Biggest TV Bombs of All Time

Some shows arrive with huge expectations and then vanish almost overnight, leaving behind stories of low ratings, abrupt cancellations, and unaired episodes. These are the projects that networks hyped, scheduled, and then quietly removed when audiences did not show up. From pulled-after-one-night debuts to costly misfires that never found an audience, these titles became cautionary tales across broadcast, cable, and streaming. Here are the most infamous examples and the concrete details that defined their short runs.

‘Turn-On’ (1969)

This sketch series premiered on ABC and was pulled immediately after its first broadcast in several markets. Affiliates cut away during the episode due to viewer complaints. ABC removed the show from the schedule before a second episode aired. Only one network airing made it to air in most regions.

‘My Mother the Car’ (1965–1966)

This sitcom aired on NBC for a single season. It completed a full production order but failed to sustain viewers. Syndication was minimal after its initial run. The premise never converted curiosity into weekly ratings.

‘Cop Rock’ (1990)

This musical police drama ran on ABC across the fall season. It produced eleven episodes and ended within the same year. The format confused audiences and viewership declined each week. ABC canceled the series before a second season could be considered.

‘Viva Laughlin’ (2007)

This musical mystery launched on CBS in October. After two low rated episodes the network canceled the show. Remaining episodes did not air in primetime. CBS filled the slot with established programming the following week.

‘Emily’s Reasons Why Not’ (2006)

This sitcom debuted on ABC with a heavily promoted pilot. The network pulled the series after the first episode due to poor performance. Completed episodes were not aired at the time. The slot was reassigned within days.

‘The Will’ (2005)

CBS premiered this reality series after strong promotion. The first episode underperformed and the network canceled it immediately. Episodes that had been filmed remained unaired in the initial run. The timeslot was quickly replaced by reruns.

‘Do No Harm’ (2013)

NBC launched this medical thriller on a Thursday night. After two episodes with record low ratings the network removed it from the schedule. The remaining episodes aired later during the summer. The production completed a thirteen episode order.

‘Cavemen’ (2007)

This sitcom premiered on ABC and was based on a popular ad campaign. The series aired a partial run and then several episodes remained unaired in the United States. Ratings slid throughout the fall. ABC canceled the show before the season ended.

‘Lone Star’ (2010)

This Texas set drama debuted on Fox in September. After two episodes and very low live ratings the network canceled it. Additional episodes were not broadcast in primetime. Production halted immediately following the decision.

‘The Playboy Club’ (2011)

This period drama premiered on NBC in the early fall. After three episodes the network canceled it due to weak ratings and advertiser pressure. Episodes that had been filmed were not shown on the original schedule. NBC filled the slot with a replacement drama.

‘Animal Practice’ (2012)

NBC premiered this sitcom after a high profile Olympics lead in. Ratings dropped in regular time periods and the network canceled it during the fall. A holiday special aired later to burn off content. The full season order was never completed.

‘Work It’ (2012)

This comedy aired on ABC in January. After two episodes with low viewership the network pulled it. Produced episodes did not air at that time. ABC announced the cancellation within weeks of the premiere.

‘Quarterlife’ (2008)

This series began online and then made a broadcast debut on NBC. The first network episode delivered very low ratings and the show was removed from the schedule. Additional episodes migrated to digital release. NBC replaced it with reality programming.

‘Joey’ (2004–2006)

This spin off premiered on NBC with strong sampling. Ratings declined in season two and NBC canceled the series midseason. Several completed episodes did not air during the original run. International markets later broadcast the remaining material.

‘Terra Nova’ (2011)

Fox launched this ambitious science fiction series with a lengthy production timeline. The network aired one season and then canceled it due to costs and returns. International sales could not offset the budget. Fox opted not to proceed with a second season.

‘Alcatraz’ (2012)

This mystery drama premiered on Fox in midseason. After a full first season the network canceled it due to declines in audience. The finale ended on unresolved storylines. Fox moved on to other genre entries the next year.

‘FlashForward’ (2009–2010)

ABC launched this science fiction series in the fall with a serialized story. Initial numbers fell sharply during the season. ABC canceled it after the first season finale. The network shifted marketing resources to other dramas the following year.

‘Firefly’ (2002)

Fox aired this space western out of intended order and then canceled it during its first season. Several episodes were unaired in the original run. A later home video release restored the full sequence. The network did not revisit the series despite later interest.

‘Pan Am’ (2011–2012)

ABC premiered this period drama in the fall. Ratings dropped across the season and ABC canceled it after the finale. International partners aired unaired episodes earlier in some regions. The network confirmed the end before upfronts.

‘Of Kings and Prophets’ (2016)

This biblical drama launched on ABC in March. After two low rated airings the network canceled the show. Remaining episodes were released online instead of broadcast. ABC replaced it with alternative programming that spring.

‘Lucky 7’ (2013)

This ensemble drama premiered on ABC in September. Two episodes aired before the network canceled it for low viewership. Additional episodes remained unaired at the time. The Tuesday slot was reassigned quickly.

‘The Beautiful Life’ (2009)

This fashion industry drama debuted on The CW. After two episodes the network pulled the series due to poor ratings. Several produced episodes were released online later. The CW moved to more reliable performers in the slot.

‘Utopia’ (2014)

Fox launched this reality experiment in the fall with a large set and live feeds. Ratings quickly fell below projections and the network canceled it within months. The compound was shut down and remaining content was removed. Fox ended the project before the planned year long run.

‘Marco Polo’ (2014–2016)

This historical drama premiered on Netflix with an international cast. Two seasons were released before the platform canceled it. Trade reports cited high production costs relative to performance. Netflix shifted resources to other global series.

‘Vinyl’ (2016)

This music industry drama premiered on HBO with a high profile creative team. After an initial renewal the network reversed course and canceled it before season two. The decision followed a review of ratings and costs. HBO reallocated the timeslot for new projects.

‘Supertrain’ (1979)

This big budget adventure series aired on NBC with an ensemble cast and an elaborate set. The premiere delivered curiosity but the audience fell quickly. NBC retooled episodes during the run and then canceled the show within the season. The network absorbed unusually high production costs for a short lived series.

‘Manimal’ (1983)

This fantasy action series premiered on NBC in the fall. It produced eight episodes before the network canceled it due to low viewership. Episodes were later recycled in syndication packages. NBC shifted the slot to more reliable performers afterward.

‘The Chevy Chase Show’ (1993)

This late night talk show launched on Fox as a marquee experiment. The show premiered in September and ended within weeks after steep ratings declines. Fox canceled it and returned the time period to alternative programming. The studio set was dismantled soon after the final broadcast.

‘Bionic Woman’ (2007)

This reboot aired on NBC with a high profile rollout. Production paused amid the writers strike and ratings slid during the initial run. NBC canceled the series after a single season with several storylines unresolved. International broadcasts completed the episode order.

‘Mulaney’ (2014–2015)

This multi camera sitcom debuted on Fox in the fall. The network cut the episode order and moved it to a lower exposure time period midseason. Fox canceled the series after the remaining episodes aired. The show completed its short run without renewal.

‘We Are Men’ (2013)

This ensemble comedy premiered on CBS early in the season. After two episodes with poor numbers the network canceled it. Completed episodes never aired during the initial schedule. CBS filled the slot with a veteran series the following week.

‘Made in Jersey’ (2012)

This legal drama launched on CBS on Friday nights. After two broadcasts with low ratings the network removed it from the schedule. Remaining episodes later aired on weekends to finish the run. CBS announced the cancellation during the fall.

‘Zero Hour’ (2013)

This conspiracy thriller premiered on ABC in February. After three episodes the network pulled it due to low ratings. ABC later burned off the remaining episodes in summer. The series ended with no second season order.

‘Selfie’ (2014)

This romantic comedy debuted on ABC in the fall. The network canceled it after a partial run with remaining episodes released online. Streaming platforms carried the final episodes outside the original schedule. ABC moved its Tuesday lineup around after the decision.

‘The Cape’ (2011)

This superhero drama premiered on NBC as a midseason entry. Ratings fell across the first weeks and the network trimmed the episode order. The finale streamed on the NBC website instead of airing on television. NBC canceled the series after its initial season.

‘Inhumans’ (2017)

This Marvel adaptation aired on ABC after an IMAX preview. Reviews and ratings underperformed expectations and the network declined further seasons. ABC completed the initial episode order and then ended the series. Tie in plans were reduced after the run.

‘The Get Down’ (2016–2017)

This music drama premiered on Netflix in two parts. Production costs were widely reported as high relative to viewership. Netflix canceled the show after its second part without ordering more episodes. The platform kept the full run available for streaming.

‘Jupiter’s Legacy’ (2021)

This superhero series launched on Netflix in May. After one season the platform canceled it and shifted focus to a related spinoff project. Cast options were released following the decision. Netflix retained streaming rights to the completed season.

‘Y: The Last Man’ (2021)

This adaptation premiered on FX on Hulu with a serialized rollout. Midway through the window the network confirmed cancellation before a second season. The remaining episodes finished their scheduled release. The production attempted to find a new home without success.

‘Willow’ (2022)

This fantasy sequel series arrived on Disney Plus with weekly episodes. After the first season the platform did not proceed with new installments. Episodes were temporarily removed from the catalog during a library review. Disney Plus confirmed no continuation was planned.

Share your picks for the biggest TV bombs in the comments and tell us which cancellations surprised you the most.