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Yesterday, our esteemed colleague Josh Jackson listed the 15
Best TV Shows That Were Canceled Too Soon. (He left off Kings, but anyway.)
Today we flip over the coin to comment on a few shows that maybe went on just a tiny bit too long. Or a lot too long.
And in case anyone’s wondering how to end a show right, how to strike exactly the right note before the final credits roll—this is how.
1. The Price Is Right
We have not watched the Drew Carey version. We do not want
to watch the Drew Carey version. We want to imagine that the definitive daytime
game show retired in 2007 along with its 83-year-old host, Bob Barker.
2. That ’70s Show
This kitschy comedy became overripe during its eighth season when Topher Grace's Eric Foreman and Ashton Kutcher's Michael Kelso were written out of the series so they could pursue their respective movie careers. Meanwhile, Fez started dating Jackie (what?) and an unfunny Tommy Chong arrived to make pot jokes in an attempt to mask the complete void of real humor. Bummer, man.
3. E.R.
The
once-great and innovative show taught audiences to accept blood and gore in
their primetime network TV lineup (you're welcome, CSI). But by the time of its cancellation this year, almost all of the original cast had gone on to bigger, better things and the protracted storylines were tired. Carol (Julianna Margulies) had run away to be with Doug (George Clooney), and Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) had died of cancer years before. By the end, the quintessential medical drama had lost its heart. Even Uncle Jesse couldn't salvage it.
4. Scrubs
Once inventive, goofy-funny and sweet, the tragicomic series that offers glimpses inside the bizarre brain of doctor John "J.D." Dorian (Zach Braff) has been on the verge of cancellation several times. Last season, it moved from NBC to ABC and, in a classic jumping of the shark, brought in a whole new generation of young, less interesting interns, relegating most of the original cast (Turk, Elliot, Dr. Cox, Carla) to supporting roles. It had a good run, but the series is now DNR.
5. The Office
The Jim/Pam wedding was cute, and Michael’s rehearsal-dinner speech was a truly inspired bit of inappropriateness. But overall the show has drifted from awkward to adorable. Awkward is funny. Adorable, not so much. This is why the British original cut the cord so quickly, to quit while they were ahead.
6. The West Wing
Save your hate mail: We loved The West Wing. We just think it kinda, you know, maybe wasn’t as awesome at the end—after creative genius Aaron Sorkin left—as it was in the beginning. The show started as a transcendent examination of idealism in the halls of power. Despite the best efforts of Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda as rival presidential candidates, Wing ended as a lame duck.
7. The Wire
Save your hate mail: We loved The Wire, too! But did you notice how after the masterful,
gut-wrenching fourth season, the fifth was a long anticlimax? We noticed.
Amazing show, shaky resolution.
8. The X-Files
For five years, Chris Carter's X-Files was one of the best shows on television. The chemistry between Scully the skeptic and Mulder the believer was unparalleled, the romantic tension between them taut as a tightrope. And show's main plot—about shadowy government operatives covering up the existence of alien visitors—was riveting. Where would the show twist and turn next on the way to its ultimate conclusion? The smart thing to have done would have been to build the show up to a fever pitch and then deliver the payoff in the 1998 X-Files film Fight the Future. Sadly, the film never wrapped anything up. It just introduced more questions. After a while, it became apparent: The writers didn't how the show was going to end. So it dragged on for four more years, losing its magic and momentum, becoming a parody of itself, as Mulder and Scully became romantically involved, and the plot got more and more tangled and unbelievable. Bafflingly, the show even continued when Duchovny decided to leave, becoming completely unraveled by the end.
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Well I hate to say it, but hate mail here, I actually am happy with the entire list but completely disagree on The Wire Season 5, I admit it was not a perfect season but it ended very strongly after a couple early stumbles and I found it on par with the show's 2nd season.
The Office has become a sad parody of it's former self and The West Wing should've ended after Sorkin was let go.
I agree with most of this list, but I can't believe you put The Office on there. Sure, this season hasn't been stellar so far, but don't bury it yet! It's the best comedy on TV right now and one of the best of all time. They've earned a chance to redeem themselves.
I almost hate to say it and I know I'll end up watching it when it comes on next but should "24" also make this list? How many more times can Jack Bauer save the world?
You guys totally forgot about the last season of Weeds. Did you guys see that? It was awful, I found myself trying to make it till the end of the season. It ended up being like a family reunion, you remember how great everyone was, then you get there and they stink, ramble on and on, and just generally have their plot lines go way too far. Someone please, please, make Mary Louise Parker stop before i become convinced that she is as shitty a person as she plays on tv.
The Wire? You must have been watching a different show than I. Consider if you will, not having a season five would leave us with a huge hole in so much of the show's lore. McNulty's fall from grace and wonderful last scene - Bubs redemption - Omar’s fitting (if not unsatisfactory) demise - Michael, Bug & Dukie's impossible circumstance & resolution...Everything coming full circle at the end...I personally could not imagine a Wire world without season 5
How many times can Jack Bauer save the world you ask Kevin? As many as it takes. Season--or rather Day 7-- was a return to awesome cliffhangers and shocking revelations, not to mention a stellar cast; Day 6 alienated fans in droves, having been the only stumbling block in it's arsenal.
Scrubs hasn't jumped the shark.
Every season it has brought in a new generation of interns. Have you watched the show? Be honest.
There are better episodes and there are worse episodes, but that is nothing unique to Scrubs.
I can agree that season 7 wasn't the greatest, but what show (other than Conan O'Brien) was good during the writer's strike? The Office certainly wasn't, but you don't even mention that.
I didn't have a problem with Scrubs season 8, I thought it was "inventive, goofy-funny, and sweet."
I think a few need to be added:
1. 'Will and Grace'-I had to watch it for years, but by the end, it started to smell like fish.
2. 'Everybody Loves Raymond'-It seemed like the same thing over and over again.
3. 'Malcolm in the Middle'-I feel it went from great to boring overnight.
4. 'The Jay Leno Show'-Nobody wants a late night show early; what's the point.
5. 'American Idol'-Once you get to the top ten it is fun, but until then, how many times can you see Simon, Paula, and Randy, humiliate the masses over and over.
6. 'Heroes'-It still keeps going on, and on, and on, and on...
7. 'The View'-Joy Behar left for a reason...
Of course, this is just my opinion, but I guess diversity of opinions is what makes the world go around.
Totally disagree with the Wire. If anything, Season 2 was the weakest season of the series, not season 5.
As much as I loved the early seasons of the Sopranos, I think it needs to be on the list. The last two seasons (actually considered two parts of the same season) were virtually unwatchable.
I would add "Smallville" -- it's about to get a 10th season... probably should have ended after 4.
the one i strongly agree with is the office, since i'm been such a passionate fan of the show through season 5. they definitely should of ended the series in season 5. anyone who says season 6 is good or "officeworthy", they're obviously not a fan from the beginning.
regarding the earlier post about the office, the show is indeed "buried" or if not all the way they are "burying" themselves in a direction where the shows reputation is on the line.
season 6 is NOTHING like the past seasons. all the characters have changed: michael is silly and zany, and no longer awkward or subtle with his delivery: jim is no longer funny and is doing voice impressions (very lame): pam is outspoken, cold, and rude in contrast to her old character which was reserved, warm, and sweet and soft spoken: dwight is sneaky and villian-like now. no longer is he sucking up to michael or naive and FUNNY; i miss the old dwight terribly: and on and on and on. . . .
i could write a novel on how terrible and lame the office has gotten. just like the article says, the show has gotten "cute" and is no longer awkward. the humor now is also obvoious and sometimes juvenile instead of awkward, crude, and subtle. what enrages me the most is when everyone does cheesy voice impressions, especially JIM!! jim, pam, michael, and dwights characters are so different and disapointing now. i feel like i've lost 4 close friends. . . .
i just hope they end the show next season (7)
fingers crossed.
Where on earth is the Simpsons on this list?
That show has dug it's nails in and refused not to become irrelevant for about 10 years.
Disagree about the Office. It certainly moved in a different direction, but there's actually some solid drama on there now, albeit in an awkward-comedic way. I think it's remained fresh by subtly changing.
the first 5 years of 'X-Files' were done in Canada. in the 6th season, they moved to Hollywood. Coincidence?
Sorry, but a little bit of hate mail here.
While the West Wing may have hung on and been a bit rough at the end, there was a need for the final season. Once President Bartlett was re-elected, there was no choice but to show the final term. There is no question that the series was not as strong with the semi (and then permanent) departure of Leo, or after Sam's sudden departure in the 4th season. New characters and plot lines kept the series relevant and interesting.
And in regards to The Wire. The fifth season was one of the strongest, not in terms of the original character (McNulty certainly earned his nickname "McNuttty") but in terms of the kids. Showing how three kids who are seemingly on the right path, and one who seems to be headed for disaster, trade places and how intervention into a kid's life can be the tipping point made an incredible social statement about urban education and urban violence. One of the most powerful moments of the entire series is in the fifth season as Michael murders Snoop to avoid his own execution. If anything, The Wire could have used a sixth season.
How about smallville? I mean they started with "This is only going to be a 4-5 season show.
Its still on... 10 seasons later
to benjamin a few comments above this: the office's "change" in direction was not subtle. the change to me was very "obvious".
the show's "humor" and "characters" changed starting with the episode that aired after the superbowl in season 5. immediately, i felt a "shift" with the show and like it was almost a different kind of show. i felt like someone was pulling a fast one on me or trying to sneak something past me.
the last great office episodes or "drama" the show has had was with michael scott's paper company. there has been nothing great in the comedy or drama department since. if their was, then it was short-lived and added nothing to the show or storyline. don't get me started on sabre and kathy bates. . . .just TERRIBLE!
like i said, it was like the writers (or new writers) saw what ratings they got for the superbowl episode and that gave them a new target audience to shoot for and please. who cares about plot development and the hardcore office fans. let's write and dumb down the humor for the general public. that's what the writers were thinking IMO, and it was like that (and got worse) throughout season 6.
season 6 was not fresh. yes, season 6 was different but not a good different. the show got dumbed down humor-wise and all the characters were made broader and more appealing instead of having their quirks and flaws shown and hidden altogether.
the show has essentially became "literal", what you see is what you get. there is no longer any subtleties or passiveness and most definitely no "awkwardness" in the show now.
if you seriously think season 6 is "good" and is "funny", than obviously you are not a fan since the beginning. . . .
Good list!
The Office (which is rightly included) should have been closed during the writers' strike and never brought back. I used to look forward to watching the new episodes during lunch on Fridays via hulu.com. Now I don't really care. It's B-O-R-I-N-G. Never recovered from the writers' strike imho.
The West Wing was really good through the end. It wisely shuttered its doors with the new presidency coming into office. There were some odd moments in latter seasons and some less than stellar cast, but you can't say that it wasn't compelling all the way through. Maybe if Rob Lowe had realized he isn't that popular and stuck with it (and some other cast staying around too) this might have helped. But it was a mature show by the end.
Survivor (among other "reality" shows) might be considered as well.
Finally, if you just want to lump in all daytime television soap operas in a future list that would be fine with me.
Crossing Jordan. Great cast, starring the gorgeous Jill Hennessey (although I never cared for Woody, the naive cop from Wisconsin), and intriguing plots. Then we got into her mom's murder plus her dad covering up some dark secret plus her assistant getting pregnant .... Hint: I, at least, am not interested in characters' personal lives. I want to see how they deal with complex issues related to the theme of the series. CSI went the same route. Maybe all procedurals shows run out of ideas after three or four years and have to pad it out with soap opera histrionics. And yes, House jumped the shark the first time House and Cuddy hinted at having a relationship.
Agree with The Office. I still enjoy it, but it really hasnt been the same since Jim and Pam got married. That storyline, to me, was half the appeal of the show. After Carrell leaves this season, so will I.
24 definetely should've been on this list. after the 5th season, it just got ponderous and repetitive. How many times do we have to see CTU get invaded? I gave up halfway through 7.
Also, Smallville and The Simpsons should've been on here. Lost was also a season too long.
And while the 5th season of The Wire was indeed the weakest (I have NO idea why 2 gets so much hate), it's still better than the best seasons of the best network shows. The Wire was that good. So yeah I disagree with that entry.