Has your favorite TV show been cancelled? Here’s a list of television series that won’t be back for the 2011–2012 TV season. If your favorite is on the list, you have our condolences.
This list encompasses shows that have been cancelled so far, covering those that get the ax between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011. In some cases, the last episode of a show aired months earlier but the network didn’t get around to canceling the series until later. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, try the 2008–2009 page, the 2009–2010 listings, or maybe you’ve gotten lucky!
Note: Go here for the latest 2011-12 season list.
Now, let’s bow our heads and remember these fallen series…
$#*! My Dad Says (CBS) NEW
This William Shatner sitcom performed well but it wasn’t good enough for CBS. All 18 episodes have aired and there won’t be any more.
18 to Life (The CW)
A comedic series, about a pair of teens who get married on a dare, didn’t register with US viewers. It was renewed in Canada for a second season but has now been cancelled there as well.
100 Questions (NBC)
This sitcom went through a lot of changes before it got to the small screen and was postponed until after the regular season. The ratings were terrible so it was cancelled after six episodes. The last one aired on July 1, 2010. We never saw Charlotte Payne find her match.
All My Children (ABC)
A staple of the ABC daytime schedule since 1970, the network has decided to pull the plug. The last episode will air in September 2011. Note: It was later announced that the soap will continue as a web series.
America’s Most Wanted (FOX) NEW
After more than 20 years on the air as a regular series, the network is dropping it in favor of drama repeats. AMW will return four times a year in the form of two-hour specials.
America’s Next Great Restaurant (NBC) NEW
This reality series stumbled right out of the gate so it’s no surprise that it won’t be back next season.
As the World Turns (CBS)
This venerable soap opera was incredibly popular in its day but has been struggling for years now. After 54 years on the air, viewers have had to say goodbye to the residents of Oakdale. The last episode aired on September 17, 2010.
At the Movies (syndicated)
Movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert began this TV show in 1986 under the title Siskel & Ebert & the Movies. The title changed several times over the years. Siskel died in 1999 and Ebert had to step away during his battle with throat cancer in 2006. Other hosts replaced them but couldn’t recapture the magic of the original sparring critics. It was cancelled and the last episode aired on August 14, 2010. Ebert later announced that he and his wife had plans for their own version of the series. That started airing in early 2011.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Cartoon Network)
This animated series teams the caped crusader with lesser-known heroes and often pays homage to the Adam West TV show from the 1960s.
Better with You (ABC)
Sandwiched between The Middle and Modern Family, this freshman sitcom just didn’t measure up. It’s now been canceled after one season.
Big Love (HBO)
The series about a Utah man and his wives comes to a close after five seasons on the air. The last episode aired on March 20, 2011.
Boston Med (ABC) NEW
A docu-drama medical show that follows the lives and cases of real-life doctors in Beantown. Though the network didn’t describe it as such initially, a representative has confirmed that this is a limited series and there won’t be a second season. The final episode aired on August 12, 2010.
Breaking In (FOX) NEW
After starring in two short-lived dramas on NBC and ABC, Christian Slater decided to try a sitcom on FOX. Though many liked the series, it’s now been cancelled too. Note: FOX later reversed their decision and picked it up for a second season of 13 episodes which will air in early 2012.
Breakthrough with Tony Robbins (NBC)
A feel-good show in which motivational speaker Tony Robbins works with troubled families on a personal level didn’t connect with viewers. NBC cancelled the summer series after two episodes. The remaining four installments were released online.
The Bridge (CBS)
This is a Canadian TV show that follows a cop who’s elected to head the police union. While it’s popular enough in Canada to be renewed for a second season, CBS buried it on Saturday nights and, not surprisingly, it didn’t find an audience in the US. CBS cancelled it after three episodes.
Brothers & Sisters (ABC) NEW
The family drama was on the bubble last season but was ultimately renewed. The ratings dropped this season so it won’t be coming back for season six.
The Cape (NBC)
This superhero series started out okay but the ratings dropped very quickly. NBC cut the season order to 10 installments and released the final episode online only. The upcoming DVD release confirms what we already know, it’s been canceled.
Caprica (Syfy)
The Battlestar Galactica prequel didn’t bring many viewers so it was cancelled after one season. The final five episodes aired in a marathon in January. On the positive side, another prequel is in the works and will be more similar in tone to BSG.
Chase (NBC) NEW
This action series didn’t catch on on Monday nights and did worse on Wednesdays. Thankfully, NBC decided to air the remaining episodes on Saturday nights so fans could see the whole season.
The Chicago Code (FOX) NEW
A cop drama from Shawn Ryan, this series just never caught on with a big audience. The network decided to can it after one season and 13 episodes.
Countdown with Keith Olbermann (MSNBC)
The news commentator announced on-air in January that the show was ending and he was leaving the cable channel. It’s believed that this came about as a result of Olbermann being suspended a couple months earlier for making contributions to three Democrat campaigns, a violation of company policy. He later became the Chief News Officer for Current TV.
Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (CBS) NEW
The network has had great success with procedural spin-offs but this one just didn’t work out. It’s ending after one season of 13 episodes.
Dark Blue (TNT)
A cop drama, which stars Dylan McDermott as the leader of an undercover unit, wasn’t much of a success in season one but the cable channel still renewed it. The ratings got lower in season two so TNT cancelled it. The last two episodes aired on September 15, 2010.
Dating in the Dark (ABC) NEW
This reality series ran for two seasons and tried to answer the age-old question “is love blind?” by letting some men and women get to know each other in the dark. Once the lights are turned on, will they feel the same way about one another? There are 12 episodes and the last ran on September 13, 2010.
Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC) NEW
This gritty cop show just never caught on though many felt it was the best new series of the season. It won’t be coming back.
The Defenders (CBS) NEW
The Vegas lawyers get themselves and their clients out of a lot of scrapes but couldn’t escape cancellation. Like most others, it’s the victim of low ratings.
Note: The Closer was included on a former version of this list because it was announced that season seven would be the final season. Then, TNT decided to extend the season and break it up so that the last episodes won’t air until Summer 2012. Some of the cast may continue in a spin-off without Kyra Sedgwick.
For more, be sure to check out part two, part three, and part four of this list.
What do you think? Are there any shows on this list that you’ll particularly miss?
Sorry to see stargate go obviously syfy is now like all others and all mighty dollar rules
The Closer is one of the best show on TV. I sure hope another network picks this one up.
I am sorry Undercovers was cancelled. It was a modern day take on Hart to Hart. I loved it, and happy I recorded every episode and never erased them. It is really sad NBC wouldn’t make a commitment to this lovely show. It had good actors, good stories and beautifully shot. I hope someone will pick it up.
so sad to see Friday Night Lights go! It was the best drama on TV with by far the best acting!!!
Such aggravation, Networks draw me in, as the spider did the fly. They tease me, with 10 episode. Wine and dine me without no happy ending..I feel like they played with my emotion. Hunted down, killed cupid and broke my heart. Networks decided to cancel 90 percent of the shows I was watching. So I’m switching to Netflix, all the movie you can watch for $9.99. I never in all my years of television seen such drastic chopping of shows. I found they are not discriminate on which type of show I’m watching, rather it to be Sitcoms, Drama or… Read more »
Good gus was funny, just found out its cancelled. It will be missed.
I really liked the program Undercovers. The leading cast members were terrific and the plot was light yet serious. With all the reality shows there has not been much on tv. I don’t have the luxury of cable or satellite programing so there isn’t much to choose from. It seems all the shows I like get cancelled. I channel jump and sacrifice programs when they are on at the same time. There are too many game, reality, news shows etc. And, quit moving programs around. Who/what/where are these pollsters/demographers? I have never gotten to vote on the shows that I… Read more »
My wife and I loved Terriers and are very disappointed that it is being discountinued!!!
Some very good shows are on this list, unfortunately. Like “Firday Night Lights”, “Dark Blue”, “Men of a Certain Age”, just to name a few that I really liked. Not too many shows on tv now that are worth tuning into, especially all of the “reality” shows. They are over-running tv screens all over the cfountry & seem to be increasing at the speed of rabbits. Please think about the de4cisions to take good shows off air & replae them with good old JUNK!!
I am not normally a SiFi type person but Battlestar Galactica was a good show with a bad / TERRIBLE ending. The Caprica spin off was just OK, but we all knew how it would end BECAUSE of Galactica. Anyway, it’s sad that Stargate Universe is now falling by the wayside. Had I not been watching the first I would have never seen any of the others. So it’s my OWN FAULT for watching SiFi. Seems the people who make the decisions may not have a brain or care about everyone else, but with all the decent shows being canceled,… Read more »
I loved The Good Guys and Terriers. I don’t have cable, so I had to watch Terriers on Hulu, but I watched every episode, and couldn’t wait for the next one. I blame reality TV for the lack of good, smart television. Now I’m worried about Fringe.
I had many favorite shows that are on this list that have been cancelled. I know that the networks have to get new shows so that people will not get bored with television, but I just wish that they gave the shows a little bit of a longer chance. I really liked Scoundrels, The Gates, Undercovers, Lone Star, Dark Blue, Persons Unknown, and The Whole Truth. Geez it was all of their first seasons. I hope that these shows get picked up somewhere else because they were all great shows and had great stars in them. Some of these shows… Read more »
terriers was a very good show that i will greatly miss
Sad to see Undercovers go. It was a great program. Great formulas, and I felt like they were on the brink of some bigger plot twists before it got announced as an axe. I hope NBC or another network will (re) consider picking up this show.
It is also a program that shows African Americans in a unique, more positive light. Where else can you go to see African Americans in a serious role, as leading characters, in action roles. Love it! It’s a unique show. Please don’t let it die.
Undercovers is a great show and NBC should put it on the USA network! The USA has great oringinal shows but now they are airing only on Tuesday Night and Thursday Night!
The people at NBC do not know their Programing History, because If they did they would know “Mash” had to find it’s slot and so did “Hill Street Blues” and even MSNBC was not forthcoming with a committment to “Morning Joe”.