Shows that were "burned off" by their networks - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-28-2021, 01:06 AM

Burned off meaning whenever a network airs a the remaining episodes TV show that they no longer want as quickly as possible in order to meet contractional or legal obligations and agreements.

One of the more infamous examples was ABC aired the final season of The Drew Carey Show during the summer. This can basically account to any show that's been placed in a "death slot" like Friday/Saturday nights or during the summer time. Or even worse, the network will place first run episodes in the middle of the night, as NBC did with the final four episodes of Suddenly Susan.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is probably the most recent notable example, as the final season only had 10 episodes. And NBC aired two episodes a night during the late summer/early fall (before the fall TV season formally began).

treky · 11-28-2021, 03:15 AM

YEARS ago (I think it was 1974) ABC aired a short-lived show called THE TEXAS WHEELERS; after it was cancelled they "burned off" the remaining episodes that summer.
They did the same thing a couple years later with another short-lived sitcom called GOOD HEAVENS

RetroGuy2000 · 11-28-2021, 04:33 AM

The final four or five episodes of Happy Days were burned off over Summer 1984, months after the finale had aired.

I recall that some episodes of Suddenly Susan were burned off over the summer of its final year, with more episodes never airing.

AMackII · 11-28-2021, 08:11 AM

If I’m not mistaken, The Sixth Season of A Different World had 7 Unaired Episodes(4 were broadcasted by NBC during early-mid Summer 1993 with 3 more being broadcasted in Syndication) after the Two Part Series Finale was originally aired on May 8th, 1993
https://epguides.com/DifferentWorld/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...World_episodes

Pavan · 11-28-2021, 02:57 PM

Perfect Strangers final few episodes aired in the summer of 1993.

Mace Dolex · 11-28-2021, 05:47 PM

I think Miami Vice after its finale aired a few eps ran during that Summer and a few more on the USA network.

Christopher · 11-28-2021, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I recall that some episodes of Suddenly Susan were burned off over the summer of its final year, with more episodes never airing.

Veronica's Closet had the same treatment. NBC aired some of the episodes during the summer after pulling it in the middle of the season. It was USA that finally aired them all when it went into syndication.

Melrose Place was pulled during its sixth season because of low ratings. FOX burned the remaining episodes that following summer and announced it would be part of the show's last season. Samantha Who was also burned off. ABC doubled up the final episodes during the summer months to get rid of it quickly.

Both Family Matters and Step By Step were pulled in the middle of their final seasons and burned off their runs in the summer.

i29u · 11-28-2021, 07:17 PM

I think T.J. Hooker and the short-lived Glitter also had their last episodes run in late night.

Also, this happened to three of Ann Jillian(n)'s four sitcoms- It's A Living had episodes burned off in summer the first season, and then the second season, episodes were burned off on late spring after having been in the death spot against Dallas; Jennifer Slept Here had new episodes burned off in spring, and her eponymous last sitcom had episodes burned off in summer, with some episodes never airing. Only Hazel escaped having episodes burned off.

Sid · 11-28-2021, 07:29 PM

Dinosaurs final season was burned off . ABC burned off the half of the episode. And the other half was burned off in syndication the following fall.

RetroGuy2000 · 11-28-2021, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Both Family Matters and Step By Step were pulled in the middle of their final seasons and burned off their runs in the summer.

Thanks for the reminder of Step By Step, Christopher; I stopped watching Family Matters after Judy Winslow disappeared, and wouldn't have known when episodes were burned off, but I recall the SBS "burning".

i29u · 11-28-2021, 10:30 PM

Ironside was another show where the last few episodes were shown only in syndication.

TMC · 11-28-2021, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

I think Miami Vice after its finale aired a few eps ran during that Summer and a few more on the USA network.

The last "lost episode", "Too Much, Too Late" in particular, first aired on the USA Network in January 1990 instead of on NBC because NBC's standards and practices were uncomfortable with the episode's subject matter.

AntennaTV2020 · 03-23-2022, 08:24 PM

The Hogan Family's ratings were so bad that CBS pulled it during December 1990 after airing it's 9th episode. The final 4 episodes were burned off in July 1991.

icecream · 03-23-2022, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

One of the more infamous examples was ABC aired the final season of The Drew Carey Show during the summer.

The Drew Carey Show was actually burned off two straight summers. Episodes 15-26 of season 8 in 2003, and the entire 9th season in 2004.

howilu · 03-24-2022, 09:33 AM

Rhoda was canceled midway through its fifth season due to a sharp ratings decline opposite NBC's hit police drama CHIPs.

11-28-2021, 01:06 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,040	Shows that were "burned off" by their networks Burned off meaning whenever a network airs a the remaining episodes TV show that they no longer want as quickly as possible in order to meet contractional or legal obligations and agreements. One of the more infamous examples was ABC aired the final season of The Drew Carey Show during the summer. This can basically account to any show that's been placed in a "death slot" like Friday/Saturday nights or during the summer time. Or even worse, the network will place first run episodes in the middle of the night, as NBC did with the final four episodes of Suddenly Susan. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is probably the most recent notable example, as the final season only had 10 episodes. And NBC aired two episodes a night during the late summer/early fall (before the fall TV season formally began).

11-28-2021, 03:15 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	YEARS ago (I think it was 1974) ABC aired a short-lived show called THE TEXAS WHEELERS; after it was cancelled they "burned off" the remaining episodes that summer. They did the same thing a couple years later with another short-lived sitcom called GOOD HEAVENS
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

11-28-2021, 04:33 AM	#3
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	The final four or five episodes of Happy Days were burned off over Summer 1984, months after the finale had aired. I recall that some episodes of Suddenly Susan were burned off over the summer of its final year, with more episodes never airing.
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11-28-2021, 02:57 PM	#5
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	Perfect Strangers final few episodes aired in the summer of 1993.
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11-28-2021, 07:17 PM	#8
i29u Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 05, 2004 Posts: 237	I think T.J. Hooker and the short-lived Glitter also had their last episodes run in late night. Also, this happened to three of Ann Jillian(n)'s four sitcoms- It's A Living had episodes burned off in summer the first season, and then the second season, episodes were burned off on late spring after having been in the death spot against Dallas; Jennifer Slept Here had new episodes burned off in spring, and her eponymous last sitcom had episodes burned off in summer, with some episodes never airing. Only Hazel escaped having episodes burned off.
	Last edited by i29u; 11-28-2021 at 07:19 PM. Reason: spelling

11-28-2021, 08:11 AM	#4
AMackII Member Forum Star Join Date: Oct 23, 2015 Location: St. Louis Posts: 17,230	If I’m not mistaken, The Sixth Season of A Different World had 7 Unaired Episodes(4 were broadcasted by NBC during early-mid Summer 1993 with 3 more being broadcasted in Syndication) after the Two Part Series Finale was originally aired on May 8th, 1993 https://epguides.com/DifferentWorld/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List...World_episodes

11-28-2021, 05:47 PM	#6
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,670	I think Miami Vice after its finale aired a few eps ran during that Summer and a few more on the USA network.

11-28-2021, 07:29 PM	#9
Sid Little Mac and Doc Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 150	Dinosaurs final season was burned off . ABC burned off the half of the episode. And the other half was burned off in syndication the following fall.
	__________________ from South Park Jimmy: Okay. Try this one on for size: Why did the... pigeon cross the road? Cartman: Okay, why? Jimmy: Because it was having sex with the chihi... Because it was having sex with the ch-hi-hi... Because it was having sex with the ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch... eh, it was having sex with the ch-ch-hiicken

11-28-2021, 10:30 PM	#11
i29u Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 05, 2004 Posts: 237	Ironside was another show where the last few episodes were shown only in syndication.

03-23-2022, 08:24 PM	#13
AntennaTV2020 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 18, 2017 Posts: 61	The Hogan Family's ratings were so bad that CBS pulled it during December 1990 after airing it's 9th episode. The final 4 episodes were burned off in July 1991.

03-24-2022, 09:33 AM	#15
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,964	Rhoda was canceled midway through its fifth season due to a sharp ratings decline opposite NBC's hit police drama CHIPs.