Over the weekend all the major networks took a sharp ax to their list of TV shows and I must add there were many who weren't able to make it out alive. Most on this list in my opinion were well-deserved, especially since the major networks tried so hard to appeal to the same demographic that basic cable competes with.
Only difference is, basic cable shows take bigger risks, and they give their shows shorter seasons, which allow the writers to tell more compelliing stories in 12 episodes rather than the 22 that you get on the majors. Also what bothers me about the majors is that if the ratings aren't huge after a few episodes they are quick to cancel a series, and everybody knows it takes a while for a series to find it's groove. On basic cable networks they ususlly greenlight 6-13 episodes and if the ratings don't grow then they cancel it. Most people aren't willing to invest in a series a major network isn't going to put their promotion behind. So what I suggest is that if you are going to greenlight a show give them a few episodes. If the show doesn't work then cancel it. At least give the programs a chance to find it's audience.
Also figure out if the series you are working on has enough stories that can be told for multiple seasons. One show that should have never happened is Missing. It has a great concept about a former CIA agent who left the agency to raise her son. When he is kidnapped in Italy she resorts to her former life to bring him back. Only thing is it would have been better as a two hour movie than a TV show. Did ABC plan on having him go missing for five seasons? Also Ringer and The Secret Circle took too long to get going and make sense of their storylines, and while I love Sarah Michelle Gellar, she could have used better material. I'm just glad they renewed my Nikita because with awesome action scenes, superb acting and twists and turns at every corner, it's the best action series on TV you're not watching. I also don't understand why was CSI: NY renewed but bot CSI: Miami? The latter never had a chance of surviving, especially since on Sundays CBS has a habit of allowing their sports shows to go overtime, which cuts into their scheduled programming and screws up the DVR settings. I don't know anyone who watches CSI: NY but then again I'm not the one running a network and making all the executive decisions.
Anyways, enough of my rants because I will be here all day talking about what went wrong. Check out the list of shows below that were sent to the TV graveyard (via TV Line).
Ending shows 2011-2012
Against The Wall (LIFE)
Ending after one season, final episode on 10/23/2011
Alcatraz (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/26/2012
All-American Muslim (TLC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 1/8/2012
Allen Gregory (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 12/11/2011
Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/28/2012
Awake (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/24/2012
Batman: The Brave And The Bold (CAR)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 11/18/2011
Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (CAR)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 3/31/2012
Bent (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/21/2012
Best Friends Forever (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 6/1/2012
Blue Mountain State (SPK)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 11/30/2011
Bored To Death (HBO)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 11/28/2011
Breaking In (FOX)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 4/3/2012
Charlie's Angels (ABC)
Ending after eight episodes, final episode on 11/10/2011
Chuck (NBC)
Ending after five seasons, final episode on 1/27/2012
CSI: Miami (CBS)
Ending after ten seasons, final episode on 4/8/2012
Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Ending after eight seasons, final episode on 5/20/2012
Dragon Ball Z Kai (NICK)
Ending after one season, final episode on 1/1/2012
Escape Routes (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/5/2012
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
Ending after nine seasons, final episode on 1/13/2012
Fear Factor (NBC)
Ending after seven seasons, final episode on 2/12/2012
The Finder (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/11/2012
The Firm (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 6/30/2012
Flashpoint (ION)
Ending after five seasons, final episode on TBA
Free Agents (NBC)
Ending after four episodes, final episode on 10/5/2011
GCB (ABC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/6/2012
A Gifted Man (CBS)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/2/2012
Good Vibes (MTV)
Ending after one season, final episode on 12/29/2011
H8R (CW)
Ending after four episodes, final episode on 10/5/2011
Harry's Law (NBC)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 5/20/2012
House (FOX)
Ending after eight seasons, final episode on 5/21/2012
How To Be A Gentleman (CBS)
Ending after three episodes, final episode on 10/15/2011
How To Make It In America (HBO)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 11/20/2011
Hung (HBO)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 12/4/2011
I Hate My Teenage Daughter (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/20/2012
I'm In The Band (XD)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 12/9/2011
In Plain Sight (USA)
Ending after five seasons, final episode on 5/4/2012
The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret (IFC)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 2/10/2012
Kendra (E)
Ending after four seasons, final episode on 11/20/2011
The Life And Times Of Tim (HBO)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 2/17/2012
Love Broker (BRV)
Ending after two episodes, final episode on 3/12/2012
Luck (HBO)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/25/2012
Make It Or Break It (FAM)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 5/14/2012
Man Up! (ABC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 12/6/2011
Man, Woman, Wild (DISC)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 1/19/2012
Meet The Browns (TBS)
Ending after five seasons, final episode on 11/18/2011
Missing (ABC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/17/2012
Mistresses (BBCA)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 2/8/2012
Napoleon Dynamite (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/4/2012
NY Ink (TLC)
Ending after two seasons, final episode on 3/1/2012
NYC 22 (CBS)
Ending after one season, final episode on TBA
One Tree Hill (CW)
Ending after nine seasons, final episode on 4/4/2012
Pan Am (ABC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 2/19/2012
The Playboy Club (NBC)
Ending after three episodes, final episode on 10/3/2011
Prime Suspect (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 1/22/2012
Q'Viva! The Chosen (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 4/7/2012
Ringer (CW)
Ending after one season, final episode on 4/17/2012
The River (ABC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/20/2012
Rob (CBS)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/1/2012
The Rosie Show (OWN)
Ending after one season, final episode on 3/30/2012
The Secret Circle (CW)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/10/2012
The Sing-Off (NBC)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 12/5/2011
Terra Nova (FOX)
Ending after one season, final episode on 12/19/2011
Unforgettable (CBS)
Ending after one season, final episode on 5/8/2012
Who's Still Standing? (NBC)
Ending after one season, final episode on 1/30/2012
Wizards Of Waverly Place (DSNY)
Ending after four seasons, final episode on 1/6/2012
Work It (ABC)
Ending after two episodes, final episode on 1/10/2012
Zeke & Luther (XD)
Ending after three seasons, final episode on 4/2/2012
Shows that will have their final seasons next year: Fringe, 30 Rock, and Gossip Girl
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