DISAPPOINTMENTS & NETWORK TV

Every year at this time I go through the same ordeal - TV Shows I have invested my time in have been cancelled - yet again.  Over the years I have been frustrated by it and even driven to write-in campaigns (Jericho - reruns available on Netflix).

I say I have "invested" my time because my time is rather limited.  I work two jobs and so my TV time is carefully chosen!  That doesn't mean I choose the most Intelligent thought-provoking shows - no - I really do enjoy a mindless sit-com after working a 12 hour day of "customer service".   Some people like to escape with "The Simpsons" or other animated adult cartoons, but I prefer something like the ABC line-up "Modern Family", "The Goldbergs", and "Blackish".  But ABC ,being the genius network that they are, have broken up that powerhouse lineup and are using each of these shows on separate nights no doubt to rope viewers into watching some new (possibly lame) shows.  Since most people now days have DVR's and subscribe to streaming services, we don't have to be held hostage to actually watching a show when it airs anymore.  I personally rely on HULU to see my shows on weekends when I have free time.   Nothing ABC has to offer in-between these established shows will lure me away at the moment.  After all - if I do get attached to a show - well - they'll probably cancel it.   I just got attached to "The Crossing".  Yep ....Cancelled.

Most notably ABC has also cancelled "Designated Survivor".  A drama that made you think and was engaging for an hour.  In recent years they cancelled another clever show called "Forever" Unfortunately they were not shows geared to the ADHD crowd or the "fast-food" generation who can't sit still or concentrate that long.    They would rather watch thought-provoking shows like The Celebrity Family Feud or The Match Game. 

But ABC is not the only network that has let me down - they all are guilty of questionable judgment.  Thank goodness for the Twitter fans who helped to save "Lucifer" from the Fox Execs, and many thanks to Netflix for picking it up!!   I actually did a happy dance in the Pharmacy @ Rite Aid when I was told it had been saved! 

Again - I am sure we all have been let down by the networks, PBS killed "Mercy Street", HULU killed "The Path", Amazon killed "Mozart in the Jungle", FX killed "The Tyrant", and SYFY killed "Defiance" .  Just because I haven't listed NBC, CBS, The CW, whoEVER - it doesn't mean they haven't let us down somewhere along the line. 

And, I'm not saying everything that was cancelled should have been saved - NO.  Some shows most definitely were "tired".  A long-time favorite of mine is "Nashville".  When it premiered it was a great show - but whatever has happened these last two seasons is an embarrassment to the original seasons. The same can be said for great books that are made into Television series.  In an effort to make MONEY,  the "idea" of a book is kept, but the "series" doesn't resemble the book.  Case in point - "Under The Dome", "Zoo"  and "The Strain" .  Instead of keeping to the true story and making them a LIMITED SERIES, it was necessary to insult everyone who read the books with a drawn out story line that fell short.    I can only wonder what is is store for the readers of "The Passage" (book 1 of a trilogy)

My recommendation would be - read the books.  And especially before you watch "The Passage"  - it's a great trilogy that spans over a century.   Fox will probably cancel it anyway - unless, of course, they think they can drag it out that long......?

Anyway - was your show cancelled?  Check out the entire list - everything you need to know about every TV show!   You can scroll through every show from A to Z and see the shows that have been cancelled, and the shows that have been renewed! 

I will sleep better this evening knowing "The Gong Show" hasn't been cancelled.........