10 Exact Moments We Knew a Show Was Getting Cancelled
“Outlook Good”
“And Just Like That…” (2021-22; 2023-25)
Sometimes it’s better to leave a good thing untouched, but the team behind “AJLT” thought their continuation of “Sex and the City” would recapture the magic. Instead, the revival-sequel failed to live up to the original’s glory. The characters we once adored felt like strangers – and often just plain annoying. Attempts to modernize the show with new faces and forced diversity rang hollow. Seasons one and two were somewhat tolerable, but by season 3, it became clear the show had lost its direction. Characters came and went without purpose, storylines felt empty and the sharp writing that once defined the franchise was gone. So when the showrunner announced the show was coming to an end, we weren’t shocked. It was a long time coming.
"S.O.B.s"
“Arrested Development” (2003-06; 2013-19)
Critical love doesn’t always translate to ratings. “Arrested Development” was adored by critics and even snagged six Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe Award. Unfortunately, that praise didn’t stop its decline. By season three, the writing was on the wall. Fox had already slashed the number of episodes for the season to just 13. It was a glaring warning sign, and the show itself leaned into the joke. Episode 9 was basically a meta cry for help, with characters openly mocking the low ratings and begging viewers to “save our Bluths.” Sure, the self-awareness was clever but it didn’t save the show. By 2006, the axe finally fell – and fans who’d been watching closely weren’t surprised. Thankfully, Netflix revived the show in 2013.
“Double Fantasy”
“The Idol” (2023)
Sam Levinson’s “The Idol” follows a pop star who becomes entangled with a mysterious nightclub owner. It might sound intriguing on paper, but both fans and critics recoiled almost immediately. Beyond its messy on-set controversies, the show veered into disturbing territories right from the start. By episode 2, it was clear this was about a woman seemingly okay with abuse – like some warped male fantasy, as critics put it. Many scenes include verbal abuse, degradation and manipulation, setting up a narrative where pain and control were romanticized. It became extremely hard to watch as the story progressed. Still, “The Idol” limped to episode five before HBO pulled the plug. Honestly, who could’ve endured that for more than one season?
“Thesystemisbroken”
“Designated Survivor” (2016-19)
There’s no denying “Designated Survivor's" first season was riveting. The suspense, sprawling conspiracy and political maneuvering made it almost impossible to look away. But once the core mystery was resolved, season 2 felt adrift and slow to find its direction. Critics and fans say it meandered into procedural drama, losing the urgency that hooked viewers. ABC eventually cancelled it after season 2, which wasn’t all that surprising. By season 3, under Netflix, the show felt almost unrecognizable. At that point, it was obvious the series was running out of gas. Where could it possibly go from there? Despite the streaming revival, the show was cancelled again. In the end, “Designated Survivor” went from must-watch TV to a show that overstayed its welcome.
“Knee Deep”
“Roseanne” (1988-97; 2018)
Many consider “Roseanne” one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. During its original run, it broke ground with its honest and raw look at working class American life. The first episode of the revival in 2018 proved the magic was still there, reaching 27 million viewers and earning an immediate revival for season 11. That all came crashing down when Roseanne Barr fired off a racist tweet comparing Obama’s former adviser Valerie Jarrett to an offspring of“Planet of Apes.” The backlash was instant and brutal. Within hours, ABC pulled the plug, the ninth episode became the revival’s very last and season 11 never happened. Instead from the ashes rose “The Conners,” but this time without its namesake star.
“Chapter 66”
“House of Cards” (2013-18)
The downfall of Netflix’s political drama was pretty easy to see coming. The series had always revolved around Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was the show. But in 2017, multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey forced Netflix to cut ties with him. That’s when fans knew the show was on borrowed time. Instead of cancelling outright, Netflix pressed on with a sixth season, promoting Robin Wright to the lead role. Frank was written off entirely, his death explained off-screen. The result? A final episode stripped of the intrigue and sharp energy that once made the show addictive. Running eight episodes, season six marked the end of a once-beloved drama.
"Nice to Meet You, Walden Schmidt"
“Two and a Half Men” (2003-15)
CBS comedy “Two and a Half Men” was built on the chemistry between Charlie, his brother and his nephew. Take out one of them and the formula falls apart. That’s exactly what happened in season 9 after Charlie Sheen’s wild rant against creator Chuck Lorre. His character was killed off and Ashton Kutcher stepped in as a replacement. Sure the ratings spiked up at first, with millions tuning in to see the shake-up. But let’s be real – the show was never the same again. Soon, numbers slipped, the spark dimmed and by season 12, it was finally cancelled. Truth is, we saw it coming the moment Sheen walked away–because without Charlie, “Two and a Half Men” was missing its heart.
“The Note”
“Laverne & Shirley” (1976-83)
You can’t name a show “Laverne & Shirley” and expect it to live the same once half the duo vanishes. That’s exactly what happened to this beloved show about two quirky friends. Season 8’s second episode ends with the two still in the picture. But by the very next episode, Shirely’s gone, leaving only a note. Behind the scenes, however, Cindy Williams had grown pregnant and allegedly refused to sign a contract requiring her to work on her due date. So she abruptly left – a clear sign that the series was in trouble. Sure, factors like declining popularity played a role, but it didn’t seem like it’d last long without Shirley. So when it wasn’t renewed after season 8, it was no surprise.
“The New Rachel”
“Glee” (2009-15)
Though “Glee” didn’t end right after the original cast graduated, we knew the clock was ticking. By season 4, new characters were pushed to the center stage while the show tried to follow its alumni. The result felt messy as the story was all over the place, jumping from New York to Lima. The storylines? They were incoherent to follow and the once light-hearted tone was overshadowed by heavier, darker subject matters. Fans also struggled to connect with the new additions after getting attached to the originals. Season after season, ratings declined as viewers grew increasingly unhappy with the new direction. Still, the show pressed on until 2013, when Kevin Reilly confirmed that season 6 would be the last.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Our First Day of School,” “Scrubs” (2001-10)
The Show Lost Its Charm Without the Characters We Love
“Requiem,” “The X-Files” (1993-2002; 2016-18)
After Mulder’s Disappearance, It Felt Like the Show Was Over
“Hyperion Heights,” “Once Upon a Time” (2011-18)
With the Series’s New Direction, It Felt Unfamiliar
"I'm Thinking of You All the While," “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
The End Was Imminent With the Major Cast’s Departure
"Desire Is All You Need," “Yellowstone” (2018-24)
Kevin Costner’s Departure Marked the Beginning of the End
“Till the Next Goodbye”
“That ‘70s Show” (1998-2006)
The heartwarming friendship group was always the heart of “That 70s Show.” Eric, Donna, Kelso, Hyde, Jackie, and Fez gave the series its spark with teenage mischief, basement banter and a bond that made you feel like part of the gang. But when Topher Grace left after season 7, the comedy series lost a vital piece of its charm. Soon after, Kutcher followed, appearing only sporadically in season 8. That’s when it became clear the show was nearing its end. Even though producers brought in Josh Meyers as Randy, he just couldn’t fill the space they’d left behind. The chemistry was honestly gone, ratings slipped and by 2006, after season 8, the show took its last bow.
Which show’s cancellation didn’t surprise you at all? Drop a line in the comment section.