# Any shows cancelled despite good ratings? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912 "2007-03-14T17:04:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/21 "2007-03-14T19:30:37Z")
Paramount canceled TNG and DS9 once they had seven seasons in the can. Again, not a network decision. The reasoning was twofold: seven season was more than enough for syndication, and actors’ contracts usually bind them to the show for a 7-year term. To continue the show, you need to renegotiate all contracts, which can get messy since the lead actors are in good bargaining position). Paramount decided to avoid the mess and maximize the syndication profits. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/22 "2007-03-14T20:40:19Z")
What about Sport Night? I really liked that show… V? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/23 "2007-03-14T20:54:39Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] Paramount canceled TNG and DS9 once they had seven seasons in the can. Again, not a network decision. The reasoning was twofold: seven season was more than enough for syndication, and actors’ contracts usually bind them to the show for a 7-year term. To continue the show, you need to renegotiate all contracts, which can get messy since the lead actors are in good bargaining position). Paramount decided to avoid the mess and maximize the syndication profits. [/QUOTE] Actually, according to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Farrell_%28actress%29) , the main actors on _Deep Space Nine_ were signed only for the first six years. Paramount renegotiated everyone’s contract for the final season except for Terry Farrel, who chose to take the part of Reggie on _Becker_, necessitating the death of Jadzia, and the reimplantation of the Dax symbiont in Ezri Tigan (Nicole de Boer). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/24 "2007-03-14T21:05:51Z")
The original **Battlestar Galactica** was cancelled for high production costs even though it was very popular. Then it was majorly retooled and brought back due to public demand and became **Galactica 1980** - which kept Lorne Greene and some minor characters but ditched everyone else with almost no explanation). G1980 flopped in the ratings while still being expensive to produce. Several shows were cancelled for poor ratings but were brought back when write-ins and calls indicated the ratings were a whole lot better than polls indicated. Interesting, some were shows with over-30 female leads, including **Cagney & Lacey** and **Designing Women**. **St. Elsewhere** was cancelled due to “ho-hum” overall ratings (not terrible but not impressive either) but was brought back due to a combo of write-ins and demographics of its audience. While St. Elsewhere had nowhere near the audience of _Cosby Show_ or _Cheers_, which were hits across the board, it _was_ huge among mature (over-30, say) educated professionals- a smaller but richer demographic than most sitcoms and thus a prime target for car companies marketing family-mobiles or luxury cars, life insurance, medicines, etc., and other things that just aren’t of interest to 18-25 year olds). ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/25 "2007-03-14T22:09:24Z")
[The Single Guy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Single_Guy) was one of the highest rated shows to be cancelled. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/26 "2007-03-14T22:16:55Z")
Some shows have been canceled despite good ratings because their demographics were not attractive to advertisers. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/27 "2007-03-14T22:47:35Z")
My recollection is that “Lou Grant” had decent ratings when it was canceled and that it was Ed Asner’s outspoken, liberal politics that made executives decide to pull the plug. Wikipedia agrees, for what that’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/28 "2007-03-14T23:03:32Z")
Gilligan’s Island was doing well when it was canceled. IMDB: > [@](#): > > The show was originally slated to return for the 1967-68 television season but cancelled at the last minute by CBS head ‘William Paley’ , to make room for the long-running “Gunsmoke” (1955). The story as I heard it was that the wife of William Paley asked for the time slot for Gunsmoke and he gave it to her. ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/29 "2007-03-14T23:46:10Z")
deleted a whole bunch of stuff that I suddenly realized somebody else had already said. As you were, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/30 "2007-03-15T01:06:06Z")
What about **The Smothers Brothers**? I was under the impression that it had quite good ratings, and got cancelled due to concerns by the censors. Oops. I see that point was brought up earlier. But noone has definitively commented on this question thus far, so I’ll let it stand. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/31 "2007-03-15T01:18:13Z")
[QUOTE=KGS] **WKRP in Cincinnati** was a Top 10 show when it got cancelled. [/QUOTE] It never at any point in its run reached the Top 10 (its best performance was #22 in 1979-1980), and it was not in the Top 30 when it was cancelled after the 1981-1982 season. As for **Qadgop** : Every source I’ve seen has said that the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (to use the full title) was cancelled due to censorship issues, and the ratings it received in its last season (#27 in 1968-1969) merited renewal. ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/32 "2007-03-15T01:25:57Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] IIRC, Rome was originally projected as a 5 year show. [/QUOTE] Well, Rome wasn’t built in a day. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/33 "2007-03-15T01:28:32Z")
[QUOTE=Qadgop the Mercotan] What about **The Smothers Brothers**? I was under the impression that it had quite good ratings, and got cancelled due to concerns by the censors. [/QUOTE] [According to this site](http://www.tvparty.com/smothers.html) they finished number 16 their first year, which isn’t bad considering they were up against _Bonanza_ (a powerhouse). The site does say it was ultimately sponsors and the brothers refusing to be censored that sank it, though- it was picked up for a fourth season but the network pulled the plug before beginning shooting. I have read in some source that Tommy Smothers is one of the most impossible to get along with people you’ll ever meet. His nickname during the show was “Terrible Temper Tommy”- very argumentative and full of himself, especially when he was fighting for a cause. That probably added as well. (Until I saw the video of _Give Peace a Chance_ 20 years ago or so I’d always assumed Lennon was joking when he said “Tommy Smothers” because I knew him from the doofus part of the TONIGHT SHOW act and as Eunice’s brother on _Carol Burnett_. [HIJACK]Has anybody seen this show, incidentally? It aired on a cable a few years ago with the Brothers doing a studio introduction and follow-up to each episode. Having always heard about their battles with censors and politicians and how it paved the way for SNL (back when SNL was edgy and not just crude) and I watched several episodes while it was running. It’s amazing how much standards have changed; today it seems about as racy as _Laugh In_.[/HIJACK] ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/34 "2007-03-15T01:50:43Z")
[QUOTE=Max Torque] **Farscape** was cancelled by the Sci-Fi Channel while it was still their highest-rated original show. Reasons they gave: the show cost too much to produce, and while ratings were high, they had declined slightly. Apparently, the thought process is, “If it stops growing, kill it.” [/QUOTE] No cites for this, but I’ve heard that Bonnie Hammer, president of the Sci-Fi Channel didn’t “get” sci-fi stuff, and thus got rid of much of it to make way for quality programing such as the Dream Team and Crossing Over With John Edwards (remember when Crossing Over was the only stinking show you could ever watch on Sci-Fi?). I do grant that it’s entirely possible that this was something made up by bitter Farscape fans though. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/35 "2007-03-15T04:58:03Z")
Back in the early Seventies, ABC cancelled the Lawrence Welk Show, even though the ratings were very good. Why? The demographics of the show didn’t suit the network. The vast majority of Welk’s fans were senior citizens, and they just aren’t a desirable audience in the minds of advertisers, who want YOUNG, YOUNG, YOUNG viewers. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/36 "2007-03-15T06:09:56Z")
[QUOTE=Poysyn] What about Sport Night? I really liked that show… [/QUOTE] While being probably one of the best shows on TV in a long long time, nobody watched it. TV Guide even called it “The Best Show Nobody’s Watching.” I heard many assumed it would be about sports, which those who have seen it, know isn’t true. The real problem was inconsistency though. IIRC, the show was introduced then immediately pre-empted for over a month (1998 Winter Olympics or some reason). Then when it finally DID get a decent run going and started picking up steam it moved timeslots (I think from Wednesday to Sunday). Just like they said on **Family Guy** …“Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night: It’s a comedy that’s too good to be funny.” ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/37 "2007-03-15T06:50:32Z")
Gee I guess I’m old but there was a show way back when called “ **Bridget Loves Bernie** ” yet was cancelled despite good ratings. > **[Bridget Loves Bernie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridget_Loves_Bernie)** > > Bridget Loves Bernie is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to March 3, 1973. The series, created by Bernard Slade, depicted an interfaith marriage between a Catholic woman and a Jewish man. It stars Meredith Baxter and David Birney as the title characters. CBS canceled the show after only one season despite very high ratings. Baxter and Birney later married in real life in 1974 after the program had left the air and Baxter was known in her professional career for sever... > [@](#): > > …ran for one season, from 1972 to 1973 on CBS. It was regarded at the time as something of a controversial show since the premise featured the marriage of a Catholic woman and a Jewish man. > \ > CBS decided to cancel it at the end of the season, fearful of offending members of the two faiths depicted in the series. Please go to the link before Wikipedia changes this obvious vandalism: > [@](#): > > Inexplicably, CBS courted more controversy when the plot of the series concluded by having Bernie murder Bridget with an axe. LOL !!! ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/38 "2007-03-15T14:53:34Z")
[QUOTE=Raguleader] No cites for this, but I’ve heard that Bonnie Hammer, president of the Sci-Fi Channel didn’t “get” sci-fi stuff. [/QUOTE] One wonders how this didn’t come up in her job interview. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/39 "2007-03-15T16:08:58Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] One wonders how this didn’t come up in her job interview. [/QUOTE] Well, the understanding I had was that she was up for a promotion, and the top chair at Sci-Fi had just become vacant (Sci-Fi Channel, USA Networks, and some other stuff are all owned by NBC), so she could have just been dropped into that seat. Like I said, purely anecdotal, but it would seem to match with the programming decisions that were made around then. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912/40 "2007-03-15T16:31:54Z")
Sci-Fi has always been stingy with money and I really doubt some conspiracy of sci-fi haters was involved in the cancellation of Farscape. It was too expensive and Tremors: The Series was much cheaper and in Sci-Fi’s eyes, came with a built in audience of movie fans (most of the movie fans were rather lukewarm about the show). Just look at another highly rated Sci-Fi show that was canceled: The Invisible Man. The channel wanted to renew it for one season while the producers wanted two seasons. Not wanting to spend the extra money for two season, (or even pay negotiating costs to figure something out) they just canceled it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-shows-cancelled-despite-good-ratings/395912.md?page=3)