Just as death is an inevitable part of life, so too are cancellations an unavoidable part of being a TV fan — but that doesn’t mean we have to like it.
As with every year, dozens of shows aired their final episodes in 2023. But before we start singing “Auld Lang Syne,” we want to pour one (or perhaps 15) out for the undeserving shows whose shocking, shortsighted and deeply regrettable cancellations will stick with us well into 2024.
Our picks for 2023’s most unjust cancellations include the revival of a popular Nickelodeon sitcom, the reboot of a coming-of-age classic, plus three series based on iconic films about baseball, wizardry and musically inclined gangs.
Other lamentable losses include a seven-time Primetime Emmy Award-nominated comedy, a promising superhero drama and a handful of other series starring several household names. It’s certainly a diverse collection of shows, but they all have one thing in common — they all deserved to see at least one more season.
Read on for (in alphabetical order) the 15 shows whose cancellations we would reverse immediately, if only we could, then drop a comment with your own additions to the list. Which of this year’s cancelled shows will you still miss in 2024?
We’re still scratching our heads over why the automotive industry comedy, which was just as smart and funny as creator Justin Spitzer’s previous NBC sitcom Superstore, didn’t click with viewers. Be it bad marketing or a lack of audience interest, the show’s sharp satire — the abortion-themed “The Letter” was one of the best episodes of any show this year — and its stellar cast, led by Ana Gasteyer, deserved so much more.
We’re not sure it gets more unjust than this, seeing as Prime Video had initially renewed this series adaptation for a second and final season… but the renewal was later rescinded after Hollywood’s simultaneous strikes delayed production on Season 2. Reversed renewals are always heartbreakers, but the sting of this one still lingers: In addition to ending on a forever-unresolved cliffhanger, A League of Their Own shined a refreshing spotlight on communities and topics that are woefully underrepresented on television.
The romantic con drama seemingly had it all: A fun, sexy premise, a pairing with solid chemistry in Milo Ventimiglia and Catherine Haena Kim, and an impressive supporting cast (Sarah Wayne Callies, William Fichtner, etc.) Too bad ABC effectively killed one of its most promising new shows in years with a bad timeslot and a lack of faith in its potential to grow an audience.
This CBS drama, led by Amanda Warren and Jimmy Smits and boasting a wonderfully eclectic and diverse array of supporting cast/characters, endeavored to offer a contemporary spin on the usual cop show — in that it spoke to the need for reform, and better policing. Alas, when S.W.A.T.‘s cancellation was reversed by the network, it was East New York that seemingly paid the price.
Not only was Paramount+’s Grease prequel fizzy good fun, it delivered some of the season’s best musical numbers — and earned two Emmy nods for its fleet-footed choreography (see video above). On top of all that, the Season 1 series finale left us with approximately a bazillion unresolved cliffhangers.
We might’ve thought that — spoiler alert! — killing off a character as hilarious and dynamic as Nicholas Hoult’s Peter would signal the end for Hulu’s alt-history comedy. But the bold twist actually reinvigorated the series midway through Season 3, inspiring some of Elle Fanning’s finest work as Catherine and opening up all kinds of storytelling possibilities. So we were royally ticked off, then, to see Hulu drop the axe after three criminally underrated seasons.
Doesn’t it always happen this way? Just when a new show that got off to a wobbly start starts firing on all cylinders, it turns out to be too late. At first handicapped as being yet another “Batman-less Batman series,” Gotham Knights spun a haunting Court of Owls tale and gave Misha Collins a deviously delicious dual personality arc, all while serving #Tuernla and #StephHarper ‘shippers oh so well.
The supremely underrated Topher Grace-led ABC comedy never got its due during its brief three-season lifespan, so its unceremonious — and painfully drawn-out — demise did not come as a complete surprise. But it stung, nonetheless.
This cancellation felt like a slap in the face, and not in a fun way. We’ve been following Carly and Freddie’s friends-to-lovers journey in real time for 16 years, and the Paramount+ revival’s third season finale put them at the altar, where they nearly swapped vows. In a cruel (but also exciting!) twist of fate, Carly’s estranged mother interrupted the ceremony, much to her daughter’s surprise. We were dying to see what the future held for #Creddie, as well as which sitcom actress would be tapped to play the elusive Mama Shay. Sadly, we’ll be getting answers to exactly zero of those questions, thanks to the streamer’s highly debatable decision to pull the plug early.
Max’s wickedly funny showbiz satire had such a sharp eye for the absurdities of celebrity culture that it seemed like it would never run out of material. But alas, co-showrunners Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider abruptly pulled the plug on all the fun after three seasons, calling it a creative decision. Was the show actually scrapped due to the reported HR complaints about Kelly and Schneider? We’ll never know for sure… but we’ll never stop missing Cary and Brooke, either.
Hulu’s razor-sharp sitcom about a sitcom was a TV lover’s delight, packed with meta gags about vain actors and clueless network executives. It also boasted a stacked cast including Keegan-Michael Key, Judy Greer, Rachel Bloom and Paul Reiser, with scripts from Modern Family‘s Steven Levitan. But some of those clueless network executives work at Hulu, apparently, since they cancelled one of the year’s most promising new comedies after just one season.
Another season of this fantasy series should have been a slam dunk given its popularity and passionate fanbase. After an eventful Season 2 finale, which teased a King of Scars storyline as well as the proposed Six of Crows spinoff, fans were left as stunned as the Darkling getting ran through the gut with this unexpected and unjust cancellation.
There was plenty of magic left in Disney+’s under-appreciated series adaptation of this 1988 cult classic fantasy movie, and we would have loved for the streamer to conjure up a second season. The show was mostly well-received by fans, and creator Jon Kasan considers the show to be more “on hiatus” than officially “canceled.” Kasan is hopeful that he can reassemble the Willow team for “Chapter II” sometime down the line, reminding his social media followers that the original movie “didn’t get its well-deserved sequel for 35 years.” So, you know, it’s something to look forward to with your future grandchildren.
The demise of this ’80s basketball drama belongs in the Hall of Fame of boneheaded TV decisions. HBO’s vibrant retelling of the L.A. Lakers’ rise to NBA dominance wrapped up Season 2 with the Lakers suffering a crushing loss to their hated rivals the Boston Celtics… and thanks to HBO’s cancellation, the story ends right there, with only a tacked-on epilogue to tell us that the Lakers went on to beat the Celtics and win three more championships that decade. Why tell the tale of the Lakers’ glory days if you’re going to end the show before the glory days even start?
We thoroughly enjoyed the first two seasons of this ABC reboot, which is why its premature cancellation makes us feel deflated, like an impotent balloon. With effortlessly funny writing and a charming, multi-talented ensemble, this solid comfort-watch deserved to live on for much longer, like its predecessor.
Walker Independence!
Absolutely. Loved this show! Should have been renewed.
I loved this show and the actors were just great!!!
Period pieces are ruinously expensive to shoot. If the show isn’t a big hit or awards bait, it won’t last.
How about a icarly TV movie to wrap things up like serious stop cancelling everything and replace it with reality shows
East New York should not have been canceled. It’s a great show with great cast. Very disappointed!
Heels!!
Had to check and see if it got picked up somewhere else yet. That’s the only reason I could think of for why its not number 1 on this list
The Company You Keep and East New York cancellations were real heart breakers. I sometimes wonder who those people are that don’t see the promise, the sparkling future of shows such as these. You can expect them to bet on the wrong horse at the track!!
All due respect, Compsny had a fun pilot then it quickly ran out of steam and no one watched, even on Hulu, the networks can’t renew a show no one watches. Plus Milo & Catherine’s chemistry was non existent! And the side story about the brother running for political office was a snooze fest. This is why the show was axed, honestly it was not well written.
Agreed to disagree. The chemistry between the two leads was fantastic. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Charlie’s family. There was a lot of story yet left to tell.
Agree to disagree. The leads had chemistry and the dynamic between Charlie and his family was fun. I enjoyed and was looking forward to more seasons.
They weren’t part of the NCIS, CSI, Chicago, or FBI series. Seems the shows that don’t fit into those don’t have much of a chance. Alaska Daily was great, so well written. The Company You Keep was good as was East New York. Bluff City Law was on a few years ago and was cancelled early. We really enjoyed it. We get wrapped up in a program and it gets cancelled. Very frustrating.
I was also floored when they canceled East New York. I had started to watch the show near the middle and really enjoyed it. I love SWAT but since Blue Bloods is in it’s last year maybe they can bring back this show.
I’m so upset about Home Economics and The Wonder Years. They are both such good shows!!!!!
“Alaska Daily”. It dealt with important issues, and gave insight into journalism. The storylines were compelling, and the acting superb. How on EARTH could they cancel a show starring Hilary Swank?
I was much more disappointed with this cancellation than The Company You Keep.
Because Hilary wasn’t going to return to the 2nd season. Without her, the show was dead on arrival sadly. :(
Source?
Hilary was pregnant with twins and needed to focus on that.
That’s not a source. She could’ve taken time off and resumed filming after. Every article I’ve read says nothing about her not wanting to come back, the articles mention lower ratings, etc.
I feel the same way. The show had a wonderful cast and each week was very compelling. Sorry to see it go.
The Company You Keep and East New York had potential and were victims of network TV whiplash decision making.That whole it’s either SWAT or East New York not both argument was a red herring.Both could have been done especially with SWAT on it’s last season.
I agree with many of comments here we do not need more realty shows for replacements or so many game shows either. Come on get with it give some people decent shows to watch…
I agree, however the ratings show the opposite. More people seem to watch the reality and game shows over the scripted fare anymore, and they draw a higher demo rating. It’s frustrating to see.
Loved American Auto!! Was so funny and had a great cast.
Added salt to the wound is that at least two of these series were scrubbed from exposure for insurance money just months if not weeks after their finales aired
What does “scrubbed from exposure for insurance money” mean? (Real question, I truly don’t know what that means).
removed from streaming sites with no way for viewers to watch them because the studios can use them for tax breaks. HBO is the most notorious offender, but other studios are doing it too now.
Thank you!
Firstly its not for insurance reasons, it’s for tax write off reasons. However that only only applies when it’s not released at all.
When its removed from streaming services it’s for residual reasons. The way residuals work on streaming is even if no-one watches to they have to pay residuals every year. If it’s not on streaming then no residuals are due. So the decision needs to be made is it popular enough to be worth having it on streaming and paying the residuals
Disney took a 1.5B tax write-off for all the shows they deleted earlier this Yr. Includong Willow. Willow & the mysterious Benedict Society both got some nomination after they were cancelled.
Rookie Feds
Shows with great potential that I wish had another season or three:
Lockwood and Co.
Gotham Knights
Reboot
Many attempts to relate the wonders of The Great produced blank stares. We can just be glad for the three seasons that were produced – Huzzah!
Reboot hurts the most.
Bummed about Watchful Eye. I was invested! And just about any show with Kelly Bishop is a win for me.
Home Economics was a great show. The rest of these shows were not great that I tried watching
MAGNUM want listed? Those listed really deserved the ax imo. Magnum should be picked up by CW or some other network. The Gen Y set 14 -49 are not the only watchers. .ore and more the population grows beyond the 49 age group. The marketing model is ancient and needs to be revamped. The Boomers, VETS, and disabled outnumber the 14 – 49 set. The Magnum viewers not counted.
BIG Sky !!
Hear Hear
And How I met your father T_T
I’m still mad about icarly. If Paramount didn’t want the show anymore they should have at least had the decency to wrap it up in satisfying way. At one point it was the # 1 show on the platform.
East New York!
EAST NEW YORK. You finally get a program the WORKS and someone decides to cut it. Sadly there are people the can not allow good to proceed.
Home Economics and American Auto were hilarious. Will miss both of these laugh out loud shows
Lockwood and Co. for me.
Agree. Lockwood and Co. was a fun show. I’m disappointed Netflix didn’t renew for a final season. After all there are only five books and the first season covered two if them.
“Three Pines” (based on the books by Louise Penny) on Prime
That one hurt. It really did.
Technically, that one ended in 2022, but I agree with the sentiment. I do think, though, that the ending was deliberately written that way to try to force a renewal. It was a very frustrating way to close out an amazingly well-written and acted series.