Favorite TV Show We Said Farewell to in 2012

No, we didn’t get the end of the world in 2012, but it was the end for several story worlds we’ve grown to love. Which of these dearly departed shows are your favorites?

Fans have used Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, forums, Reddit, Pinterest, blogs, and chatboxes to get the word out about past polls. Our toolbar at the bottom of the page has lots of quick links to help you share this post, or you can mouse over the image above!

I know I’m missing a few shows that ended in 2012, so feel free to nominate other shows on our Facebook page, tweeting me at @waterfallbooks, or by leaving a comment below. (Be sure to stick with live-action, scripted shows.) Also, there are several shows that have been canceled, but will air their final episodes in 2013, and are therefore not included below (Fringe, Last Resort, The Office, etc.).

Without further ado, vote for up to five of the shows below! Poll will close Monday night, December 31st, so spread the word quickly!

What's your favorite show we said farewell to in 2012? (Choose up to 5!)

  • Leverage (48%, 556 Votes)
  • Merlin (10%, 117 Votes)
  • Chuck (8%, 96 Votes)
  • House (7%, 77 Votes)
  • Eureka (6%, 71 Votes)
  • The Finder (4%, 48 Votes)
  • The Closer (4%, 45 Votes)
  • Fairly Legal (2%, 28 Votes)
  • Common Law (2%, 25 Votes)
  • The Secret Circle (2%, 19 Votes)
  • Ringer (1%, 17 Votes)
  • Gossip Girl (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Awake (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Alcatraz (1%, 6 Votes)
  • Bent (0%, 5 Votes)
  • NYC 22 (0%, 5 Votes)
  • One Tree Hill (0%, 5 Votes)
  • GCB (0%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 715

Loading ... Loading ...

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

Broadcast Freshmen Grading – How Did I Do With 2011-2012’s New Shows?

Aside from a few midseason debuts and several likely-canceled shows, ABC, CBS, the CW, Fox, and NBC have all made their decisions about which new shows are returning, and which aren’t. How did I do at picking which shows to watch this year?

ABC

Canceled: Charlie’s Angels, GCB, Man Up, Missing, Pan Am, The River, Work It

Renewed: Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Last Man Standing, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, Scandal, Suburgatory

I tried out Missing but wasn’t hooked. I fell in love with Once Upon a Time and Suburgatory, and my feelings for the B—- are a little mixed, but generally positive. I would have tried Revenge if I had time, and I planned to preview Scandal but was deterred by less-than-stellar reviews.

I give myself an A+ for ABC.

 

CBS

Canceled: A Gifted Man, How to Be a Gentleman, NYC 22, Rob, Unforgettable

Renewed: 2 Broke Girls, Person of Interest

I watched How to Be a Gentleman since it was the only 1/2 hour show in an empty timeslot. I disliked both Rob and Unforgettable, giving up on episode 2 for both after allowing the pilot a little leeway. I watched 2 Broke Girls and Person of Interest from the start, and liked both (though 2 Broke Girls has degraded some over the year).

I give myself an A+ for CBS.

 

The CW

Canceled: Ringer, The Secret Circle

Renewed: Hart of Dixie

I only watched Ringer, which I wanted to love more than I did. Sarah Michelle Gellar and the unexpected yumminess of Ioan Gruffudd kept me watching through a rough start, but I’m glad I saw the whole thing through till the end. I watched the Hart of Dixie pilot, but medicial + the South wasn’t my cup of tea.

I give myself a C- for the CW.

 

Fox

Canceled: Alcatraz, The Finder, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, Terra Nova

Renewed: New Girl, Touch

I watched two new Fox shows, The Finder and New Girl. Didn’t even try the others. New Girl took a bit to grow on me, but I loved The Finder from the start, and am glad I watched it.

I give myself a C+ for Fox.

 

NBC

Canceled: Are You There, Chelsea?, Awake, Bent, Best Friends Forever, Free Agents, The Playboy Club, Prime Suspect, The Firm

Renewed: Grimm, Smash, Up All Night, Whitney

NBC canceled 8 new shows (of which I watched 3), and renewed 4 (of which I watched 2). I didn’t watch a single episode of the other 7. Grimm and Smash deserved the renewal for being fresh and catchy, something that Awake’s excellent but dour presentation could have used. Cop shows seem to work best with a bit of lightheartedness thrown in, a fact that Grimm realized by bringing in Monroe more. Awake’s twin tragedies prevented all but a slight wry sense of humor. The conspiracy behind Awake’s two realities could have counterbalanced that, but the show’s creators seemed to be saving most of that for future seasons, which ironically prevented future seasons by not hooking viewers. Bent and Free Agents were under-promoted and misrepresented, which almost caused me to miss out on them – how much more a casual TV viewer?

I give myself a C for NBC.

 

What new shows did you watch this year?

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

NBC Renews Community, ABC Renews Once Upon a Time, Castle, Suburgatory, and more!

Just in this evening, NBC has renewed Community for a shortened 13-episode season 4! Unlike the network’s 30 Rock renewal, this is not being billed as a final season, so I’m hopeful that the show will get a fifth season, or perhaps garner additional episode orders (the show would need 4 more episodes to reach the “magic” 88 episodes usually required for syndication).

Also, ABC has renewed freshmen shows Once Upon a Time, Revenge, and Suburgatory, as well as veteran shows Castle, Grey’s Anatomy, The Middle, and Modern Family. (If Joss Whedon ever does a broadcast TV show again, it should be on ABC. They seem to like his people – Nathan Fillion, Adam Tudyk, Jane Espenson.)

ABC’s Cougar Town is moving to TBS for a fourth and possibly fifth season (Community’s Abed should be pretty happy about that).

With Awake and Bent unlikely to be renewed by NBC, the only shows I’m waiting to hear about now are on the CW.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

5 Long-Shot TV Shows I Want To See Renewed

I’ve watched the ratings and predictions, and it seems like many of the shows I love are coming back next year. But there are a handful of shows that seem headed toward cancellation that I’m hoping against hope will beat the odds and get another shot. These aren’t shows that have been yanked from the schedule (like Free Agents), or that spent a lot of time in the danger zone, yet got renewed (like Fringe) or will likely be renewed (like Community). These are shows that most TV experts consider “bubble shows” or “long-shots” or “beyond hope.” I do think perhaps one of them will be fortunate enough to get a renewal; I’d be very happy if 2 or more made it.

UPDATE: I was correct. One – and only one – of these shows did get renewed: Nikita. Which if I’d had to guess which one might make it, I would have chosen.

Here are the shows, in no particular order, that in my perfect dream world would be coming back in 2012-2013:

Nikita

This is the show that got me to take the CW seriously for the first time. It perfectly filled the void left by Dollhouse’s cancellation (except for the mind-bending stuff). I love the “family of rogue agents” that has formed in this second season. Most recent spy shows have a lighter, humorous feel. This show manages to remain dark, but still be awesomely fun to watch.

Ringer

I started watching this show because of the intriguing premise and because I was curious to see what Sarah Michelle Gellar was like as not-Buffy. I stayed because of Ioan Gruffudd. I’d seen him in several movies (102 Dalmatians, Amazing Grace, Fantastic Four), but I didn’t fall in love with his acting until this show. It was nice to have Veronica Mars’ Jason Dohring around again too. The show was almost too twisty (I found myself saving up several episodes to watch so I could avoid agonizing cliffhangers), but it was very engaging and always kept me wanting more.

The Finder

My brother thought this show was on USA Network, and the humor on it matches the tone of that network perfectly. Walter could be Shawn Spencer’s long-lost cousin. I just love how zany and lighthearted and pure fun this show is. Plus it’s much more flexible than typical crime shows – finding things can take you anywhere. It’s also nice to have Bones characters dropping by occasionally.

Awake

I’ll admit, this was much more of a crime drama than a mind-twister than I was expecting. Still, it’s excellent, and piecing clues together from different worlds adds a great new dimension. I realize you can’t give away the entire “story behind the story” in the first season, but I really want to know more of what’s going on. Hopefully the show will get a second season (even if abbreviated) to dive into things, like Dollhouse was able to get.

Bent

This under-promoted comedy won my heart by the first episode. It’s not just the two leads, who have great chemistry, it’s the entire fun family formed by Alex’s daughter and sister, and Pete’s dad and crew. I couldn’t wait to see where their adventures would take them next.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

Monday Madness: Favorite New Show

This week on Monday Madness, it’s time to vote for your favorite new TV shows! This poll is for all live-action scripted shows that aired their first US episode between June 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012, and includes both broadcast and cable shows.

This poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 10 of your favorite new shows. Be sure to spread the word so your favorites will make it into the top 10!

Even though there are 50 options on this list, I know there are some shows I left out (I think there are only a few canceled shows or lesser-known cable shows left out this week)! As always, you can cast write-in ballots (for new live-action scripted shows only please) by leaving a comment. Want more of a say in what makes it onto the poll each week? Be sure to follow me on Twitter, since I usually ask for nominations for the next Monday Madness the weekend before the new poll.

Next week’s poll will focus on favorite season and series finales. Please nominate your favorite finales by leaving a comment! In your comment, be sure to note the show, season, episode title, and not-too-spoilery descriptive phrase (think of what a promo for that episode would say). For example: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 2, “Becoming, Part Two.” Aided by an unlikely ally, Buffy must face Angel to save the world.

Without further ado, here’s the poll for this week’s Monday Madness! Voting ends around 1AM May 7th.

UPDATE: This poll has closed. You can view the top ten list here.

This poll sponsored by Nannerbug Designs. Contact me if you would like to sponsor next week’s poll!

What's your favorite new show? (Choose up to 10!)

  • Once Upon a Time (10%, 168 Votes)
  • Person of Interest (9%, 144 Votes)
  • Grimm (9%, 144 Votes)
  • The Finder (7%, 111 Votes)
  • Bent (5%, 78 Votes)
  • New Girl (4%, 70 Votes)
  • Alphas (3%, 55 Votes)
  • 2 Broke Girls (3%, 48 Votes)
  • Falling Skies (3%, 48 Votes)
  • Revenge (2%, 41 Votes)
  • Suburgatory (2%, 40 Votes)
  • Alcatraz (2%, 39 Votes)
  • GCB (2%, 39 Votes)
  • Touch (2%, 38 Votes)
  • Awake (2%, 36 Votes)
  • The Secret Circle (2%, 36 Votes)
  • Terra Nova (2%, 35 Votes)
  • Smash (2%, 34 Votes)
  • Ringer (2%, 33 Votes)
  • Hart of Dixie (2%, 33 Votes)
  • Scandal (2%, 32 Votes)
  • Suits (2%, 30 Votes)
  • American Horror Story (2%, 29 Votes)
  • Last Man Standing (2%, 26 Votes)
  • Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (1%, 25 Votes)
  • Franklin & Bash (1%, 25 Votes)
  • Switched at Birth (1%, 23 Votes)
  • Homeland (1%, 21 Votes)
  • Pan Am (1%, 21 Votes)
  • Unforgettable (1%, 19 Votes)
  • Up All Night (1%, 18 Votes)
  • Necessary Roughness (1%, 17 Votes)
  • Missing (1%, 17 Votes)
  • A Gifted Man (1%, 16 Votes)
  • The River (1%, 16 Votes)
  • Spartacus: Vengence (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Whitney (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Prime Suspect (1%, 9 Votes)
  • NYC 22 (0%, 8 Votes)
  • House of Lies (0%, 8 Votes)
  • Are You There, Chelsea? (0%, 8 Votes)
  • The Firm (0%, 7 Votes)
  • Best Friends Forever (0%, 7 Votes)
  • I Hate My Teenage Daughter (0%, 6 Votes)
  • Rob (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Boss (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Charlie's Angels (0%, 2 Votes)
  • How to Be a Gentleman (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Free Agents (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Man Up (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 568

Loading ... Loading ...

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

NBC Moves Community Finale into May Sweeps – TVLine

Three new episodes of Community in one night? Yup, that’s what NBC is doing this May 17, which allows the double-episode finale to air during May sweeps. Usually back-to-back episodes signal burnoff, but in this case it’s a vote of confidence for Community, which NBC thinks will do better than the extra episode of Awake, previously scheduled to fill that slot. Instead of a double episode finale night, the finale of Awake has been pushed back to May 24 (after sweeps).

NBC will air one episode of Community in its normal 8PM slot, then the 30 Rock finale, then the final two-episode Community finale from 9-10PM.

NBC Moves Community Finale into May Sweeps – TVLine.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

Season Finale Spoilers and Dates — 2102 – TVLine

Want to know how this season is ending, for just about every scripted broadcast show? Then check out this slideshow! Dates, rumors, extended episodes, and guest stars are all revealed below!

Season Finale Spoilers and Dates — 2102 – TVLine.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

TV Ratings Thursday: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Doesn’t Dent ‘Community;’ ‘Awake,’ ‘Missing’ Keep Sliding, As Most Shows Decline – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers

People who were worried about The Big Bang Theory affecting Community’s ratings can relax a little – Community’s rating is exactly what it was last week, when CBS was airing basketball. Even better, it was rated higher than 30 Rock, which follows Community in a less competitive timeslot.

Not so good are the ratings for NBC’s Awake, and ABC’s Missing. I’ve only caught one episode of Missing so far and thought it was decent, but I’ll be really sad to see Awake go. It puts such a cool twist on a crime drama (would have loved to see it following NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles on Tuesdays on CBS instead of Unforgettable).

TV Ratings Thursday: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Doesn’t Dent ‘Community;’ ‘Awake,’ ‘Missing’ Keep Sliding, As Most Shows Decline – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

Grimm Renewed For Season 2 — NBC

By watching the ratings, I was pretty sure this show would get renewed, but it’s nice to see the early pickup. With Chuck ending this year, the only other veteran shows I watched on NBC were Community and The Office. Now there’s Grimm, Smash, and Awake. In fact, NBC was the only channel I watched last night!

Grimm Renewed For Season 2 — NBC.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

Jason Isaacs of NBC’s Awake Previews Episode 3, Big Mysteries

NBC’s twisty take on a cop drama, Awake, has Detective Michael Britten living in two realities – one where his wife made it out of a car accident alive but his son didn’t, and one where his son did but his wife didn’t. This interview gets the actor behind the detective’s perspective and offers some hints about what’s real and what isn’t. A few mild spoilers, so be forewarned!

Jason Isaacs of NBC’s Awake Previews Episode 3, Big Mysteries.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

NBC’s Awake: Watch the Premiere Here and Now! – TVLine

Just finished watching Awake’s premiere and loved it! Very interesting psychologically – and both realities have a washed-out look that adds a surreal touch to the show. I loved how the crimes intersected in strange ways. I’ve been anticipating this show for the better part of a year, and I’m glad it didn’t disappoint!

The 2011-2012 TV season has certainly been one for online premieres. From Fox’s New Girl to NBC’s own Grimm and Smash, shows offering a sneak peek at the first episode seem to be doing pretty well ratings-wise. While people (like me) who watch a premiere online before it airs might not tune into the TV premiere, the word of mouth the show garners in return seems worth it.

However, an online premiere alone doesn’t make a show a guaranteed success. Bad buzz spreads just as fast (or faster) than good buzz.

NBC’s Awake: Watch the Premiere Here and Now! – TVLine.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

‘Awake’ Moves To 10pm Thursday On March 1, ‘The Firm’ Saturday Burn Off Begins Feb 11 – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers

The one promo for The Firm that I saw looked interesting, but once the premiere got such terrible ratings, I didn’t bother to check it out. Why spend my limited TV watching hours on a show that was sure to be canceled, in a genre I typically disliked (legal drama)?

I’m glad one of the more buzz-worthy and critically favorited new shows, Awake, is taking that spot instead. I just hope it won’t suffer from the same poor rating on Thursdays at 10 that The Firm did. I just looked it up – I’ve been anticipating this show since May 2011!

And having repeats of Grimm play until the March 1st premiere of Awake is genius. Both shows have a supernatural element bleeding into a cop show, and hopefully this will bring more viewers to the unexpected success that is Grimm.

‘Awake’ Moves To 10pm Thursday On March 1, ‘The Firm’ Saturday Burn Off Begins Feb 11 – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

Castle Casts Taylor Kinney in Season 4, Episode 17, Awake Adds Kevin Weisman

I don’t watch The Vampire Diaries, so I don’t know anything about Taylor Kinney, but he also was on the short-lived medical thriller Trauma. And I love the Awake (when is that show ever going to air, anyhow?) casting news in this article – I have only watched a handful of Alias episodes, but gadget guy Marshall was one of my favorite characters.

Castle Casts Taylor Kinney in Season 4, Episode 17, Awake Adds Kevin Weisman.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print

NBC’s Fall 2011 Lineup

So after the grim news of last week’s cancellations, NBC looks toward the future by announcing its fall lineup. Out of the new shows, The Playboy Club, Whitney, and Up All Night don’t interest me at all based on just the descriptions. I watch so many crime dramas a show needs to offer something unique to catch my attention, and Prime Suspects’ hook about a woman trying to break into the boys’ club of a police precinct makes me yawn.

Grimm, on the other hand, offers a storybook twist – bringing fairy tale villains to the world of crime scenes and witness statements. Does this plug sound at all familiar: “The last of a long line of chosen ones must fight legendary creatures few others know exist while maintaining a normal life and keeping the presence of the creatures a secret”? My mind instantly drew parallels to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and it’s not surprising that two of the show’s creators helped produce Buffy and Angel. The cast doesn’t have any big names to draw viewers, but hopefully they will bring in some geekdom guest stars. It’s also in the Friday night death slot, but has a decent lead-in show with Chuck. This year’s cancelled supernatural show meets cop drama, The Cape, also followed Chuck. Here’s hoping Grimm will do far better than The Cape (though I’m trying not to get my hopes up, since The Cape had Summer Glau and Monday nights, while Grimm does not). I also would love it if Grimm got a taste of Buffy-inspired humor.

NBC’s other new show, Free Agents, didn’t catch my attention with its premise as a comedy about two coworkers, one recently divorced and the other who lost her fiance, and their fumbling attempts to get back into dating. But their boss is Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and King Uther from Merlin)! The previews confirmed that he keeps his accent, and there was even a brief mention of Sarah Michelle Gellar in one, which tipped the show into “definitely watch the pilot” territory. And since I lost one NBC workplace comedy with the cancellation of Outsourced, it seems only fitting that NBC should provide another.

The unscheduled pickup, Awake, also looks good. Jason Isaacs plays a man caught between two alternate realities. In one, his wife died in a car accident. In the other, it was his son who died in the accident.

In addition to dumping Chuck and Grimm onto Friday nights, NBC made another schedule error by keeping Thursday nights annoying and choppy. They kept Community at 8, which will conflict with The Big Bang Theory if CBS keeps it at the same time, and then plunked Parks and Recreation between it and The Office. I hate half-hour gaps of shows I don’t like between shows I like. But at least they’re providing some worthy substitutes for the shows they axed.

Share this post:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • NewsVine
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • RSS
  • email
  • Print