New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?


It’s inevitable. Each fall, I get excited about all of the new shows—dramas (often medical), comedies, thrillers, shows that try to be the new LOST (which may or may not contain actors who actually were on LOST)—get somewhat emotionally invested no matter how awful it may or may not be and then — BAM! — by the third episode, the show has already gotten the boot. See: The Playboy Club.

Yes, I watched it.

No, I’m not proud.

Apparently, word on the street is that 65% of new television series will be canceled before the end of the first season. This, of course, makes me wonder which shows in 2012′s crop of new ones will be in that coveted 35% and which will go the way of The Playboy Club and get the boot before anyone has a chance to watch their DVRed episodes of it. I fancy myself an expert in choosing the real stinkers, because I have this horrible habit of watching shows that no one else on the planet watches. Confession: sometimes I watch Whitney. On purpose.

I could have told you that the awful tween show on the CW about witches was going to get canceled. How did I know? I was the only one watching it. I could have told you that the medical drama that took place on an island somewhere—Off the Map, maybe—was getting the boot, because, well, I watched it. See? I really am an expert.

So, you heard it here first: The First Fall 2012 Television Shows to Get Canceled.

1. Animal Practice (NBC, Wednesdays at 8pm). Weeds, while it was still worth watching, made me a huge fan of Justin Kirk. But I don’t know how much he can save a show about an unorthodox New York City veterinarian. I’m a fan of animals, but this one just may be a little too Dr. Doolittle meets Ace Ventura for my tastes.

Animal practice 590x389 New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?

 

2. The Mob Doctor (FOX, Mondays at 9pm) and Emily Owens, M.D. (The CW, Tuesdays at 9pm). Here we have TWO medical dramas for the price of one. Medical dramas are tough. Everyone wants another ER or Grey’s Anatomy, so they play around with cities and situations, like throwing a mob twist into the mix, only these shows don’t bring anything new and original to the table. The Mob Doctor takes place in Chicago and Emily Owens is—surprise!—a new doctor who realizes that the drama in a hospital is not all that much different than the drama of high school. Recycled a little bit too much, I think.

the mob doctor New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?

emily owens md New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?

 

3. The Neighbors (NBC, Wednesdays at 8:30pm). The neighbors are aliens. No, really. ALIENS.

the neighbors New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?

 

4. Chicago Fire (NBC, Wednesdays at 10pm). This one is going to fail for one simple reason—I am going to fall immediately in love with it. I mean…firemen? In Chicago? Hot heroes ahoy! It will be just like Pan Am all over again.

chicago fire 590x419 New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?

 

5. Ben and Kate (FOX, Tuesdays at 8:30 pm). Single mother and her loser-ish, man-child brother raise her five-year-old child. YAWN.

ben and kate New Fall TV Show(down): Who Gets Canceled First?

And I’m telling you all right now. If The Mindy Project and Nashville completely suck, I’m going to be super pissed.
What about you? What do you think the first fall 2012 show to fail will be?
About Ali Martell

When Ali isn't writing her Seinfeld-esque drivel over at her personal site, Cheaper Than Therapy, or writing about fashion on her YummyMummyClub.ca blog From Hemlines to Heels, she is giving Buffy the Vampire Slayer a chance, laughing maniacally at the absurdity of 50 Shades of Grey, and trying to stop the world from wearing leggings as pants.



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  • Snarky_Amber

    Actually, The first episode of The Mindy Project is available to preview on Hulu and On Demand for people in the U.S. I really enjoyed it. Ben and Kate (also available online and On Demand) was awful.

    • alimartell

      Stupid rules for Canadians…GRR.
      This news is encouraging, though…and goes right along with my predictions.

      • http://lauriemrauch.com/ Laurie M. Rauch

        Check the CityTV iPad app. They’re showing both there. I already did my Canadian happy dance. :D

        • alimartell

          Ooooh. I will! Thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/heymrswilson Jen Wilson

    Did you watch Mercy or Trama? 09/10 season? I fell in love with both of them and they both got canceled after one season. I’m too skeptical of hospital/rescue shows. ALL THE CANCELLATIONS.

  • http://fullofsnark.com kristabella

    I need both Mob Doctor and Chicago Fire to NOT fail, because we need the revenue!

    • alimartell

      which means one thing…obviously. They will fail, sadly.

  • http://twitter.com/jenbshaw Jen

    It’s really becoming frightening how much we are the SAME person. I also watched The Secret Circle and I cried when Off The Map was cancelled. I have high hopes for Mob Docter (and Emily Owens obvs) but I fully expect my hopes to be dashed.

    I’m also looking forward to Partners, 666 Park Avenue, Elementary, and Last Resort. I wanted to get excited for my boyfriend Dennis Quaid to be on TV but I just can’t get interested in Vegas.

    As you were.

    • alimartell

      Don’t miss next week…when I tell you about all the shows I’m excited about…including 666 Park Avenue and Elementary!

  • jess s

    I watched the first episode of the mindy project and oh man, i am sold. i hope it performs!

    • Snarky_Amber

      Wasn’t it so great? I also adore Chris Messina, always have since he was Claire’s boyfriend in the last season of Six Feet Under.

  • SuzyQuzey

    I cannot even speak because I did not know until now that Pan Am was cancelled. Waaaaaah!

    • DianaCLT

      RIGHT?!? Me neither! That sucks! :_(

      • alimartell

        I am still really upset about it. So upset.

        • SuzyQuzey

          ME, TOO.

  • http://twitter.com/Nanette Nanette

    That wannabe-Hunger Games/Lost show on NBC looks dreadful. I don’t remember the name of it, but it’s post-apocalyptic, she uses a bow and arrow and is convinced her family is alive in another district or something.

    • alimartell

      Wait…what is that??? are you talking about Revolution?

  • DianaCLT

    I, too, watched Off the Map. Same actress is in Emily Owens…does that doom it to fail (or will it fail based on its own suckitude?)? I LOVED The Secret Circle. Was shocked that it was canceled. I mean, yeah, I’m a little *ahem* out of its demographic, but I figured all the teens would keep it relevant.
    Devastated about Pan Am. Just not learning this, via you. WTF, TV people??? :(

    • alimartell

      It’s weird that she’s doing another doctor show…right?

      • DianaCLT

        Aaand she played a doctor on an episode of some other show I watch. Can’t remember which, but it was last season. Typecast much?

  • DeniDee

    Re: Chicago Fire: Because I work at a fire department, I have to say it: the correct term is FIREFIGHTER, not “firemen”…for goodness sake, there are female firefighters right in the photo!

  • Emma Perry

    Oh man, I think this post will end up being incredibly accurate. I really hope Emily Owens, M.D. works out though, because I’m very intrigued by Mamie Gummer… though if it gets canceled, she’d be able to go off and be on a better show. I’m glad I can at least set my Hopper to record it for me, since I work late nights at Dish and won’t be home to watch it. I’ll have to do that with Nashville and The Mindy Project, too, though I’m willing to bet those shows will last longer. That’s what I’m hoping, anyway!

    • issascrazyworld

      She was on Off the Map. It was canceled. I fear for her on this show, mostly because it’s on CW.

  • Kirsten

    I decided last year that I was the death knell for TV shows. The only ones that held on that I was hooked on were ‘SMASH’ and ‘Revenge’… otherwise I lost ‘The Secret Circle’, ‘The Finder’ and… there was something else and it pissed me off LOL

  • issascrazyworld

    I LOVED Off the Map. So yes, it was gone after what 12 episodes? Sigh.

    I’d agree on possibly all of these being canceled. I want to watch the Emily MD one, just because of Meryls daughter being in it. Girl was good in Off the Map. But if I do, it’s guaranteed to fail.

  • Laurinda P

    I’m in the same boat with all of you. I loved Chaos, The Finder, that one with Christian Slater & I’m still pissed off about Lie To Me. I’m afraid to get my hopes up about The Mindy Project, Ben & Kate, & The Neighbors (sigh)