CBS cancelled its BrainDead TV show after just one season. Back in October, we reported the summer series’ cancellation was due to low ratings.
A comedic political thriller, BrainDead starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Danny Pino, Aaron Tveit, Tony Shalhoub, Nikki M. James, Johnny Ray Gill, Charlie Semine, and Jan Maxwell. Now TV Line reports co-creator Robert King admitted the show was probably not meant for CBS or any broadcast networks.
About the BrainDead TV Show Cancellation
BrainDead follows fresh-faced, Laurel Healy (Winstead), who has returned DC to work for her brother, Senator Luke Healy (Pino) on Capitol Hill. King created the Washington DC political comic-thriller with wife Michelle King.
Here’s more from King, via TV Line:
Speaking to reporters Monday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour, exec producer Robert King was asked what lessons he learned in the wake of the offbeat political dramedy’s demise after just one season.
“Avoid satire,” he responded with a laugh. “It was a show that was trying to be as weird and anti-network as could be, and it was probably a mistake to do that on a network. But I loved that show.”
The one silver lining of BrainDead‘s cancellation: It freed up him and partner Michelle King to take on a larger role (as showrunners) in the forthcoming Good Wife spin-off The Good Fight.
What do you think? Did you watch the first season of the BrainDead TV show? Do you think it might have had a longer run on premium cable or a streaming platform? Sound off in the comments.
It’s obvious why the show was cancelled. Got too close to the truth and people can’t handle the truth.
Being an armchair political junky, I totally enjoyed the show. But I could see why the ratings were low. Most people just wouldn’t or didn’t “get” it. If they reivived it in some form for cable I think it would do better, keeping the irony and comedic aspect of it. If they do, I hope that Prime runs it.
It was greatest show on TV. I can understand why you may say it was not for network TV but if you gave it more of a chance people may get smarter and realize how funny it was. Network TV is designed for morons.
It obviously struck too close to home for the CBS executives that supported extreme right wing conservatives, inferring that their politicians are brain dead. It was an amazing show, Clearly needed to be on a streaming platform.
Maurice Ambrosoli, Loved it
I loved it and wish it would run on Netflix with a second series. It is relevant just like the original Body Snatcher movie.