Batman
Batman
"Same Bat time, same Bat Channel..." With all the happiness and goofiness of the original 'Batman' featuring Adam West, it is still many people's favorite superhero show. Well, the reason it got canceled will most likely baffle you for its ridiculousness. In the third season, Eartha Kitt had just signed on to play Catwoman, and things were picking up for the show. However, ABC wanted to cancel the show due do a decrease in ratings. NBC attempted to pull the show out from underneath the waves, but there was a mistake. Someone had completely destroyed the sets. With hundreds of thousands of dollars gone, the show was unable to be brought back to life.
Batman
"Same Bat time, same Bat Channel..." With all the happiness and goofiness of the original 'Batman' featuring Adam West, it is still many people's favorite superhero show. Well, the reason it got canceled will most likely baffle you for its ridiculousness. In the third season, Eartha Kitt had just signed on to play Catwoman, and things were picking up for the show. However, ABC wanted to cancel the show due do a decrease in ratings. NBC attempted to pull the show out from underneath the waves, but there was a mistake. Someone had completely destroyed the sets. With hundreds of thousands of dollars gone, the show was unable to be brought back to life.
Star Trek
Star Trek
Trekkies are still everywhere, and among the fans of this show was none other than Martin Luther King Jr. The show is said to be one of the most successful science fiction series of all time. So, why on earth was it canceled? The network ended up underestimating the fanbase and the social impact of the show, and it was moved to play late on Friday nights so it didn't interfere with Rowan & Martin's 'Laugh-In.' This was exactly the time that the show's young audience wouldn't be home watching it. Bonanza
Bonanza was one of television's most beloved Westerns, and it was just as touching as it was entertaining. Audiences everywhere were addicted to the shenanigans of the Cartwright family. However, when tragedy struck, the show was faced with a very sad reality. Months after Hoss Cartwright actor, Don Blocker's sudden passing, the show tried to continue. However, could the show even continue without the main character that balanced out the cast? The studio executives thought it could not. The show was very abruptly canceled, a fact that shocked many fans and even the cast. I Love Lucy
Lucille Ball is considered to be one of the funniest ladies on television. Not many people have many audiences double over in laughter as many times as she has. She was pregnant on screen and she was fighting for her creative rights. Lucy paved the way for women in the industry, but suddenly, her marriage fell apart. For the last three years of it's running, the show had created hour-long specials. When Lucy and her husband Desi Arnaz decided to end their marriage in 1960, the show had to go. Lucy went on to create many more shows, and she soon became the first female production company head in history. Gilligan's Island
'Gilligan's Island' was a beloved show that actually made bucket hats look high fashion. When the show called it quits, the cast was just as shocked as the audience. The show had endeared fans for more than half a century, and there are still many reruns that air regularly. So, why did the show that was so loved end up getting the boot? Easy, along came 'Gunsmoke.' The network had to make room for this Western in their time slot, and so 'Gilligan's Island' had to go. 'Gunsmoke' then went on to be the longest-running drama in television history. Married With Children
The fans of the show couldn't get enough of this odd and outlandish sense of humor. The cast also managed to truly bond with one another. So when the show was canceled in 1997, it was a big shock to audiences and cast members. The show was blessed by a spring in viewers as an adverse effect of boycott attempts. All of a sudden, it was on the chopping block. It was revealed that the ratings for the show just weren't great. Home Improvement
There's a good chance if you lived during the 90s, that you can recognize this show with funnyman Tim Allen. Who can forget Pamela Anderson's role in the first two seasons as well? So, how did this show end up getting canceled? The child star, Jonathan Taylor Thomas wanted to finish up school, and he wound up at Harvard. Once he dropped from the show, the salary promises to Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson weren't as promising, and the two went on to pursue film. Bewitched
Everyone was under the spell of television's most eccentric family. There aren't many shows who can match the quirkiness and the funny appeal of 'Bewitched' and the situation of a witch being married to a mortal. Unfortunately, the magic faded from the marriage of lead actress Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher (the producer-director). Even though the show had been offered two more seasons, by 1972, Montgomery had just had enough. Green Acres
'Green Acres', which had first began as a radio show had very ridiculous premises for six seasons. The 1970s brought in a new direction for television, and interests were taken away from the country. It was known in historiography as the 'rural purge', and many shows with a farmhouse setting ended up getting cut. They were soon replaced by urban dramas. The show was no longer hip or applicable. In Living Color
You would think that adding Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx to the world of the Wayan siblings that it would produce comedy gold. Well, it did, and the show was considered to be well ahead of its time. The show refused to polish its topics to be pristine for audiences and 'In Living Color' pushed audiences humor to the next level. Why could it possibly have been canceled? The show had a big battle with censorship for years, but the Wayans brothers' own departure was the beginning of the fall. He had removed himself from the project that he had helped create. Jim Carrey stayed on until the end, but his successful film career couldn't-compete. Freaks and Geeks
'Freaks and Geeks' ended up with a blunder of a cancelation. It is regarded as one of the best television shows of all time, as Judd Apatow as the comedy writer. The show introduced us to some of the most famous faces in comedy, Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, and James Franco. Well, this cult comedy just didn't get the chance to shine. Even before all eighteen episodes of the season were broadcast, the lights were shut off. However, the writers were prepared. They had assumed that the show wouldn't survive and so they just put all their wildest jokes into the material. Angel
'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' fans were exhilarated when they found that they would get a spin-off to one of the greatest shows of all time. Many people went along for the ride of six successful seasons of 'Angel', but then it got the ax. Joss Whedon was sick of always hearing at the last minute whether the series would be continued, and he was too headstrong with studio executives while demanding to know what would happen with the show. Unfortunately, the news about the show cancelation leaked before the formal statements. Police Squad!
How is it possible for anyone to be so mean to Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen with the comedy trio of Jim Abrahams and the Zucker Brothers. The show had all the right ingredients of being a hit, and it certainly wasn't for lack of funnies. The audiences of 1982 were just too slow to keep up. The show required all of your attention, with constant banter and zingers that were deemed too fast paced for an average viewer. The show declined after four of its six episodes aired. Blossom
She was a smart, and unique teen that had amazing hats with great flowers. However, it wasn't Mayim Bialik's decision to get a Ph.D. in neuroscience that was the cause of the show's demise. It was instead the show's change in subject matter from cheerful subjects to serious issues. As the show took on its fifth season, the decision to involve difficult life lessons into the show made NBC executives shake their heads and they canceled the show. The 'real-life' lessons were more than they could take. Firefly
This show had all the makings of a hit, but 'Firefly' was canceled after just one season. It would appear that the shows now-massive fanbase assembled just a little too late. The series was kicked because of the gap between low ratings and big expenses. It would turn out that the cancelation was a blessing in disguise. It allowed writer Joss Whedon the opportunity to work on 'Serenity, X-Men' and 'The Avengers'. I also built the careers of tons of its actors and writers. Arrested Development
This show delivered a nonstop stream of odd humor, hysterical scenarios, and a wealthy family of screw-ups. Fans were very invested in the number of running gags, Easter eggs, and inside jokes. The show even survived a lawsuit (which they incorporated into the show in a funny way) by a rap group for co-opting their name. Why was it canceled? The series creator, Mitch Hurwitz was offered the chance to switch networks and up the ratings, but he declined to renew. His reasoning was that the show's voice had spoken, and it had run its course. Netflix then rebooted it and the show just released its fifth season. Quantum Leap
With Dr. Sam Beckett's ability to 'leap' through time, space, and into other people's bodies, 'Quantum Leap' was seen to have an entire galaxy to take over. So what brought the physics-bending travel to a stop? The low ratings of the show are what ended it. A cliffhanger had been prepared for the end of the fifth season, with the assumption that the next season would bear its reveal. Well, it was axed and there was 'a summary' thrown at the end of the season. Fans were seriously upset. Veronica Mars
A very young Kristen Bell starred in this show as a precocious high schooler who makes the big leap into the field of P.I. In the midst of her stepping into private investigation, she captured audiences hearts everywhere. Before being canceled, 'Veronica Mars' seemed to be on track for an Emmy. Although Kristen Bell drew on real-life experiences for her character's background, like witnessing her parents split up and losing her best friend, it was assumed that the network felt the plot was too far-fetched. The cancelation came as an outcry to audiences seeing as, even in 2007, there were few shows that starred a female protagonist. Jericho
Very shortly after 9/11, the premise of the show surrounded a nuclear attack on the United States. It was a victim of its time, and the show suffered from Internet leaks, writer strikes, and the idea of splitting seasons in half. However, there was a comedic twist to it all. Part of the protest that was launched by fans took a quote from the show "Nuts!", which was a World War II reference, quite seriously. Millions of peanuts were mailed to studio executives in protest of the show's cancelation. My So-Called Life
This show gave us a first look into the talent of Claire Danes and Jared Leto, and it gave us one of the most sympathetic and unadulterated looks at teenage life that has ever been shown to audiences through television. It talked about uncomfortable issues such as substance abuse, homophobia, and emotional violence. The show was canceled after one season. Even before the season ended with its cliffhanger, MTV understood the power the show had and they would often play reruns. ABC also claimed that the show had low ratings and they canceled it. It spawned the first Internet campaign to bring back the show and the network received thousands of letters; ads were even taken out, and T-shirts mass produced in protest. Unfortunately, it was no use. Ellen
You may now recognize her from her famous day-time talk show. But there was once a time when Ellen Degeneres suffered personal pain and criticism when she made one of the boldest decisions in television history. These days, we see LGBT characters all over television with no issue. Yet, this was not the case in 1997 when Ellen decided to come out publicly and on her show. It was revolutionary. Although it caused a rating spike, the ultimate backlash was severe enough that the show was cut. Rome
When HBO's series 'Rome' first made its way to our televisions in 2005, audiences just couldn't get enough of the life and times of Julius Caesar and those who overthrew him. However, there was one issue with the show. The show reflected the lavish tastes of Roman emperors, but it backfired when the production went off budget. The coming seasons had planned to transition into Egypt and culminate with the rise of Jesus in Judea. However, 'Rome' soon fell. Dead Like Me
Mandy Patinkin joined up with Ellen Muth to play a grim reaper in this dark comedy-drama. It seemed like it was set up for greatness, but the creator, Brian Fuller, departed right in the midst of the show's first season. His early exit showed a problem that would end the series, the ceaseless headbutting with MGM, and ruthless scene-cutting. The show lasted only two seasons before personnel decided they'd had enough. Heroes
They were heroes for just four seasons. This thriller about ordinary people possessing superpowers was swept up for a number of awards. It seemed like it was destined for greatness in the first season, but pride was the downfall of this super-show. As people exploded over the series, the writing got more and more grim and dark, the plot just became too odd for audiences. As a result, ratings plummeted from 17 million to 4.4 million. When the reception finally became too cold, the show was taken off the air. Deadwood
It was an ultimatum fitting for the behind-the-scenes politics of this rough Western and the many appearances of historical figures. The creator of the show, David Milch saddled into the saloon of network executives with a deal: either give it a fourth season or nothing. Milch was unsatisfied with the short fourth season, and the show suffered. They didn't extend the fourth season, and so 'Deadwood' was canceled. It was left with a cliffhanger that left fans furious up until the bitter end. The Kids In The Hall
This Canadian troupe's outlandish sense of humor often had to be whittled down to be suitable for American audiences, and many people loved them for it. However, when this alternative to SNL decided they had bigger ambitions, it didn't work out as they had expected. They had begun as a sketch comedy group, and after successfully transitioning to an internationally-syndicated television show, the actors felt they had a launchpad into a film career. Reading Rainbow
'Reading Rainbow' was canceled on PBS for not being educational enough. Yes, LeVar Burton's friendly series had taught two and a half decades' worth of children the joys and wonders of reading. Soon came a government policy that impacted the show's cancelation. The "No Child Left Behind" endeavor put a focus on the importance of literacy which saw friction with 'Reading Rainbow's' angle. The show, it was deemed, taught children why they should love reading and what it can do, but it didn't teach reading skills themselves. Lone Star
Rising actor James Wolk as a Texan running two different lives with two separate women had a 2010 pilot that was well-received by audiences. Then, all of a sudden, it was canceled. Only two episodes into the show, it was canceled. The gap between audience reception of the pilot and continued interest in the show itself was severe enough that Lone Star would become the first 'casualty' of the fall 2010 television season. Robin Hood
This show certainly taught future writers something. It taught them that it is okay to startle your audience and leave them guessing, but if you're remaking a folk legend, it is probably a good idea to leave the main character....alive. The writers on this show learned this lesson the hard way. The love interest, Maid Marian had already been cut, and when the main actor playing Robin Hood left the show, they could have switched him and tried to move forward. Instead, they decided to kill the main character entirely and continue on. This didn't end well for the show. The Last Man On Earth
This existential dramedy had a big habit of ending episodes on cliffhangers, so when the show was canceled in May 2018 after Season 4, fans wondered what happened to the gang. The last episode ends with Tandy and his friends surrounded by people in gas masks. During an interview with 'Vulture', star and writer Will Forte revealed that the new survivors entered the bunker shortly after the virus started. He claimed that the group had "some kind of medical or scientist who knew, 'At this certain point, the virus will be dormant. You'll be safe to get back out." Penny Dreadful
This show ended with hope, despair, and more than just a little shock. During its third season finale, audiences wept over the death of Vanessa Ives and emotions were set on fire when the words "The End" marked the ending to the series. The creator of the show, John Logan simply felt that it was the right thing to do for the story. He explained, "To me, the show was always going to achieve closure with the death of Vanessa. And all the storylines this season were meant to be leaving characters at a place of appropriate and beautiful stasis." Togetherness
This series was about multiple couples who had a lot of feelings about things. The show wasn't bad, but it ended up being canceled by HBO for not having wonderful numbers. Many HBO executives also thought that the show was much like many of the other shows that were running on television. The show was eventually cut after a short run. Pushing Daisies
Unfortunately, 'Pushing Daisies' was one of the many shows that were affected by the writer's strike of 2007 and 2008. Due to the lack of scripts, the first season could only present nine episodes, and the second season went almost completely unwatched. Even though the show received 17 Emmy nominations, it was dumped by ABC. Happy Endings
There are many people that believe that 'Happy Endings' was one of the funniest shows on television. Unfortunately, ABC believed that this madcap, and multi-layered comedy wasn't "on-brand" with the rest of the network's shows or ideals. Better Off Ted
Unfortunately, it looked like this show never really had a fighting chance. Many people considered it too smart, too odd, and it was constantly throwing comedy punches at its advertisers. Even though the show had two seasons on television, the show's creators had a sense that the show was going to be canceled. The Network liked it, but they felt as though it didn't get enough viewers. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Star Trek
Trekkies are still everywhere, and among the fans of this show was none other than Martin Luther King Jr.
The show is said to be one of the most successful science fiction series of all time. So, why on earth was it canceled? The network ended up underestimating the fanbase and the social impact of the show, and it was moved to play late on Friday nights so it didn't interfere with Rowan & Martin's 'Laugh-In.' This was exactly the time that the show's young audience wouldn't be home watching it.
Bonanza
Bonanza was one of television's most beloved Westerns, and it was just as touching as it was entertaining. Audiences everywhere were addicted to the shenanigans of the Cartwright family. However, when tragedy struck, the show was faced with a very sad reality. Months after Hoss Cartwright actor, Don Blocker's sudden passing, the show tried to continue. However, could the show even continue without the main character that balanced out the cast? The studio executives thought it could not. The show was very abruptly canceled, a fact that shocked many fans and even the cast. I Love Lucy
Lucille Ball is considered to be one of the funniest ladies on television. Not many people have many audiences double over in laughter as many times as she has. She was pregnant on screen and she was fighting for her creative rights. Lucy paved the way for women in the industry, but suddenly, her marriage fell apart. For the last three years of it's running, the show had created hour-long specials. When Lucy and her husband Desi Arnaz decided to end their marriage in 1960, the show had to go. Lucy went on to create many more shows, and she soon became the first female production company head in history. Gilligan's Island
'Gilligan's Island' was a beloved show that actually made bucket hats look high fashion. When the show called it quits, the cast was just as shocked as the audience. The show had endeared fans for more than half a century, and there are still many reruns that air regularly. So, why did the show that was so loved end up getting the boot? Easy, along came 'Gunsmoke.' The network had to make room for this Western in their time slot, and so 'Gilligan's Island' had to go. 'Gunsmoke' then went on to be the longest-running drama in television history. Married With Children
The fans of the show couldn't get enough of this odd and outlandish sense of humor. The cast also managed to truly bond with one another. So when the show was canceled in 1997, it was a big shock to audiences and cast members. The show was blessed by a spring in viewers as an adverse effect of boycott attempts. All of a sudden, it was on the chopping block. It was revealed that the ratings for the show just weren't great. Home Improvement
There's a good chance if you lived during the 90s, that you can recognize this show with funnyman Tim Allen. Who can forget Pamela Anderson's role in the first two seasons as well? So, how did this show end up getting canceled? The child star, Jonathan Taylor Thomas wanted to finish up school, and he wound up at Harvard. Once he dropped from the show, the salary promises to Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson weren't as promising, and the two went on to pursue film. Bewitched
Everyone was under the spell of television's most eccentric family. There aren't many shows who can match the quirkiness and the funny appeal of 'Bewitched' and the situation of a witch being married to a mortal. Unfortunately, the magic faded from the marriage of lead actress Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher (the producer-director). Even though the show had been offered two more seasons, by 1972, Montgomery had just had enough. Green Acres
'Green Acres', which had first began as a radio show had very ridiculous premises for six seasons. The 1970s brought in a new direction for television, and interests were taken away from the country. It was known in historiography as the 'rural purge', and many shows with a farmhouse setting ended up getting cut. They were soon replaced by urban dramas. The show was no longer hip or applicable. In Living Color
You would think that adding Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx to the world of the Wayan siblings that it would produce comedy gold. Well, it did, and the show was considered to be well ahead of its time. The show refused to polish its topics to be pristine for audiences and 'In Living Color' pushed audiences humor to the next level. Why could it possibly have been canceled? The show had a big battle with censorship for years, but the Wayans brothers' own departure was the beginning of the fall. He had removed himself from the project that he had helped create. Jim Carrey stayed on until the end, but his successful film career couldn't-compete. Freaks and Geeks
'Freaks and Geeks' ended up with a blunder of a cancelation. It is regarded as one of the best television shows of all time, as Judd Apatow as the comedy writer. The show introduced us to some of the most famous faces in comedy, Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, and James Franco. Well, this cult comedy just didn't get the chance to shine. Even before all eighteen episodes of the season were broadcast, the lights were shut off. However, the writers were prepared. They had assumed that the show wouldn't survive and so they just put all their wildest jokes into the material. Angel
'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' fans were exhilarated when they found that they would get a spin-off to one of the greatest shows of all time. Many people went along for the ride of six successful seasons of 'Angel', but then it got the ax. Joss Whedon was sick of always hearing at the last minute whether the series would be continued, and he was too headstrong with studio executives while demanding to know what would happen with the show. Unfortunately, the news about the show cancelation leaked before the formal statements. Police Squad!
How is it possible for anyone to be so mean to Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen with the comedy trio of Jim Abrahams and the Zucker Brothers. The show had all the right ingredients of being a hit, and it certainly wasn't for lack of funnies. The audiences of 1982 were just too slow to keep up. The show required all of your attention, with constant banter and zingers that were deemed too fast paced for an average viewer. The show declined after four of its six episodes aired. Blossom
She was a smart, and unique teen that had amazing hats with great flowers. However, it wasn't Mayim Bialik's decision to get a Ph.D. in neuroscience that was the cause of the show's demise. It was instead the show's change in subject matter from cheerful subjects to serious issues. As the show took on its fifth season, the decision to involve difficult life lessons into the show made NBC executives shake their heads and they canceled the show. The 'real-life' lessons were more than they could take. Firefly
This show had all the makings of a hit, but 'Firefly' was canceled after just one season. It would appear that the shows now-massive fanbase assembled just a little too late. The series was kicked because of the gap between low ratings and big expenses. It would turn out that the cancelation was a blessing in disguise. It allowed writer Joss Whedon the opportunity to work on 'Serenity, X-Men' and 'The Avengers'. I also built the careers of tons of its actors and writers. Arrested Development
This show delivered a nonstop stream of odd humor, hysterical scenarios, and a wealthy family of screw-ups. Fans were very invested in the number of running gags, Easter eggs, and inside jokes. The show even survived a lawsuit (which they incorporated into the show in a funny way) by a rap group for co-opting their name. Why was it canceled? The series creator, Mitch Hurwitz was offered the chance to switch networks and up the ratings, but he declined to renew. His reasoning was that the show's voice had spoken, and it had run its course. Netflix then rebooted it and the show just released its fifth season. Quantum Leap
With Dr. Sam Beckett's ability to 'leap' through time, space, and into other people's bodies, 'Quantum Leap' was seen to have an entire galaxy to take over. So what brought the physics-bending travel to a stop? The low ratings of the show are what ended it. A cliffhanger had been prepared for the end of the fifth season, with the assumption that the next season would bear its reveal. Well, it was axed and there was 'a summary' thrown at the end of the season. Fans were seriously upset. Veronica Mars
A very young Kristen Bell starred in this show as a precocious high schooler who makes the big leap into the field of P.I. In the midst of her stepping into private investigation, she captured audiences hearts everywhere. Before being canceled, 'Veronica Mars' seemed to be on track for an Emmy. Although Kristen Bell drew on real-life experiences for her character's background, like witnessing her parents split up and losing her best friend, it was assumed that the network felt the plot was too far-fetched. The cancelation came as an outcry to audiences seeing as, even in 2007, there were few shows that starred a female protagonist. Jericho
Very shortly after 9/11, the premise of the show surrounded a nuclear attack on the United States. It was a victim of its time, and the show suffered from Internet leaks, writer strikes, and the idea of splitting seasons in half. However, there was a comedic twist to it all. Part of the protest that was launched by fans took a quote from the show "Nuts!", which was a World War II reference, quite seriously. Millions of peanuts were mailed to studio executives in protest of the show's cancelation. My So-Called Life
This show gave us a first look into the talent of Claire Danes and Jared Leto, and it gave us one of the most sympathetic and unadulterated looks at teenage life that has ever been shown to audiences through television. It talked about uncomfortable issues such as substance abuse, homophobia, and emotional violence. The show was canceled after one season. Even before the season ended with its cliffhanger, MTV understood the power the show had and they would often play reruns. ABC also claimed that the show had low ratings and they canceled it. It spawned the first Internet campaign to bring back the show and the network received thousands of letters; ads were even taken out, and T-shirts mass produced in protest. Unfortunately, it was no use. Ellen
You may now recognize her from her famous day-time talk show. But there was once a time when Ellen Degeneres suffered personal pain and criticism when she made one of the boldest decisions in television history. These days, we see LGBT characters all over television with no issue. Yet, this was not the case in 1997 when Ellen decided to come out publicly and on her show. It was revolutionary. Although it caused a rating spike, the ultimate backlash was severe enough that the show was cut. Rome
When HBO's series 'Rome' first made its way to our televisions in 2005, audiences just couldn't get enough of the life and times of Julius Caesar and those who overthrew him. However, there was one issue with the show. The show reflected the lavish tastes of Roman emperors, but it backfired when the production went off budget. The coming seasons had planned to transition into Egypt and culminate with the rise of Jesus in Judea. However, 'Rome' soon fell. Dead Like Me
Mandy Patinkin joined up with Ellen Muth to play a grim reaper in this dark comedy-drama. It seemed like it was set up for greatness, but the creator, Brian Fuller, departed right in the midst of the show's first season. His early exit showed a problem that would end the series, the ceaseless headbutting with MGM, and ruthless scene-cutting. The show lasted only two seasons before personnel decided they'd had enough. Heroes
They were heroes for just four seasons. This thriller about ordinary people possessing superpowers was swept up for a number of awards. It seemed like it was destined for greatness in the first season, but pride was the downfall of this super-show. As people exploded over the series, the writing got more and more grim and dark, the plot just became too odd for audiences. As a result, ratings plummeted from 17 million to 4.4 million. When the reception finally became too cold, the show was taken off the air. Deadwood
It was an ultimatum fitting for the behind-the-scenes politics of this rough Western and the many appearances of historical figures. The creator of the show, David Milch saddled into the saloon of network executives with a deal: either give it a fourth season or nothing. Milch was unsatisfied with the short fourth season, and the show suffered. They didn't extend the fourth season, and so 'Deadwood' was canceled. It was left with a cliffhanger that left fans furious up until the bitter end. The Kids In The Hall
This Canadian troupe's outlandish sense of humor often had to be whittled down to be suitable for American audiences, and many people loved them for it. However, when this alternative to SNL decided they had bigger ambitions, it didn't work out as they had expected. They had begun as a sketch comedy group, and after successfully transitioning to an internationally-syndicated television show, the actors felt they had a launchpad into a film career. Reading Rainbow
'Reading Rainbow' was canceled on PBS for not being educational enough. Yes, LeVar Burton's friendly series had taught two and a half decades' worth of children the joys and wonders of reading. Soon came a government policy that impacted the show's cancelation. The "No Child Left Behind" endeavor put a focus on the importance of literacy which saw friction with 'Reading Rainbow's' angle. The show, it was deemed, taught children why they should love reading and what it can do, but it didn't teach reading skills themselves. Lone Star
Rising actor James Wolk as a Texan running two different lives with two separate women had a 2010 pilot that was well-received by audiences. Then, all of a sudden, it was canceled. Only two episodes into the show, it was canceled. The gap between audience reception of the pilot and continued interest in the show itself was severe enough that Lone Star would become the first 'casualty' of the fall 2010 television season. Robin Hood
This show certainly taught future writers something. It taught them that it is okay to startle your audience and leave them guessing, but if you're remaking a folk legend, it is probably a good idea to leave the main character....alive. The writers on this show learned this lesson the hard way. The love interest, Maid Marian had already been cut, and when the main actor playing Robin Hood left the show, they could have switched him and tried to move forward. Instead, they decided to kill the main character entirely and continue on. This didn't end well for the show. The Last Man On Earth
This existential dramedy had a big habit of ending episodes on cliffhangers, so when the show was canceled in May 2018 after Season 4, fans wondered what happened to the gang. The last episode ends with Tandy and his friends surrounded by people in gas masks. During an interview with 'Vulture', star and writer Will Forte revealed that the new survivors entered the bunker shortly after the virus started. He claimed that the group had "some kind of medical or scientist who knew, 'At this certain point, the virus will be dormant. You'll be safe to get back out." Penny Dreadful
This show ended with hope, despair, and more than just a little shock. During its third season finale, audiences wept over the death of Vanessa Ives and emotions were set on fire when the words "The End" marked the ending to the series. The creator of the show, John Logan simply felt that it was the right thing to do for the story. He explained, "To me, the show was always going to achieve closure with the death of Vanessa. And all the storylines this season were meant to be leaving characters at a place of appropriate and beautiful stasis." Togetherness
This series was about multiple couples who had a lot of feelings about things. The show wasn't bad, but it ended up being canceled by HBO for not having wonderful numbers. Many HBO executives also thought that the show was much like many of the other shows that were running on television. The show was eventually cut after a short run. Pushing Daisies
Unfortunately, 'Pushing Daisies' was one of the many shows that were affected by the writer's strike of 2007 and 2008. Due to the lack of scripts, the first season could only present nine episodes, and the second season went almost completely unwatched. Even though the show received 17 Emmy nominations, it was dumped by ABC. Happy Endings
There are many people that believe that 'Happy Endings' was one of the funniest shows on television. Unfortunately, ABC believed that this madcap, and multi-layered comedy wasn't "on-brand" with the rest of the network's shows or ideals. Better Off Ted
Unfortunately, it looked like this show never really had a fighting chance. Many people considered it too smart, too odd, and it was constantly throwing comedy punches at its advertisers. Even though the show had two seasons on television, the show's creators had a sense that the show was going to be canceled. The Network liked it, but they felt as though it didn't get enough viewers. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Undeclared
Undeclared
Undeclared was essentially the sequel to 'Freaks and Geeks'. It was another coming-of-age Apatow show that television didn't really know what to do with. One of the stars of the show, Charlie Hunnam said that "I think 17 episodes aired over the course of, I don't know, 25 weeks? In three different time slots, so the goal post kept changing. And Judd, again, was very tenacious in doing exactly what he wanted to do. You know, Fox had wanted us to put a laugh track on and he said no- and that kind of led to another argument. And they couldn't quite agree on what the show was going to be." Undeclared
Undeclared was essentially the sequel to 'Freaks and Geeks'.
It was another coming-of-age Apatow show that television didn't really know what to do with. One of the stars of the show, Charlie Hunnam said that "I think 17 episodes aired over the course of, I don't know, 25 weeks? In three different time slots, so the goal post kept changing. And Judd, again, was very tenacious in doing exactly what he wanted to do. You know, Fox had wanted us to put a laugh track on and he said no- and that kind of led to another argument. And they couldn't quite agree on what the show was going to be."
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
This show was considered to be one of the best television shows about making television, but it had two things going against it. First, it was one of two shows premiering on NBC about making a fictitious SNL, and it was also just too expensive. However, the mystery about this show is that nobody is really sure as to why the show was canceled. Terriers
This show was about two friends who begin their own private detective agency, and it was a relatively unknown show. It underperformed on FX and the network decided to cut it. FX president, John Landgraf blamed the numbers, but he still felt bad about canceling it. He said, "If I legitimately believed that the reason the show didn't succeed on air was that we felt we failed to adequately describe to the audience what the show was about, that would have been reason alone to renew it." Party Down
The cancelation of this show was very confusing for audiences. Starz canceled 'Party Down' after only two seasons because the comedy about caterers didn't have the numbers. The show creator Rob Thomas believes that the show would have been renewed had it not been for the incoming president, Chris Albrecht. "We were heading for a third season. There's little to no doubt that we were going to get one until Chris came in. But I do think if we had done better numbers, Chris would've kept us. I don't think Chris wanted to come in and clean house. I just don't think he had quite the emotional attachment that people who had been at Starz through the birth of the show had towards it." Dollhouse
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
This show was considered to be one of the best television shows about making television, but it had two things going against it.
First, it was one of two shows premiering on NBC about making a fictitious SNL, and it was also just too expensive. However, the mystery about this show is that nobody is really sure as to why the show was canceled.
Terriers
This show was about two friends who begin their own private detective agency, and it was a relatively unknown show. It underperformed on FX and the network decided to cut it. FX president, John Landgraf blamed the numbers, but he still felt bad about canceling it. He said, "If I legitimately believed that the reason the show didn't succeed on air was that we felt we failed to adequately describe to the audience what the show was about, that would have been reason alone to renew it." Party Down
The cancelation of this show was very confusing for audiences. Starz canceled 'Party Down' after only two seasons because the comedy about caterers didn't have the numbers. The show creator Rob Thomas believes that the show would have been renewed had it not been for the incoming president, Chris Albrecht. "We were heading for a third season. There's little to no doubt that we were going to get one until Chris came in. But I do think if we had done better numbers, Chris would've kept us. I don't think Chris wanted to come in and clean house. I just don't think he had quite the emotional attachment that people who had been at Starz through the birth of the show had towards it." Dollhouse
Luck
Luck
HBO has brought audiences mobsters, undertakers, robot cowboys, and dragons, but in 2012, it also offered a horseracing drama that starred Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte. First things first, the series used real horses rather than CGI. The problem with this is that it often leads to death. Horses are very scared animals, they can run from llamas, cameramen, and even plastic grocery bags. CNN reported that two horses died while filming the first season. A third was euthanized while filming Season 2 after she "reared, flipped over backward, and struck her head on the ground." Ratings were already declining when producers decided to pull the plug, but there was pressure from organizations like PETA that also had something to do with it.