‘Tis the season for cancellation. While some shows like NBC’s “Animal Practice” and CBS’ “Made in Jersey” may have had their runs cut short, there are other shows still on the air that deserve cancellation just as much, if not more.
The most obvious example is NBC’s lifeless sitcom “Whitney.” Created by and starring comedian Whitney Cummings, the show held great promise. But it has quickly devolved into a train wreck. Cliché dialogue, painfully forced acting and overt stock-characters disgrace a time-slot once held by fan-favorite “Will and Grace.” The comical plight of the modern 30-somethings featured in the show has gone too far. Renewed for its second season, the show’s longevity is a wonder, especially considering its dismal ratings and utter lack of critical acclaim. If the similarly terrible, albeit more buzz-worthy “Are You There, Chelsea?” can be dumped, there’s hope yet for the demise of “Whitney.”
While the age of the primetime soap opera has hit its stride, turning out many well-mounted, deliciously guilty pleasures such as ABC’s “Revenge,” it is a marvel that such low-grade drama as “Grey’s Anatomy” has managed to survive for nine seasons. The show is an embarrassment to medical dramas, focusing on the steamy lives of inordinately beautiful medical interns and residents in lieu of actual drama. Such antics leave little time for the patients, and the other characters are so dull and lifeless they cannot hope to redeem the series. The only bright spot in the show’s ensemble is Sandra Oh, and even her character in the series leaves much to be desired. Since it gets high ratings, routinely topping the coveted 18-to-49 bracket, cancellation is unlikely to grace “Anatomy.” But perhaps the doctors in the show will grow tired of such hijinks after so many seasons.
Other shows seem to be more clearly on the way out. Singing its swan song at last is NBC’s “The Office,” left in tatters by the departure of Steve Carell’s character, Michael Scott. Also retreating is The CW’s “Gossip Girl,” leaving its sixth season only 10 episodes deep. With storylines growing thin, this is a wise move for the show. A similar voluntary step backward would also be welcome from the likes of preteen trash “90210,” and ABC Family’s “Pretty Little Liars.” “90210” was bad enough the first time it aired in the ’90s, and the ever-evolving mystery of “Pretty Little Liars” is becoming trite. Television euthanasia is recommended in both cases.
Ideally, executives should take a cue from shows like Showtime’s strongly written and well-acted “Homeland,” AMC’s “Mad Men” or NBC’s ever-clever “Parks and Recreation.” For many other shows, however, a spring cleaning will be sorely needed.
A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, Nov. 6 print edition. Isabel Jones is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].
