10 TV Shows That Ended in Scandal

Top 10 Shows That Ended in Scandal

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at shows that went down in flames over behind-the-scenes controversy.

#10: “The Real Housewives of D.C.” (2010)

After the success of the flagship Orange County franchise, Bravo was pumping out more “Housewives” shows with every television season. The first stumble came with the D.C. installment. During the filming of its inaugural season, cast member Michaele Salahi and her husband, Tareq, made national headlines when it was revealed they gate-crashed the White House state dinner. The couple even met President Barack Obama despite their names being absent from the official guest list. It caused a massive controversy that not even Bravo was eager to milk for ratings. The show did end up airing a year later, but was canceled after one season.

#9: “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” (1967-69)

The TV landscape was very, very different in the 60s. While civil rights and anti-war movements gripped America’s youth, TV was still stuck in the past. Dick and Tom Smothers stood out for their hilarious, but censor-unfriendly political satire that aimed at everything from the Vietnam War to religion. Appealing to the increasingly disillusioned American youth came back to bite the show’s creators. Local networks took it upon themselves to edit out whole segments of the show when it aired in their area. In 1969, CBS orchestrated the show’s cancellation for breach of contract. The two brothers filed a lawsuit, and after a lengthy court case, won a hefty sum from the network.

#8: “Louie” (2010-15)

When it aired, Louis C.K.’s satire of his own life and career was hailed as a watershed moment. It was praised for its innovative approach, redefining what a comedy series could be in the golden age of television. The show was on an indefinite hiatus in 2017 when the New York Times reported multiple accounts of C.K.’s sexual misconduct. C.K. confirmed this story soon after. The fallout was swift. FX officially canceled what had been one of its most critically acclaimed shows, and the stink of it has overshadowed much of the show’s influence.

#7: “Luck” (2011-12)

With a stellar cast, prestige TV production values, and good reviews, HBO’s horse racing drama seemed destined for a successful run. Production was already underway on its second season when it was suddenly canceled. Concerns were raised by PETA and other animal rights activists after reports that two horses had died while shooting the first season. A third horse died while the second season was being produced, prompting a halt to the shoot, and an investigation took place. Though it was determined the horses were not injured during filming or racing scenes, HBO pulled the plug on the show. The network cited concern for animal safety as its reason. The second season was permanently shelved.

#6: “Roseanne” (1988-97; 2018)

20 years after its controversial finale, the working-class sitcom and its star returned to show us what had happened to the Conner family since we last saw them. The “Roseanne” revival, which mirrored its star’s shift to the political right, was successful enough to get a second season. However, Roseanne Barr’s careless and racist tweet about President Obama’s advisor, Valerie Jarrett, got her axed from her own show. The show continued in another form, as a spin-off called “The Conners,” which killed off Roseanne’s fictional counterpart and continued for seven seasons on its own.

#5: “House of Cards” (2013-18)

Netflix exploded into its prestige era with this Emmy-winning political thriller. Frank Underwood’s unfeeling direct addresses to the camera were always creepy, but as the series entered its sixth season, it was rocked by a major, career-ending scandal. Once allegations against star Kevin Spacey surfaced, “House of Cards’” sixth season was underway. Netflix fired Spacey, and co-star Robin Wright was promoted to the show’s sole leading role. The show continued without its original star, but only for a season. Instead of ending things with a bang, “House of Cards” went out with a whimper.

#4: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2003-22)

The dance-loving host is no stranger to controversy. Her 90s sitcom was canceled a season after she and her fictional counterpart came out, inspiring a complete media firestorm. The way her longtime talk show ended was less noble. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, DeGeneres and her fellow executives were accused of creating a hostile work environment. DeGeneres’ effervescent persona was called into question. DeGeneres tearfully addressed these allegations on the air when it returned for the 18th season, but the show and its host’s reputations had already been tarnished. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” ended the next season.

#3: “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” (2012-17)

Spun off from a truly unhinged “Toddlers & Tiaras” storyline, the TLC series following Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and her family was never far from controversy. After a while, though, even some of its harshest critics could find humor in their strange lives. However, things stopped being funny when it was reported that the matriarch of the family, Mama June, was dating a registered sex offender. It was the final nail in the show’s coffin. As more details about Shannon’s past were unearthed, TLC distanced themselves from the family and canceled the show in 2014. The family would eventually launch another spin-off on another network.

#2: “Paula’s Home Cooking” (2002-12)

Paula Deen was marketed as everyone’s Southern granny. Her rich, butter-filled recipes and strong Georgia accent were like honey on viewers’ ears as she walked us through her classic country dishes. Unfortunately, the fantasy came crashing down in 2013. A former employee filed a lawsuit against Deen for sexual and racial discrimination. While the lawsuit itself was one thing, it was Deen’s deposition that created a huge scandal. Under oath, she admitted to using racial slurs in the past. The public outrage was swift. The Food Network quickly canceled “Paula’s Home Cooking” after 12 seasons, joining dozens of others in dropping business ties with Deen.

#1: “Megan Wants a Millionaire” (2009)

In the latter half of the 2000s, VH1 was churning out hit after hit with its celebrity-themed reality shows. “Surreal Life,” “Flavor of Love,” and “I Love New York” were just some of the shows under their “Celebreality” brand. Most of these programs were brought to a screeching halt in 2009. “Megan Wants a Millionaire” was a spin-off of “Rock of Love” starring Megan Hauserman. One of the contestants, Ryan Jenkins, had already filmed a second VH1 competition show when he was named as a suspect in his wife’s murder. His own body was found days later. The gruesome crime led to the show being pulled from the schedule, and several other shows in the Celebreality lineup never came back.

Which of these TV scandals shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments.