FOX Bubble Bloodbath: 'Human Target,' 'Breaking In,' 'Lie to Me' canceled
'Traffic Light' and 'Chicago Code' also bite the dust
The cast of FOX's 'Human Target'
Credit: FOX
It was a bad day to be on the bubble for FOX.
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In the space of a couple hours on Tuesday (May 10) evening, news broke that FOX was canceling every single one of its in-limbo dramas and comedies.
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Every one.
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HitFix was first to tell you that FOX wasn't moving forward with a second season of "The Chicago Code," making it creator Shawn Ryan's second one-season-wonder in the past year after FX's late, lamented "Terriers."Â
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But that wasn't all.
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Conventional wisdom had FOX choosing between "The Chicago Code," "Human Target" and "Lie to Me" for one or two slots on next year's schedule.
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Wrong. After 25 episodes (over two seasons) and 48 episodes (over three weirdly scheduled seasons), FOX has pulled the plug on both "Human Target" and "Lie to Me." As a sad note, Shawn Ryan spent a season as showrunner on "Lie to Me," making it a double-downer evening for the "Shield" mastermind.
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In the midst of this carnage, "Fringe" fans should remain astounded that their little cult drama -- which draws few viewers and worse demo numbers than "Chicago Code," "Human Target" or "Lie to Me" -- was already ordered for a full fourth season.
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Would FOX show more mercy to its bubble comedies?Â
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Nope.Â
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As reported by Deadline.com (and everybody else), FOX has also cancelled "Traffic Light" and "Breaking In."
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The "Traffic Light" cancellation wasn't much of a surprise. In its most recent airing, the relationship comedy drew under 3 million viewers and did a 1.2 demo rating. While NBC renewed "Community" with numbers only slightly better than that, FOX isn't NBC (and "Traffic Light" isn't "Community").
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"Breaking In" wasn't a sure-thing for a renewal, but its latest episode drew more than 7 million viewers and did a 2.5 rating among adults 18-49, helped a wee bit by "American Idol."
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The comedy becomes star Christian Slater's third straight TV series (on three different networks) to be cancelled without completing a full first season. In fact, "Breaking In" will end up airing fewer episodes than either "My Own Worst Enemy" or "The Forgotten."
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Inside Analysis
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A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.
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Next 159 CommentsDougMac
May 11, 2011 at 1:11AM EST Reply to CommentI liked all 5 shows, especially Lie to Me and Human Target (and loved it first season before the Pucci fiasco). Chicago Code was solid and the two comedies were pretty good, and Traffic Light surprisingly made me laugh more than expected. Too bad, at least we might get something fun with Alcatraz
kate Seriously. That pucci thing was nonsense. Really liked human target!
May 11, 2011 at 3:08AM ESTDo You Like To Watch I won't watch a single episode of Alcatraz until it is renewed for a third season.
May 14, 2011 at 7:45PM ESTHuman Target Bring HUMAN TARGET back! The best show, perfect action, comedy, suspense, and a little romance...
May 16, 2011 at 1:16PM ESTParker
May 11, 2011 at 1:36AM EST Reply to CommentSad night for me, as I enjoyed both Lie to Me and The Chicago Code. I was hoping one of them would make it through.
Jon
May 11, 2011 at 1:40AM EST Reply to CommentDamn, with Lie to Me and Chicago Code leaving 2/3rds of the network shows I watch are gone. If Good Wife gets the axe it will be a total wipeout. Looks like FOX is going very reality and sci-fi heavy, both of which I have no interest in. I am looking forward to the Ethan Hawke CIA show though, if that is picked up, as rumored.
Looking forward to Shawn Ryan's next show, most likely on cable I would guess now that he's with Sony TV.
dan Jon - I know that fearmongers -- You know, like me and Sepinwall -- have included "The Good Wife" as being on the bubble, as it were, but you really don't need to worry about it. I'd be astounded if CBS cancels it. You may need to follow it to a different night, but DVRs are smart...
May 11, 2011 at 1:52AM EST-Daniel
garlik
May 11, 2011 at 1:48AM EST Reply to CommentHugely upset with cancellation of Human Target.
Edward sewell
May 11, 2011 at 1:49AM EST Reply to CommentDear Fox executives...please...kill yourselves and let someone do your job who has taste. You keep an atrocity like American Idol, but cancel every single show that has a good story? Look what happened to Firefly. Imagine how big that would've become.
Thanks for continually RUINING my tv watching. Go die in a car fire.
JB Amen! Can I get a witness!! Agree with everything you just said.
May 11, 2011 at 2:27AM ESTFDZ Not really a fan of American Idol, but nobody would be dumb enough to get rid of a show with more than 20 million viewers.
May 12, 2011 at 3:28PM ESTSC AGREED. Lie to Me was amazing.
May 28, 2011 at 7:03AM ESTChristie OMG I SO AGREE! LIE TO ME has the best story line out of everthing they show. American idol needs to die already. and CHicago Code actually is a good show! i hate Fox. UGH!!!
June 7, 2011 at 10:07AM ESTLisa Totally agree. Firefly was brilliant, Lie to Me was really original. Chicago Code at least had good acting. The continuing reign of reality TV will be the death of network television, with only cable TV delivering up any actual shows with a script.
June 14, 2011 at 10:40PM ESTZaaagh I'm boycotting Fox's shows from now onwards. Until they bring back Lie to Me
June 19, 2011 at 5:42PM ESTDianne I 100% agree with Edward's comments and all supporting comments. You guys said it! I was a big fan of Lie To Me, Human Target and The Chicago Code. Lie To Me was my favourite because you never knew who was really guilty or how the episode would end. These were shows actually worth spending time in front of the screen (TV or computer) for. Sadly, it looks like Fox is following the likes of NBC by removing quality shows that actually require acting talent and writers, and replacing them with more brainless, reality-trash. This is the future of network television folks. And it is sad...
June 24, 2011 at 10:02PM ESTGia Do not understand what the people who decide these things use for brains........I loved Human Target....reality shows absolutely stink....have no interest in them at all...good bye Fox....
September 4, 2011 at 2:57PM ESTSarah K. Death to Smoochie! Or.. reality T.V.! There's a difference? LOL. I am going to really miss LIE TO ME! FOX SUCKS! The Fox execs should all work at McDonald's flipping burgers that requires no talent, no degree, and no brains to speak of... a perfect position for the Fox execs!
September 18, 2011 at 1:26AM ESTderek
May 11, 2011 at 2:15AM EST Reply to CommentSad abt chicago code and breaking in both were great :(
May 11, 2011 at 2:48AM EST Reply to CommentJust started doing a Breaking in marathon today and am really enkoying it, i lost 4 shows today, ouch.
katy
May 11, 2011 at 3:07AM EST Reply to CommentIt obviously is pointless giving ANY FOX show a chance. Their criteria for dumping shows too greenback crunched. Their approach, every time, is to consider the fans I shall not watch new shows - FOX, by experience has no sense of its audience - but other networks do and their shows are the ones I will give my loyalty to.
Sarah K. They really are clueless and have no public relations skills to speak of. As far as understanding what the majority of the population prefers FOX is completely out of touch with reality!
September 18, 2011 at 1:28AM ESTMitch
May 11, 2011 at 3:33AM EST Reply to CommentI was enjoying the geeky shenanigans and capers of Breaking In. Christian Slater, Bret Harrison, Trevor Moore, and the concept drew me in. The other characters only added to that.
May 17, 2011 at 10:10AM ESTCharmaine
May 11, 2011 at 3:53AM EST Reply to CommentCan't believe they cancelled Lie to Me... Wat a fantastic show that was!!! And rite on a beautiful cliffhanger too... Not cool FOX not cool...
May 17, 2011 at 10:12AM ESTSarah K. It was wasn't it? Tim Roth played an excellent role on that show. The cliffhanger was amazingly done as well. It's sad that FOX doesn't give any show a real chance to get off the ground and see how successful it can be. If they knew their audience then they would know which shows are gold or pyrite.
September 18, 2011 at 1:30AM ESTwtfox
May 11, 2011 at 5:24AM EST Reply to CommentI'm just not watching fox anymore.
Boycott campaign anyone?
I Hate Fox I'm with you!
June 2, 2011 at 6:17PM ESTSarah K. BOYCOTT!!! Wait.. but I like Family Guy and the Simpsons.
September 18, 2011 at 1:32AM ESTemmy
May 11, 2011 at 5:44AM EST Reply to CommentI'm so glad they cancelled "Lie to Me", "Human Target", and "Chicago Code". The more top-notch dramas they pull off the air, the less TV I'll watch. Personally, I'd already pulled the plug on "Fringe", so I don't mind that it continues. Now I just have to refrain from adding any new shows to my recording schedule, and I'll have much more time to read books.
Sarah K. I feel an overpowering desire to agree with you and say boo at the same time. It's a mixed emotional response I assure you and I am conflicted.
September 18, 2011 at 1:33AM ESTFuck you
May 11, 2011 at 6:04AM EST Reply to CommentYou fucking faggots how why are you canceling Human Target the best show you have, I'm sorry b/c you bitches are some faggots punk ass muthafuckers.
Christa normally, I don't like this type of language, but you couldn't have said it better!
May 12, 2011 at 12:12AM ESTDo You Like To Watch Well put.
May 14, 2011 at 7:34PM ESTplanetMitch
May 11, 2011 at 8:04AM EST Reply to CommentWow - last couple of days have been rough for me. First, I watched the last episode ever for Stargate Universe and now I read that three other of my favorites (Lie to me, Chicago code, and Human Target) are given the axe.
The blame lies with the American public tho I think. They are the ones tuning into trash like American Idol and reality shows.
sonia
May 11, 2011 at 8:30AM EST Reply to Commentoh fuck you FOX.. Lie to me was one of the best shows ever!
Setaguchi The only great thing about Lie To Me was that piece of ass tasty daughter of Lightman's. The show was shit this year. SHIT! JUST LIKE YOU!
May 13, 2011 at 5:39PM ESTJan I'm with you Sonia! Lie to Me was the first show I've watched on TV for years. I'm extreemly dissappointed!!
June 10, 2011 at 8:28AM ESTPhdelicious
May 11, 2011 at 8:37AM EST Reply to CommentI'm really sad to hear that "Lie to Me" fell in this bloodbath. As far as I'm concerned the show had really hit its stride in the last season and I totally wanted to see how they followed up from the final scene.
I'm less upset about the loss of "Human Target", the changes for the second season didn't work for me.
J
May 11, 2011 at 8:45AM EST Reply to CommentI think Fox was stupid for canceling chicago code. Almost makes me not care about watching their shows. Not that I watch all that many of theirs anyways. House. And Chicago Code. Good call idiots!
J
May 11, 2011 at 8:47AM EST Reply to CommentI think FOX was stupid for cancelling Chicago Code. Almost makes me not care about watching their shows anyways. Then again, I don't really watch all too many because they are such crap. House. Chicago Code. Yeah, that's about it. Thanks FOX. Idiots...
Bob in SA
May 11, 2011 at 10:20AM EST Reply to CommentLoved Human Target! As Nancy Kerrigan might say, "Whyyyyyyy?????"
bob I agree 100%. I guess I'll stop watch FOX. They keep cancelling all my shows.
September 22, 2011 at 8:45PM ESTBig D
May 11, 2011 at 10:25AM EST Reply to CommentHuman Target was okay, the rest of these shows were garbage. Fox renewed Fringe and that was all I asked of them.
Action_Kate
May 11, 2011 at 11:49AM EST Reply to CommentBummed about "Lie to Me," particularly since I think a LTM/House two-hour "Rashomon" crossover would have kicked some serious arse.
Too much tinkering ruined "Human Target" in the second season, so my main sorrow is that Jackie Earle Haley isn't on TV now.
I don't know WTF is up with FOX. Why do they keep starting shows and refuse to give them any kind of chance? It's just contributing to the destruction of network TV as a business model. It just pushes us to watch TV series as units, from cable, as DVDs, as downloadable sets from iTunes, and streaming from Hulu/Netflix. Why commit when you don't know if it's going to go anywhere? Stupid, counterproductive, and frustrating.
At least we know Terra Nova is going to suck so we don't have to waste time on it.
Chris H.
May 11, 2011 at 5:46PM EST Reply to CommentBreaking In has like 5 episodes and it got cancelled? Why does Fringe get to live? No offense to any fringe fans but it's rating were not the best so why? Human Target is one of my favorite shows and now like FOX always does they killed it.
Christa
May 12, 2011 at 12:10AM EST Reply to CommentFOX has cancelled several of our FAVORITE SHOWS!!! It's time to counter attack FANS!!!! TIME TO BOYCOTT FOX!!!! Get them where it hurts!
I for one love Bones, Fringe and House, but it's time to "unlike" these major shows on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. It's time to threaten their meat and potatoe shows. Obviously, pleading to the shows through community discussions, Facebook pleas, Twitter and hey, tons of fans!!! Fox has decided to cancel the shows FANS LOVE!!!!
We need to let them know that the FANS aren't taking their crap anymore when it comes to TV!!! It's time to take a stand people. Stop watching FOX. Unlike their meat and potatoe shows like Bones, House, and Fringe. Go to every news and social media outlet available to protest!!!!!
We can do this!! WE CAN DO THIS BECAUSE WE'RE THE FANS AND WHAT WE THINK COUNTS!! Now, let's get out in the Internet world and make our voice heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muta You idiots who keep threatening a boycott won't boycott a fucking thing. Christa, with all do respect, shut the fuck up. I wish you would boycott breathing.
May 13, 2011 at 5:35PM ESTLie To Me kept getting worse, with the show wrapping up in very silly ways for most of the more creative bad guys. The build ups led to nothing interesting. "That's a lie." "He's telling the truth" became nothing more than a drinking game. Fuck this show and FUCK YOU!
Kim
May 12, 2011 at 1:26AM EST Reply to CommentI like Human Target...that's too bad that a show that was normal, not loud abusive language or full of sex is being cancelled while other shows stay that our family can't watch.
CJPPhotos
May 12, 2011 at 7:08AM EST Reply to CommentSo disappointed that Lie to Me AND Human Target were cancelled. There are so few quality shows out there.
--
Chris
Lie To Me
May 12, 2011 at 10:06AM EST Reply to CommentEVERYONE TREND THIS...
Lie To Me Season 4...
We will set up the largest protest in TV History...
-doctorbhb
Mary WE SHOULD!!!!!!
May 12, 2011 at 10:25AM ESTSimon Richards Reply to comment...Bring back Lie to me...Tim Roth what a legend
March 30, 2012 at 4:37AM ESTMary
May 12, 2011 at 10:24AM EST Reply to CommentOMG... I loved Lie To Me! It was my favorite next to House!!!! I am sooo sad :(
Shawn Broadhead
May 12, 2011 at 11:17AM EST Reply to CommentSuck it Fox. Lie to Me was one of the best dramas on TV. I'm sure it will be replaced with another worthless "reality" show or cop drama. At least there's one less hour I will have to watch TV.
Jen
May 12, 2011 at 12:26PM EST Reply to CommentVery sad to see Lie to Me go. Great writing, great cast, great producting.
Tom296
May 12, 2011 at 1:01PM EST Reply to CommentOur family loved Lie To Me, Human Target, and Chigago Code... very disappointed !!!
What kind of moron in Fox programming would cancel those shows and keep that crap Fringe.......
Dianne Amen! Fringe is shit. It was interesting in the first season, but declined in quality after that. What is it even about anymore? Who the hell knows! They keep that piece of crap Fringe on the air while the quality shows disappear. The guys and gals at Fox who made these decisions should do the television world a favour and quit their day jobs.
June 24, 2011 at 10:22PM EST- 1
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