TV Shows That Were Axed Before the Season Finished

1. Emily’s Reasons Why Not [2006]

ABC hyped Emily’s Reasons Why Not as the next Sex and the City, starring Heather Graham. But after just one episode, critics and audiences both rejected it. Low ratings sealed its fate overnight, making it one of the shortest-running network sitcoms of all time.

2. Manimal [1983]

The concept alone turned heads: a man who could transform into animals to fight crime. Unfortunately, Manimal was more ridiculous than riveting. Poor special effects and a bizarre premise led to its cancellation after only eight episodes.

3. Work It [2012]

Two unemployed men dress as women to land jobs in a struggling economy. Critics panned it for being transphobic, outdated, and unfunny. After a massive public backlash, ABC cancelled it after just two episodes.

4. The Paul Reiser Show [2011]

After a long break from television, Paul Reiser returned with a semi-autobiographical sitcom. Viewers quickly labeled it a weak imitation of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and NBC pulled the plug after only two episodes.

5. Viva Laughlin [2007]

A musical crime drama described by critics as a bizarre blend of CSI and Glee. It starred Hugh Jackman as an executive producer and guest star, but even his charm couldn’t save it. CBS cancelled it after two episodes, with some calling it “painfully unwatchable.”

6. The Hasselhoffs [2010]

This reality show followed David Hasselhoff and his daughters as they tried to revive their entertainment careers. The ratings were abysmal and the reviews were brutal. It was pulled from the air after two episodes, becoming one of A&E’s most infamous flops.

7. Heil Honey I’m Home! [1990]

Yes, this was a real show. Heil Honey I’m Home! tried to parody 1950s sitcoms by featuring Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun as a married couple living next to a Jewish family. Unsurprisingly, it was pulled immediately after airing its first episode, becoming one of the most controversial TV misfires in history.

8. Of Kings and Prophets [2016]

Marketed as the “Biblical Game of Thrones,” this ABC drama had a massive budget and plenty of ambition. Unfortunately, the writing and pacing failed to attract audiences, and it was cancelled after only two episodes aired.

Final Thoughts: When TV Dreams Die Early

For every iconic series that lasts a decade, there are dozens that don’t survive a single month. Whether they were ahead of their time, poorly executed, or just bad ideas from the start, these shows remind us that television is a tough business. In an industry where ratings are everything, even one bad episode can bring an instant end to the dream.