Which TV series should get the axe?

Wavy_Blue · May 12, 2010

So I was just watching Modern Family, and thus saw some promos for other shows on ABC. One of these promos was for Desperate Housewives for their season finale, which included some massive baby drama and...a bomb? WTF? I think once a show falls to using tropes like that its probably time it kicks the bucket.

So what are some other shows that are past their prime and should be retired?

Grey's Anatomy, American Idol, and perhaps the Simpsons are some others I would nominate for retirement. I remain hopeful that perhaps the Simpsons could undergo some kind renaissance...but it probably won't happen.

Kitty Pryde · May 12, 2010

I wouldn't say it's a bad thing that Desperate Housewives has "fallen to using tropes" like a bomb and delivering a baby. Both the baby plot thread and the bomb plot thread has been developed all through the past two seasons, and are firmly interwoven in a bunch of other stuff going on. They didn't just pull it out of their asses or anything. The writing is still quite strong on that show. The finale is going to wrap up a serial killer subplot, a domestic terrorist subplot, a blackmailer subplot, and a high-risk pregnancy subplot. Yeah, it's a soap, but it's a smart, funny, engaging soap, that actually finishes its plot arcs.

Also, the guy who needs the bomb built is ~~John Barrowman~~ CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS. Did I mention CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS?

CAPTAINJACKHARKNESS.

ceenindee · May 12, 2010

Yeah, I'm a fan of DH, even if it has its soapy moments. I'll be sad if it leaves.

American Idol has definitely jumped the shark though. I was a pretty devout viewer until this season.

Midnight Star · May 12, 2010

I vote for Idol as well. The show has just gone too long. One week, they had fewer viewers than they did in their first season--when no one had ever heard of them! It's all gone downhill since Paula left. Once Simon leaves, the show will have about 2,000 viewers each night, if they're lucky. I say just kill it now and out it out of its misery.

firedrake · May 12, 2010

Yea, American Idol has definitely run its course.
DH should never have aired in the first place.
House needs to be knocked on the head, it's definitely outstayed its welcome.
Also agree about the Simpsons. It's too Homer-centric these days for my liking.

Fulk · May 12, 2010

Simpsons can take the axe. If I had my way, I'd axe a whole ton of reality shows, too. Stuff like the Hills, the Kardashians, etc. Does anyone actually care about these people? Have they really done anything of note to warrant a show?

ajkjd01 · May 13, 2010

American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
The Bachelor
The Bachelorette

Why do I feel like I lose IQ points when this is the only thing on? And sitting down at a lunch meeting with fairly accomplished and well-read people to have the conversation turn to THIS makes me feel like banging my head against a brick wall because I know we're all smarter than this.

Lyxdeslic · May 13, 2010

Surely this is a trick question, right? 'Cause the obvious answer to the title question would be...all of them.

Lyx--who admits to being a Lost and Survivor fan. Yes, I know.

Cyia · May 13, 2010

Grey's and DH are both shows that I see promos for and think "Wait, wasn't that canceled already?" And I haven't watched AI or Survivor in years. I don't think The Simpsons will ever go off the air. Ever. I kind of like Dancing with the Stars, but that's probably because the results show comes on before Lost. I think they need to toss The Biggest Loser. I cringe at some of the things they put the contestants through in the name of "health", and lately it seems like everyone has to have an onscreen break-through followed by an onscreen break down and/or meltdown.

Devil Ledbetter · May 13, 2010

The lamest thing I've ever laid eyes on was Gossip Girl. Terrible script, "acting" that consisted of posing, mumbling insults, eye-rolling and tossing hair extensions around, and a Cheez-Whiz plot. Worst show ever.

Baryonyx · May 13, 2010

Any of the countless reality tv shows that plague British television, each containing Z-List "celebrities".

maxmordon · May 13, 2010

Cougar Town, I know, I know. It's its first season, but is possibly the most unfunny sitcom I have ever seen.

fezfrascati · May 13, 2010

American Idol's definitely seeing the end of its days. I hope the American version of The X Factor won't just be a fresh copycat.

Shadow Dragon · May 14, 2010

Zefiris said:
Any of the countless reality tv shows that plague British television, each containing Z-List "celebrities".

They have similar shows here in the US, with such "celebrities" as Vanilla Ice and Ron Jeremy. Yeah, those shows need to go off the air. I get that reality tv costs less than a real show, but honestly, how much money does that actually even bring in?

Cyia · May 14, 2010

Is Smallville still on life support or did they finally pull the plug on that one?

Kitty Pryde · May 14, 2010

Smallville is still going. They were going to cancel it but then they decided to keep going. These days Superman is always sulking around on rooftops at night like he's Batman, and they hired some guy with The World's Most Wretched Fake English Accent to play Zod. It's pretty horrific. (OK, this guy is actually English, but he's such an awful actor that he cannot even convincingly sound English. It's a disaster.) Smallville is like an amateur youtube dramatization of a badly-written comic book. /end rant

Alpha Echo · May 14, 2010

I agree with the Simpsons, AI, many of the reality shows. I love Survivor though, I admit.

And I love Grey's, so don't knock it!

Devil Ledbetter said:
The lamest thing I've ever laid eyes on was Gossip Girl. Terrible script, "acting" that consisted of posing, mumbling insults, eye-rolling and tossing hair extensions around, and a Cheez-Whiz plot. Worst show ever.

Oh my gosh, I HATED myself for watching it. Somehow, during the first season, I had no life (going through my divorce), and I'd sit on the couch like a zombie actually watching it.

*shudders*

RoseColoredSkies · May 15, 2010

I watched the first 2 episodes that John Barrowman was in on DH (got the tail end of Julie Benz) and then stopped. As much as I love John and wish I could marry him or at least have his babies, the show just...way too much drama.

I do have some shows I think that could go off the air peacefully; Law & Order: SVU and CSI. I adore both shows but they've been on a decade each. Course, NBC renewed SVU for season 12...so that measn my TV on DVD collection continues to grow...

Medium needs to go. The plots have just gotten too bizarre, even for wht the show is.

Other than that....I don't really have any shows I particularly want gone.

jvc · May 15, 2010

I would so agree with axing most of the reality shows, especially anything that has Andrew Lloyd Webber in it. Sheesh, that show is bad.

childeroland · May 15, 2010

Smallville.

Chasing the Horizon · May 17, 2010

How about they just cancel everything except NCIS and start over? Seriously, I have no idea why I pay for cable.

Cyia · May 17, 2010

Chasing the Horizon said:
Seriously, I have no idea why I pay for cable.

Because thanks to that stupid mandatory switch to digital there's no other way some of us can get TV anymore?

maestrowork · May 17, 2010

Just about 90% of the reality TV starting with the Bachelor, etc. They should keep the Amazing Race and Biggest Loser, though.

All that CSI And Law&Order crap. I can't even watch one without hurling. Talk about formulaic, badly written, ridiculous shows.

American Idol should quit when Simon is still around. Once he's gone, its more than over.

Two and a Half Men. I can't stand that show, especially Charlie Sheen. I never understood its popularity. Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock, The Office and How I Met Your Mother are such better shows but they don't have the ratings of 2.5M. What gives?

justarandomname47 · May 17, 2010

I'm glad Heroes was canceled. I loved that show the first season and wish they had stopped there when it was good.

AI is getting worse and worse, but they will milk that cash cow until the bitter end. But yay for Chuck's renewal!

Moost · May 17, 2010

My boyfriend used to make me watch Smallville. It needs to go.

I'm happy Heroes was finally axed. I haven't watched since the second season (AKA when it started to get awful)

Which TV series should get the axe?

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