Every year around this time the American television networks go through a period of cleansing, in which they decide to purge themselves of generally regrettable or not widely beloved shows while making googly eyes at the fresh new girls (i.e., shows) getting off the bus. This year, 22 shows were canceled in a 48 hour period. It’s a bloodbath. But, first, the good news:
The much loved though little watched NBC hows Community and Parks & Recreation have both been renewed! Confirmed details are in short supply for the Community renewal, although it is widely assumed Chevy Chase will not be back. It is unclear if the show is being brought back for another 13-episode season or a full 22-episode season instead. The renewal is only for a 13-episode season, much like it was last year for the show. The question of whether or not the network is bringing it back for a final season, as did during the current TV season with 30 Rock and The Office, remains unanswered. Parks & Recreation, on the other hand, received a full 22-episode order, with the possibility of further seasons if it does well next year.
Beloved comedies that are not coming back, though, include Happy Endings and, to a lesser degree, Go On, which have both been canceled. The Happy Endings producers have already approached cable network USA in the hopes of gaining a second life on a different channel, though that is still somewhat of a longshot. Also headed to the great TV graveyard in the sky are, to name a few, Golden Boy, Vegas, Touch, CSI: New York (though after 9 seasons it will live on in syndication), The New Normal, and Smash.
At this point, there are very few shows without official renewal or cancellation determinations. It’s pretty much just reality shows and Hannibal, which still has 6 episodes left in its current season. NBC is said to be making its decision within the next couple of weeks. Hannibal has been renewed.
Here is a rundown of the latest, divided by network [this page will be updated to reflect each new announcement; the below list is as of 5/30]:
ABC
Renewed
- The Bachelor
- The Bachelorette
- Castle
- Dancing with the Stars
- Grey’s Anatomy
- The Middle
- Modern Family
- Nashville
- The Neighbors
- Once Upon a Time
- Revenge
- Scandal
- Shark Tank
- Suburgatory
Canceled
- 666 Park Avenue
- Body of Proof
- Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23
- Family Tools
- Happy Endings (possibility of USA picking up the show)
- How to Live With Your Parents…
- Last Man Standing
- Last Resort
- Malibu Country
- Private Practice
- Red Widow
- Zero Hour
Still Up in The Air
Nothing
Renewed
- 2 Broke Girls
- The Amazing Race
- Big Bang Theory
- Blue Bloods
- Criminal Minds
- CSI
- Elementary
- The Good Wife
- Hawaii Five-O
- How I Met Your Mother
- The Mentalist
- Mike & Molly
- NCIS
- NCIS: Los Angeles
- Person of Interest
- Survivor
- Two & Half Men
- Undercover Boss
Canceled
- CSI: New York
- Golden Boy
- Made in Jersey
- Partners
- Rules of Engagement
- Vegas
Still Up in The Air
Nothing
CW
Renewed
- America’s Next Top Model
- Arrow
- Beauty and the Beast
- The Carrie Diaries
- Cult (basically canceled, just not officially)
- Hart of Dixie
- Nikita (for a 13-episode final season)
- Supernatural
- Vampire Diaries
Canceled
- 90210
- Emily Owens, M.D.
- Gossip Girl
Still Up in The Air
Nothing
FOX
Renewed
- American Dad
- American Idol
- Bob’s Burgers
- Bones
- Family Guy
- The Following
- Glee (for two more seasons)
- Kitchen Nightmares
- The Mindy Project
- New Girl
- Raising Hope
- The Simpsons
- The X-Factor
Canceled
- Ben and Kate
- The Cleveland Show
- Fringe
- The Mob Doctor
- Touch
NBC
Renewed
- Chicago Fire
- Community (!!!!)
- Grimm
- Hannibal (!!!)
- Law & Order: SVU
- Parenthood
- Parks & Recreation (!!!!)
- Revolution
- The Voice (for two more seasons)
Canceled
- 1600 Penn
- 30 Rock (more like they stopped seeking new seasons than being outright canceled)
- Animal Practice
- Betty White’s Off Their Rockers
- The Biggest Loser
- Deception
- Do No Harm
- Fashion Star
- Go On
- Guys With Kids
- The New Normal
- The Office (more like they stopped seeking new seasons than being outright canceled)
- Smash
- Up All Night
- Whitney
Still Up in The Air
- Celebrity Apprentice
On the cable side of the coin, TNT has canceled Southland and Monday Mornings, USA has announced the upcoming season of Burn Notice will be its last, and SyFy has renewed the usually excellent Defiance.
Notes: Holy crap, I am still surprised that both Community & Parks and Recreation were renewed whereas every single one of the other new NBC comedies which were supposed to have a broader appeal failed to make it past one season.
I will miss Go On and Happy Endings. It might be surprising to hear Go On has been canceled, considering it was considered at one point one of the only breakout comedy hits. However, it was only a time-slot hit, meaning it did well when The Voice aired before it but when The Voice went on hiatus the ratings took a nosedive. I personally enjoyed the show and am sad to see it go, as it still presented considerable potential due to its stellar ensemble cast. As for Happy Endings, it apparently has a chance of being picked up by USA, ala Cougar Town. So, the sadness has yet to set in for me there. Of course, I am still mourning the loss of Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23, which at one point this season was my favorite comedy on television. And Smash...that show once looked freakishly promising. Do any of us remember that? Ah, well. It’s a brutal business, especially if you work at NBC right now.
Source: TVLine.com (unless I used a direct link, as I did with the cable shows)
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