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?
From all the cancelled showed mentioned, there is only one that I shall truly miss. That would be Brothers & Sisters…. I could relate to the mahem that is called family!!!
I’m really disappointed about Detroit 1-8-7! I really liked that show. I think if they did another season it would have picked up!!
Network Executives are morons.
She says so eloquently. Hit the nail on the head. Now lets use the hammer to thump the network executives on the head. 🙂
I really think CBS should give the defenders another chance. It is a funny show. I wish All my Children and one life to live producers will find anothe network for these two soaps because they are both still going strong.
Unbelievable that Chicago Code is canceled. It is one of the BEST shows on television and very realistic. I guess the networks are catering to the kiddies and keeping Jersey Shore, Teen Mother, Bachelor, etc. What a wast of time. Those of us who pay the cable or dish bill are getting shafted. Most of the shows they are keeping are about sex, unwed mothers (promoting teen pregnancy), alchohol abuse, etc. And who really cares about people who are so hard up that they have to go on television as a “bachelor” or “bachelorette” to find a mate. What’s this… Read more »
The Good Guys was laugh-out loud-funny. Lie To Me was interesting. I wish that the failed sitcoms, would cause those in charge to rethink family oriented shows. My kids are grown, but if I had school age children, I wouldn’t want them to be watching all the content that now seems so acceptable. At least wait until after 9 pm. I strongly agree w/comments already made about moving shows around, and not giving us time to watch them before they are pulled. We can’t possibly watch everything!! Maybe we didn’t watch one of their shows, because we were watching and… Read more »
Better With You…was a very funny show full of great characters. I am glad Cheers didn`t
suffer this quick demise.I guess we never learn. BTW what are they going to put on in it`s place??? Oh wait I know another show set in a hospital..BS reality shows or….I know
a cop show!!! Also a big FU to cancelling Terriers also.
OMG….ABC has made so made bad decisions..Brothers & Sister’s was a family oriented show…ABC does not care what we think
The networks are making huge mistakes by rotating TV shows the way they are doing. I believe that a lot of people are getting turned off. I am an avid TV watcher and I am feeling discouraged with all the cancellations. How am I to start watching any new shows? They will just be cancelled and I am going to be pissed off.
I read the lists of cancellations and really wonder how the decisions are made. I checked the various lists and a number of shows we really enjoy are cancelled – Lie To Me, Chase, Human Target, Chicago Code yet somehow Cougar Town keeps coming back – I don’t believe it! I am so tired of reality shows and that seems to be all they keep coming out with. I am very disappointed.
They take off shows like Defender and Chase and will put on some garbage reality show like Jersey Shores, Teen mother (or whatever the name of the stupid show is) and Bachelorette. When are they going to realize we are really sick of the reality shows??? If I want to watch a show about teens that get pregnant and jerks that get drunk every night, all I have to do is walk around my city. I live in Las Vegas and see it every day. Everytime they want to get rid of a show, they switch it to Friday or… Read more »
Chicago Code was too realistic. It presents Chicago like it is and probably it home for those in higher authority – perhaps in Washington. Was that why it was cancelled?
I really think that the stations are cancelling shows to quick. We and everyone was just getting into the Event. We will really miss it. We loved Brothers and Sisters. What a great show. No more realality shows. No more dancing, singing, weight loss or race shows. We want to be entertained with good old fiction. Please, give the shows more time. I am speaking for many people.
Come on networks! You are the ones who kill your own shows….you put them on a certain night, they air for like 4 episodes, then you take them off the air for few weeks. Then when the show returns it on a different night and time. And you wonder why the ratings are low. Nobody knows when the show will be on!!! If you don’t move the shows around, you air it for like 2 episodes, do no promotion for it and if the ratings aren’t sky high you cancel it. Geez why should we start watching and get invested… Read more »
I agree with you! All the moving around, nights/times air a couple of episodes and weeks without. They are nothing but BONEHEADS whoever it is that makes this decisions.
I will certainly miss The Closer. Kyra sedgewick is SUPERB! I’ll also miss Brothers and Sisters. I would like to see ALL the reality shows CANCELLED. Oh, I also hope that Mariska Hargitay continues on Law and Order SVU. Her acting is excellent!