.

Unless The Jay Leno Experiment dies horribly. Or something else goes away and they need filler.

[Nevets F]

They can't take Leno off the air for numerous reasons, including how much they would be out to Leno if they canceled him. Plus they don't have enough shows to fill their five hours they gave to him (which was a stupid move). This experiment will last for the entire year most likely.

I didn't watch Southland, but what they did was really wrong to the cast, crew, and fans. They never should have renewed it if they were going to do this. It's not the first time this has happened though. Always sucks.

[Sean Walsh]

Possible good news for SOUTHLAND fans: exec. producer John Wells says two networks (one of which is TNT) are interested in picking up the show a.s.a.p (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i41da967fff242c95e06de6317a637063). He's even contacting stars of the show, so it must be pretty serious and close to happening.