15 TV Shows That NEED To Be Cancelled Already
Whether a series has simply been on the air too long or was never a good idea, to begin with, there are dozens of shows on TV that definitely need to be canceled. Many have lost the comedic flare they once had or have introduced too many unrealistic and exaggerated elements into their storylines that have confused fans. Now that it's officially a new year, here are 15 shows that definitely need to be given a quick and proper ending. Even if you were once a diehard fan of these shows, you'll probably admit that the end is near and that the writers, cast, and crew should let these shows rest in peace. The less bad shows that take up the airtime means the more space there is for better shows! Let's hope the New Year brings an influx of entertaining programming rather than letting these shows remain in bad plot and boring character limbo.
15 'Sleepy Hollow'
Sleepy Hollow never sounded like a winner from the beginning. The supernatural show transported Ichabod Crane (who was alive in 1781) into the present day. He teams up with the police to catch the Headless Horseman. The plot is a lot of information to take in and can be crazy confusing, so it is no surprise this show has left many viewers scratching their head. Besides the fact that it can be hard to comprehend the plot, the show has also been criticized for its cheesiness and the fact that it seems kind of unfocused and all over the place. The show's writers tried to increase ratings by doing a crossover with Bones, but it just made viewers even more confused. This is one show that should have never made it to air, so it is time to give the Headless Horseman and other unmemorable characters the axe. Sorry not sorry.
14 'Grey's Anatomy'
Grey's Anatomy has been going on far too long and many fans are tired of Shonda Rimes' crazy antics and never-ending plot twists. The show follows the lives of surgical residents as they face the ups and downs that come with saving lives (and trying to balance a personal life, too). Grey's first few seasons were phenomenal and both critics and fans were big fans, but the later seasons have made this show go downhill. The show is currently in its thirteenth season and has killed off almost every important character. Not to mention, each season the remaining characters go through some sort of life-altering tragedy… and no one would actually go through that many devastating things in such a short time period. The characters have all been in relationships with each other and fans are getting tired of seeing the same mindless drama being replayed. The show has moved away from being about medicine and surgery to focusing more on the unrealistic personal lives of the many lead characters. Thanks to all the airplane crashes, rogue shooters, and unnecessary car accidents, fans are begging for something more realistic.
13 'Lethal Weapon'
Lethal Weapon is a remake of the 80s movie that originally starred Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Now the main characters have been replaced by Clayne Crawford and Damon Wayans. A veteran detective who is trying to manage his stress levels is paired with a slightly unhinged police officer in order to (you guessed it) solve crime and fight for justice. Unless you are into police dramas specifically, this show may never make it into your regular rotation. Critics were unsure of yet another buddy-cop show, especially one that relies on the classic tale of two guys from different backgrounds working together. The show did not really introduce any new elements that have not been done over and over in other TV shows and movies. Ratings have not been great since the series premiere in September 2016, so that may be a sign that this show won't make it far into 2017.
12 'Family Guy'
Family Guy feels like it has been on the air since forever… and it has. It has been going strong since 1999. The show follows parents Peter and Lois (who half the time are pretty ignorant) as well as their eccentric children Meg, Chris, and Stewie. Not to mention they also have an anthropomorphic pet dog named Brian, who is both lovable and kind of strange. Thanks to almost 300 episodes airing over a period of almost two decades, it might be time to say goodbye to this Simpsons-esque cartoon. Fans definitely feel that this satirical show needs to come to an end. Critics say the humor is getting either repetitive or dry, with many of the jokes centering on religion, government, and American society in general feeling overused. It may be time to say "see you later" to this once super popular and trendy comedy. It is a little harsh to say but you know it is true.
11 'The Vampire Diaries'
It's understandable why The CW wanted to make the Vampire Diaries back in 2009 thanks to the intense popularity of Twilight and the teenage obsession with all things vampire (and werewolf). But the days of the Twi-hards have come and gone, and so should the days of The Vampire Diaries. The show has a very similar plot to Twilight, with a young mortal girl trapped in a love triangle between two vampire brothers. As the show progresses, other supernatural characters are introduced including werewolves, witches, and demons. Many of the main cast members, including Nina Dobrev who played leading lady Elena, have left the show, which is more than a sign it's time to end the series. Viewers have outgrown their vampire phase, which may explain why viewings have gone down significantly for this show. The plot lines are becoming too thick and difficult to memorize, while fans miss the old characters they had grown fond of. It's time to bite The Vampire Diaries in the neck and end this failing teen drama. Thankfully, this is its last season and it will end in 2017.
10 'The Big Bang Theory'
The Big Bang Theory has been going on for so long… and that might be the problem. The hit comedy follows the eccentric lives of four self-professed geeks and their attractive yet clueless female neighbor, who is continually emphasized as being out of their league. The characters are nerdy and socially awkward, adding to their lovability, but fans may be over their geeky escapades once and for all. For some time, critics have been saying the show has been getting repetitive and lacking in the humor department. The show relies on canned humor to let the audience know when to laugh, and that type of comedy has been decreasing in popularity for some time. Not to mention the fact that the show has always relied on exaggerated stereotypes (the hot, yet dumb blonde and the geeky guys who can't get a date, just to name a few). It's time to update this show with something better, pronto.
9 'Bones'
Bones is one TV show that has been holding on to dear life for a really long time now. The crime procedural drama, which first aired back in 2005, follows anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth as they solve a handful of puzzling crimes by examining the remains of possible murder victims. As the series progressed, it began to focus less on the crime aspect and more on the character's lives, with Brennan's reliance on science and Booth's belief in God being a source of tension during many episodes. With less than stellar ratings and a decreasing audience, even some members of the cast have spoken out about the show coming to an end sooner rather than later. Even before the past eleventh season, actor David Boreanaz hinted that this season may be his last. As much as fans love Booth and Brennan's banter, it may be time to give these characters a happily ever after (or something like that).
8 'Modern Family'
At first, fans loved Modern Family for its groundbreaking storylines and refreshing humor. The mockumentary revolves around Jay Prichett and his family in L.A. Jay lives with Gloria, his second wife, and her hilarious stepson Manny, and the show also follows the lives of his two adult children and their families. The complicated family dynamics is the reason for the name. But slapstick humor and juvenile puns have made this show fall flat, hinting that the end may be near. Even more unfortunately, some people have criticized the show's representation of gay people, as the show's gay couple are basically a bunch of stereotypes. Fans have also noted there seems to be a lack of affection between the two, making fans speculate the show may not be as open as it seems. We're not sure about that but we will say that this show seems to have run its course.
7 '2 Broke Girls'
Many viewers are surprised at just how long 2 Broke Girls has lasted on the air. The sitcom first aired in 2011 and follows the supposedly funny lives of two young women as they try to make a quick buck while living in the city. While Caroline (Beth Behrs) was raised by billionaire parents, Max Black (Kat Dennings) was raised pretty poor, and now both girls are working at a local diner while they try to raise enough money to start a cupcake business. Based on the plot, this show could have been a hit or a flop, and fans definitely think it was the latter. Critics have complained the lead characters are annoying and juvenile, and that the entire humor of the show relies on sexual innuendo. Not to mention, the show is full of characters with obviously fake accents, including a Ukrainian cook, an Asian diner owner, and an eccentric Polish woman, leading many to claim the show is borderline racist. It's time this show gets off the air.
6 'Girls'
Many people tried to love Girls when it first premiered in 2012. Created by and starring Lena Dunham, the show follows the lives of four young women who live in New York. The show stars a plethora of women who defy conventional beauty standards and shows them leading pretty regular and boring lives, so it's hard to not love the quirky and relatable aspects of the show. But that wasn't enough to save this show from harsh criticism. Critics have said the characters are annoying and unlikeable, and the storylines are somewhat realistic given the careers and ages of the women. The show was based on Dunham's life and was supposed to be realistic, but fans seem to want a little bit more glitz and glamor than this show can offer. It also doesn't help that Dunham has said a slew of controversial things in the past few years that have given her somewhat of a poor image. This show should probably end sooner rather than later… and thankfully, 2017 will see its final season.
5 'Dr. Ken'
Dr. Ken excited The Hangover fans everywhere, as star Ken Jeong created, wrote, and produced this show and also stars in it. The show follows the busy schedule of a Korean-American physician who works at a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), along with his crazy family, which includes a therapist wife and his son and daughter. Jeong based the show on his experiences as a doctor before he became a stand-up comedian and actor. As good as the premise sounds, it may be time to retire this sitcom. Fans feel that Jeong is better suited to playing an eccentric, outlandish character, and unfortunately, his role on Dr. Ken feels pretty boring and pretty much the opposite of hilarious. Also, the show has received negative reviews from critics, most likely forewarning its future cancellation. We're not sure it will last past this year. And honestly, we have to say that we are not even sad about it. Sorry.
4 'Once Upon A Time'
Once Upon a Time gained a lot of attention back 2011 when it premiered thanks to its original premise. A young woman with a difficult past somehow finds herself in a magical town where fairy tales are real. The catch is the fairy tale characters don't remember who they really are, as a powerful witch has cursed them. This show borrows storylines from Disney, Western literature, and classic fairytales which have been really fascinating. Many fans wish this show wasn't taking a turn for the worse and feel the show is not very credible anymore (if it ever was). From boring and overused plotlines about amnesia to the introduction of time travel and alternate realities, the show is getting too difficult to believe (and understand). Fans want answers for the dozens of stories the show has started but never bothered to wrap up. Perhaps a cancellation could bring viewers the closure they need and want.
3 'Supernatural'
Before its premiere, many viewers were hoping Supernatural would be the new Buffy The Vampire Slayer. While the show had a successful first several seasons, it seems to have lost some love from many once-devoted fans. Since first premiering in 2005, the show has followed the lives of two brooding brothers who hunt down demons, ghosts, monsters, and all types of supernatural beings… and what's more, they're following in the footsteps of their father. The show seems to be going in all sorts of different directions in order to capture the audience's attention, but nothing is really working. Most fans admit that the ending of season five would have been a good series finale, but the writers continue to draw the show out. With many characters having been to hell and back several times, the fandom seems ready to let go of this supernatural drama that is long past its prime.
2 'Man With a Plan'
Man With a Plan stars Friends alum Matt LeBlanc as a dad who is learning about the struggles of parenting when his wife decides to go back to work. This isn't the first time the actor has tried his hand at television since his great comedic work on Friends, but fans would prefer to see him in re-runs rather than on this new show. It's often hard for actors who've worked on an iconic sitcom to transition to another, so this show may have been a bad idea from the beginning. Even before it first aired in October 2016, critics were saying this show was a stand-in for every CBS comedy. The show's plot has been criticized for being outdated, as it's not groundbreaking for a man to be participating in domestic and child care responsibilities… or to even be doing the brunt of childrearing on his own. That's definitely true.
1 'Criminal Minds'
Criminal Minds has produced some of the most lovable characters on TV but it may be time to retire this show and its characters. The crime drama follows a team of FBI agents in the behavioral analysis unit who work together to capture the worst serial killers plaguing American society. Each episode has tried to be distinct from the rest, but it seems like the show is losing stamina and ideas just as quickly as it is losing viewers. It doesn't help that the show lost a key actor when Thomas Gibson, who played one of the most loved characters, Hotch, was recently fired. Fans aren't sure if the show can survive its twelfth season without the lead actor, so it may be a sign the show needs to come to an end. At least we're confident a spinoff would be successful even if this show is canceled because characters like Penelope Garcia, Spencer Reid, and Derek Morgan could make great lead characters all on their own. Time will tell if these shows will keep airing, but thankfully some of them are definitely on their last legs.