Following one of NBC’s worst seasons, the peacock network is understandably making quite a few changes for the fall season. There are a number of interesting shows on the schedule which includes Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60. Will the new shows and the addition of Sunday Night Football help return the National Broadcasting Company to its ratings glory days? Time will tell. Here’s what won’t be returning:
The Apprentice: Martha Stewart – This show didn’t quite gel and the result of having two versions of The Apprentice on the air at the same time, seemed to weaken both.
The Book of Daniel – This controversial Aiden Quinn show was cancelled before airing all of its initial six episodes. Click here for previous coverage.
Conviction – Though not technically a Law & Order spin-off, this series did feature Law & Order: SVU actress Stephanie March in her role as Chief Cabot. All thirteen episodes have aired and it won’t be returning with more. The series is available on DVD.
E-Ring – Expectations for this Jerry Bruckheimer political/military drama, that starred Benjamin Bratt and Dennis Hopper, were high but never established a large enough audience. Of the 20 episodes produced, only 14 were aired. It’s unclear if NBC will air these during the summer.
Fear Factor – After six seasons and 142 episodes, NBC is pulling the plug on the guilty-pleasure show that’s all about making contestants and viewers both scared and sick. Fans of the show can see it return in reruns on NBC in June.
Four Kings – The Seth Green comedy never caught on — despite a large promotional campaign (alongside the better-received My Name is Earl). Seven of the 10 episodes have been aired and there are no current plans to return it to the schedule.
Heist – It seems like someone stole this show’s ratings. NBC aired five of the six produced episodes of this action-adventure drama and it won’t be returning.
Inconceivable – One of the early fatalities of the 2005-06 season, this doctor drama was pulled back in October of 2005. Only four of the 10 produced episodes have aired.
Joey – A ratings disappointment for the network (which may have had unreasonably high expectations), the Friends spin-off aired only 14 of its 22 second season episodes. It seems unlikely that the rest will be aired during the summer. The first season is available here.
Surface – This sci-fi series about strange sea creatures seems to have been eclipsed by ABC’s Invasion (which has also been cancelled). All 15 first season episodes have aired and any plans for season two have been permanently deep-sixed. The first season is available here and you can also download Surface on iTunes.)
Teachers – This mid-season comedy about New Jersey teachers won’t be returning for a new semester, uh, season.
Three Wishes – SingerAmy Grant’s show about small-town wish-fulfillment didn’t achieve Extreme Makeover-sized ratings and won’t be returning for another season. It’s been off NBC since December of 2005 but CMT (Country Music Television) has reportedly acquired the rights to air the reruns.
The West Wing – This venerable White House drama had its series finale on May 14, 2006. You can read previous coverage here or a recap of the final episode.
Will & Grace – The groundbreaking and often bawdy sitcom aired its last episode on May 18, 2006. You can read coverage here or a recap of the final episode.
Crossing Jordan was planned to be a mid-season replacement but has been moved onto Friday night on the fall schedule. Scrubs has been renewed for 22 new episodes but won’t return until early 2007.
I LOVE INVASION!!! Need to bring it back..maybe in the summer or at least finish it by making it a movie!!!
please bring back conviction…. is anyone really going to even look into these almost all of these comments are for conviction AND THAT MEANS SOMETHIN…that is a really good show…all these shows are all the same NOW AND IT IS BORING TELEVISION…….PLEASE BRING IT BACK……
I never missed an episode of Conviction. I do not understand why it was canceled. I really hope this decision is reconsidered because the only reason I would miss it would be if it aired opposite Grey’s Anatomy.
MY KIDS LOVE SURFACE PLEASE BRING IT BACK IT WAS SUCH A GREAT SHOW GREAT CAST AND IT LOOKED GREAT ON HD CHANNEL
Please bring back Conviction, we loved it!
Bring back Joey. I was and still am a HUGE fan of Friends and I think this is a great spin-off.
what happened to medium? If it is cancelled,PLEASE, PLEASE, Please BRING IT BACK.
Please bring back CONVICTION! It’s obvious that there are many fans of this show.
Please please please, I ain’t too proud to beg NBC and anyone that will listed…bring back Conviction. I love this show and am so ready to see it in the fall lineup.
I know this. I won’t be watching television anymore except for sports and news. There’s no point in getting interested in prime time shows anymore. They cancel them after just a few episodes. Then they (networks) cancel them after a season leaving you hanging because they don’t finsh them. That irritates me to no end. Now I know why people are watching “cable”. Goodbye TV.
What were you thinking canceling Conviction. You made a huge mistake. The episodes were great and we looked forward to it every week. Take off some reality shows they are the dumb ones. Please bring back Conviction you won’t regret it.
BRING BACK CONVICTION!!! I think this is one of the best layed out series in a long time. I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the week to sit back and relax to watch it. It was always on my DVR to record it whether I was there to watch it or not. Please bring it back, just try it on a different show time.
Bring Back Joey!
I just found out they canceled Conviction! I’m heart broke – BRING IT BACK!!!
BRING BACK CONVICTION NBC!!!!! IT’S BAD ENOUGH WE HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH PRIME TIME FOOTBALL ON SUNDAY NIGHTS BUT YOU HAVE TO REMOVE ONE OF MY FAVORITE SHOWS?? ISN’T WATCHING FOOTBALL ALL DAY SUNDAY ENOUGH???