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i-feel-bad-review.jpg

Renewals, Cancellations, New Show Orders, and Other TV Miscellany

By Dustin Rowles | TV | November 30, 2018 |

By Dustin Rowles | TV | November 30, 2018 |


i-feel-bad-review.jpg

Networks don’t like to use the word “cancel,” anymore because when they do, they get letter-writing campaigns from #SaveTheShow efforts, so they prefer to use euphemisms. For instance, you may have noticed that NBC did not air new episodes of Superstore or Good Place last night, but it did air a new episode of I Feel Bad. Well, that’s never a good sign. In fact, NBC has already announced that the sitcom will “conclude” in December, which is a nice way of saying that it’s been canned. I’m not terribly broken up about it. I really, really wanted to like it — the cast is great, and it comes from Amy Poehler — but it never really set itself apart as a need-to-see sitcom.

Likewise, over on CBS, the only scripted program on that network that I watch, Happy Together, will not be getting a backorder of episodes this year, along with the Murphy Brown reboot. Those are the only two new CBS shows that didn’t get a back-order this year, which is also a nice way of saying that they’re canceled. I bailed on Murphy Brown after three episodes — it was a nice, well-intentioned show, but the humor was way too broad — while I have stuck with Happy Together, mostly because of the dearth of sitcoms on Monday (which I need so that I can procrastinate before Manifest), but also because of a crush on Amber Stevens West. I’m not too bothered by its demise, either, because Amber Stevens West is going to end up on something else very good at some point.

Over on Comedy Central, meanwhile, Another Period has also been canceled after three seasons. I loved it when I watched it, but I didn’t watch it very much, so #PartOfTheProblem. Sadly, that also means Jason Ritter is largely unemployed (save for his many stints on Drunk History). He should maybe get together with Amber Stevens West and brainstorm some sitcom ideas. I’ll watch whatever they come up with, even if it’s only a documentary about their brain-storming process.

It’s not all cancellation news. The Conners will end its planned 11-episode run at the end of January, making way for American Wife (which, shrug emoji). The Conners has not been cancelled — a decision will be made on it in the spring. More importantly, following The Goldbergs on Wednesday starting on January 9th is Schooled, The Goldbergs spin-off that will be set in William Penn Academy in the 1990s and focus on the faculty (Tim Meadows and Bryan Callen, who plays the coach). The backdoor pilot was pretty good, but I’m even more excited that the series will also include AJ Michalka, who plays Lainey. Seeing it set in the ’90s must also mean that we’ll find out whether Lainey and Barry made it together into the next decade. (Also, never forget: Lainey is real-life sisters with Payton from iZombie).

In renewal news, AMC’s Preacher has been picked up for a fourth season. I liked the first season; didn’t like the second season; but I loved the third season. It’s just a matter of being able to let go of the comic’s source material and appreciating Preacher for what it is: Same characters, a completely different story.

Awkwafina is getting her own sitcom, Awkwafina. Comedy Central has ordered ten episodes, and it will also co-star BD Wong.

Finally, I leave you with the trailer for the fifth season of Luther, which I am to understand will not be its last. Also, blink and you’ll miss her, but Alice makes a split-second appearance in the trailer. The series will debut in the UK over the holidays, and here in the States in 2019.



Header Image Source: NBC