Canceled shows: Prodigal Son and more canceled this week
It’s that time of the year again when broadcast networks announce what’s been renewed and what’s been canceled. ABC is leading the pack with five canceled shows, while some are still awaiting a decision.
A sad time for television fans, shows that deserved more recognition will end, leaving us confused. This is only the beginning and it’s safe to say we’re afraid of what could be next on the chopping block.
From a major award ceremony to a show with solid ratings, read on to learn more about the canceled shows this week. And share with us which you’ll miss the most!
Canceled shows this week,
Prodigal Son canceled at Fox
A major shocker, Fox’s Prodigal Son was canceled after 2 seasons. The thriller series starring The Walking Dead’s Tom Payne and Scandal’s Bellamy Young is the lowest-rated among Fox dramas. A true bubble show, it failed to gain the viewer’s attention.
The series follows Payne’s character Malcolm Bright, trying to reel away from the trauma he experienced as a child after finding out his dad is a notorious serial killer The Surgeon (Michael Sheen). Now in prison, The Surgeon lives in his son’s head rent-free. Afraid of becoming a serial killer Malcolm, lives in fear.
Malcolm whose now an FBI profiler and needs The Surgeon’s help finding serial killers. We wish onlookers would’ve given this series a shot because the twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. to gain more viewers in season 2 Catherine Zeta-Jones was added as sweet but psycho Dr. Vivian Capshaw. As we all know, it didn’t work in their favor. The season two finale, which is now the series finale, airs Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 9/8 CT.
Golden Globes canceled at NBC
I never thought this would happen, but The Golden Globes won’t be returning in 2022. A dispute between NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is what caused its cancellation. NBC released this statement,
"“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”"
The Golden Globes have been under fire for quite some time, due to a lack of diversity in their award categories and board members. Not only has NBC cut their deal, but Netflix and Warner Media have also announced, they won’t be participating in any Golden Globe events.
Many Black actors and actresses were honored at this year’s ceremony and took home awards in major categories, but it doesn’t make up for the lack of no black board members.
A show that represents all races should have a board that does the same. Out of its 87 members, none are black. Its ratings show it’s time to be more diverse, this year was the least-watched since the 90s’ with only 6.9 million viewers. Tom Cruise who’s won three Golden Globes has returned them. will other winners follow suit?
For Life canceled at ABC
Not much of a shocker, but ABC has pulled the plug on For Life after two seasons. Executive producer Hank Steinberg Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson gave us a look at racial inequality in the US. Giving what happened with George Floyd, For Life came at the right time, but low ratings are why it’s canceled. After season one aired, fans suspected it would get canceled, because of how long it took ABC to renew.
Shows about racial injustice tend to not do well on broadcast television. Shots Fired starring Sanaa Lathan was canceled after one season in 2017. For Life does well on Hulu so the series will be shopped there.
Mixed-ish canceled at ABC
ABC has opted not to continue this Black-ish spin-off. The second Black-ish spin-off, couldn’t gain traction like its predecessor Grown-ish. The first season’s ratings were solid but slid drastically in the sophomore season making it one of ABC’s least-watched series. It focused on Tracee Ellis Ross’s character Rainbow as a child and what she and her siblings faced being biracial in the 1980s.
Many fans on Twitter are surprisingly happy about the cancellation and shocked it made it past season one. The characters seem overly annoying, and for a comedy, it wasn’t hilarious. On Friday, ABC renewed Black-ish for its eight and final season.
Call Your Mother canceled at ABC
Another one at ABC bites the dust. Call Your Mother starring Kyra Sedgwick won’t be returning for season two. Filmed during the pandemic it follows lonely mother Jean Raines played by Sedgwick who moves from Iowa to Los Angeles to be near her children.
Low ratings played a part in its cancellations, but its crazy schedule could’ve been the reason it didn’t gain more viewers. With new episodes airing every couple of weeks instead of every week made it easy for fans to give up on the show. Sedgwick reacted to the cancellation on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/kyrasedgwick/status/1393253023384838147?s=20
Rebel canceled at ABC
Here’s another series that won’t be getting a second season at ABC. Inspired by Erin Brockovich, Rebel starred Katey Sagal as Annie Bello, a strong-minded activist, not having a law degree didn’t stop her from fighting for what’s right.
Helmed by producer Krista Vernoff who currently controls ABC’s highest-rated scripted series Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19. Her first series as creator, Rebel failed to get good ratings despite Grey’s Anatomy being its lead-in.
American Housewife canceled at ABC
To roundup, the bloodbath of ABC, the final show they’ve canceled this week is American Housewife. After 5 seasons it’s a wrap for the Katy Mixon-led drama. Despite moving around the schedule during its run, American Housewife has always had solid ratings so why was it canceled?
Sometimes a show just needs to end, but this series isn’t ending on its own terms. Ratings declining in season five are the real reason for this series cancellation.
From the canceled shows this week, which one will you miss the most?