Near cancelled shows - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Nanny Fine · 12-28-2003, 11:35 PM

What shows were cancelled, or almost cancelled, and then brought back due to public outcry?

I was reading at Designing Women's page tonight on TVTOME and it said after the 13th episode that so many people had written in to protest it's cancellation that it was brought back and ran a successful 7 seasons.

I know also that Cagney and Lacey went through this.

What other shows, comedy or otherwise, did this happen to?

DetectiveGriffin · 12-29-2003, 02:49 AM

Quantum Leap was brought back because of this. Remember the commercial with a bunch of letters being dumped on this guy, and he says, "OK OK! we hear you!" Really cute.

One of the main characters was killed on The Sentinel but then brought back to life for a very short last season, due to the massive freaking out that happened. A bunch of women were real mad, you know!

One of my favorite shows at the time - Sliders - was canceled every season it was on Fox, then brought back at the last minute for a new season, Im guessing because of the fan base.

I dont know about any sitcoms, though.

ClassicTV4Ever · 12-29-2003, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
What shows were cancelled, or almost cancelled, and then brought back due to public outcry?

I was reading at Designing Women's page tonight on TVTOME and it said after the 13th episode that so many people had written in to protest it's cancellation that it was brought back and ran a successful 7 seasons.

I know also that Cagney and Lacey went through this.

What other shows, comedy or otherwise, did this happen to?

Wow, I didn't know that Designing Women was first cancelled after only 13 episodes! I heard it had trouble taking off at first but I had no idea it was cancelled. Learn something new every day

I think Family Guy also fits into this. It was cancelled, then brought back due to public outcry, and then shortly after it was cancelled again. And now I heard that it might be coming back yet again due to its incredible DVD sales.

America's Most Wanted is another show that went through this.

Brent88 · 12-29-2003, 08:59 AM

I think Unsolved Mysteries may fit into this. It aired on NBC from 1987 to 1996. Then, NBC decided to cancel it, so CBS picked it up for a few episodes in 1997 and 1998. Then, Lifetime started airing new segments intermixed with old ones in 2000 I believe and they continued to air til September 2002, before Robert Stack(the host) died.

JT · 12-29-2003, 05:15 PM

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" was cancelled after one season, but during it was given another chance, and it became a TV classic.

musicradio77 · 12-30-2003, 08:05 PM

In 1987, "Full House" was almost cancelled and brought back the following season until the show's end in 1995. That's another story.

spunkygirl · 12-31-2003, 01:54 AM

Boy Meets World was cancelled after it's 4th season, but ABC decided to give more of a chance and brought it back a few months later.

I did read that Ed was cancelled but because of fan outcry they decided against it, Once and Again was given a second chance, and a few other shows too

Freakzilla · 12-31-2003, 01:28 PM

Taxi: Cancelled by ABC and picked up for another season by NBC.

NewsRadio: Was 92nd in the ratings in it's third season. But NBC kept the show on the air for another 2 seasons.

Heather987 · 01-16-2004, 04:55 PM

dont think this fits but Party of Five was close to being cancelled after its first season

barwars · 01-16-2004, 06:50 PM

Cheers was almost cancelled during the first season.
But the head of NBC at the time liked the show.... and wouldn't cancel any shows he liked.

As most of you know.... went on for 11 seasons, took the #1 spot.... and has been a classic ever since.

David · 01-17-2004, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BrooklynGuy78
In 1987, "Full House" was almost cancelled and brought back the following season until the show's end in 1995. That's another story.

Yup, i was gonna say that. It was almost cancelled... but during the summer, it got higher ratings, so it got renewed.

Also, didnt All in the Family almost get cancelled in their 1st season?

JT · 01-17-2004, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by [.AIkenCompany3.]
Yup, i was gonna say that. It was almost cancelled... but during the summer, it got higher ratings, so it got renewed.

Also, didnt All in the Family almost get cancelled in their 1st season?

Yes it did. Hardly anyone watched it during Spring 1971, but during the summer, ratings went up.

Dean Winchester · 01-17-2004, 02:18 PM

if I recall, CBS canned Touched By An Angel after the first season, and then during the next season, brought it back as a "filler" midseason type of show, but the ratings skyrocketed and then CBS made it a full-time show again for the next 8 seasons.

factsoflife · 01-17-2004, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Heather987
dont think this fits but Party of Five was close to being cancelled after its first season

Actually "Part Of Five" WAS cancelled in 1994 (season one) but before the final episode even aired FOX was So besieged with letters from outraged fans that they renewed the show for another season. It ended up staying on FOX for another Six years.

Ditto, Beverly hills 90210... in its first season in 1990 the show was getting killed in the ratings on Thursday nights against shows like "Cheers" but Fox decided to air NEW episodes in the summer on Wednsday nights and the show TOOK OFF and became a huge hit... It lasted 9 more years.

Technically this doesn't count but after ABC canceled "My So-Called Life" they were bombarded with letters, calls and emails from OUTRAGED fans and critics. They ALMOST brought the show back but ended up not doing it. Later the following season MTV started airing the show in reruns and its become a cult favorite ever since.

Mrgman · 12-23-2005, 10:11 PM

Charles in charge was cancelled then brought back

12-28-2003, 11:35 PM	#1
Nanny Fine Justine and Holden.. Senior Member Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Watching The Ellen Degeneres Show and luvin' it Posts: 2,852	Near cancelled shows What shows were cancelled, or almost cancelled, and then brought back due to public outcry? I was reading at Designing Women's page tonight on TVTOME and it said after the 13th episode that so many people had written in to protest it's cancellation that it was brought back and ran a successful 7 seasons. I know also that Cagney and Lacey went through this. What other shows, comedy or otherwise, did this happen to?
	__________________ * How it all came down to this, only the Devil knows. Retail Rodeo is at the corner on my left. The motel is down the road to my right. I close my eyes and try to peer into the future. On my left, I saw days upon days of lipstick and ticking clocks, dirty looks and quiet whisperings. And burning secrets that just won't ever die away. And on my right, what could I picture? The blue sky, the desert earth, stretching out into the eerie infinity. A beautiful never-ending nothing. ~Justine, "The Good Girl" * Bush for President!

12-29-2003, 05:15 PM	#5
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,219	"The Dick Van Dyke Show" was cancelled after one season, but during it was given another chance, and it became a TV classic.
	__________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrEbJBFWIPk

12-30-2003, 08:05 PM	#6
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	In 1987, "Full House" was almost cancelled and brought back the following season until the show's end in 1995. That's another story.
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

12-29-2003, 02:49 AM	#2
DetectiveGriffin Sankontessou! Senior Member Join Date: Aug 08, 2001 Location: North Central Indiana Posts: 1,288	Quantum Leap was brought back because of this. Remember the commercial with a bunch of letters being dumped on this guy, and he says, "OK OK! we hear you!" Really cute. One of the main characters was killed on The Sentinel but then brought back to life for a very short last season, due to the massive freaking out that happened. A bunch of women were real mad, you know! One of my favorite shows at the time - Sliders - was canceled every season it was on Fox, then brought back at the last minute for a new season, Im guessing because of the fan base. I dont know about any sitcoms, though.

12-29-2003, 08:59 AM	#4
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	I think Unsolved Mysteries may fit into this. It aired on NBC from 1987 to 1996. Then, NBC decided to cancel it, so CBS picked it up for a few episodes in 1997 and 1998. Then, Lifetime started airing new segments intermixed with old ones in 2000 I believe and they continued to air til September 2002, before Robert Stack(the host) died.

12-31-2003, 01:54 AM	#7
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,557	Boy Meets World was cancelled after it's 4th season, but ABC decided to give more of a chance and brought it back a few months later. I did read that Ed was cancelled but because of fan outcry they decided against it, Once and Again was given a second chance, and a few other shows too

12-31-2003, 01:28 PM	#8
Freakzilla Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 23, 2000 Location: Portage, Michigan, United States Posts: 556	Taxi: Cancelled by ABC and picked up for another season by NBC. NewsRadio: Was 92nd in the ratings in it's third season. But NBC kept the show on the air for another 2 seasons.

01-16-2004, 04:55 PM	#9
Heather987 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 13, 2004 Posts: 476	dont think this fits but Party of Five was close to being cancelled after its first season

01-16-2004, 06:50 PM	#10
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Cheers was almost cancelled during the first season. But the head of NBC at the time liked the show.... and wouldn't cancel any shows he liked. As most of you know.... went on for 11 seasons, took the #1 spot.... and has been a classic ever since.

01-17-2004, 02:18 PM	#13
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	if I recall, CBS canned Touched By An Angel after the first season, and then during the next season, brought it back as a "filler" midseason type of show, but the ratings skyrocketed and then CBS made it a full-time show again for the next 8 seasons.

12-23-2005, 10:11 PM	#15
Mrgman Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 12, 2005 Posts: 658	Charles in charge was cancelled then brought back