Earlier this week, I let you know of the ten shows I thought should be renewed. Now it's time to reverse the question and think about the shows that shouldn't be renewed. Yes, there are some shows that should end now, either because they have annoying characters (*cough* Meredith Grey *cough*), are not treated properly by their network (insert here pretty much all shows on FOX), have been on TV for too long and have a hard time being original (I'm talking about you Survivor), etc. ER would have been a prime candidate for this list, but NBC finally made the right decision and ended the show a few weeks ago. Note that my list includes some shows that have received early renewals. Still, I think they should be canceled asap. So what other shows, besides ER, I think should bite the dust? Let's find out!
If you just want the list, click here.
Shows that should be canceled
10. Survivor
I've been watching this reality series since the premiere of the first season and haven't missed an episode since. Even if I'm still entertained by the series, mostly because of great casting (Coach is definitely a wacky and entertaining character), I can admit that the show is stalling a bit. I find myself bored by the reward and immunity challenges, mostly because they are similar to ones seen in the past. Also, the locations they're choosing are really beautiful, but not as different as one seen on a previous season. After 18 seasons, it's difficult for a show to be "new," which is why I think the show should be canceled. CBS already ordered seasons 19 and 20, so let's hope they do Survivor: North Pole to really shake things up ... They probably won't, since it means no contestants in bikinis ...
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CBS
9. Ghost Whisperer
As much as I've tried to convince you all to keep watching the show even if they killed Jim off and added the character of Eli, I must admit that it may be time to retire Ghost Whisperer. The show is about to have Melinda and Sam/Jim 2.0 go through major events that will reaffirm them as a couple and family, so now would be a good time to retire the series with a happy ending. Let's face it, even if the show is still entertaining, it's not what it used to be, and the ghost-of-the-week storylines will soon start to repeat themselves. Unless the writers plan to give us loads and loads of backstory on Grandview, the ghost world, etc., next season so that we have an incentive to watch, I believe it's best to have Ghost Whisperer go through the pretty light.
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CBS
8. The Bachelor
I don't buy their "most dramatic rose ceremony" ever anymore, as they have been saying it almost every week since the series premiered years ago. We get it, the ladies (or men if it's a Bachelorette edition) will fight, scream, cry, bitch, etc. Same old, same old. What I want is a show that will have a couple be a couple at the end of the series so that I feel like I didn't waste time watching every week. Sadly, The Bachelor's track record is mostly filled with couples that split up after a few weeks.
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ABC
7. The Unit
Don't get me wrong, I love The Unit but it needs to be put on my list because of CBS. The network doesn't seem to be ready to love the show as it should and treats it badly (change of air dates/times, midseason push, etc.); therefore, I believe the series should retire before CBS decides to renew it for a few episodes and doesn't air all of them.
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CBS
5. At least one Law & Order
As is the case for CSI, the Law & Order franchise is a popular one. NBC has not treated the three current versions of the show lately. CI was sent to sister network USA while new episodes of the original series and SVU were scheduled, unscheduled, etc. Since NBC is not ready to fully commit to all three series, it should cancel at least one and focus on the other two. Plus, canceling one could mean that a show which deserves to be renewed may very well be renewed.
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NBC
6. At least one CSI
I get it, people love their procedurals, and the CSI format is a winning one. But since I want CBS to keep The Mentalist, NCIS and add the NCIS spin-off to its 2009-2010 schedule, one of the CSI needs to go, especially since the network has many other procedural shows. CSI: NY seems to be the least loved of the three CSI shows, so please have CBS cancel it and replace it with a non-procedural show to help spice things up in its lineup.
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CBS
4. Brothers & Sisters
I fell out of love with Brothers & Sisters around midseason this year. I'm tired of the repetitive storylines and the bickering between the brothers and the sisters. We got the lost sibling storyline last year and they had to repeat it this year. I get that the core of the show is the drama that the brothers and sisters live, but do they have to whine and fight so damn often? The Walkers are at their best when united, so why not give us that with drama? I've already stopped watching B&S around February, so ABC can cancel it and make space for a renewal of Castle or another show less annoying than B&S.
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ABC
3. Private Practice
I must admit that the series is better now than it was last season and that the post-Grey's Anatomy timeslot is more fitting since, after all, PP is the GA spin-off. However, as much as I try to love the show, it pushes me back and I can't seem to put my finger on exactly why, since I'm a fan of most of the cast members. One thing I know is that I don't care much about the cases of the week, even if the writers are trying to make them more interesting and filled with ethical dilemmas. PP is the type of show I watch because I hope it will succeed some day (Tim Daly must finally have a show that will last, no?), but that I wouldn't notice if it were missing from the weekly lineup.
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ABC
2. American Idol
Let's face it, Idol is one of the most watched show in America, so it's no surprise that FOX has already renewed it. But do we really need another Idol season? The show not only takes two or three nights a week from our lives, but also most of the winners don't have such a successful career afterward (I think the contestants who don't win have a better track record). Is it worth watching week after week when the winners don't become successful? I know the people behind the show made a few tweaks here and there -- adding a fourth judge, more "good" auditions against "bad" -- but it's still too similar year in and year out. Season 8 will wrap up soon; wouldn't it be a good time to end the show, as well? I guess money decided it wasn't a good idea ...
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Fox
1. Grey's Anatomy
I cannot take one more minute of Meredith whining. I've reached my limit. Add to that the fact that I'm tired of the off-the-set antics (Katherine Heigl wanting to leave, then stay; T.R. Knight complaining of not enough storylines; the whole Washington gate ordeal; etc.), and you have the two main reasons why I think Grey's Anatomy should be a goner.
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ABC
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-06-2009 @ 11:53AM
Tony said...
Definitely CSI: Miami. David Caruso has got to be the worst actor in the history of TV.
Reply
5-08-2009 @ 7:13PM
Dave T said...
Amen! CSI & CSI: NY are prtty entertaining, but Caruso chased me away from CSI: Miami. I turned away years ago and haven't regretted it since.
5-06-2009 @ 11:21AM
dennis phillips said...
Jay Leno at 10 all week!!!Please cancel this b4 it starts!
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 11:28AM
Jch1973 said...
I only disagree with one of your choices... The Unit. why pick on this action packed show. It's great "Guy TV"
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 11:33AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
I pick on the Unit just for one reason: CBS ain't treating it right. I love the show but if the network won't support it properly, I prefer seeing it go out with a bang now than having CBS keep it and mistreat it.
5-06-2009 @ 1:43PM
CParis said...
The Unit rocks. Maybe it could move over to one of the cables, like FX that seems to know how to handle gritty series.
5-06-2009 @ 10:49PM
Ryan said...
If it's a question of network mistreatment, you should have put Dollhouse on this list, especially since it was on your shows-that-must-be-saved list.
5-06-2009 @ 11:36AM
Matthew Fleigle said...
Wow I disagree with most of the shows on that list. Grey's Anatomy is borderline on getting boring (Izzie's storyline is the only thing keeping it good.) Brothers and Sisters has been the same since the first episode, so your analysis is a little off of it. I cannot really differentiate it from the first seasons (you said you fell out of love with it this season), the storylines are good and the characters are awesome. Private Practice was pretty aweful its first season, but thats because Rymes was trying to match the chemistry and appeal of Grey's. But season two has let it become into its own, better stories and far better acting.
I agree shows like Law and Order (the original), CSI, Survivor are all over the hill and need to be put to rest. I have never seen the Unit, or Ghost Whisperer but they seem to not be that good.
One show that should have been on there (instead of Grey's or Brothers & Sisters), is Medium. I watched the first few episodes and liked it, but tuned in after a few season and was incredibly bored
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 11:43AM
Sancty said...
You Said: "I have never seen the Unit, or Ghost Whisperer but they seem to not be that good. "
How do they seem to be not that good? I've never seen the shows either, and as such would never even fathom the concept on commenting on their supposed quality!
...and Izzie's storyline is absolutely f'n awful (note the spelling!) - Mark Sloan for Grey's Anatomy MVP!
5-06-2009 @ 11:42AM
Sancty said...
Was there any thought put into this besides "here's 10 shows that I personally don't like"
The reasoning for CSI, Law and Order seemed to be that one should be cancelled so that another show that you like will be renewed... lame!
As for the Grey's Anatomy, there's no logic, that may just be the safest show on TV, as is American Idol, they both pull in massive numbers, so the majority of people want to watch them
While I loathe AI, I understand that it only makes sense to put shows on the air that people seem to enjoy... its a concept your list could utilize
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 11:56AM
Isabelle Carreau said...
"Was there any thought put into this besides "here's 10 shows that I personally don't like""
Actually, I do watch sat least half of these series regularly, so I enjoy them. I also watch some of the CSIs and L&Os in reruns.
I've stopped watching B&S around January and haven't watched AI since the end of the auditions from the previous cycle (not the cycle going on right now).
So it's series I watch or watched at some point, but think that it may be time to end.
5-06-2009 @ 11:44AM
Adam Berkowitz said...
I don't know if its because of overkill with CSI and CSI: Miami, but seriously, if you're going to dump one, I say ditch the Original. They've had their fun and the show has run its course now that Gil, Sarah, and Warrick are gone. CSI:NY's grittiness is an excellent and needs stronger writing to give these characters backstories more depth.
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 12:21PM
Tinkerbell4077 said...
I was an avid fan of CSI but I agree that since Gil and Sara left the show it is really bad. You have great characters in the show but the new guy does not have the pizzaz to keep the show interesting. I have watched the show from the start but no longer care if it is on or not. Don't know why they have to mess up a good thing and that is what they had
5-06-2009 @ 4:34PM
smg77 said...
Yes please. The original CSI has become unwatchable now that Grissom is gone. The rest of the cast just can't carry the show without him.
5-06-2009 @ 11:56AM
louise said...
i think you made a mistake and reversed your list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 12:08PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Of course, my choices of series that should be canceled won't be the choices most of TV Squad readers would have made. Thing is, we are all different and so are our tastes in TV series. Good thing there are many networks and many TV series to satisfy all of us!
5-06-2009 @ 12:28PM
Scott said...
I have a new list: TV Squad Blogs that should be terminated, and this one is at the top of the list. :)Survivor's still GREAT. (By your definitions, most game shows would be cancelled, too, as they have the exact same format day after day, for years on end) American Idol is still great. Grey's Anatomy, which still has regular moments of brilliance, is still better, more creative, and more well-acted at its worst than most of the crap in PrimeTime. It's pretty easy to sit in your recliner and b*tch. Harder to do is come up with something new, to replace what you characterize as "old" and "tired." Now, THERE'S a blog I'd read and enjoy. It might bring something productive to the table, rather than a TV reviewer who seems... well, tired of television. Maybe you should review plant food or something for a living. :)
Reply
5-06-2009 @ 12:31PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Everyone is entitled an opinion. Of course, we won't all agree on series that should be canceled or renewed. We all have different tastes.
I'm not tired of TV at all but some shows are getting tired and could be freshen up and/or replaced by something new or that is working (see my "series that should be renewed" post).
Thanks for your two cents!
5-06-2009 @ 12:37PM
Buckly said...
Wow, what a prick-ish post. Everyone is titled to their opinion and while I don't agree with all of those choices I certainly wouldn't say someone should be fired. Let me ask you something: is it easy for somebody to sit in their recliner to b*itch about tv, or to sit in their computer chair and b*itch about other people's opinions about TV? I wouldn't expect any less from somebody who thinks that American Idol and Grey's Anatomy represent the best of TV these days.
5-06-2009 @ 1:03PM
Scott said...
Dear "Buckly" - Thanks for the lovely name. Classy. :) I never suggested that anybody be "fired". I simply suggested that somebody who doesn't seem to enjoy television as much as some of us might not be the best person to be writing television reviews. It's called "TV Squad" after all. And, for the record, I never said that "Grey's Anatomy" or "American Idol" were the best things on TV. ("Breaking Bad" currently holds top honors in my book). I'm simply stating that they're better than much of the dreck which passes for "entertainment" on Prime Time, i.e. "Real Housewives" "I Love Money" "Keeping up with the Kardashians" "Rock of Love" "Millionaire Matchmaker" et al...
Also, blogs and message boards are designed for debate and discussion, and characterizing as a "prick" somebody who doesn't agree with your (or the blog author's) choices is pretty sad. Don't you think? I thought so.... Have a nice day.