If shows were kept around based on their quality, television would be unrecognizable. Unfortunately, great shows are often rewarded by throwing them out on the curb as the business is cruel to those that can't find audiences. Another round of eliminations is just around the corner, and several shows are in danger of being sent packing. We'll take a look at 10 of the more intriguing cases.
10. Without a Trace / Cold Case
These two procedurals pull in 10 million-plus viewers regularly, so why are they on the chopping block? Well, CBS--America's most watched network--has different standards than others... CBS is used to HUGE numbers and doesn't settle for less. As previously reported, rumor is CBS is looking to cut costs in a big way, and that means these two may not return.Prognosis: With CSI, NCIS, and The Mentalist well over 15 million viewers, these two have near-impossible standards to keep up with. Not looking great.
9. Knight Rider
The last we heard about this show is it was undergoing a massive overhaul... but that was late last year. Cast members were cut, and the main story is supposed to simplify and harken back to the classic Knight Rider. Jay Leno's primetime talk show is going to kill a lot of NBC programs, and this pricey action show and ratings drag will probably be one of them.Prognosis: We're not even sure how this got on television in the first place. But then again, NBC doesn't make the wisest decisions.
8. In the Motherhood
Just a few days after its premiere, In the Motherhood saw its initial order cut by more than half from 13 episodes to just six. Yikes. The debut numbers weren't great, but with ABC's full plate of shows this season and promising pilots next season, the network can afford to be extra picky now.Prognosis: Throwing single moms out on the street isn't nice, but it is business. A goner unless ratings jump drastically.
7. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Prognosis: It sounds silly to say a TV show's fate relies on a movie's performance, but let's face it--the television industry is as wacky as they come.
6. My Name is Earl
NBC has milked this cow for almost all its worth (even die-hard fans will admit that seasons one and two were much better than the more recent seasons), and the network would love to throw something fresher in to strengthen its comedy block that's anchored by The Office. But Earl, on the expensive side of things as far as half-hour comedies go, still has some laughs left in the tank.Prognosis: As Deadline Hollywood notes, Fox (which produces the show) may actually turn around and scoop up the show--which is close to having enough episodes for syndication. NBC may give up on it, but Fox stands to make a lot of money if it sticks around a bit. But if Parks & Recreation tanks, Earl may stick around NBC.
Comments (502)
In whose face, exactly?
HAH! Earl got renewed for another season! IN YOUR FACE!
I can't believe Chuck could get cancelled because of Leno and his show what a waste!!!!!
Leno might be replacing Chuck???? Well yet another reason to not watch this new Leno show... First he doesn't leave gracefully to let Conan finally lead the way, and now Chuck???
I agree with rickytuy22they should get rid of some of those stupid reality shows if they need the spots all reality shows are garbage.Keep Dollhouse,Terminator,and Reaper.
Are you kidding me the Terminator I know they get a lot of viewers I love that show Please don’t take that off I guess I will have to start a partisan if you do. I want them to keep Heroes on as well. What Dollhouse oh no you can't axe these show.
Its no wonder Cold Case is in danger. Between it's time slot and constanly get booted for other shows and speeches it is hardly ever on.
Hi! I know that Eleventh Hour is not on this list, but I know that its renewal is anything but certain. That is why we need your help. I want to let all the EH fans here know about the Eleventh Hour Renewal Campaign that is going on right now. If you haven't heard of it, I am included a link below where you can check it out. It is a campaign for fans to let CBS know that we are here and that we want EH back. The things that we are doing are easy and fun, and will make the impact needed to insure its renewal. If you have seen it, please take another look and help us out. Anything you can do is greatly appreciated.Thanks for your help, and make sure you keep checking back for updates and news! :)http://www.cbs.com/forum/posts/list/46315.pageIf the link does not work, please copy/paste in in your browser. I have also written it out for those who prefer it that way.www(dot)cbs(dot)com(slash)forum(slash)posts(slash)list(slash)46315(dot)pageThanks again!moreless
I really hope they bring Chuck back. I agree with everyone that says that Heroes should be over by now. So please NBC guys, just give Chuck another chance and bring him back for a 3rd season.
I agree with jareaufan, get rid of Heroes and give Chuck another chance, a real chance. Heroes it´s being a embarassing issue to NBC, and even though, they keep giving them another shot. I love Chuck, and I love Reaped too, they are funny, sarcastic, different of all the CSIs that´s on tv these days. It´s not that I don´t enjoy watching the CSI trilogy, but they are all the same, even being in different channels.
Castle seems to be holding most of its viewers from week to week - should survive, I think. I have to agree with all the rest of your list, although the 'Save Chuck' campaign seems to be growing. Fox might see enough in theDVR numbers to give Dollhouse another season, but knowing their track record, I wouldn't count on it.
CHUCK!!!!! I love this show! It deserves a chance! We DON'T need 5 hours of Jay Leno, I WANT MY CHUCK!!!
and dollhouse?!?! nooooooooooooooooooooo!
not terminatior!
oh no CBS you can't axe With out a Trace or Cold Case , You will have very many unhappy people we Love these show's ...Axe Knight Rider ,or Terminator not even come close to being as good as With Out A Trace or Cold Case afpatt
Save Chuck and Reaper. Also, save Castle I still want to start watching it. RIP Pushing Daisies...
Cold Case/Without a Trace- Good shows. Maybe a switch to a new network would be best for all?Knight Rider- Horrible show. Should have been canceled after the pilot.Terminator- Amazing show. There's so much more mythology to explore!My Name is Earl- Good at first. Time to put it out to pasture. Kings- Good show. If it came on during the week, it'd be fine. Sundays?Castle- Good show. Stana is hot. Needs better timeslot.Reaper- The only decent thing on CW not called Gossip Girl. Keep it. It's suffering because there are no "pretty people."Dollhouse- Sucks. Whedon, you let me down. And Dushku doesn't have the chops.Chuck- Great show! Different from anything else on TV. DO NOT CANCEL!
http://tinyurl.com/cfwwbnA very nice open letter to NBC by Alan Sepinwall. Unlike most Save Chuck campaigns, this letter lists very plainly and smartly, why it would be lucrative for NBC to save Chuck. It does have some begging as well :) but Chuck is worth it. PLEASE SAVE CHUCK!
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T CANCEL COLD CASE OR WITHOUT A TRACE, PLEASE. I LOVE COLD CASE, DON'T DO IT!!!! It seems as soon as I find a show I like some big shot decides to cancel it. Every time.....let's see...I don't remember if it was your network but some shows I remember that were canceled and I liked and watched were....Cane....Pasadena..etc. Pasadena lasted all of about 3 episodes and it was gone and just left you hanging. Cane the same way. I think Pasadena would have made it. It reminded me of Dallas...or maybe you're to young to remember that show. Pasadena wasn't even given a chance. Anyway PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE keep COLD CASE!!!!!!
Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!Chuck!
I am ANOTHER fan of Chuck. I absolutely LOVE this show. I like Jay Leno and all that, but 5 hours of him EVERY week will get BORING. And to take Chuck off the sir to give Leno that hour is LUDICROUS. READ THIS POST AND ALL THE OTHER POSTS NBC!!! They are here by the thousands wanting to keep Chuck going. PLEASE KEEP THIS WONDERFUL SHOW ON THE AIR. They already cancelled SArah Conner just as it was hitting it's stride over on FOX. Don't be idiots, NBC. Keep a winner on the air! CANcel HEROES. Their ratings suck, don't they . SAVE CHUCK
I am a bit of a T.V. junkie. I have atleast 2-4 shows I watch mon.-fri. This includes Heros, Castle, Saving Grace, NCIS, Fringe, Mentalist, Criminal Minds, The Unusuals, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Ghost Whisperer, Terminator, Dollhouse, and Numbers. Obviously some of these shows come on at the same time, so i watch one and catch the other on-line. PLEASE DO NOT CANCELL ANY OF THESE SHOWS! I am sad about Terminator :(, and again wondering what the networks idea of a good show is.....'cause they always cancel the ones I LIKE! I will make a completely desperate pathetic plea for CASTEL and DOLLHOUSE now. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T CANCELL THESE TWO SHOWS!!! Joss Wheddon has already proven his genius, please give this show a decent shot (and a decent slot...Friday? really?) And Castle simply ROCKS, Nathan Fillion is the best. I've followed him from Firefly and Buffy. Give this great show and great actor a chance please. LEAVE SOMETHING DECENT LEFT TO WATCH INSTEAD OF THOSE STUPID STUPID 'REALITY' SHOWS!! Please leave something for your normal drama loving viewers....something that doesn't make us turn the T.V. OFF!!!!!!! Praying hard, WhisperDmoreless
Reality TV must be stopped!!!I just don't know how :(Save CHUCK!
With all the crap reality shows on TV it is hard to find a good thing. Chuck is great. Are the powers that be not paying attention to the audience/market? Maybe they should be canned like the automakers exec's. SAVE CHUCK - WE WANT A THIRD SEASON. FANS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PROOF - Farscape - Fans cried out and the powers that be made a four hour series finally. SAVE CHUCK
Chuck, Dollhouse, Reaper, ...Earl, and Without a Trace all getting axed? Well, I guess I won't be watching nearly as much television as I have been of late. Damn.
my name is earl and the motherhood are just not funny in my opinion and should be cut. As a NCIS, CSI, without a trace and cold case watcher these should even be contemplated on being cut.
NBC: SAVE CHUCK ! ! ! !
I am a great grandmother who loves KNIGHT RIDER. I got my 19 year of grandson hooked on it. Of course, the car is fantastic with all the upgrades. I watched the original and was thrilled when the new one came along. I also watch shows like Cold Case and Without a Trace. I also like CASTLE, LIFE, and some others. The networks never have seemed to care what the viewers like. They're also pretty bad about ending or not ending episodes. Charmed had the perfect ending, then they kept it going. Las Vegas just quit after they brought in Tom Selleck. Jay leno in prime time??? You've got to be kidding. I'll watch whatever is opposite him. Also, gearing shows only to the young is dumb. We old people probably watch more tv than the young people because we're not in school or out partying. They just don't have a clue.moreless
NO AND NO AGAIN, Don't cancel Kings at least not yet. Let us see some more before you do that, please. The same for TerminatorTSCC. Cold Case Without a Trace and Knight Rider in that order should also be continued in that order, please. House is also a number one to keep before even Kings, Okay. Thank you.
NBC should just get rid of Heroes and spare Chuck, and same goes for ridding FOX of Terminator and saving Dollhouse (one half is already done!). Chuck and Dollhouse both have the potential to become big if the networks let them. Heroes reached it's peak long ago, and really no longer holds the same audience it did. Terminator (which was a mistake in my opinion) is already gone, so need I say more?
Chuck is the best show that I have seen in a long long time. It has all the elements in it that make a show endearing to a wide audience. As indicated by all of the submissions, Chuck should be part of NBC's future. Cancelling it would be very short-sighted.
Dollhouse is a fantastic show with a lot of potential.But, one of the reasons why it's not receiving a low audience is that it is put on a Friday night.
I am a HUGE fan of Chuck and would really hate to see the show go. I am never at home to see it so I usually watch it on my PC. I agree with the other person who said that there must be a way to track online viewing of a show. NBC execs....you might be surprised by the numbers. SAVE CHUCK!!!
NBC is full of idiots, so I wouldn't be surprised if they got rid of Kings and Chuck. (Both are REALLY great shows!)
CHUCK is getting better all the time! I'll lose respect for a network that would get rid of it and keep those awful reality shows just to save production costs. Talk about pinching pennies and losing dollars!!
Have to agree with you man..cant cancel chuck no matter what!!
If they cancel chuck i will be done with NBC for a while, it is like my favorite show on tv today. I don't like jay leno, they should get rid of some of those stupid reality shows if they need the spots all reality shows are garbage.
NO NO NO DO NOT cancel cold case i love that show and the music rocks. i dont watch much tv but that show really caught my attention. the other shows i can live without.FIND A PLACE FOR COLD CASE Thank U very much
Please don't get rid of cold case I live to watch that show!!!!
Your kidding right..Jay Leno sucks! My Favorites are Eleventh Hour, CSI New York, Numbers, Criminal Minds, NCIS, Bones, CSI, CSI Miami, Colde Case, Without a Trace, The Mentalist and now the new Harpers Island!
It seems like Chuck is everyone's favourite show, mine included. Along with Supernatural, it's the only show worth watching . Why the hell not keep it? Who is really going to watch the Jay Leno show? It just seems like NBC is out to get itself.
noooooooooooooooo :(!not chuck and reaper :\
I love Terminator: TSCC! Pleeez don't cancel it!!
nooooooooo! please keep chuck and castle!!!!!!!!!chuck is great a great ...DONT CANCEL IT!!!!!
I very much hope Castle, Dollhouse, and Terminator stay on the air! (I think I would love Chuck if I had the time to watch it, but I am just to busy to add another show to my watch list!)
yuck is great
Really hoping Chuck is given the chance it deserves, and Terminator can pick up steam after the film is released. Reaper is a good show but that has absolutely no chance unfortunately.
Please save Chuck,Terminator,Dollhouse and Castle!
well so far the shows that have been terminated are terminator kings reaper and in the motherhood. theres no way knight rider will stay so we might as well consider that one gone. as for castle and dollhouse their both up in the air but if they cancel dollhouse they will have to find 2 shows for their friday line up. if that happens then put crappy glee there cuz its the most ***ed show i've ever seen besides cavemen from geico and rosey's stupid talkshow. good luck to chuck cuz its a decent show and doesn't deserve to be cancelled so easily. i only watched a few eps but i did like it. as for my name is earl i never liked it so goodbye.
EVERY FRICKIN COMMENT WANTS CHUCK!!!!! OPEN YOUR EYES NBC!!! SAVE CHUCK!!!!