7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

As a devoted fan of compelling television series that offer a perfect blend of adventure, humor, and heart-wrenching drama, I found myself deeply moved by both “Dead Boy Detectives” and “Superman and Lois”. Each show captured my imagination and tugged at my emotions in their unique ways.


Experienced this scenario? You’re hooked on a TV series, eagerly anticipating each new episode, be it weekly or annually in today’s streaming era. You develop affection for the characters and stories unfolding. Suddenly, unexpectedly (and quite frustratingly, might I add), the network decides to terminate the show, ending its journey prematurely.

It’s not a pleasant sensation, let’s admit it, when a promising series is cut short before it can fully realize its potential. Often, smaller shows get canceled prematurely, but sometimes even well-established shows are unexpectedly terminated due to factors beyond viewership. Occasionally, these cancellations lead to revival efforts, some of which have been successful – like Manifest, Young Justice, Neighbours, and Lucifer, for example.

Despite how frustrating it is when your favorite TV show gets cancelled, it seems to be a recurring event every year. In the past, these cancellations mainly took place during the renewal-cancellation period from May to June, as broadcasters planned their schedules for the following TV season. However, with the rise of streaming platforms, cancellations can occur at any point throughout the year.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, this year has been quite a rollercoaster ride. Some of the events were predictable, others left me scratching my head, and there were instances where I just couldn’t wrap my mind around what was happening. And then, there were moments that took my breath away, making me question why they ever occurred at all.

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

7. Chucky

Expressing that Chucky was one of the most undervalued television series in recent times would be a significant understatement. Originating from the popular horror franchise, Child’s Play, the show was produced for USA Network and Syfy, centering around the menacing character of the serial killer doll named Chucky, who haunts the residents of Hackensack, New Jersey. Although it retained its original fanbase, it also attracted a new group of enthusiasts and received acclaim for its narrative structure and for its depiction of a central queer relationship.

2021 saw the debut of the show, which generally prospered until its third season. However, viewership took a significant dip during this period, ultimately leading to its premature termination. This news left fans disheartened for several reasons, one being that the series’ characters didn’t get a proper conclusion, and two because it has yet again cast doubt over the future of the Child’s Play franchise.

Clearly, such an established franchise merited a more satisfying conclusion than what was given. Regardless of the show nearing its end, it deserved a fourth and final season to tie up loose ends and pave the way for the franchise’s upcoming chapter.

Continued on the next slide…

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

6. The Acolyte

As a hardcore gamer who’s always on the lookout for fresh, immersive narratives, I was genuinely disappointed to hear about the unexpected cancellation of Disney Plus’ ‘The Acolyte’. This series, set in the vast Star Wars universe, promised to delve into an untouched era, offering a unique perspective that hasn’t been fully explored in this franchise yet.

As a dedicated gamer, I was taken aback when word got out about the cancellation of the game series I’ve been eagerly following. The initial hype was immense after Disney publicly praised the success of the first episode, boasting that over 11 million people tuned in within five days of its release.

Despite its impressive showing for the streamer, The Acolyte seems to have fallen short of reaching its full potential in the Star Wars universe. While it managed to perform well within expectations, the high budget, which is said to have surpassed the initial $180 million estimate by around $50 million, created immense pressure for the show to stand out.

In this emerging age of streaming television, studios such as Lucasfilm and Marvel are discovering that they must trim their budgets. Shows like Marvel’s “Agatha All Along,” which drew an initial audience of 9.3 million viewers over seven days while having a production cost of under $40 million, demonstrate this trend. The show’s enduring popularity, positive buzz, and extended runtime have made it a hit on Disney Plus.

In simpler terms, this means that doing more isn’t always better – a little can be enough. Unfortunately, it seems they struggled to apply the ‘less is more’ principle to “The Acolyte.” The show was so promising that it deserved another season to fully demonstrate its potential.

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

5. Walker

During the wave of cancellations in 2022, The CW terminated half of its lineup, but some of its top-performing shows managed to stay on air. As it continued to cut most of its remaining programming between fall 2022 and 2023, only four shows remained unscathed. However, by 2024, three out of the four surviving shows were abruptly cancelled. The cancellation of one show was due to the studio behind it (Superman and Lois), while The CW played a significant role in terminating the other two.

Among the two shows, it was “Walker” that aired, which left many viewers feeling incredulous as this series has been among the top two most-viewed programs on the network since its debut in 2021 (the other being “Superman and Lois”). Regrettably, even holding the title of the network’s second most-watched show doesn’t seem to offer immunity from cancellation.

It is clearly evident why Walker‘s cancellation was unfair. The series, spearheaded by Jared Padalecki, proved to be a massive attraction for the network, and even spawned its own shared universe with the spinoff Walker Independence (also cancelled). It represented a perfect mix of an established CW fanbase, given Padalecki’s previous roles in Supernatural and Gilmore Girls, and the mature audience that The CW’s new owners were aiming for. Thus, cancelling it while it was performing well seems like a significant oversight, disregarding the efforts of the cast, crew, and fans who remained loyal to the show.

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

4. 9-1-1: Lone Star

9-1-1’s cinematic universe continues to expand, however, regrettably, the upcoming ABC phase won’t encompass the original spinoff “9-1-1: Lone Star,” starring Rob Lowe. This spinoff has been a mainstay on Fox since its debut in 2020, rapidly climbing the network’s popularity charts and maintaining consistent high ratings ever since.

Additionally, Lone Star stayed back on Fox following the move of the original series 9-1-1 to ABC. Initially, this seemed beneficial, but unfortunately, it paved the way for its untimely conclusion. While 9-1-1 prospered on its native network, Lone Star experienced a similar downfall compared to its predecessor, and in this case, ABC couldn’t rescue it like they did with 9-1-1. Consequently, it is set to conclude with its current fifth season.

There’s no question that the five seasons of “Lone Star” have been impressive, but for a procedural series, it feels brief. Typically, shows in this genre can last anywhere from 10 to 24 seasons. Although it’s not expected that every “9-1-1” show will run that long, the popularity of “Lone Star” makes five seasons seem surprisingly short.

ABC is considering expanding their franchise by introducing a fresh take on a new 9-1-1 spinoff, which is scheduled to air alongside the original show on their network. However, it’s regrettable that the initial spinoff will be coming to an end before any of this takes place.

Petition to move TK and Carlos to the new spinoff, anyone?

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

3. The Mandalorian

This is not the way.

Fans of “The Mandalorian” were expressing disbelief when rumors emerged suggesting that the show would not continue for a fourth season, leaving the Disney Plus series with an inconclusive final season. Indeed, it’s surprising to learn that one of the streaming service’s most well-loved TV shows has been abruptly terminated without much fanfare.

The rationale for this decision doesn’t stem from a lack of popularity; quite the contrary, the series is incredibly popular, which is why Lucasfilm and Disney have opted to extend the story in a film rather than another season. The Mandalorian and Grogu are set to return in 2026 for their next extraterrestrial escapade, with Pedro Pascal reprising his role as Din Djarin alongside Grogu once more. With such immense popularity, it’s safe to assume that the movie will be a massive hit, drawing fans to cinemas everywhere. And indeed, they will not want to miss it.

Initially, I was hopeful that the fourth season of my favorite series would unfold as planned. However, it’s become increasingly apparent that something has shifted. The announcement of the film had fans on edge, and our fears were realized when word came down that the show wouldn’t resume in its original format after the movie. Instead, it seems that if our beloved characters reappear, they will do so in a new project altogether. The Hollywood Reporter later confirmed that The Mandalorian and Grogu indeed served as a deviation from the initial plan for season 4 of The Mandalorian.

Given the high demand for Star Wars characters and Pedro Pascal’s packed schedule (he’s currently starring in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps), it’s not surprising that a movie is being made. However, the unconventional manner of its creation has left fans a bit disappointed. Season 3 of The Mandalorian, unfortunately, was not as strong as previous seasons, and viewers were unaware that it would be the final season when it first debuted. Despite the beloved characters returning, the series needed a fitting conclusion to bring its Disney+ chapter to a close and kick off the next one.

However, since familiar characters are making a comeback, it softens the impact of what would otherwise be this year’s most surprising series termination.

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

2. Dead Boy Detectives

As a dedicated gamer and TV enthusiast, let me tell you about an under-appreciated gem that slipped through the cracks this year – the Netflix series titled “Dead Boy Detectives”. This captivating show is based on DC Comics characters by the same name and follows the supernatural adventures of ghosts Charles Rowland and Edwin Payne. Together, they run a detective agency that solves mysteries for other spirits. It was exactly what TV was made to be – gripping, unique, and thought-provoking. I only wish more people had the chance to discover its brilliance!

The show’s unique blend of long-term storyline development and self-contained episodes was a classic television format that isn’t common nowadays. Characters Charles and Edwin were chasing to remain on Earth, assisting others along the way, and their individual cases provided them with opportunities to do so.

In an era where viewers must decide between high-budget streaming series resembling extended films or weekly procedurals that seldom focus on larger narratives, Dead Boy Detectives managed to strike a balance. Similar to how Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Smallville, and Supernatural entertained previous generations, it provided the same engaging experience. Furthermore, when few shows do so nowadays, it felt like a traditional TV series – a factor that drew viewers in, among its many appealing aspects.

The series has a unique charm, providing numerous moments of gentle humor to counteract its frequent somber undertones or eerie imagery. Yet, it handles these unsettling elements exceptionally, showcasing a style that many other shows aspire to. This distinctive flair made each episode a captivating journey, as visually appealing as the enigmas the Dead Boy Detectives were unraveling.

Regrettably, the new show arrived a week too late following the surprising, unforeseen boom of “Baby Reindeer” on Netflix. Despite the algorithm favoring “Baby Reindeer,” it failed to recognize “Dead Boy Detectives,” leaving it struggling in the shadow of success. With impressive viewership, the series managed to stand its ground, but unfortunately, it was released at an unfavorable time, limiting its exposure beyond its dedicated fanbase. Moreover, the flawed method streamers use to gauge success meant that the show received minimal opportunities to cultivate its audience, even though it was steadily growing (apparently, not quickly enough).

Dead Boy Detectives had so much potential. And it deserved so much better.

7 most unforgivable TV show cancellations of 2024

1. Superman and Lois

In essence, the choice to conclude “Superman and Lois” was made last year, but since its final season has only just started broadcasting, it’s only now becoming real for viewers that this DC TV series is nearing its end in 2021. If you watched the Season 4 premiere, you would have witnessed another instance of the incredibly impressive quality that this show consistently delivers.

It turns out that “Superman and Lois” is among the top-notch superhero TV series ever created, but unfortunately, it was abruptly concluded. This decision by DC Studios seems illogical since they don’t want it to compete with their upcoming Superman film, even though there are/will be multiple live-action Batman cinematic universes. This move appears foolish because it undervalues the intelligence of its viewers. The DCEU films continued for years while the Arrowverse ruled the small screen on The CW; no one anticipated them to exist within the same universe.

It’s clear that the series Superman and Lois will conclude powerfully. So far, it hasn’t failed to impress, and it continues to gain more followers thanks to great recommendations. Regardless of when it ends, it was destined to meet its audience’s expectations. However, for a show as widely-loved and high-quality as this one, ending after only four seasons – instead of the planned seven – feels unfair to the cast, crew, and devoted fans who have stuck with it.

James Gunn’s Superman film shows promise but faces a challenging hurdle in living up to the quality of “Superman & Lois.” If it succeeds, the decision to halt the TV series for the movie feels like a step backward for comic book and entertainment genres. These mediums are equally valuable, and they could have peacefully coexisted.

Superman and Lois deserves better.

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2024-10-11 23:07

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