After NBC’s worst season, it’s no surprise that the peacock network is shaking up their 2007-08 schedule. There’s also little surprise about which shows didn’t survive. Here’s what won’t be returning next season:
Andy Barker, P.I. – The Andy Richter comedy series ran for six episodes to poor ratings. NBC put the last two on Saturday night and it seemed like the sitcom was doomed before it began.
The Black Donnellys – The Paul Haggis series was pulled after six episodes and the remaining episodes have been made available on NBC’s site and iTunes.
Crossing Jordan – After six seasons on the air, Jordan has solved her last case. The series finale airs on Wednesday, May 16, 2007.
Grease: You’re The One That I Want – The ratings were a disappointment and seriously, how could they do another season anyway — fire the first years’ winners to make room for the second’s?
Identity – The Penn Jillette-hosted game show about contestants identifying strangers’ hobbies or occupations is finished after 12 episodes.
Raines – The quirky Jeff Goldblum detective show ran all seven episodes to poor ratings. It won’t be back.
The Real Wedding Crashers – The reality series that replaced Donnellys was pulled from the schedule after three episodes. NBC may air the remaining episodes during the summer.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – The much-hyped Aaron Sorkin series didn’t live up to expectations. It will return on May 24th and hopefully NBC will air all six of the remaining episodes. A DVD release is likely.
Thank God You’re Here – The improv sketch show’s ratings were nothing to smile about so it’s been cancelled after seven episodes.
Twenty Good Years – This sitcom starred series veterans John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor, was pulled from the network schedule after just four episodes. It’s doubtful that the remaining episodes will air.
Returning in the fall are: 30 Rock, The Biggest Loser, Dateline, Deal or No Deal, ER, Friday Night Lights (moved to Fridays at 10pm), Heroes, Las Vegas, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: SVU, My Name is Earl, The Office, and Scrubs. Law & Order and Medium (moved to Sunday nights) will return mid-season (January 2008) or earlier.
The Apprentice was left off the Fall schedule but NBC and creator Mark Burnett are still in talks of bringing back the series in some form. Mark Burnett previously pledged to find another home for the reality show if NBC drops it.
The Friday night 8pm timeslot has been designated as “game night” and will consist of rotating reality or games shows. The Bob Saget-hosted series 1 vs. 100 will air for eight weeks initially. 
I agree with some of the comments, HBO should get Black Donnellys and Studio 60. I think the performances are simply amazing. Studio 60 needed more drams but has improved it the last couple of shows, it’s witty and the actors are wonderful, what a waste! Donnellys, being canceled,I think is a terrible decision. HBO, help please!!!
NBC-NOTHING BUT CRAP! That is what I Think of NBC”s programming since they CANCELLED CROSSING JORDAN. I can’t believe they would cancel such a well cast and well written show for some new crap. NBC KEEP THE CRAP,LOSE THE VIEWERS! This seems to be standard operating procedure for your execs. I am definitely one more viewer you have decided to allienate. I will now have one more hour of NO TV time each week because there is no other show I like to watch as much as Crossing Jordan. The TIVO will be getting time off too because I tried… Read more »
I have been a faithful viewer of Crossing Jordan and am really going to miss it. Other than the Law and Order Series, NBC has not had much to capture my viewing. I do hope you will reconsider and bring Jordan back.
I have been a faithful viewer of Crossing Jordan and am really going to miss it. Other than the Law and Order Series, NBC has not had much to capture my viewing. I do hope you will reconsider and bring Jordan back.
What in the world were you thinking, NBC execs?
Yanking Crossing Jordan from our screens with absolutely no notice… after six seasons of finely-crafted, great episodes, surely this great show deserved a LOT better.
Proof positive that it’s all about the Benjamins, baby – mindless pap reality TV being far easier and cheaper to produce than QUALITY.
Please, please… bring back CJ – one of the best shows in years.
Hey NBC, you’ve done it again. Cancelling Raines is a bad move – of course, over the years of watching your network, I’m getting used to you cancelling shows that have any intelligence in them at all. What a rotten time slot, too! I used to be a faithful NBC watcher, but the only show I watch now is Medium, which I suppose you will cancel next year. How many people have to tell you before you listen: THERE IS TOO MUCH “REALITY” TELEVISION OUT THERE AND NOT ENOUGH QUALITY SHOWS!
I’m really disappointed in NBC for cancelling Raines. I have read posts from so many people that feel the same… I guess I just don’t understand how these decisions are made. Has anyone on this blog ever been asked what they watch? I am a die-hard tv viewer and have never once been counted in ratings. I just don’t get it. I wish some networks would have a spine and stand up and fight for good, smart shows… market them, and give them enough episodes to build a following. Losing shows like this is another sign of our culture falling… Read more »
Crossing Jordan has been one of my “must see” programs. I found “Raines” quirky and enjoyable. Andy Richter is one of the funniest guys ever; his show was hysterical! But don’t think what the audience wants is actually what the networks give us. It’s all about money and politics. The networks do not really care about the audience, quality or popularity or the fact that they cancel shows with cliffhanger endings or unresolved plotlines.
If these posts are any indication of how the public feels when it comes to TV, they (we) are getting sick of all of the boring reality shows and mindless unfunny comedies. All of these opinions also show that Raines was probably cancelled prematurely. Other shows that don’t have the star power or great writing of Raines are kept on, while Raines is scrapped after 7(?) quality episodes. How do the networks hope to get loyal viewers when they continue to make poor programming decisions?
I think that the people at NBC really need to get some new blood into the desition making chair!! How could you cancel Crossing Jordan and Raines to put on another stupid reality show??!! I think that normal families have enough reality everyday in their own lives. What we look for on tv is some time to relax and ENJOY non-reality. We enjoy watching ENTERTAINMENT!! Please reconsider putting these shows back on the air!!
Are you paying attention NBC – count the references to Raines and S-60! What demographic or “box” are you paying attention to? I only DVR or watch online these two events on your network, guess what – the others I view are on ABC and now… NBC has been cancelled from MY scheduled line up.
Really big mistake…
Please bring Raines back. Jeff is terrific and it just was not given time to build an audience base.
I just found out Raines was canceled. Boo! It was my favorite new show – but they didn’t give it much of a chance, premiering it mid-season and airing it on Fridays. If NBC has any sense, they’ll bring back Raines.
Studio 60 is one of the most brilliant shows on TV and they’re cancelling it? The casting, directing, writing, and acting are unparalleled. How can NBC not see it? I don’t want to watch 1 vs. 100 or any of the other goofy things they’re putting on instead! And I was just getting into Raines and they pulled the plug. It’s like one of the other posts said…if a show doesn’t make it in the “ratings game” by Episode 2, the Execs yank it. Heroes and Medium are the only things I watch on NBC, and I can tell I… Read more »
i’m so bummed that they won’t be bringing back a sbow like “Grease: You’re the one that I want”! This was my third favorite show. I enjoyed it just as much if not more than American Idol. I thought they’d bring it back with contestants for another broadway play. Am I the only person who enjoyed this show?