The Friday 13th Massacre

It sounds like a title of a horror movie but this feature looks back at all the shows which were revealed to have been axed yesterday in America such as Brothers & Sisters, Off The Map and Law & Order: Los Angeles.

Everyone knows the old superstitions about Friday 13th – it’s a day of bad luck. Some casually dismiss such sayings as a load of old nonsense which of course they are. But that still won’t stop us from using those old sayings in connection with this feature because yesterday there was something of a cull over in America; a string of shows were revealed to have been cancelled by their broadcasters. Some of these axings weren’t exactly surprising while others were perhaps more so.

ABC:

The axings of No Ordinary Family (Julie Benz, Michael Chiklis), Detroit 1-8-7 (Michael Imperioli, Natalie Martinez) and Off the Map (Valerie Cruz, Martin Henderson) were not big shocks. Many media outlets have predicted the demise of the three shows given their ratings performance although some might have argued that ABC might have taken a second chance on Off The Map. The network also cancelled Mr. Sunshine and Better With You which also weren’t big shockers.

The cancellation of the two “bubble” shows V and Brothers & Sisters was slightly more surprising. Even though actress Rachel Griffiths had already hinted Brothers & Sisters had been cancelled by ABC the network insisted it hadn’t decided either way. Then reports emerged saying the network was considering renewing the drama for a sixth and final season. Despite the cancellation yesterday there are some reports stating ABC did push for that option but it didn’t happen. Meanwhile it’s re-imaged sci-fi V has never set the ratings alight and has always performed distantly average. Even though ratings for its second season dropped somewhat some still thought it would get a third season mostly because it managed to be renewed last year – over Flashforward. Having said that though its demise isn’t all that surprising but it was one show that some felt could just managed to make it to renewal.

There’s no real surprises in NBC’s axings if you follow the ratings. The Event started well but failed to maintain its good launch and ratings were quick to fall away. Since the initial buzz following its launch media outlets have been quick to point to its ultimate fate. Comedy Outsourced has also been cancelled despite a good launch following The Office its ratings dropped when the audience didn’t follow it to a new time-slot.

As we reported earlier this week Law & Order: Los Angeles was also widely seen to be heading for the scrap heap. The latest entry in the franchise, which is seemingly losing its mass appeal now, was placed on extended hiatus earlier this year while it underwent a revamp. The revamp saw several cast members dropped (such as Skeet Ulrich and Megan Boone) while Alana La Garza was brought over from the parent series. The revamp failed as Law & Order: Los Angeles returned with even lower ratings.

Meanwhile spy/comedy Chuck starring Zachary Levi might have been renewed by NBC for a fifth season but it’ll be it’s last. So a renewal and an axing in one really!

Earlier this week Fox announced it had cancelled five shows; Human Target, Lie to Me, Breaking In, Traffic Light and The Chicago Code.

CBS and The CW are still to reveal the majority of their Autumn line-up. There’s some rumours that CBS may cancel one of the CSI shows seeing as ratings for all three shows have been somewhat lower of late. But that’s not a sure thing and all three shows have been huge performers for the broadcaster before. As for The CW some are now predicting veteran drama One Tree Hill will be renewed but as for the fate of Nikita well that’s still very much on the bubble.