6 Dumbest Reasons Why TV Shows Were Canceled

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As a longtime enthusiast of animated television shows, I find it disheartening to witness the premature ends and unexpected cancellations of many beloved series. The tales of OK K.O.!, Longmire, and The Owl House serve as stark reminders that even when a show resonates with audiences and tackles important themes, its fate can often be dictated by factors beyond creative merit or viewer engagement.

We all have a list of TV shows that are just comfortable to watch anytime. We love it when our favorite series gets new seasons. But sometimes we get to see the downside which is when a show gets canceled for revenue, ratings, or recognition. But there are a handful of shows that were discontinued because of avoidable or even frivolous reasons. We have rounded up six of those TV series that never got their perfect ending:

6) An Unhappy Executive For The Critic

Due to the broadcast schedule of the program causing a significant drop in ratings and splitting its fanbase, the show was canceled for the first time in 1994. Yet, despite this decrease in viewers, The Critic was renewed for a second season within a short period, which aired on Fox. This second season managed to keep a substantial portion of the initial viewership.

Based on an article from Cracked, it’s stated that Al Jean, one of the show’s creators, attributed the second cancellation of the series to political reasons. According to Jean, the program was thriving on Fox during that particular year. This viewpoint was echoed by Mike Reiss, another co-creator, who singled out John Matoian, the president of Fox in 1995, as being responsible for the show’s cancellation.

It’s said that Matoian disliked The Critic. During a team gathering, Matoian openly stated that he found the show unfunny, which was surprising since everyone else in the meeting seemed to find it amusing. Because of his unfavorable opinion towards the show, it didn’t proceed beyond its second season.

5) Gandhi Didn’t Get Justice In Clone High

Back in 2002, MTV’s animated series Clone High made its debut. This show, conceived by Christopher Miller, Bill Lawrence, and Phil Lord, featured teenage cartoon renditions of renowned historical figures as main characters. The depiction of Gandhi in this show was that of a party animal who fell short of embodying one of history’s most esteemed leaders.

Despite Clone High not being broadcasted in India, information about its characters on MTV’s official site sparked an enormous hunger strike, with Gandhi’s true grandson among the participants, right outside MTV India’s headquarters.

Initially, the creators of the show considered either eliminating the Gandhi character or changing his representation. However, this suggestion was turned down by the production company, leading to a 20-year hiatus for the series. Finally, in 2023, Clone High came back on screen, with Seasons 2 and 3 airing on Max in 2023 and 2024, respectively, without the Gandhi character present.

4) HBO Max’s Change In Mind About Shows Like Gordita Chronicles

Debuting on HBO Max during the summer of 2022, the 1980s-inspired comedy series initially garnered positive reception and praise from viewers. However, it sadly met an early end, being canceled only a month after its initial airing.

Based on information shared with Today by HBO Max, they have adjusted their strategic plans and chosen to exclude family sitcoms from their upcoming program offerings.

In a conversation with Rolling Stone, the show’s creator, Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz, voiced her disappointment, explaining that the decision seemed utterly illogical. “Regardless of our show being cherished, having a substantial audience, and addressing significant topics for underrepresented groups, it made no difference.

3) Donald Trump’s Interference With OK K.O.!

The third season of Cartoon Network’s OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes ended prematurely against original plans, with the decision not being made by the network this time, but rather influenced by the actions of former U.S. President Donald Trump. This is according to the show’s creator, Ian Jones-Quartey.

Originally, the premiere of the show was planned on a streaming platform that resulted from the union of Warner Bros. and AT&T, now commonly known as Max. Yet, Trump expressed opposition towards Warner Bros., causing his administration to slow down the merger’s advancement, as explained by Jones-Quartey in an interview with Creative Talent Network.

As a result of the postponement in the merger, the TV series OK K.O.! was forced to end its airing on Cartoon Network prematurely, prior to its debut on HBO Max. This unexpected financial loss eventually resulted in the unfortunate termination of the show.

2) Longmire Was Only Loved By Old People

As a die-hard fan, I simply can’t get enough of Longmire! This captivating series was consistently one of the most popular shows on cable TV, garnering rave reviews from viewers like me. The narrative delves deep into the life of a sheriff in Wyoming, skillfully portrayed by Robert Taylor, all set against a contemporary backdrop. Yet, what sets Longmire apart is its thoughtful exploration of pressing social issues, making each episode not just entertaining, but also enlightening.

In 2014, A&E ended the series after three seasons. The unfortunate cause for its termination was that the show’s main viewership consisted mostly of people over 50 years old. Generally, TV channels aim at audiences within the age range of 18-49, as they are considered more likely to buy products advertised during ad breaks.

Once they reach the age of 50, individuals often form consistent purchasing habits and become less receptive to advertising, a significant factor impacting traditional television’s earnings. However, fortunately, the streaming service Netflix, which operates independently from advertisements, has picked up Longmire, making it suitable for their business model.

1) The Owl House Did Not Scream Disney

Unlike other series on the list, The Owl House was granted a fitting conclusion, but rather than a complete third season, viewers were treated to three extended episodes instead. This popular show with strong viewership numbers might not have received its original planned third season for reasons yet undisclosed.

According to Dana Terrace’s post on Reddit, a few business executives at Disney make decisions about what aligns with their brand, and at some point, one of these individuals decided that The Owl House didn’t fit their desired image. Despite being a serialized show, this decision was also a contributing factor to its early termination.

It’s worth noting that a good number of programs on Disney+ are not just kid-oriented but also serialized. At first, Terrace was skeptical about the idea that the show’s portrayal of queer characters could have led to its cancellation. However, her conviction weakened when she discovered that Disney had made contributions to politicians backing the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

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2024-09-12 20:53