Film Festival

ABC Bubble Bloodbath: 'V,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'No Ordinary Family' canceled

'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Better with You' also fail to make the cut

ABC Bubble Bloodbath: 'V,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'No Ordinary Family' canceled

Morena Baccarin of 'V'

Credit: ABC
Just days after FOX decimated its entire stack of bubble shows, ABC has nearly repeated the trick, clearing out at least five dramas and two comedies to make room for a heaping pile of fresh pickups.
 
We'll get to the pickups, which include "Charlie's Angels" and more, in a separate story, but first let's mourn the passing of "Brothers & Sisters," "V," "No Ordinary Family," "Detroit 1-8-7," "Off the Map," "Mr. Sunshine" and "Better With You," which have all been given their walking papers, according to a wide variety of media reports.
 
The biggest surprise of that group was "Brothers & Sisters." As recently as last week, there were reports that the long-running Emmy-winning drama might return for a truncated sixth season, possibly with only a limited dose of Calista Flockhart. Instead, ABC has opted not to renew the family drama, which earned Sally Field an Emmy and ran for 109 episodes, ending with what was now a series finale last Sunday.
 
Sci-fi fans also had hopes for "V," which struggled in its two seasons, but was also bounced around ABC's schedule with an aggressiveness that led some people to believe that with a stable time slot and premiere date and episode order, it might develop an audience.
 
"No Ordinary Family" and "Detroit 1-8-7" experienced some critical support and some network enthusiasm, but both shows also dealt with reduced episode orders, random preemptions and out-of-time-slot burnoff airings. "Off the Map" at least aired its allotment of 13 episodes, but the Shonda Rhimes
drama generated such low ratings there was never any real likelihood of renewal.
 
On the comedy front, "Better with You" aired its full compliment of episodes, but lost too much of its lead-in from "The Middle," while failing to generate any real buzz. Also suffering from too much viewer attrition was the Matthew Perry vehicle "Mr. Sunshine," which aired after "Modern Family" for much of the spring.
 

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  • What they said about V was right on! I was always mad that they only gave us a new episode every 2 0r 3 weeks. Show is better suited for Si-Fi channel anyway. And like the original 80's show, they left us with alot of unanswered questions and a cliffhanger. Go to hell ABC!!!

    May 13, 2011 at 6:13PM EST Reply to Comment
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      James I'll second that.

      May 14, 2011 at 12:49AM EST
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      tiswaz SyFy no longer care about decent SciFi either, so don't agree, they just cancelled SGU and Caprica recently. The only channel that appears to be dedicated to SciFi is BBCA. I heard the director for Dr. Who has planned up to 2 seasons of storyline arcs, but all kept top secret. It draws an audience of 9 MIL in the UK which is massive for a SciFi show!

      May 14, 2011 at 6:54PM EST
    • ABC can suck it, there has not been much I watch on there since Lost ended now they have canceled the two shows I watched which was V and Off the Map, now I will never watch ABC again

      May 15, 2011 at 11:54PM EST
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      MJNYC I will NEVER watch another show on ABC again - last time they cancel a show that I love. V was great and ABC is the worst network in existence!

      May 17, 2011 at 12:59PM EST
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      J Fox V was the only thing I watched in ABC. Too bad Sci Fi shows don't get a decent shake. So few real quality ones actually make it to the end with some resolution. Well, at least FOX didn't get it; and brutally slay it with pop-catches: A word to all you 'serious' network decision makers about good science fiction shows: Less focus-group and statistics. POPULAR does not, and will now, work for good science fiction. Care about the show and the story and the characters. Hell; why not do that for all shows eh? You might actually crank out something that isn't some brain dead walking crap :p Why not make an actual -good- show instead of 'We wantt everyone to love it and it make us so much money' shows. Granted, yes; you need to make money, but damn man; how about something that actually stimulates the imagination here? Good lord.

      June 2, 2011 at 9:00PM EST
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      Emil Miller I agree with all of your opinions of ABC. When I see the complete trash they're going to replace V with I find myself projectile vomiting. After V started airing, ABC screwed with its schedule so much that it was a miracle if anyone could even find it. What kind of ratings would they expect when they dick around like that? "Go to hell ABC!!!" Hell is too good for those execs!

      June 8, 2011 at 8:55PM EST
    • Invasion was awesome.... Cancelled!! Now V.. ABC does cut great shows before they are even given a chance. I didn't start watching Alias until it was being reran on another station because I am sick of getting involved with a show and Bam Gone! I wish another Network would pick this up. Sighhhhh

      June 15, 2011 at 11:17AM EST
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      elaine g ABC wouldn't know a good show if it walked up and bit them in the butt. It was incredibly frustrating to NOT be able to watch V on line (for those of us that missed the show)... and now canceling V??? Is there any doubt WHY ABC is dead last? Scoop up another boring stupid reality show ABC. It's what you do best! ugh.

      June 20, 2011 at 2:50PM EST
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      jay Can't believe they canned V ,I will be cancelling ABC

      July 1, 2011 at 1:02PM EST


  • Blæææææ

    May 13, 2011 at 6:23PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Daniel

    I had some interest in V, then saw a promo in which the V's wanted to get our souls. Also in the promo, a trip to the Vatican...That was enough for me.

    May 13, 2011 at 6:40PM EST Reply to Comment
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      sean fuck you!! that show rocked!!!!

      May 16, 2011 at 11:47PM EST
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      Victor fuck you! watch before say something!

      May 22, 2011 at 6:41PM EST
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      Rodrigo HAHAHAHAHA........ sean & victor said it well, this & caprica was the shows me & my wife watched. ABC SUCKS!! V had everything and you go and screw it up. ABC & SYFY must be related.

      June 9, 2011 at 10:23PM EST
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    Dawn T

    Wow! Thanks ABC....for giving me yet another reason to watch even less TV. No point in giving any new shows a chance, just going to get cancelled anyway. I loved V and am pretty unimpressed that it ends on a cliffhanger. Good thing I like to read (it's pretty hard for someone to "cancel" my books.

    May 13, 2011 at 6:45PM EST Reply to Comment
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      David S. Have to second this one! Just need to add that it is not just ABC... Pretty much all networks are killing any reason to start watching anything. You start watching a show and if it isn't in the top 5 or 10 positions for ever then it is cancelled and they don't even bother wrapping up the story line... The list is endless, invasion, reaper, V, SGU, jericho... and a almost never ending list. What is the point of getting invested in a series if the networks are not going to give any consideration at all to the viewers that do watch...

      May 14, 2011 at 9:05PM EST
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      mike I would agree with you, I find it hard to invest any time in tv... I only watch a couple and V was one of them. Now I guess I'll spend more time reading to my children ;)

      May 18, 2011 at 11:48PM EST
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      paul s im from england and we only just got the final part of v season 2 tonight i loved it, and have not missed an episode, and am now completely gutted that its been cancelled!!!!

      May 19, 2011 at 7:17PM EST
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      Gina Totally agree! The message is clear, don't watch network tv shows/pilots cause if they are good; they'll get cancelled! Book reading it is AND wait for it...Netflix! Yes they are now producing original programing and will have multiple episodes available to watch in blitzes! THIS is the new model, seeya ole dinosaurs, ABC, NBC and CBS...STRZ is also making a ton of original content available via Netflix...Torch wood fans, check out new American version this July...whooohoo!

      June 3, 2011 at 12:29AM EST
    • I can't believe ABC is doing this.
      What I'm about to say is not a joke. I'm dead serious.

      I've got so mad on ABC for this that I just have no reason to watch TV anymore. So what did I do about it? I just cancelled my Cable Service.

      I'm not freaking joking. I'm serious.

      I literately have no reason to watch TV anymore.

      ABC, you can go to hell...!

      June 3, 2011 at 7:29PM EST
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    Neetz

    SUPER DISLIKE THAT BROTHERS AND SISTERS IS BEING CANCELED.

    May 13, 2011 at 6:53PM EST Reply to Comment
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    candace ackerly

    abc what a bad decision to cancel V, i will never watch your network again!

    May 13, 2011 at 6:58PM EST Reply to Comment
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    andy145

    I loved Brothers and Sisters. There is so much junk on TV -- this is a bad call. This was a daring show that tackled hard topics and showed how loving an not so perfect family can still be. I"ll miss watching.

    May 13, 2011 at 7:00PM EST Reply to Comment
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      rudy I totally agree with this comment. There is truely too much junk on TV and Brothers and Sisters was a great show that was funny yet serious. Guess I will be getting more sleep now!

      May 17, 2011 at 8:50AM EST


  • I HATE ABC!!! Mr. Sunshine was really good and Better With You was hilarious!!! Why dont they give them a chance???? Im never watching ABC ever again now. RETARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    May 13, 2011 at 7:19PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Mulderism

    No love for "No Ordinary Family"? Oh well, they did it to themselves.

    Too bad, watching Darla running is super slo-mo was pretty hot.

    May 13, 2011 at 7:27PM EST Reply to Comment


  • Sucks about 187, loved that show...at least it had a great season/series finale...

    May 13, 2011 at 7:47PM EST Reply to Comment
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      Gina mae Really liked Detroit 187 too! :(

      May 17, 2011 at 11:37AM EST
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    mrbilliam

    I hate the "I will never watch ABC again!" posts. Unless you are a Nielsen family this hurts them not at all. And even if you were, what if the reason "V" got bad ratings is because too many people refused to try another ABC drama after the cancellation of ... I'm blanking on a similar-toned show, but you get my point.

    May 13, 2011 at 8:14PM EST Reply to Comment
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      Stacy Like Invasion?

      May 15, 2011 at 12:40AM EST
    • Invasion was awesome.... Cancelled!! Now V.. ABC does cut great shows before they are even given a chance. I didn't start watching Alias until it was being reran on another station because I am sick of getting involved with a show and Bam Gone! I wish another Network would pick this up. Sighhhhh

      June 15, 2011 at 11:14AM EST


  • I am BEYOND annoyed they've cancelled V. ABC can go to hell...there's no point in watching their shows if they just end up cancelling them. Never again.

    May 13, 2011 at 8:40PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Jawsphobia

    V !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The second half of season 1 was such a huge improvement it turned me anti to pro-reboot. The second season was wise to bring in Jane Badler from the original 1980's incarnation of V and finally in its last episode (now the SERIES final episode?) to bring in Marc Singer who had been the lead of the original. I was looking forward to more of his character. V !!!!! :(

    May 13, 2011 at 8:50PM EST Reply to Comment
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      Porno the Clown I agree with Jawsphobia. I like the V.

      May 13, 2011 at 8:52PM EST
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      amused123 Too bad about V. However, once they didn't make the second season available online, I knew the days of the show were numbered and not too many at that.

      May 13, 2011 at 10:34PM EST
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      jon @Amused123 - agreed. Once they killed it off Hulu, I never really thought of it again. One the one hand, they thought the show was so awesome it didn't need to be online; on the other, they officially killed it off for people who don't have DVRs.

      May 14, 2011 at 1:15PM EST
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    JB

    I hope all of the V fans out there never watch their crappy network again. V was the best show on the network, and they are just going to end it with humans being blissed and a bunch of alien fleets moving in towards earth..and Anna crying red blood tears?!!!! I hope it gets picked up from some other network.

    May 13, 2011 at 11:05PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Jacquie

    ABC sucks, first it was Eastwick, then the Gates and now Off the Map and Mr. Sunshine. Every time I find a show I like they cancel it. You know ABC not everybody watches on T.V some of us watch on-line.

    May 13, 2011 at 11:32PM EST Reply to Comment
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      ME I agree. My kids hog the tv in the evenings so I DVR or watch shows on Hulu when I get a chance. They base their ratings on who is watching at the exact time it is on. I bet ratings for V would have gone up if they had looked more into who watched V on Hulu after the initial airing.

      May 27, 2011 at 11:38AM EST
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    Wrigleyguy5

    Write a comment...ABC... You piece of shit of a network!! I can't believe you retards cancelled V!!! It was such a great show. I will not watch shit network again. All executives are mindless retards. Oh yeah go to hell. Hopefully Syfy picks it up.

    May 13, 2011 at 11:53PM EST Reply to Comment
    • SyFy has already stated they are no longer interested in resurrecting cancelled shows. They're happy with 3 different Ghost Hunters and Stargate out the ass and movies that were made to suck.

      May 14, 2011 at 1:06AM EST
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    dana

    i will miss v :(

    May 14, 2011 at 12:08AM EST Reply to Comment
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    Dan

    So disappointed about V, ABC never gave them a chance. Too bad!

    May 14, 2011 at 12:45AM EST Reply to Comment


  • V was cancelled just when it started to become the most kick ass show in world history. It was the only network show besides an occasional episode of The Big Bang Theory that even merited my attention. It's not just ABC that sucks on a scale that is legendary it's all network TV. HBO and Showtime's worst original series utterly destroy the best network shows. SyFy has announced they are no longer resurrecting cancelled shows (although they do like to show the most freakishly awful direct to DVD movies and poorly acted original series and...wrest...ling...WTF). At least i still have The Borgias. Why must V get cancelled and Smallville go on for far longer than it should have?

    May 14, 2011 at 1:03AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Kari What Jason said! EXACTLY! The reason I NEVER watch network and ONLY movies or Original Series (Soprano's, Tudors, Borgias anyone??)...because NETWORK SUCKS! At least it did-until V..now it does again-and yep, ScyFy has really circled the drain as well! Indeed!

      May 16, 2011 at 9:07PM EST
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    onestell

    Let's face it ... MR SUNSHINE simply was not funny.

    May 14, 2011 at 8:48AM EST Reply to Comment


  • ABC sucks for canceling a series as great V!

    May 14, 2011 at 9:55AM EST Reply to Comment
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    daniel

    V was likely to get cancelled so I didn't understand why they would end it on a cliffhanger. I definitely won't buy the DVDs of a show that has no ending. I don't expect a wrap-up of all the storylines but some sort of conclusion would have been nice. Firefly, for example, at least had a decent ending.

    May 14, 2011 at 10:34AM EST Reply to Comment
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      Richard Firefly didn't end as a TV series, it ended as the feature film Serenity. And I seriously doubt that there'll be a V movie anytime soon. And while Serenity was an awesome way to wrap Firefly, I found both of the X-Files movies lacking any real conclusion. I really enjoyed the cliff-hanger ending of the last season of V, but like most on here, I'd like to see the rest.

      May 14, 2011 at 2:15PM EST
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    Denise

    Complaints to ABC go here: http://abc.go.com/site/contact-us

    May 14, 2011 at 12:21PM EST Reply to Comment
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    jon

    I would have watched "V", but they took it off Hulu. As No Ordinary Family, it just didn't work with me, though I did like all the actors in it. Just flimsy story writing with run of the mill (aka ordinary) super powers.

    May 14, 2011 at 1:11PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Isaac

    Auurggghhh!! No Ordinary Family and Mr. Sunshine were both great shows! Why don't networks realize that it takes more than one season to make a show?

    May 14, 2011 at 2:43PM EST Reply to Comment


  • Let's revolt and pick up books. Forget these networks; they seem to only care about what they can suck from us to gain advertising revenue.

    I'm going to miss "V" and "No Ordinary Family" the most. I had high hopes for both shows. Hopefully someone can work something out to get them back on the air. Thumbs down ABC.

    May 14, 2011 at 9:43PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Ectro

    Fuck all you crappy ass networks, I'm just gonna quit watching TV completely!

    May 16, 2011 at 11:04AM EST Reply to Comment
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    WTF ABC

    These networks sure are buzzkills... Why don't they let US vote on the lineups? Jeez...

    May 16, 2011 at 2:55PM EST Reply to Comment
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    alex

    Channel 5 loves Sci-Fi and T.V. Horror. Fans support Channel 5.

    May 16, 2011 at 3:00PM EST Reply to Comment
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    Berserk

    Maybe if the FAMILY from No Ordinary family actually used there powers beside the father the show wouldn't have been canceled. Who gives a **** about the stupid daughter and her boyfriend every damn episode? The son never used his powers and the writers never developed them and the mother was pretty useless too. The writers did an awful job, so I'm sad at this. But Detroit 187 deserved more. That was an unbelievably good show, but ABC is so retarded they kept bumping it for Barbra Walters, and whatever the hell else they could find to ruin a great show. Hopefully it'll get picked up on Showtime or something.

    May 16, 2011 at 3:50PM EST Reply to Comment
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      Joan hmm... obviously you didnt watch the show.
      No ordinary family is a FAMILY drama, not a thriller. The show analyzes each family member's behavior, decisions, and actions.
      Not using their powers? Blind by any chance? In each episode, every member used their powers in one way or another, its unfortunate that that's not obvious to you. Pity.

      August 6, 2011 at 6:13AM EST
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