Go ahead, I dare you to make a Better Off Dead joke.
I have a love-hate relationship with ABC. The love part comes from the network's daring programming choices: Each year during the upfronts (where networks typically announce their schedules), the Disney-owned network always has some very intriguing candidates that no other network would dare to put on the air—shows that often have more genres than an indie video store and only a sliver of a chance of becoming a hit.
Think Pushing Daisies, Life on Mars, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, and Lost. Heck, they even put Cavemen on TV (which wasn't as bad as people made it out to be!). These were all shows that, even if I didn't love them, I was happy to see them on the air, challenging the notion that all we want is mind-numbing reality, stiff procedurals, and sudsy soaps disguised as primetime dramas.
The hate part comes from many of these series (Lost excepted) being unceremoniously shoved out the door. That's the modus operandi at ABC: Shake up the business with an innovative program! And then axe that program after one season!
Still, I give the network mucho props for trying, and I always look forward to what it has up its sleeve each year. Unfortunately, it looks like the trend may be over.
ABC has greenlighted two relatively uninspiring (well, compared to Cavemen) comedies in the past three days. Both are book adaptations, and both sound pretty darned boring. Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid, yes, that is the title, follows a new couple who "have both survived failed marriages and are determined to get it right this time." Snooze alert! The other new offering is Awkward Situations for Men, from British author Danny Wallace, about his move to the U.S. and the daily clashes he has with American values. In other words, it's one joke for 13 episodes. We'll hold out hope that these shows are actually funny (after all, the hilarious Modern Family sounds pretty boring on paper, too), but we're not optimistic.
Meanwhile, ABC has decided to throw the ratings-challenged Scrubs and Better Off Ted on the next train out of here by doubling up their runs to finish their season commitments twice as fast. Grim translation: Next stop, Cancellation City! While not exactly the most innovative premises, the two shows are a far cry from the "Hi Honey, I'm Home!" variety.
That ABC was going to stop pushing the broadcast envelope was bound to happen sometime, and frankly, I'm surprised their daring streak lasted this long. But after cycling through failure after failure and seeing simpler comedy fare like Modern Family) succeed, ABC has decided risk-aversion is its best bet. Could Army Criminal Investigative Service be next? Works for CBS!
Comments (50)
ABC is the new FOX.
I love(D)Scrubs as much as anyone on here... But come on lets be honest here... The show has sucked the last two years... And been straight up unwatchable this last season. It was a good run. Scrubs has nothing to be upset about. They made enough episodes to ride off into the Rerun Sunset. However, I think that Better off Ted wasnt giving enough of a chance. The show is one of the best shows on tv and I am going to be alittle upset to see it leave the airwaves... Oh well... Try again Portia, America loves you!
canceling scrubs? a shame.canceling Better of Ted? i will go Dexter Morgan on your asses
they must bring eastwick back
What da heck? Canceling Scrubs! The show is a damn beauty to watch and it makes TV worthwhile......... That would be a wrong move
This is STUPID, why would ABC take another shot against Scrubs obviously people love this show or else it would Not have survived a network change. Scrubs has done an absolutely amazing job with this new season with the transition from Scrubs to the new Scrubs and with losing JD and Elliott. I have really enjoyed this new season as it has the same fast-paced, witty stories and characters that Scrubs has always been known for. If ABC cancels Scrubs, it would be a very stupid and ridiculous decision. DON'T CANCEL SCRUBS!!!!!!
WTF?? I love Better off Ted.....aaaagggghh I hate tv so much, like a show they cancel it.
After the crap they pulled with Eastwick, they've officially lost me as a view. Well, at least until Lost is over...
ABC does take risks; however they usually "tweak" shows into ruination during the 2d or 3d season anyway! As with Scrubs; they find a way to fix what "ain't broke". I tried not to like Better Off Ted, but was pleasantly surprised. I like snappy fast-paced multi plots(Scrubs,Gilmore Girls,MASH,My Name is Earl...) The pattern is...if I like it, it usually gets cancelled. FlashForward....look out!
It may spell cancellation city, but I'll wait until a definitive verdict is out. Scrubs has an uncanny ability to avoid that axe that always looks so prized to lop it's overly moussed head off.
People still watch ABC? Lies!
im gonna miss better off ted was a funny show
scrubs- i love watching that show i really hope they dont cancell they show i really thought the show was funnier this year with new acxtors and everything hurts to see they go...:-(
Scrubs jumped the shark a long time ago, just pull the plug.
Maybe it's cancellation city maybe it isn't but I hate it when article writers spell doom and gloom based on assumptions.But anyway yeah, I am totally against ABC tossing anything good to the curb in favor of crap...wow, they're like the CW now (well, CW never really had anything good except Reaper...)
The new Scrubs should have never been made. Did Zack need a job that bad?
I'm a big Scrubs fan, but the plug needs to be pulled on that one. Shame about BOT, though, good show.
Without risks their are no significant rewards. Im not really a big fan of ABC. They really need some more solid programmming.
What a shame if these 2 go off the air -- mostly because they are Nielsen ratings challenged. The Scrubs reboot is pretty good, but Better Off Ted is brilliantly written and acted. Please let them at least finish their current seasons.
BOT has a great future. Charachters are strong and extreme! ABC killed the american Life on Mars far too early as well. The final episode was an absolute joke! Such a shame they can't see any further than the ratings of the first series. ABC seem to lack confidence and vision for such shows. Shame....
wil scrubs finish out the ninth season at least before it ends for good and better off ted is funny too
Ted is so cool and such a breath of fresh air!!!!But then again, there is no "dancing" in it, and nothing with the name "Idol" in it!
Scrubs is friggin amazing, it would be easy to save if the writers stop screwing around. and people make it worse than it sounds, its still friggin hilarious. i just watched better off ted the other night and i think it was stooped, i dont know if im missing something but the acting and camera shots are weird and its way too bright and just straight lame with weird acting
It's time for Scrubs to die. This season was terrible.
Scrubs is what's killing Better Off Ted I'm sad to say. I loved Scrubs but this season really isn't a winner. They should move Better Off Ted to Wednesday to go with Modern Family.
aaah, come on. better off ted is such a great show...
wanna save scrubs? join this group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info***mf&gid=221416936850
:(( BOT is GREAT!!! Too bad... But Scrubs should've been done for after last season...
Even though I don't watch Scrubs, I read many reviews and comments about it as well as the story.They should have ended it last season with good numbers and not letting it go raw.But it seems they like to do this in TV.
This is why most TV sucks now-a-days. Networks are canceling their quality shows for popular ones. Isn't TV about quality and entertainment? It's not (or shouldn't be) about profit (well, profit should matter a little).So many networks are turning into the same thing. Get a great, inventive new show that no one watches for 2 years but gets amazing ratings, then cancel it. While putting on a crappy reality show that gets pretty good ratings. It's hard to like or dislike any specific tv station because they all churn out the same crap.People need to stop watching the reality crap and read an autobiography. It's the same thing, plus reading is more beneficial to you.If you watch TV, whether it's many show, or just one or two, try to make it something worthwhile. Something that makes you think, or wonder what will happen next. Something you can discuss.TV already has the reputation as a "brain cell killer", even when refering to classic shows. Why add to that assumption by actually proving their point?moreless
Bye BOT, you were awesome while you lasted. Too bad you were on ABC.
They cant cancel Scrubs! They went against all the fans by renewing it for a 9nth season and they are now gonna cancel it?! What the hell?!
Better Off Ted is a great show, I can't believe it's being canned. This is why I'm going to rid myself of cable eventually. The networks have no backbone.
This really sucks, especially for Better Off Ted. That show is really funny and should have been left alone. Why didn't they just try to test the show on Wednesdays? I'm starting to like TV less now. Way too many good shows getting the ax. It's annoying!
i want some more traditional family comedies like the middle. :)
lol gotta agree abc is a joke lol. only channel equally as bad is the cw.
ABC, why follow the pack blindly? Grow a backbone! Have some originality!
I agree I've seen more than enough relationship comedies. I really liked Better Off Ted that was one of the few shows I liked on ABC.
I love procedurals which is probably why I love Fox and CBS and only watch Castle on ABC. I hate reality tv though.
there is no need for more relationship comedies. or medical dramas. are there no good ideas out there?
Well, I only ever expected one season of Better Off Ted and, if they're going to cancel it, I'd rather get all the episodes quickly, rather than waiting to see if they ever air the remaining ones (or how many times they can put it on hiatus)
They killed Better Off Ted. They don't try very hard to save their shows.
This sucks, Better Off Ted was one of the few shows that actually got me to tune into ABC for a change. (The others being Cougar Town, Scrubs and Modern Family) Only recently did they start making sitcoms worth watching and now they're getting rid of half the reasons I started tuning in.
I could see Scrubs going off because it has had a good run and the new formula is not hitting with the audience. But Better Off Ted is a great show with some life left in it. I say move it to wednesday and couple it with the the comedy block and the ratings will improve. Give it another shot on the new night.
you forgot to list the unusuals, that was a great ABC show that got axed after 1 season, ppl just wanna watch garbage these days like american idol, and desperate housewives.
i really dont care bout better off ted, never thought it was funny at all and i would hate to see scrubs go but it has 9 seasons behind it so its not big loss.
NO! NOT BETTER OFF TED! IT'S TOO GOOD FOR THAT! TOO GOOD!
No it's NOT KingoflPirates it has offered some of the best Shows to ever hit the airwaves and is one of the BEST networks on the AIR. Its not ABC's fault that people don't appreciate good TV and prefer to complain that what IS on is not innovative enough and then when something innovative and different DOES come along no body tunes in. I THINK that Pushing Daisies would still be around if it weren't for the Writer's Strike. PD was off the air for god knows how long and people either forgot about the show, Weren't aware it was still around (and therefore by the time they did find out figured they would watch it online or on DVD when it came out), or decided to find something better to watch (fat chance of that!!). Moonlight again was way before its time. As was Jericho (eventhough they were CBS shows). BUT, Life on Mars was good. DSM got a bit boring, and was aired on the wrong day. Sunday nights would have worked better with B&S moving to Thursdays after Grey's and Practice and Dirty Sexy Money airing after Desperate Housewives. Cavemen was DUMB, I'm sorry, but saying that Better off Ted is quite good and Scrubs deserves to stick around for at least on more season to have lasted a decade. I hope ABC continues to push the boundaries of TV becasue no one else is (other than ABC Family). CBS only has (Very GOOD) Sitcoms and (Bland) Procedurals. Fox has its Animation Domination and reality. The CW is known for its Teen Dramas and 'Thrillers' and NBC is known for being the big that airs Chuck. ABC is thew only network that airs worth-watching Dramedies and Quirky Shows alike. Keep at it GUYS!moreless
Shame. ABC only hopes to have the same sh***y programing CBS craps out.