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?
I already miss Friday Night Lights and it isn’t over yet. I was really looking forward to The Gates coming back. The networks need to give the shows more of a chance. I am glad to see that The Defenders isn’t on the list.
Please do not cancel Friday night lights or Detroit 187 They are both very good shows. We could do with a lot less reality shows and more interesting shows which both of these are.
How many Bozo’s does it take to run networks into the ground? Ratings started to dropping every since arrivals of the cell phone computers. So the Network want to see how many more loyal watcher they can they can get rid of.. Wright Brother had a dream to make a big iron thing fly, Grandpa Rating system irregularity of some poll from such outdated opinion. Charlie Sheen IS PROOF. He is loved in one place and hated in other places. Duh! Not winning They had this system around since radio days. Its like a poll more comes to the poll… Read more »
We need to do something about the television demise. Dear Oprah, First let me begin by saying thank you for everything you have done for us as Americans, as well as the people all over the world for the past 25 years. It has been a delight and inspiration to watch your show every day, you will truly be missed. This letter to you has been a long time in the making, and now with your very soon departure (yes, better late than never) I am reaching out to you for help, the help that only YOU can provide to… Read more »
Glory Daze, Greek and Last Comic Standing need to be italicized. 🙂
Beth Coccaro » Thanks for the note!
Just a few weeks back ABC News was talking about a face transplant story documented by the new season of Boston Med that was currently filming. Unless it was just recently canceled?
RecceR » The face transplant story was the eighth and last episode of the run. It aired last summer.
Oh, my bad. I must have missed that episode. sorry
What do you expect when all that people watch now is reality tv?
Only one there that shouldn’t be is “The Closer” I understand at some point a show just runs out of steam but this is one of TV’s better shows. I would like to see not only more of it but more of it with Kyra’s daughter who played her niece–they were so great together.
harrys law is the best show to come out in many a year. do not cancel but give it a chance for one more season
What about Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List?
@Pikachu: Seems we missed that one. Thanks.
Bring the gates back and dark blue , im so sick of watching shows and them getting cancelled for some reality show
I loved Detroit 1-8-7. It was not given a chance. They did not show it consistently every week at the same time. They jockeyed it around so people could not find it. It was a really good show!! Please do not can it.
I want Medium back. Gates would be nice too.
Someone Dress up “Wrestlers” and call it “Reality Show” It is killing my TV Friends. ANYONE out there Want To THROW Our TV FRIENDS a Life Preserver? YouTube would be a great place to start. I have seen “You Tube” Reach Today Show. Maybe some of us should race with some Clever Way to get HITS. Let see if one of us can reaches Today Show. We should use FaceBook, MySpace, and Twitter as much as we can as well. OKAY GUYS GET READY GET SET, LETS GO GUYS! Charlie Sheen Is Boo In One Places and S Hit another… Read more »
You know We have came along ways since GRANDPA’S RATING SYSTEM. Now you can Steam Movie, So Jason Why Can’t Network get a Device that may Gathering and Calculate Data Steam it right to the Networks from Cable and Dish etc.? With all the new technology that is growing everyday. GRANDPA’S RATING SYSTEM is outdated and has no place right now. It would be ashamed if Networks refuse to get updated and get rid of it. Back in the day. GRANDPA’S RATINGS SYSTEM had only Radio to competed with. Its a New Age and New Wave, With New technology Computers,… Read more »