Here’s a “quick” listing of shows that won’t be back for the 2010 — 2011 TV season. If your favorite is on the list, you have our condolences. If they’re not, keep your fingers crossed that they won’t soon be joining this little obituary column.
This list encompasses shows that have been cancelled from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010. In some cases, the last episode of a show aired months before that time but the network didn’t get around to canceling it until later. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, try the 2008 — 2009 page or maybe you’ve gotten lucky!
‘Til Death (FOX)
The Brad Garrett – Joely Fisher sitcom survived to see four seasons thanks to a deal with Sony TV who wanted to produce enough episodes for a syndication package. After lots of low ratings, the show’s luck ran out and it was cancelled. The final episode airs on May 19th.
10 Things I Hate About You (ABC Family)
This adaptation of the movie of the same name (which itself was a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew) did well in season one but viewership dropped off in season two. As a result, there won’t be season three.
24 (FOX)
It looks like Jack Bauer will finally get a day off. The network, studio, and executive producers have decided to end the series after eight seasons. Fans can take solace in the fact that there are already plans to make a movie.
Accidentally on Purpose (CBS)
We won’t get to see how Billie and Zach do as parents or as a married couple. The sitcom’s been cancelled after 18 episodes.
As the World Turns (CBS)
The network has decided to end the venerable soap opera after 54 years on the air, due to low ratings. Proctor & Gamble has pledged to try to find a new home for the series but hasn’t had success yet. It will go off the air in September. Petition link.
At the Movies (Syndicated)
The movie review show that featured newspaper film critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel for many years will be coming to a close in August. After parting ways with Disney, Ebert says that he is working on his own program that will incorporate new hosts and interaction with an online audience.
The Beautiful Life (CW)
This show about young models portrays the cut-throat and competitive world of high fashion. Starring Mischa Barton, Corbin Bleu, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Nico Tortorella, and Elle Macpherson, it was the first casualty of the 2009-10 season. The drama had poor ratings and was pulled after two episodes. The series’ five episodes have been posted officially on YouTube.
Ben 10: Alien Force (Cartoon Network)
The animated series is ending after three seasons and 46 episodes. Fans have no reason to worry though, it’ll be replaced by Ben 10: Evolution later this year.
Better Off Ted (ABC)
In truth, ABC probably shouldn’t have given this comedy a second season. Though love it, the series has never caught on with a mass audience. Season two’s ratings were terrible so it won’t be coming back for season three. ABC still has two unaired episodes.
The Bill Engvall Show (TBS)
Comic Bill Engvall plays a family counselor who can’t always figure out his own crazy family. The rest of the sitcom cast includes Nancy Travis, Jennifer Lawrence, Graham Patrick Martin, Skyler Gisondo, and Tim Meadows. The series was cancelled after three seasons and 30 episodes due to a decline in ratings.
Bill Moyers Journal (PBS)
The weekly news program originally ran from 1972 until 1976 and then from 1979 until 1981. Moyers revived the show again in 2007. In November 2009, he announced that he would be retiring from the program as of April 30, 2010.
Blonde Charity Mafia (CW)
This docu-series revolves around a trio of influential young women in Washington, DC. It was initially developed for Lifetime before moving to CW. After delaying its airing, the network has decided to cancel their plans to broadcast it at all. The show may be sold to another outlet.
The Bonnie Hunt Show (syndicated)
This talk show has been on the air for two seasons but hasn’t been a big ratings winner in the competitive daytime market. The distributor decided to cancel it though original programs will continue to be produced until June.
Brotherhood (Showtime)
A gritty drama about two Irish-American brothers; a politician (Jason Clarke) and a thug (Jason Isaacs). Others in the cast include Kevin Chapman, Annabeth Gish, Fiona C. Erickson, Brian Scannell, Kerry O’Malley, Fionnula Flanagan, Madison Garland, and Billy Smith. After three years, Showtime opted not to continue the series. The news broke when the third season was released on DVD as “The Final Season.”
Brothers (FOX)
This sitcom about a former NFL star and his paraplegic brother struggled on Friday nights and then didn’t do any better on Sundays. All 13 episodes aired before the end of 2009 and FOX later decided to cancel it.
The Cleaner (A&E)
This series revolves around a recovering drug addict who helps others beat their own addictions. The drama stars Benjamin Bratt, Brett DelBuono, Liliana Mumy, Grace Park, Esteban Powell, Amy Price-Francis, and Kevin Michael Richardson. The series ended after two seasons and 26 episodes.
Cold Case (CBS)
The investigations are sadly over. Detective Rush and her team won’t be back for season eight.
The Deep End (ABC)
A drama about a group of young and attractive legal eagles didn’t get renewed for another round.
Defying Gravity (ABC)
A group of eight astronauts undertake a mysterious space mission. The sci-fi drama stars Andrew Airlie, Christina Cox, Zahf Paroo, Ron Livingston, Laura Harris, Karen LeBlanc, William C. Vaughan, Malik Yoba, Paula Garces, Florentine Lahme, Eyal Podell, Dylan Taylor, Ty Olsson, Maxim Roy, Peter Howitt, and Lara Gilchrist. ABC aired only seven episodes. The network maintained that they would air the five remaining episodes at a later date but that seems highly unlikely. The sets have been destroyed and the series creator has confirmed the show is finished.
Dollhouse (FOX)
The Joss Whedon series follows a group of people who have their personalities wiped and replaced with other personas for projects-for-hire. Despite low ratings, the series was renewed for a second season but the numbers fell too low for a third year. The show was cancelled and the last episode aired on January 29, 2010.
Eastwick (ABC)
Three women (Rebecca Romijn, Lindsay Price, and Jaime Ray Newman) discover that they have supernatural powers once a handsome stranger (Paul Gross) comes to town. The series didn’t attract enough viewers and was cancelled after 13 episodes. You can read recaps of the two episodes that haven’t run on ABC here and here. Petition link.
ECW (Syfy)
Syfy’s professional wrestling program ran for four seasons and 193 episodes before going off the air. It was replaced by WWE NXT.
Find My Family (ABC)
This reality show helped people to reconnect with their love ones. All eight episodes have aired and it won’t be back for a second season.
FlashForward (ABC)
This drama started out strong in the ratings but viewership kept dropping. Then, ABC put it on hiatus (in part because of the Olympics) and things got even worse. No season two.
Flight of the Conchords (HBO)
A unique comedy and music series, this show follows fictionalized versions of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. After two seasons, they decided to call it quits but may return in a special.
Fly Girls (The CW)
The reality show about five beautiful flight attendants has been grounded after one season.
the forgotten (ABC)
Christian Slater’s second TV series fared only slightly better than his first.
Gary Unmarried (CBS)
A moderate success for the network, the ratings dropped in season two. No season three.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS)
Ratings for this Friday night drama fell significantly this season so it won’t be back, unless ABC picks it up.
The Goode Family (ABC)
An animated sitcom about an overly politically-correct and dysfunctional family that stars the voices of Mike Judge, Brian Doyle Murray, Dave Herman, Linda Cardellini, and Nancy Carell. ABC cancelled the series in August after running all of the episodes. Comedy Central later picked up the series. If it performs well, a second season could have been commissioned but the ratings weren’t there.
The Great American Road Trip (NBC)
This reality show pitted families against one another as they traveled across the country in motor homes. The show quickly ran out of gas and was cancelled after one season of eight episodes.
Guiding Light (CBS)
After 57 years on television, the network decided to end this venerable soap opera. The ratings had been slipping for many years and the curtain came down after 15,762 episodes. Petition link.
Hank (ABC)
Kelsey Grammer stars as a Wall Street CEO who’s fired from his company and returns with his family to live in his small hometown. The rest of the family is played by Melinda McGraw, Jordan Hinson, Nathan Gamble, and David Koechner. ABC shut down production after 10 episodes but only five were shown because of low ratings.
Happy Town (ABC)
Viewers will get some answers before the series finale but not all.
Head Case (Starz)
Alexandra Wentworth stars as an unconventional therapist that helps the Hollywood crowd. After three seasons, the doctor is out.
Here Come the Newlyweds (NBC)
This reality series sought to educate just-married couples by having them take care of babies, toddlers, and senior citizens. It lasted two seasons.
Heroes (NBC)
After seasons of declining ratings, the peacock network has pulled the plug. There are plans in the works to wrap up the series with an event of some kind.
High Society (The CW)
This reality series follows a group of society ladies who attend the best affairs in New York City. The party’s over after one season.
The Hills (MTV)
After six seasons, the reality show is coming to a close. It’s a safe be that we haven’t seen the last of the cast however.
Hitched or Ditched (FOX)
A reality show about long-term relationship couples finally making the leap. It won’t return for season two.
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (NBC)
The peacock network revived this ABC reality series that puts a group of “celebrities” in a jungle and makes them compete in challenges. It wasn’t a success in many ways and won’t be back.
The Jay Leno Show (NBC)
The network wanted to save money by running cheaper programming five nights a week at 10pm. The official line was that they were pleased with the results but the local affiliate stations, whose newscasts were losing viewers as a result, weren’t. As a result, Leno’s show ended in February and he returned to the Tonight Show on March 1st.
The Jeff Dunham Show (Comedy Central)
The ventriloquist’s show got off to a solid start but the ratings quickly dropped. The series was cancelled after one season but the cable channel intends to stay in business with Dunham.
Joe Buck Live (HBO)
This sports talk show got off to a tough start when Artie Lange essentially hijacked the first episode. Three episodes aired and there won’t be a fourth. Buck is in talks to do a similar show for Fox Sports.
Jon & Kate Plus Eight (TLC)
The marriage of Jon and Kate Gosselin fell apart and so did the show’s chances for a sixth season. Kate will continue without Jon for Kate Plus Eight and that’ll start June 6th.
Kings (NBC)
Ian McShane headlines this series about a fictional version of the United States that’s ruled by an absolute monarchy. The rest of the impressive cast includes Christopher Egan, Allison Miller, Susanna Thompson, Macaulay Culkin, Sebastian Stan, Eamonn Walker, Dylan Baker, and Wes Studi. An expensive program to produce, the series didn’t attract many viewers. All 13 episodes were aired.
Law & Order (NBC)
This venerable crime drama was poised to surpass Gunsmoke as the longest-running primetime drama in US history. Unfortunately NBC and Dick Wolf couldn’t come to an agreement and the show is ending after 20 seasons.
Legend of the Seeker (Syndicated)
This fantasy series ran for two seasons before the Tribune stations opted not to renew their contract. ABC Studios, which produces the show, tried to find stations to take their place but was unsuccessful. One of the producers and one of the stars have confirmed that it’s dead.
Lincoln Heights (ABC Family)
After four seasons, the story of Officer Eddie Sutton and his family came to a close. The show’s ratings had dropped and the cable channel opted not to bring it back for another year.
The Listener (NBC)
Craig Olejnik stars as a young paramedic who has the ability to listen to other people’s thoughts. Others in the cast include Enis Esmer, Colm Feore, Lisa Marcos, Mylene Robic, Anthony Lemke, Paulino Nunes. NBC pulled the series after eight episodes but all 13 were shown online and in Canada. NBC has cancelled the show but it’s been renewed in Canada. The producers hope to find another outlet in the US.
Lost (ABC)
What began as a “simple” plane crash story has become into one of the most unforgettable series in television history. The large ensemble cast includes Matthew Fox, Naveen Andrews, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly, and Terry O’Quinn. It was announced in 2007 that the show would end after six seasons.
Melrose Place (The CW)
Not even Heather Locklear could save this spin-off. It’s gone after 18 episodes.
Mental (FOX)
This series got off to a slow start last summer and the ratings didn’t get better for subsequent episodes. FOX opted to cancel the show after all of the episodes had aired.
Mercy (NBC)
It looked like this medical drama was going to easily outperform fellow freshman series Trauma. Unfortunately Mercy couldn’t hold onto its audience and both shows have been cancelled.
Miami Medical (CBS)
This Friday night drama took the Numb3rs timeslot but couldn’t beat its ratings. It won’t return for season two.
Monk (USA)
Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is a police detective whose brilliance is only limited by his obsessive-compulsive disorders. Other series regulars have included Bitty Schram, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford. Monk ended after eight seasons and 125 episodes.
More to Love (FOX)
From the creator of The Bachelor, this dating series attempted to match up a bachelor up with a plus-sized mate. It lasted nine episodes and one season.
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and friends won’t be back for season six, unless ABC decides to save it.
Nip/Tuck (FX)
A show that revolves around plastic surgeons, the series concluded after 100 episodes and seven seasons. The last episode aired on March 3rd. Petition link.
Numb3rs (CBS)
Don and Charlie have finished their cases, after six seasons on the air.
Past Life (FOX)
This drama about a team that try to help people by uncovering past life traumas didn’t make it beyond three episodes before being pulled and cancelled. There are plans to air the remaining episodes this summer.
The Philanthropist (NBC)
A billionaire playboy (James Purefoy) decides to use his wealth and influence to change the lives of others. He’s assisted by his best friend (Jesse L. Martin) and his friend’s wife (Neve Campbell). NBC aired all eight episodes but received low ratings. Though the network hasn’t admitted that it’s been cancelled, a “Complete Series” DVD was released in January 2010.
Raising the Bar (TNT)
A group of former legal students reunite at a law firm and in the the courtroom, often on opposite sides. The series features Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben, Currie Graham, Melissa Sagemiller, J. August Richards, Jonathan Scarfe, Teddy Sears, and Jane Kaczmarek. Ratings were strong for the premiere but quickly fell off and went too low to warrant a third season.
Reno 911! (Comedy Central)
This is a satirical program that follows a fictitious police department in Reno, Nevada. Over the past 88 episodes, the ensemble cast has included Cedric Yarbrough, Niecy Nash, Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney, Carlos Alazraqui, Wendi McLendon-Covey. After six seasons, Comedy Central decided to call it quits.
Rita Rocks (Lifetime)
In this sitcom, Nicole Sullivan stars as an over-stressed mom who manages to find time to play in a local rock band. It lasted two seasons and 40 episodes.
Robin Hood (2006) (BBC)
A retelling of the classic legend that stars Jonas Armstrong, Lucy Griffiths, Richard Armitage, David Harewood, Keith Allen, Gordon Kennedy, Sam Troughton, Joe Armstrong, Lara Pulver, and Harry Lloyd. It was announced in August 2008 that Armstrong, who plays the title character, would be leaving the show after three seasons. A creative revamp was considered but a fourth season wasn’t ordered.
Romantically Challenged (ABC)
The Alyssa Milano sitcom had just aired three episodes when the network decided to cancel the show. No word on when/if the remaining episodes will air.
Ruby & the Rockits (ABC Family)
A teenage girl (Alexa Vega) tracks down her lounge singer father (David Cassidy) and the two move in with her uncle (Patrick Cassidy) and his family (Katie A. Keane, Austin Butler, and Kurt Doss). The series started out strong but ratings declined. ABC Family opted not to order a second season but all 10 episodes aired.
The Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy Central)
Season three almost didn’t happen because of money issues. When the show finally returned, the ratings were poor. Sarah and her pals won’t be back for season four.
Saving Grace (TNT)
A hard-living detective, played by Holly Hunter, is set to solve her final case. The series is scheduled to end after three seasons on June 21, 2010.
Scrubs (ABC)
Though Zack Braff and others left last season, ABC wanted to keep it going so they’d have more episodes for the lucrative syndication package. The ratings for the “med school” version were terrible.
Sons of Tucson (FOX)
The sitcom got off to a poor start and was pulled after four episodes. Unaired episodes start running June 6th but there won’t be a second year.
The Superstars (ABC)
The reality competition series paired celebrities with top athletes and pitted them against other teams. The ratings were terrible and the network even bumped the finale for a rerun of The Bachelorette.
Surviving Suburbia (ABC)
A family sitcom that centers around a grumpy dad (Bob Saget), his family (Cynthia Stevenson, Jared Kusnitz, and G. Hannelius), and his sleazy friend (Jere Burns). The show had a decent start following Dancing with the Stars but fell apart on its own. All 13 episodes of season one aired and the show was cancelled.
Survivors (BBC)
Not a remake of the 1970’s series, this show was also based on the Terry Nation novel. It lasted just 12 episodes.
There Goes the Neighborhood (CBS)
The reality show competition that pit neighbor against neighbor won’t be back for season two.
Three Rivers (CBS)
This medical series follows those who help people in need to organ transplants. Starring Alex O’Loughlin, the show never caught on in the ratings and was pulled after eight episodes had aired. Petition link.
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (NBC)
The peacock network wasn’t seeing the ratings that it expected and wanted to push Tonight to 12:05am so that a half-hour Jay Leno show could air at 11:35pm. O’Brien wouldn’t do it so the show was ended and he left the network, presumably to start a new late night show elsewhere.
Trauma (NBC)
This San Francisco-based drama revolves around a group of brave first responders. The show struggled in the ratings from the start and NBC initially decided not to order any episodes beyond the initial 13 installments. They later changed their minds and ordered more. They didn’t do any better and the show was cancelled. Petition link.
The Tudors (Showtime)
The epic drama, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, is ending after four lavish seasons on Showtime. The series finale is expected to air on June 13th.
The Tyra Banks Show (CW)
The diva and host says that she’s decided to cancel the show to focus more on producing. Other reports have indicated that the series was due to be cancelled because of budget issues.
Ugly Betty (ABC)
ABC has decided to cancel the show after four seasons because of declining ratings in both seasons three and four. The series finale aired on on April 14, 2010.
The Wanda Sykes Show (FOX)
The weekly late night talk show didn’t meet the network’s expectations so it’s not coming back.
What do you think? Which shows from the list will you miss most? Which ones are you glad to see are gone? Which will be next?
FLASHFORWARD??? NOOOOOOOOOOOO……………..I hope they come up with a TV special to tie up loose ends…=o(
no kidding! This sucks!!!
Im` bummed about 10 things I hate about you . I hope they bring it out on DVD! because I could not watch it in the time slot ! on Abc Family! Rita rocks I lovee that show its` so funny! I did not know it was Canceled! Eastwick should of stayed. CW should of Picked Melrose Place up! with its story Hangers and Its` Fab season Finalie. Miami Medical No reason to cancel it! I loved it! Least it ended Ok no Clifhangers Kind of!
really bummed ugly betty, law & order, & cold case were cancelled. didn’t c medium on this list so i hope its coming back. and i couldn’t agree more, insipid shows like american idol, the bachlorette & these mock reality shows continue 2stay on because theres no budget to produce these dreadful, no talent shows. i watch tv because i enjoy scripted shows i.e.: medium; fringe; law & order svu, castle, the good wife, ncis, glee, caprica, to name a few. why don’t they create a mock reality tv station 4 all these dreadful shows, or at least, in my… Read more »
I hate to see Saving Grace go. It is a very engaging show with an all star cast.
Well, Law and Order, the Cleaner, Three Rivers and Hank will be missed in this household. L&O seemed to get better each week from its inception. 3Rs & Hank didn’t get a real chance. The Cleaner must have been too cerebral for A&E. It’s very time consuming to sift through new shows (there are so many turkeys) and when one finally clicks so often it’s gone before I/we can do or say anything. But I always had Law and Order to fall back on. Now I might as well trash the old 54′ tv and move into the retirement home… Read more »
Really pretty shocked about Mercy being dropped!! Wish more people had tuned in, it really was a good show and it will be missed! I agree, the whole season was awesome!! I thought for sure that the finale was leading us to another great season!! Ugh!
I’m sad that Ugly Betty and Flash Forward are gone. I love those two series. Sometimes I wonder, the series that aren’t so great are still going on but the series that people love are gone. Hmm.. strange.
I will miss Gary Unmarried and Old Christine the most. I also enjoyed Better of Ted and Surviving Suburbia, but I will miss the CBS shows the most. CBS has really let me down throughout the year.
I just counted, and 45 shows that I have watched without missing a single episode have been canceled this year due to poor ratings. My guess is that maybe this is due to the fact that many of them could not be trusted to stay in a consistant time slot, or even on a consistant night. I think the networks are trying to force us to watch the much more cheaply produced reality shows that will indoubtedly replace the wonderful programing they deem unpopular. The shows were likely very popular, but when people turned the tv on to watch them,… Read more »
I second that. They blame us for poor ratings when the fact is that they keep changing the viewing time! $”&)(&%#!'(%
Flash Forward is an AWESOME show and should not be cancelled!! The network did not do the show justice by putting the show on hiatus during the olympics… Advertise somemore and get viewership up!!
The New Adventures of Old Christine was great I can’t believe they would cancel this and
keep all that reality trash. It was really funny we loved it.
Flash forward was another favorite and they canceled this what gives with their decisions.
A show gets a following and they take it off the air a few months for some stupid reason or another then balk when the ratings go down. ENOUGH WITH THE REALITY STUFF INCLUDING THAT insipid American Idol.
glo
WHAT THEY ARE CANCELLING MERCY????? That was the best finale all year except greys anatomy, now we will never know what happened, that show was envigorating from the start.
For 20 years we have been entertained with stories “ripped from the headlines”. Ho ever will we suvive without Mccoy and the others….I will miss you all the most.
The New Adventures of Old Christine is one of the funniest shows on CBS…..
I totally agree! I hope they save it!
I love Old Christine… terribly funny and so is Gary Unmarried…. Shoot, what net execs thunkin’???
All of my favorite shows are being canceled from As The World Turns to Bonnie to Flash Forward to Ugly Betty to Mercy and beyond. Perhaps Castle and The Mentalist still remain. I have about given up on tv. Every show that is intelligent as well as entertaining and respects its audience is canceled. Talk about the dumbing down of America. It is too bad that people don’t count more than ratings.