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.
Always the good ones that get cancelled! Netflix Hulu anyone, please bring back Braindead!
that would be amazing if hulu or netflix rebooted this series… then they could add more swearing, gore, and some lewdness… just alittle bit of each & the show would be perfect. lolz
Was this show cancelled because it was mocking politicians or because it’s actually a documentary and they had bury the truth about the alien bug invasion in Washington!!! Either way, awesome show, please bring it back!!! Hilarious!!!!!
That would explain why I still have that song stuck in my head.. Ahh I have a bug in me! I knew it! HELP!! hehehaha
Please, don’t let this fantastic, one-of-kind series suffer a premature demise simply because the show was broadcast on NETWORK CBS TV, obviously an audience more accustomed to Reality TV, “crime drama,” or humorless sitcoms. Now, as the majority of loyal, die-hard “Braindead” viewers watched the series en-masse on Amazon Prime–whose viewership tends to be higher educated along with the ability to recogonize and appreciate satire–why doesn’t Amazon or Netflix pick up the series with Season 2? “Braindead’s” incredible prescience re: the lead-up and outcome of the 2016 Presidential Election; an incredibly-talented, balanced, and supporting cast; a team of writers, directers,… Read more »
The actors were perfect for their roles and the writing was genius. There is not a show that interested me enough to watch an entire season in years. This was a first. I am literally sad inside that there are no more seadons for me to watch. I hòpe something changes and writing continues.
I love this series. Brilliant writing and executed by true professionals in the “acting” arena.
I was so disappointed to see that this show was canceled. It was very very funny. I hope some smart cable or streaming service picks it up. Why is every intelligently written show canceled?
This was a great show that no one knew about. The writing was hilarious . We watched every episode but no one we mentioned it to had ever heard of it. No real promotion by CBS. I’d watch the reruns! With so many bad shows on network tv, it’s a shame CBS gave up on this so fast. Yes, this would a great show on cable or a streaming service hint hint!
My daughter and I (30 years apart) both positively loved Brain Dead! It had a rather slow start but picked up after a few shows and became our favorite. We couldn’t wait each week to see what zany thing they’d come up with next. I believe it would have gained even more fans with a second season. Guess we’ll never know. One thing I am really appreciative of is the way the writers created a nice ending to that one season. So many times a show ends without wrapping things up. I suppose this is because they think a second… Read more »
I loved the show Brain Dead but do feel it would have had a larger audience on cable, especially now that the same story seems to be happening in DC for real!
I hear the toupee hides their mothership… shh it’s a secret 😉
CBS should try running it again now that things have are a little crazy in the new administration. I enjoyed it just for its unbelievable craziness, now it’s not that far off. Was looking forward to season 2.
If TNT had it it would still be on. We loved that show. It was very clever and current. Once again major networks show a fear of the creative and original. ..something that appeals to the curious who aren’t happy just watching programs of an 8th grade level.
I thought this show was great. I hope someone picks it back up.
The show was probably the only thing on TV that I could not tell exactly what would happen by the quarter time. I had not been so quickly attached to a shows first episode since 3rd Rock From the Sun. My wife and I looked forward to the next weeks episode like a 5 year old waits for Christmas. About 2 episodes in I started thinking the plot was self defeating and there was no way you could swing a second season. And then life imitated art and there is enough material to have it rival Gunsmokes longevity just handed… Read more »
This show is screaming to be streaming! Netflix, here’s a great opportunity to snag this and make a series 2! A lot of us who spend most of our time away from broadcast tv were just catching on to what a great show this is/was!
It was the smartest show on TV, which is probably why it failed.