In Memoriam: All The TV Shows We Lost In 2018

TV series "success" is a fickle things. Because sometimes a show has the perfect intersection of quality and ratings. But sometimes quality doesn't matter, and networks cancel a show in its prime. And sometimes wise TV execs put a bad show out of its (and our) misery. So let's look back at the 2018 canceled TV shows and see where they all fit...

Marvel's Luke Cage

After years of seemingly doing no wrong, the MCU suffered serious blowbacks by way of Netflix in 2018. Marvel's Luke Cage was among their several cancellations. It's a shame, as the show was a welcome breath of social commentary and hip-hop aesthetics in the MCU's sometimes same-y visuals and story beats.

Roseanne

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Has a show ever been canceled so swiftly because of one tweet before? The revival of Roseanne was always going to be mired in controversy, thanks to its star's newfound right-wing politics. Then, Barr tweeted a racially charged comment about a former advisor to Barack Obama, and the show was canceled one day later. A Roseanne-less replacement, The Conners, was scheduled in its place. 

The Path

The Path, cut short. Hulu's cult drama featured TV drama heavy hitters like Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and Hugh Dancy (Hannibal). Unfortunately, we'll never know what will happen to Meyerism, the fictional "religion" at the center of the show.

The Mick

Kaitlin Olson deserved better. After destroying season after season of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, she was given a starring shot in FOX dysfunctional family comedy The Mick. Then, she destroyed those two seasons, too. Then, unfortunately, FOX destroyed the show.

The Exorcist

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] The Exorcist had no right to be as good as it was. How do you adapt one of the most beloved horror films of all time with any originality? By stacking the deck with a murderer's row of horror talent, and crafting impeccable anthology storylines. Gone too soon, The Exorcist.

Z Nation

Playing sort of like a Looney Tunes version of The Walking Dead, Z Nation aired on Syfy for five seasons, delighting its (admittedly small) audience with tone-shifting shenanigans. The show was produced by Asylum, mostly known for campy productions like Sharknado.

Marvel's Iron Fist

Of all the Netflix MCU shows canceled in 2018, Marvel's Iron Fist may be the least missed. It was mired by whitewashing controversies, criticially reviled, and generally disliked by Marvel fans. So, less "Iron Fist" and more "Tin Awkward Fist Bump".

The Last Man On Earth

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Maybe The Last Man On Earth was too weird for this world. Maybe we should count ourselves lucky that we got four seasons of the idiosyncratic, absurd point of view presented. But dang, is it a loss to TV comedy fans everywhere that FOX canceled it in 2018.

The Break With Michelle Wolf

Michelle Wolf had quite the year. First, she was the subject of a media firestorm following her 2018 Corresponddents' Dinner monologue. Then, her weekly panel show The Break came and swiftly went on Netflix. Here's hoping Wolf finds a bit of a break in 2019.

Mozart In The Jungle

After four seasons of classical music-tinged drama, Amazon pulled the plug on Mozart In The Jungle, starring Lola Kirke and Gael García Bernal. The show was criticially acclaimed throughout its run, winning the Golden Globes for Best TV Comedy and Best Actor in 2016.

Megyn Kelly Today

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] After years of baiting controversy on Fox News, Megyn Kelly transitioned to NBC and was given an hour of The Today Show, where she, well, baited controversy some more. Episodes were noted by critics as seeming awkward, insensitive, and cold. When Kelly made some egregious comments about blackface in October of 2018, NBC called it quits.

The Mayor

Maybe we were tired of fighting and celebrity worship in politics. Or maybe The Mayor just got buried in the TV shuffle. Whatever the case may be, it's unfortunate that ABC only gave the sweet, sincere drama about a rapper-turned-politician one season before admitting concession.

Marvel's Daredevil

This cancellation came as a surprise to most Marvel fans, even after Iron Fist and Luke Cage met their fates. For Marvel's Daredevil enjoyed consistent critical acclaim and viewer attention, showcasing incredible fight choreography and tightly plotted narratives. Perhaps Netflix was forced to cancel these shows to make room for the upcoming Disney streaming service?

Lady Dynamite

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] If you thought The Last Man On Earth was weird, wait 'til you check out Lady Dynamite. And it won't take you long, as Netflix canceled the Maria Bamford comedy after two seasons early in 2018. The show uses bizarre, fourth-wall breaking techniques to represent the fragile mental state of Bamford's character.

The Good Cop

The Good Cop is a warm cup of tea, featuring lovely, understated performances from Tony Danza (!) and Josh Groban (!!). Its episodes have a familiar "case of the week" while lightly serializing character developments. And Netflix took one look at all this comfort food, and said, "No thanks". Maybe they just want edgy prestige pieces?

Kevin Can Wait

First, they killed Kevin James' new sitcom wife, played with plucky earnestness by Erinn Hayes. Then, they killed Kevin James' new sitcom itself, Kevin Can Wait. Not even an attempt to recreate The King Of Queens' magic by bringing back Leah Remini could save the CBS struggler.

Great News

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] If you've been complaining about a lack of quality network sitcoms post-30 Rock, but didn't watch Great News, you have no one to blame but yourself. The NBC show came from the same creative team as 30 Rock, and retained its rat-a-tat joke-a-second pace while cultivating a unique, sweet identity. And now, it's canceled. So, thanks.

Everything Sucks!

It was Freaks And Geeks set in the '90s. It sensitively delved into high school issues with self-aware keenness. It found a passionate fanbase. And in April of 2018, Netflix canceled it after just one season. Everything Sucks! indeed.

Detroiters

What an infectiously silly, bright, bonkers show. Detroiters, starring real-life Detroiters Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson, was unlike any current prestige comedy, running away from "darkness" and "drama" like it was a plague. Sadly, Comedy Central stopped the Motor City joy after two seasons.

American Vandal

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] How on earth was a true crime spoof about vulgar graffiti and literal feces so good? So nuanced? So "says something about society"? American Vandal was a rare gem, and while it's sad Netflix canceled it after two seasons, it was worth appreciating while it was here.

I'm Dying Up Here

Even though I'm Dying Up Here was about the backstage perils of comedians, we'll refrain from making the obvious joke. It's too bad Showtime canceled it after two seasons, and that's that... naw, who are we kidding, we're definitely going to say "they're dying up there".

Ash Vs Evil Dead

Not so groovy, baby. Ash Vs Evil Dead, a spin-off of the popular horror franchise, returned to the grave in 2018 after Starz killed it dead. It's too bad, as the show managed to recapture much of Sam Raimi's original gonzo, gory charms.

Another Period

[dx_custom_adunit desktop_id="RTK_K67O" mobile_id="RTK_5yk0"] Another Period had an irresistable, simple pitch: What if Downton Abbey was invaded by the Kardashians? Show stars Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome explored this premise for three seasons before Comedy Central pulled the plug in 2018. A pox on their houses.

Animals

Maybe Animals was just too low-key to survive. The HBO animated series flew under the radar for three seasons, balancing bonkers conspiracy plotlines with improvised dialogue from all of your favorite hip comedians. Sadly, it was spayed and neutered in 2018.

Alex, Inc.

In 2018, Amazon succesfully adapted the podcast Homecoming to TV. ABC tried the same trick with Alex, Inc., turning StartUp into a sweet sitcom starring Zach Braff. Unfortunately, the show was ended down after just one season.