It happens every year. The networks and cable channels cancel TV shows to make room for new series that will hopefully attract lots and lots of viewers. The 2011-12 season is no exception.
This list encompasses shows that have been cancelled or have ended and 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 episodes of some shows 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 2010–2011 listings, the 2009–2010 listings, or maybe you’ve gotten lucky!
This list used to include the UK’s Skins but, since the last season won’t air until 2012-13, we’re holding it until the 2012-13 list.
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.
Now, let’s take a moment to bow our heads and remember these fallen TV series…
Most recent additions: The Buried Life, Dog Whisperer, How to Rock, and Teen Mom.
Napoleon Dynamite (FOX)
The cult movie was very popular in its day but not enough people were interested in seeing an animated version.
The Nate Berkus Show (syndicated)
The interior designer will finish out his second season but there won’t be a third year of episodes.
The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABC Family)
This drama left viewers with cliffhangers but the ratings just weren’t good enough for them to make any more episodes.
NYC 22 (CBS)
We won’t get to see these police rookies become seasoned cops.
NY Ink (ITC)
The cable channel pulled the plug on this tattoo TV show after two seasons and 18 installments.
One Tree Hill (The CW)
This venerable series has continued to endure despite some major cast changes. The network decided to pull the plug following the ninth and final season of 13 episodes.
Pan Am (ABC)
Like the Pan Am airline, this TV show will fade into history.
The Playboy Club (NBC)
This NBC TV series stumbled right out of the gate and was pulled after three episodes. It wins the distinction of being the first network TV series to be cancelled of the Fall 2011 crop.
Prime Suspect (NBC)
The remake stumbled right out of the gate and the ratings just got worse. NBC aired all 13 episodes and had no reason to order any more.
The Protector (Lifetime)
A drama about a single-mom police detective, this TV series never caught on with a big audience and the cable channel decided not to order a second season.
Q’Viva! The Chosen (FOX)
This reality competition aired in primetime on Saturday nights before being pushed to late night.
Remodeled (The CW)
The network thought this might be a good show to pair with America’s Next Top Model. The network was wrong.
The Revolution (ABC)
The network replaced venerable soap opera One Life to Live with this self-help show and daytime viewers stayed away in droves.
Ringer (The CW)
This Sarah Michelle Gellar series started out strong but the ratings fell as viewers tuned out.
The River (ABC)
The thriller series left viewers “up the creek” with plenty of unanswered questions.
¡Rob! (CBS)
Rob tried to fit in with his new family but the network didn’t think his show was a good fit with the network.
The Rosie Show (OWN)
The Rosie O’Donnell talk show only lasted five months on the air before being cancelled.
Sanctuary (Syfy)
The TV series has come to an end after four seasons on the air. The series finale aired at the end of 2011.
The Secret Circle (The CW)
It looked like this show would be a good companion for The Vampire Diaries but many viewers tired of it and tuned out.
The Sing-Off (NBC)
The a capella competition ran for two successful seasons during the holidays but the third aired last fall and did very poorly.
Skins (MTV)
There was an uproar from some parents groups when this show premiered. That died off and so did viewer interest. It certainly didn’t help that many sponsors pulled their ads from the show. The cable channel cancelled it after one season.
State of Georgia (ABC Family)
The sitcom’s ratings were terrible so it was no surprise that the cable channel cancelled it after all 12 episodes had aired.
Take the Money and Run (ABC)
A pair of regular people try to keep a suitcase filled with cash hidden from a team of cops and detectives. Not enough people were interested so it’s been cancelled.
Teen Mom (MTV)
The reality series that follows the original cast of 16 and Pregnant came to a close on August 28th.
Terra Nova (FOX)
An expensive series to produce, Terra Nova registered only mediocre ratings so the network ultimately decided to cancel it.
ThunderCats (Cartoon Network)
This reboot met with mixed reactions from fans of the original 1985 animated series. It hasn’t been officially cancelled but it is believed that it won’t be back.
True Jackson, VP (Nickelodeon)
Like many other Nickelodeon shows, this kids’ sitcom came to a close after 60 episodes and three seasons.
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne
After eight seasons, viewers have said goodbye to the Payne clan. The sitcom ran for 254 episodes, the longest-running series with a core African-American cast.
Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (TBS)
This sitcom was based on Perry’s 2008 film comedy of the same name. It lasted for five seasons and 140 installments. The series ending aired on November 18, 2011.
Unforgettable (CBS)
A female police detective that remembers almost everything. CBS cancelled it after one season and 22 episodes.
Note: The network later revived the show. It will return for a 13 episode second season for Summer 2013.
Upstairs Downstairs (BBC One)
The revival of the classic UK series lasted for just nine episodes and two brief seasons.
Weeds (Showtime)
It’s time to say goodbye to Nancy Botwin after 102 episodes and seven seasons. The finale airs September 16, 2012.
Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC)
Airing on Friday nights, this feel-good genealogy program lasted for three short seasons.
Who’s Still Standing? (NBC)
Hosted by Ben Bailey, this trivia game show lasted for nine episodes and one short season.
Wizards of Waverly Place (Disney Channel)
After four seasons, the three Russo kids have competed and one was crowned as the wizard of their generation. The series finale aired on January 6th.
Work It (ABC)
This sitcom premiered to poor reviews and ratings. The numbers got even worse in week two so the network pulled it off the air.
You Deserve It (ABC)
Hosted by Chris Harrison, this game show revolves around contestants trying to win money for other deserving people. It lasted for six episodes.
Zeke & Luther (Disney XD)
The skater sitcom ran for three seasons and 72 installments. The two-part finale aired on April 2, 2012.
You can see page one of the cancellation list here and page two here.
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?
Don’t know if anyone had mentioned it but Who Do You Think You Are is back on but TLC picked it up. There are several shows I miss but the most is Nine Lives Of Chloe King. I was so upset that they didn’t renew. Was one of my favorite shows. Seems ABC Family just cancels everything I liked including Jane By Design and Bunheads. After which I decided not to watch anything ABC Family does. Just in case I really like a show and they cut it. Just pulling the rug from under me every time is rather boycott… Read more »
I will miss Jane By Design the most! It really was a great show and I’m very unhappy that it ended well I’m more unhappy with how it ended a new season would’ve been great! But when ever I watch shows on abc family they always get cancelled and I can just say I won’t be tuning into anymore new shows on this channel ..
The “dumbing down” of America is now complete. After “HoneyBooBoo” went on the air, I left television forever!
I will miss ‘LIE TO ME’! 🙁 would you reconsider bringing it back? PLEASE!!!