Networks Slash Shows: A Complete List of Cancelations
It’s a tough week in the entertainment industry. Networks are making tough decisions about the shows they think will pay off big and those that need to be cut. As the week has worn on, CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, and The CW have announced the cancelation of a slew of shows. Some cancelations were expected, while others came as a massive surprise. The cancelations aren’t over yet, either. There are plenty of casts that are still waiting to learn their fate. We’ll keep you informed with a running list.
CBS axes six shows, including two freshman series
CBS announced a slew of canceled shows on May 12. Among the most surprising is the cancelation of Magnum P.I. The show recently wrapped its fourth season.
The network also canceled United States of Al, B Positive, Good Sam, and How We Roll in a sweeping move. United States of Al and B Positive were both in their sophomore seasons. Good Sam and How We Roll only filmed one season before being chopped.
CBS is leaning in on its police procedural shows, though. The FBI franchise received a renewal, as did Blue Bloods and CSI: Vegas. S.W.A.T will return for a sixth season. NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: Hawai’i will all be back.
ABC is biding Farewell to ‘Black-ish,’ ‘Queens’, and ‘Promised Land’
ABC’s Black-ish was among the biggest losses of the season. The beloved series ran for eight seasons on ABC and followed the lives of Dre Johnson, Rainbow Johnson, and their family. The series was praised for its dedication to dealing with sociopolitical issues. The series finale aired in April.
The network has canceled Queens and Promised Land after one season. The Conners, The Wonder Years, and Home Economics have not received a green light yet. The network has yet to cancel them, though.
The Wonder Years received a significant blow last week when Fred Savage was fired from the series as an executive producer after misconduct allegations surfaced. Savage played Kevin Arnold on the original The Wonder Years. He later appeared in the Netflix Original, Friends from College. According to Page Six, Savage had been accused of misconduct several times. He settled a lawsuit in 2019.
Fox has only announced one TV show cancelation so far
While several other networks were quick to drop the ax on several shows, Fox has been more calculated in its decision-making process. Thus far, the network has only officially canceled The Big Leap. The series, about a group of reality TV competition contestants, was only given one season.
Fox debuted several other shows this year that appear to be on the bubble. The Cleaning Lady, Pivoting, Welcome to Flatch, and Our Kind of People are all in their inaugural seasons. Not all will survive to season 2. The Resident and Call me Kat are also believed to be on the bubble, according to IndieWire.
NBC is losing ratings juggernaut ‘This is Us’ and several other series
This is Us is ending after six incredibly successful seasons. In fact, the series is among the most successful that NBC has seen in years. It isn’t the only show leaving NBC after this season, though. The limited series, The Thing About Pam, has wrapped, and NBC has announced the cancelation of Kenan and Mr. Mayor after two seasons each. Ordinary Joe won’t be returning for a second season. Endgame, a series about an arms dealer, has also been axed after just one season.
NBC fans will still have plenty to watch. The network has renewed several fan favorites, including New Amsterdam, the Chicago franchise, and The Blacklist. New Amsterdam will leave the network after its fifth season, next year.
The CW has announced multiple TV show cancelations
The CW has made some hard cuts this year, too. In May, the network announced the cancelation of eight shows. Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and 4400 have all been canceled. Roswell, New Mexico, won’t return for a fifth season. In the Dark and Charmed have been canceled, too.
The network’s heavy hitters will return, though. The CW renewed Riverdale for season 7, and Nancy Drew will be back for season 4. Superman & Lois will also return.
More cancelations are expected this week. This story will be updated.
