19 TV Cancellations That Cut Deep in 2020

2020 was a rough year for television.*

(*And, of course, for humanity at large.)

With COVID-19 shutting down production early, the virus also led to some stunning cancellations.

No shows were safe as networks axed previously-renewed shows… and made some downright bizarre decisions.

Some of the most popular prrograms were cut short, without so much as a conclusive goodbye, even after years on the air.

Below, we’ve rounded up the cancellations that cut deep in 2020…

 

1. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – Netflix

Sabrina spellman chilling adventures of sabrina
This beloved series was filled with the twists and turns you’d expect from the people that brought us Riverdale.

It was also relatively early into its run when Netflix announced that it had been canceled and that the fourth season would be its last.

2. Stumptown – ABC

Stumptown abc
This Cobie Smulders-led mystery drama was picked up for a second season … but then it all came crashing down.

ABC announced months later that it had canceled the show due to COVID-19.

Given that the show didn’t have high ratings, we’re going to suspect the network had a change of heart and used the pandemic as an excuse.

3. Katy Keene – The CW

Katy keene the cw
This high-fashion fairytale starring Lucy Hale, who can’t seem to catch a break these days, was canceled after its first season.

As a Riverdale spinoff, it was set to be a big hit, but it went largely ignored.

We’re not entirely surprised. We’ll say that much.

4. L.A.’s Finest – Spectrum/FOX

Las finest spectrum
It wasn’t the best show, but it was a lot of fun.

Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Union played cops in the Bad Boys spinoff, and now we’ll never know what happens next.

5. One Day at a Time – Netflix/Pop

One day at a time photo
All hope seemed lost when Netflix canceled the show after three seasons … until Pop TV swooped in to save it.

To the surprise of many, Pop canceled it again halfway through its fourth season.

6. Shameless – Showtime

Fiona gallagher
While the conclusion of Shameless was framed as a mutual decision by Showtime, people close to the show have maintained that Showtime said they would not be picked up for a 12th season.

It’s unfortunate because the series has been languishing with terrible storylines, but with the Gallaghers facing COVID, it has reinvigorated the series.

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19 Worst TV Shows of 2020

We think it’s fair to say that we can all agree on one thing:

2020 sucked.

Big time.

But more people were at home than ever, meaning that more people were watching television.

Unforunately, many of them may have been watching the television shows below… to which we only have one thing to say:

We’re so verry sorry. These programs were awful.

1. 13 Reasons Why – Netflix

13 reasons why season 4 photo
The pain is finally over.

13 Reasons Why took its final breath in 2020, and it was somehow more absurd than the second and third seasons.

We’re not quite sure what the creative minds behind the show were going for, but what we got was an offensive final season that derived further from what made the show so good in its first season.

No, we won’t miss it.

2. Riverdale – The CW

Lili reinhart on the cw
This comic book adaptation made a splashy debut in 2017.

Armed with a compelling murder mystery, and all the teen drama you could handle, it was worth watching.

But the quality got worse as the years continued.

You know the show has jumped the shark when a villain tries to escape in a self-made rocket.

3. Raised by Wolves – HBO Max

Raised by wolves premiere photo
Ridley Scott’s foray into TV was a meandering mess.

The characters were devoid of emotion, and the overall series was filled with action but somewhat empty.

To add insult to injury, it’s coming back for a second season.

4. The 100 – The CW

The 100 series finale still
The 100 was built on the bond between Clarke and Bellamy, so forgive us for writing the show off the moment Clarke killed Bellamy.

This is the same show that killed Lexa off only a few years before necessarily, but at least the finale managed to pay tribute to Lexa.

The final season was filled with big ideas, but not one of them managed to stick. An unfortunate way to go out for a decent sci-fi drama.

5. Empire – FOX

Taraji p henson for fox
This once hot drama fell apart long before it’s final season, but a murder mystery featuring the deaths of Cookie and Lucious was the focus of the final episodes.

We’re sure you can understand that fans are mad because FOX didn’t let the show return to production after it was shut down due to COVID-19.

We will probably never know how the series was supposed to end.

6. Space Force – Netflix

Steve carrell on space force
With The Office and Friends off Netflix, the streamer thought a show featuring comedy greats such as Steve Carrell and Lisa Kudrow would be a draw with viewers.

The only thing funny about the show was just how badly it was written. Unfortunately, it will take flight for a second season in 2021.

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