This list encompasses TV shows that have been cancelled or have ended and so won’t be back for the 2012-13 season. It covers those that have gotten the ax roughly between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012.
In some cases, the last installments of the TV shows aired months earlier but the network didn’t get around to cancelling the series until later. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, try the 2010–2011 listings, the 2009–2010 listings, or maybe you’ve gotten lucky!
Because there have been so many cancellations, we’ve split this list up into three pages. This is the second. You can also check out page one and page three.
Now, on to the obituaries…
Most recent additions: The Buried Life, Dog Whisperer, How to Rock, and Teen Mom.
Free Agents (NBC)
The second NBC series of the new fall season to be pulled, this Hank Azaria sitcom fell to a 1.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic, despite much stronger lead-ins. For whatever reason, audiences just rejected this one.
Friends with Benefits (NBC)
The peacock network delayed this sitcom until the middle of the summer, an indication that they had no faith in it. The ratings were indeed terrible and they only aired 12 of the 13 episodes.
GCB (ABC)
Not enough viewers were interested in watching this dramedy about a former mean girl who returned home to Texas.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels (A&E)
The cable channel decided to pull the plug after seven seasons, likely due to a steep decline in ratings.
A Gifted Man (CBS)
Starring Patrick Wilson, this show had a lot of viewers but not enough young ones for CBS.
Good Vibes (MTV)
The animated series had a bumpy ride to the small screen, having started as a pilot of FOX. Unfortunately, the ratings weren’t high enough to warrant a second season.
H8R (The CW)
Hosted by Mario Lopez, this reality series matched celebrities with regular people who dislike them in the hopes of changing their perception. Few were interested.
The Hard Times of RJ Berger (MTV)
This high school series was barely renewed for a second season and the ratings only got worse in year two. Despite leaving some shocking and unresolved storylines without a conclusion, RJ and his pals won’t be back.
Harry’s Law (NBC)
Kathy Bates and company won’t be back for new cases next year. The series attracted a lot of viewers but not enough in the key demo.
HawthoRNe (TNT)
Starring Jada Pinkett Smith, this medical drama lasted three seasons and ended on a major cliffhanger. Sadly it’s been cancelled and won’t be back.
House (FOX)
After eight seasons, the decision was made to end the venerable medical series.
How to Be a Gentleman (CBS)
The sitcom did decently by most standards but CBS has big hit comedies and new ones have to meet a high standard. CBS cut the season order to nine episodes, shut down production, and shipped the show to the Saturday night graveyard.
How to Make It in America (HBO)
Ben and Cam try to make it in the fashion industry but their show didn’t make it past season two.
How to Rock (Nickelodeon)
The cable channel has decided that 24 episodes are enough for Kacey (Cymphonique Miller) and her bandmates.
Hung (HBO)
Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane) may be popular with the ladies but the cable channel tired of his company. They’ve cancelled the show after three seasons and 30 episodes.
I Hate My Teenage Daughter (FOX)
Not many people watched this sitcom and the network pulled it prematurely.
I Just Want My Pants Back (MTV)
A dramedy about teens in Brooklyn, this series started out with big ratings but they didn’t last. It’s been cancelled.
I’m in the Band (Disney XD)
The comedy about a 15-year-old who joins his favorite adult band ended after two seasons and 41 episodes. The last one aired on December 9, 2011.
In Plain Sight (USA)
The cable channel announced that season five would be the last for Mary McCormack and company. The series finale aired on May 4, 2012.
In the Flow with Affion Crockett (FOX)
The comedy sketch show ran during the summer months and didn’t generate much interest. It’s been canned and all six episodes have aired.
It’s Worth What? (NBC)
Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, this game show ran for one season and nine episodes.
Jane By Design (ABC Family)
After one season and 18 episodes, Jane won’t have to figure out how to juggle school and work.
John King, USA (CNN)
This news program began airing in March 2010 and was replaced in June 2012. The host will continue with CNN and focus on the presidential election.
The Joy Behar Show (CNN)
Her cable show has come to an end but you can still see outspoken Behar weekday mornings on The View.
Karaoke Battle USA (ABC)
The winner of season one will be the only winner that this series ever has. The sixth and final episode aired on September 16, 2011.
Kendra (E)
The fourth season of this reality series is the last. It ran for 45 episodes with the finale airing on November 20, 2011.
The Killing (AMC)
Based on a Danish series, this show ran for two seasons and 26 episodes. Many viewers were upset when the show’s murder mystery wasn’t solved at the end of the first season and the ratings dropped for season two. Fox Television Studios said that they planned to shop it to other outlets.
King (Showcase)
This Canadian police drama ran for two seasons and 21 episodes. The finale ran on May 25, 2012.
The Life & Times of Tim (HBO)
The cable channel cancelled the animated show after two seasons but then resurrected it for a third round of 10 episodes. They’ve now dumped it again.
Lopez Tonight (TBS)
George Lopez’s sitcom ran for six seasons but his late-night talk show barely lasted two seasons before being cancelled.
Love Bites (NBC)
This anthology series about amour was conceived to revolve around two women in search of love. Off-camera problems created delays, what aired was very different, and most people ignored it.
Luck (HBO)
The drama boasted lots of talented actors but not many viewers cared enough to watch. After three horses died during the production of season two, the cable channel shut down the series.
Make It or Break It (ABC Family)
The cable channel gave the TV series just eight episodes for season three. It turns out that those will be the end.
Mama’s Boys From the Bronx (TLC)
The reality show was pulled from the schedule after just two weeks. It’s been cancelled, according to one of the show’s stars.
Man Up! (ABC)
This series was a ratings disappointment and dropped nearly every week it was on the air. ABC pulled it after eight episodes had aired and released the remaining five online.
Man vs Wild (Discovery)
After seven seasons and 76 episodes, the adventures of Edward Michael “Bear” Grylls have come to an end — at least on this show.
Man, Woman, Wild (Discovery)
Special Forces survival expert Mykel Hawke and his savvy journalist wife Ruth England took on many challenges but didn’t make it to season three. The last episode aired on January 19th.
The Marriage Ref (NBC)
Hosted by Tom Papa, this non-scripted show last two seasons and 20 episodes.
The Martha Stewart Show (Hallmark)
The daytime show started as a syndicated series and was nearly cancelled but was picked up by Hallmark as part of a bigger deal. It wasn’t a success for Hallmark so they’ve canned it.
Memphis Beat (TNT)
Jason Lee and company won’t be back for a third round of episodes. The show was cancelled after two seasons on the air.
Men of a Certain Age (TNT)
Though beloved by some critics and viewers, this drama never caught on with a big audience and lasted just two seasons.
Minute to Win It (NBC)
The game show won’t be back for another round. It lasted two seasons and 66 episodes.
Mistresses (BBC America)
A show about a group of female friends, this TV series ended in February after three seasons on the air.
Missing (ABC)
A former CIA Agent goes searching for her missing son but didn’t find enough viewers.
You can also check out page one of this list and page three.
Lists of cancelled or renewed TV shows by network: ABC | CBS | The CW | FOX | NBC
What do you think? Are you surprised that any of these shows have been cancelled? Which one(s) will you miss the most?
r.i.p rj berger 🙁
GCB and Missing, I am upset and insulted that you take an invented number of “viewers” to determine if these are good shows. Why those numbers, because you put the show on when you know other more viewed ones are being aired. Result, the viewer must pick and choose which one to watch and which one to wait for the next day to watch, but still is “viewing” it. A working, searching for work, no cable, but has to locate shows on computer people are those viewers if counted you WOULD still have these shows aired. To not put this… Read more »
I find it so annoying that the viewer get invested in a particularly show and they turn around and cancel it so that it was a waste of your personal time. I was so committed the “The Firm” and now I find it’s been cancelled. Yet, all these stupid reality shows are kept on season after season, innudating every channel on regular TV and spilling over into cable. And the best part is the large cable bill you receive and pay on a monthly basis for having the opportunity to watch the garbage that should have been cancelled. Mamma mia,… Read more »
Amen.
A Gifted Man was a great show with really good actors and story plots. The network wanted younger viewers, how sad that anyone over the age of 50 is too old for the networks
I’m in total agreement. Loved Gifted Man! And The Firm, Hate reality TV – too much of it ( brainless) & geared to kids . Need more variety. Maybe us “old people” should cancel cable. & watch Hulu on laptops??
I totally agree Fran, I loved that show, it was so good and I agree the plots were exciting.
I would like to know how they get their ratings especially age specific. I read where one show was cancelled because there were a lot of viewers just not young enough. I would just wish that if they are canceling a show it would be nice if they gave it an ending before doing so. We put a lot of time into watching some of these shows and they cancel it while leaving us hanging. So not fair. I could go on and on and list all the shows that they have cancelled that were great shows but that would… Read more »
That is so true! In this day and age where we can VCR and watch it again (over and over I might add), it is not fair to go with a specific audience. I am SO tired of mindless reality shows. From other people I have talked, they are too. We pay a fortune for cable and it is either the same 5 movies hour after hour day after day. And no, it really can not be called and encore showing anymore or idiotic “Hillbillies, Ice truckers, Dog the bounty hunter, the list goes on and on. Why isn’t it… Read more »
I hate that Harry’s Law has been canceled….it was a treat little sitcom… we need another stupid reality show put on
[…] Because there have been so many cancellations, we’ve split this list up into three pages. This is the third. Here is page one and here is page two. […]
harry’s law, the killing, awake, missing……maybe there are other events or shows that air at the same time, I don’t know but I do know that you continue to cancel the shows that I really like and you keep the dorky, don’t make sense type of shows come on give the good shows a chance,,,advertise them more
I can not belevie that Martha Stewart show on Hallmark is cancelled. It has been so helpful to us crafters and especially to us that look forward each day to her show.
Very disapointed .
[…] we’ve split this list up into three pages. This is the first. You can also check out page two and page […]