I’ll be the first to admit: I’m not the biggest watcher of TV. I’ll watch my specific few and usually leave it at that. But when I like a show, I really like a show, and when it gets taken off the air, I get angry! Here are five shows that, in my opinion, should have stayed on the airwaves:
1. Ben and Kate
Synopsis: The show centered around Kate (Dakota Johnson), a single mother who’s boyfriend broke up with her after finding out she was pregnant, and her older brother Ben (Nat Faxon), who is a child at heart that would do anything to take care of his family. Both are attempting to help one another survive and make it through the trials and somewhat awkward tribulations of life, along with help from Kate’s best friend, BJ (Lucy Punch), Ben’s best friend, Tommy (Echo Kellum), and Kate’s daughter, Maddie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones).
Reason for Cancellation: E ven though the show score d 67 out of 100 on Metacritic, they
had extremely low ratings amongst 18-49 year olds, therefore causing it to be pull ed from the FOX lineup.
Should’ve Stayed: It was a good show! It showed how life can be tough sometimes by creating humorous scenarios that many people could relate to. In addition, it was one of the better shows out there, with all the other junk on TV right now and catered to a certain dynamic that is sometimes left out nowadays on television: single families raising a child with the help of friends and family. Besides, I wanted to know if Tommy and Kate would ever get together! And what about Rail Mail?!
2. Emily Owens,MD.
Synopsis: This show revolved around the less-than-graceful life of Emily Owens (Mamie Gummer), a med school graduate. Finally escaping the cruel world that was high school, she believes that she can move on with her life as a successful grown-up, until she comes reconnects with her high school enemy, Cassandra ( Aja Naomi King), and her med school crush, Will (Justin Hartley). Dealing with her rediscovered past and new issues, personally and professionally, she realizes that she can never really escape the past, but that won’t stop her from trying.
Reason for Cancellation: According to The Hollywood Reporter, “After the lowest-rated premiere of the fall season, Emily Owens never grabbed the attention of this season’s two other new CW series Arrow and Beauty and the Beast. And though its season average of a low 0.4 rating among adults 18-49 is matched by other network series ( 90210, Gossip Girl ), it never had their DVR growth.”
Why is Should’ve Stayed: This was one of the first hospital-based shows that I actually liked. It focused on some of the lesser known people of the hospital, and made those people relatable. Emily symbolized a lot of young women who overcame a life of being in the shadows to blossom and thrive in the world of adulthood. I really liked it, but maybe I was one of a small few….
3. The River
Synopsis: The show was an action-packed thriller that revolved around the disappearance of famous nature explorer, Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) in the Amazon basin. Emmet’s wife, Tess (Leslie Hope), son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), and other associates decide to go on a mission to find him, which is all being filmed. Throughout the quest, they discover secrets and unknown entities that keep the crew on their toes.
Reason for Cancellation: The website, TV Series Finale, said, ” While The River has amassed a devoted following the ratings for the ABC series have been poor almost from the start. It premiered on ABC with a mediocre 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 8.35 million total viewers. Those numbers quickly dwindled downward and the season (likely series) finale came in at a 1.4 in the demo with 3.99 million.”
Why it Should’ve Stayed: Even though the show really had no staying power (really, how far can a search for somebody go on?), it was still entertaining. Each episode made me want to keep watching to see what strange plant or animal attacks them next; it was filled with excitement. The show fit into the mold of Lost , which stuck around for a long while, so I don’t see why they couldn’t just work with this show either. They could’ve at least kept it on until they got back home, or just make some sort of quick ending and call it a day.
Note: Also according to TV Series Finale, ABC was in talks with Netflix to pick the show up to produce more seasons, as they have with Arrested Development. I have no knowledge as to whether a deal was officially made or not.
4. Go On
Synopsis: Ryan King (Matthew Perry), a sportscaster, wants to go back to his work, but still has not gotten over the loss of his wife, which causes him to join a griefs s upport group, full of eclectic characters.
Reason for Cancellation:”The show previewed to 16.1 million viewers following Olympics coverage in August and the show has consistently declined in the ratings,” according to The Huffington Post, so I guess it didn’t really stand a chance.
Why it Should’ve Stayed: Unlike most shows, Go On was a sweet and innocent comedy that was, more than likely, pretty accurate. It also showed that, when you’re going through a tough time, your friends are always there to help you too. In addition, it proved that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Basically, this show was full of life lessons and should have stayed on the air.
5. Reunion
Synopsis: This short-lived series chronicles the lives, past and present, of six friends who come together for a class reunion, including one friend who is murdered, making each member of the group suspects. A detective investigates the crime, and the viewers are right with him the whole time, seeing the good, bad, and ugly events and situations that come up in the friends’ lives until the murder is finally solved.
Reason for Cancellation: Once again, TV Series Finale had it covered: “The series was envisioned to have a full season of 22 episodes. Unfortunately, the ratings were low and FOX canceled the series. Because of the series structure, the producers couldn’t wrap up the storyline in 13 episodes. FOX initially planned to air all 13 episodes but pulled the series after nine had aired. All 13 episodes have aired in other countries.”
Why it Should’ve Stayed: Anybody who watched the show knew that it had a great plot. The show captured viewers’ attention from start to finish (even though we never got to the finish part….thanks FOX). The show was like the game, Clue, come to life. Instead of being like the average crime shows that solve a murder in about an hour, this show kept the case going, which is more realistic. It was just plain interesting and should’ve stayed on the air! They aired nine episodes, why couldn’t they just have finished it off in a special final episode marathon or something? Come on, people!
Note: When the 13th episode aired on the SBT channel in Brazil, additional information had been added. A narrator explained that an adult Amy, angry over being abandoned as an infant and being abused by her adopted father, accidentally shoots and kills Samantha. Will and Craig call Craig’s high-powered dad, Russell (Gregory Harrison), for help. The big twist is that, when Russell arrives, he discovers that Samantha is still breathing and secretly suffocates her because of Sam’s earlier affair with Will. His crime is eventually discovered and he’s brought to justice. Dave Annable verified the events of this ending in October 2006 (TV Series Finale saves the day again!).
Well, there’s my big five. Rest in peace, old friends. Did I miss anything? Any shows you wish were on the list? Comment and let me know; we’ll discuss them!