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 can’t believe The Event is being cancelled. This show was great. I think they should have changed the night or time before they came to this conclusion. I hope they put an ending to it before it goes off the air. They just can’t leave us hanging on this one.
BRING BACK CHASE AND DETROIT 187!!!!!!!!!! TWO OF THE BEST QUALITY SHOWS I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME……DOESN’T HELP WHEN NETWORKS MOVE NEW SHOWS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND VIEWERS CAN’T KEEP TRACK OF WHEN IT IS ON. NOT EVERYONE IS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A DVR. THANK GOD BODY OF PROOF IS COMING BACK FOR A SECOND SEAON, OR I WOULD BE REALLED PISSED OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH WILL ALL THE REALITY BULLS#!T
Why is it that some of the shows people say are the best I have never heard of before? Examples: Human Target, Chase, The Good Guys, Lie to Me. Seriously, networks have to get an F- in the advertising and promotion of shows that are not reality t.v.
I am sad to see Brothers and Sisters cancelled….it was dysfunctional family at it’s finest! But I am sooooooo sick of reality shows that I could PUKE!! NCIS, Criminal Minds, etc., at least they are shows that have some drama and story line to them. Bachelor/Bachelerette, The Apprentice, etc., they are so boring and fake that it makes you wonder what kinds of people watch these shows to give them such high ratings.
I am one of those tha have my DVR set to not miss any of my shows, I catch up on the weekends when tv is lite. Chicago code, chase, Target are all high on my list. The suits need to re evaluate what we are watching. Very upset with the cancelling of these shows. Saturday and Sunday are terriable, perhaps you should cancell all programing on those days.
What a shame that the show Chicago Code was cancelled….. It’s a great show and hopefully another network with some foresight will pick it up next season.
I am REALLY sick of REALITY shows and Lawyer shows, and Doctor shows, and Teenage Angst shows, I-Wannabe-Famous shows, Dating/Bachelor/Bachelorette shows, SitComs with “No Brains Just a Sex Drive” shows, Criminal Intent/Minds and CSI Re-Hashed shows…….. Keep some of the GREAT shows you are cancelling !! Am getting to the point where I am about to cancell my satellite and get rid of the TV !!! Losing ANY faith I ever mistakenly gave to the Networks !!! Think I will just keep my DVD player and Rent movies !!
I guess the networks don’t realize how many people DVR the shows, such as Chicago Code. Human Target is another good one that Fox is cancelling to make room for more reality shows BAH HUMBUG. There are enough reality shows on the other networks, Fox needs to keep the action shows alive. I don’t know if the networks get their ratings from Nielsen Ratings, but if that’s the case they may not be to accurate. I know when I was given a Nielsen Rating packet to fill out I tossed it. There was just to much paperwork to be filled… Read more »
Rubicon and Human Target were awesome shows I am sorry to see them go.
I have never seen so many good quality shows on network tv. On most nights I end up watching all 3 networks , tonight it’s abc(wipeout) fox(bones) and cbs (the mentalist) if I had cable tv I might not even make it to the big 3 depending what was on. The suits will figure out sooner or later that these shows are not underperforming , but that the competition from shows like first 48,jersy shore, and the cable blockbuster walking dead ,also premium channels are spreading potential viewers thin. Whatever the benchmark is for a program to be deemed a… Read more »
I have heard rumors that when they take the soaps off the air they are going to be replaced with reality shows, is so I junking my TV.
Rubicon was intense and interesting. Bring it back.
All my Children, it has been on forever and although story lines weak lately, still tape it and watch in with a.m. coffee…
I’ll really miss “Friday Night Lights”. The cast is terrific & depicts a medium sized town in west Texas to perfection.
@pam Networks seem to be their on worst enemy. Network Act as if they are all in a panic mode. Running around with their heads cut off . You are smarter then those fifth graders they have working at the Networks. Since introduce of cell phones and computers, it has hurt. TV and along with it has taken viewers away. The best idea the Networks came up with is ATTACKING the Viewers THAT STAY. My uestion is: why are they canceling show, to Only BE replace with more show, They now they cant bring in the numbers they once had… Read more »
Network execs need to wake up to DVRing in our busy lives. Give the shows a chance! The Chicago code is great!