9 of the Fastest Cancellations In TV History

[JamesG]

9 of the Fastest Cancellations in Television History
Written by Julie Miller | 29 Sep 2009

The first network cancellation in each season always stings, and so it goes for the Mischa Barton comeback vehicle The Beautiful Life, whose aborted, two-episode run left a trail of broken hearts including those of conspiracy theorist costar Sara Paxton, the less than a million Beautiful Life viewers, and a handful of Brazilian fans who watched via iTunes.

We hate to see television fans suffer, and knowing that there are inconsolable Americans clinging to tear-stained, homemade petitions and Mischa Barton-covered vision boards is too much for us to handle at Movieline HQ.

Take solace, then, in these other quickly canceled series that surely could have taken off if they’d only reached those amazing third episodes.




9. Osbournes: Reloaded (2009)
Synopsis: Variety show hosted by Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne.
Network: FOX
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: See synopsis.




8. Rosie Live (2008)
Synopsis: Another variety show, this one for Rosie O’Donnell to showcase her lifelong passions: duets with Liza Minelli, Gloria Estefan, children’s charities, and sketch comedy about Broadway shows.
Initially, the network wanted to use the show as a pilot episode for a regular series.
Network: NBC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: TV Guide critic Matt Roush predicted the show was “dead on arrival.”




7. Secret Talents of the Stars (2008)
Synopsis: Viewer-voted competition show in which celebrities showcase their, well, secret talents. Debbie Reynolds, Brian McKnight and Gavin Polone made up the judging panel.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: The first and only episode’s contestants were Clint Black, Mya, Sasha Cohen, and George Takei.




6. Emily’s Reasons Why Not (2006)
Synopsis: A single career woman (Heather Graham) with little luck in the love department develops a list system to determine whether men are worth her time.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: Network executives allegedly picked up the show without seeing a pilot.




5. Dot Comedy (2002)
Synopsis: Annabelle Gurwitch and the Sklar Brothers host a program that showcases humorous videos found on the internet.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: For a series with “comedy” in the title, there were little to no laughs among the 4.1 viewers.




4. Liza and David (2002)
Synopsis: Reality series about newlyweds Liza Minnelli and her then-husband David Gest.
Network: VH1
Episodes Aired: 0
Warning Sign: The New York Post reported that Gest locked Minnelli in their apartment, screamed at camera crews who refused to wear surgical booties, and would cancel shoots at the last minute.




3. The Mike O’Malley Show (1999)
Synopsis: A 30-year-old hockey fan (O’Malley) reevaluates his life after attending the wedding of a close friend (Arrested Development’s Will Arnett).
Network: NBC
Episodes Aired: 2
Warning Sign: The pilot was re-shot after being universally panned by critics.




2. Garbage Pail Kids (1987)
Synopsis: The Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, brought to life by a Saturday morning cartoon series.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 0
Warning Sign: Advertisers pulled out after being pressured from interest groups that claimed the series glorified violence and served as a barely-disguised infomercial for the cards.




1. Turn-On (1969)
Synopsis: Variety show pitched as a racier derivative of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. The cast included Teresa Graves and Chuck McCann.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1/2
Warning Sign: Broadcast officials were so alarmed by the offensive content of the show that they cancelled the program halfway through its first broadcast.

http://www.movieline.com/2009/09/som...ory.php?page=2

[catlover79]

The sad thing is, I remember most of those shows. Not that I watched them.

[browneyes106]

I wish I could have seen that Garbage Pail kids cartoon.

[Marvo301]

The only one of these shows I have seen is Rosie Live although I remember a lot of the others. I had high hopes that Rosie Live would jump start the variety format since I grew up watching great variety shows like Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson. Unfortunately Rosie Live was so poorly done (it looked more like a high school talent show than a network variety show) that I think it may have killed the variety format if not forever at least for a long, long time.

[Jude The Obscure]

I think the Turn On quip is mostly urban legend....

Remember "Public Morals", Steven Bocho's CBS sitcom that in it's only aired episode referred to a group of guys as "the Pu$$y Posse"?

Also the Glenn Frey drama, "South of Sunset" also aired 1 episode.

[LittleRickyII]

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I had high hopes that Rosie Live would jump start the variety format since I grew up watching great variety shows like Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson. Unfortunately Rosie Live was so poorly done (it looked more like a high school talent show than a network variety show) that I think it may have killed the variety format if not forever at least for a long, long time.

Well, even if the age of variety shows is long past, interestingly, the most enduring variety show in history is still on the air today. That show is Saturday Night Live, which seems like it will be around for many more years to come. Perhaps it's its very unique format that keeps it going, including a different host and a different (and major) musical act every week, in contrast to most variety shows of the past that had the same host every week and the same musical performers, and a large and fluid cast. How's that for variety! Also, there is more of an emphasis on comedy than many of the past variety shows (The Carol Burnett Show being an exception). And the from-the-latest headlines satirical opening sketch and "Weekend Update" in the middle that give viewers something to anticipate every week, and allows us to laugh at the nonsense from the previous week. It's a brilliant creation. Thanks, Lorne Michaels!

[catlover79]

How about Jackie Gleason's "You're in the Picture"? I mean, he apologized live on the air about it!!

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Also the Glenn Frey drama, "South of Sunset" also aired 1 episode.

That takes care of my reply but I believe one reason that show failed was because of the barrage of promos CBS aired for it during the 93 world series. It's good to promote a new show but there is such a thing as overkill.

[Schmoopie]

I remember hearing about "Emily's Reasons Why Not" and all I have to say is what possesed them to give this show such a STUPID name? Isn't that gramatically incorrect anyway?

[howierules86]

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I wish I could have seen that Garbage Pail kids cartoon.

I heard that CBS decided to expand "Muppet Babies" to 90 minutes (for the 1987-88 season) at the last second to fill the spot caused by that last-minute cancellation. A year later, "Muppet Babies" was back to only being on for an hour.

[Cactus Jack]

What about the one from a few years ago that was cancelled after two weeks? Head Cases

[plaidman76]

Some others that I believe were dead after 1 episode

Manchester Prep - 1997 (Fox)
Roxie - 1987 (CBS)
Take Five - 1987 (CBS)

I also have the pilot for a half hour Sitcom called TLC that aired in the early 80's....it didn't make it past the pilot.

Then of course you have Pilots that aired as movies that were supposed to become regular series but didn't, 2 horrible ones that come to mind are Tag Team (Roddy Piper and Jessie Ventura are ex wrestlers turned cops....) and Poochinski (look it up...I can't believe someone gave this show the green light)
I have both these shows, and wow, are they ever bad.)


Lots of shows canned after 2 episodes too....Wonderland (2000 - ABC), Wind on Water (1998 NBC), My Guys (1996 CBS), Men (1989 ABC), Imagine That (2002 NBC), Danny (2001 CBS), Girls Club (2002 Fox), Prince Street (1997 NBC) and a bunch more....

[JamesG]

A couple of more one-episode wonders are:

Co-Ed Fever (1979) - It aired once on CBS and it was meant to capitalize off of National Lampoon's Animal House.

Lawless (1997) - Starred ex-footbal star Brian Bosworth in a one episode action series on FOX.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by howierules86

I heard that CBS decided to expand "Muppet Babies" to 90 minutes (for the 1987-88 season) at the last second to fill the spot caused by that last-minute cancellation. A year later, "Muppet Babies" was back to only being on for an hour.

Exactly - I remember reading that years ago. Heck, the Garbage Pail Kids are TAME compared to the stuff geared towards kids now.

[McGillicuddy]

Thank goodness Liza & David didn't happen! That would have been a real freak show!