JustTV Talk: August 2, 2005
Every year, a number of veteran series beloved and hated alike end their runs, whether due to age, a cast decision, declining ratings or the fact it it's just become too expensive to produce. Here's a look at the various veterans which could very well end at the end of next season, along with an explanation.
You’ll also notice that there are a lot of sitcoms on the list. The reason? There hasn’t been a bumper crop of new hit sitcoms in many years, and many current sitcoms are now quite old and in many cases, just skimming by in the ratings. A number of the will be entering syndication, which will likely mean their cancellation, and a number have be shunted off the weak timeslots where they’re not expected to do anything anyway. In effect, they’ve been abandoned to die. Remember, this isn’t a definitive list, but rather speculation.
Alias: Even after 4 seasons, and a plum post “Lost” timeslot last season, it still hasn’t become a wide appealing hit show. That said, 5 years is a pretty solid run and a tough Thursday timeslot will do the series in.
That 70s Show: With ratings flat lining and two of its biggest stars now gone, the show that lived on forever will effectively end after next season.
Will & Grace: Although the Emmy voters still love it, Megan Mullally is leaving after this season to do a talk show and ratings have fallen below the critical level. It’s also pretty much been confirmed by the series stars that the show will end next season.
What I Like About You: The show that just never dies will finally have enough episodes for syndication after this season, and given that the ratings have never showed promise, it’s effectively a gonner, especially if the promising “Twins” manages to outdraw it.
Less Than Perfect: A surprise renewal, it’s not on the fall schedule and has never drawn a big audience. This season will also give it enough episodes for syndication.
The Bachelor: Umpteen editions are more than enough as it’s absent from the fall line-up and ratings keep sliding.
< style="font-family: century;">Still Standing: The move to Wednesdays is a last ditch attempt to get it enough episodes for syndication. Still, it isn’t a big draw and the new timeslot will kill it.
Yes, Dear: Enough episodes for syndication, but surprisingly solid numbers last season saved it. That won’t be the case this season.
< style="font-family: century;">Scrubs: It was effectively renewed last season because NBC gave it a two year deal two seasons ago. But with enough episodes for syndication, if an emmy break though doesn’t drive up numbers, it’s over.West Wing: It probably shouldn’t have been renewed anyway, and in a new Sunday timeslot where there are already 4 established series, it’ll be an uphill battle.
7th Heaven: This one is a bit trickier because it’s still the network’s top rated series. But 10 seasons in, it’s getting really old. It any of the new dramas manage to break out, it might not be back. But that’s a big if.
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King of
< style="font-family: century;">King of The Hill: Now in its 9th season, this show keeps getting renewed despite declining numbers. That may not be the case next season.
The Bernie Mack Show: A very surprising renewal, Fox left in on Fridays where it effectively died last season. This season’ll give it enough episodes for syndication, so I wouldn’t bet on another season after this one.
Malcolm In The Middle: The show is just about over, but Fox threw it on Fridays for some reason. Unless a miracle happens, it’s definitely over.
< style="font-family: century;">Arrested Development: Again, a critical darling, and it’s had some good timeslots, but it’s never become a wide appealing hit. Fox was good to give it a third season, but Mondays at 8pm is an absolutely terrible timeslot and the network may not be so kind next season, especially if it gets locked out of the Emmys by Desperate Housewives, as will likely happen.Girlfriends: The UPN’s oldest sitcom will likely be facing its last season considering that the network has a number of other sitcoms ready to take its place.
One On One: Entering season 5, that’s when the UPN usually shuts them down, and the fact that this show is not drawing great numbers will not help it any.