by Gabrielle de Mijolla

Lately everyone has been wondering why no new shows have been cancelled so far for the fall 2014/2015 TV season. Various theories have been aired. Some believe that the reason why a lot of networks have been clinging on to tanking new shows is that there is a lack of confidence in mid-season replacement shows. In other words, some of the other shows in store might just be worse than those that have already premiered.

Another theory posited is that some of the shows that are bombing are bombing in one-hour blocks, making it more difficult to cancel one show without cancelling the second one. For instance, ABC’s Manhattan Love Story, which has received a lot of backlash, airs just before the equally unpopular Selfie.

By far the most widely accepted reason for this absence of cancelling is the role DVR plays in shaping networks’ decisions. DVR numbers can take a few weeks to come in which explains why networks are taking longer to evaluate their shows. While delayed viewing is something to take into consideration, it also seems like some networks are using it as an excuse to postpone the cancellation of shows that are clearly of substandard quality.

Take a look at our gallery of shows that are likely to be cancelled below.

1. ABC’s Selfie

Synopsis: Selfie is a romantic situation comedy currently airing on ABC and starring Karen Gillan as Eliza Dooley, a woman who believes fame can be attained by posting selfies on social networks like Facebook and Instagram. When her online fame doesn’t translate to real-life friendships, she begins to worry and contacts Henry Higgs played by John Cho, an image marketing expert.

Why the show might get cancelled: Selfie is one of those shows that was doomed from the very beginning because it was given a tough time slot on Tuesday evenings. Moreover the show’s main character is shallow and superficial, which doesn’t exactly make her likeable.

2. NBC’s Bad Judge

Synopsis: Bad Judge is a legal situational comedy currently airing on NBC and starring Kate Walsh as judge Rebecca Wright, a judge serving on the Los Angeles Circuit Court who isn’t very good at her job and spends whatever free time she has partying. It takes a little boy, Robby Shoemaker played by Theodore Barnes, for her to start realizing how inappropriate her behavior is.

Why the show might get cancelled: This show unfortunately doesn’t quite live up to the initial hype. It seems like the show creators had trouble establishing Walsh’s personality and even though she seems at times erratic, she isn’t the bad person they make her out to be.

[UPDATE: Bad Judge has been cancelled, though all 13 episodes of its initial order will air.]

3. NBC’s A to Z

Synopsis: A to Z is a romantic comedy currently airing on NBC and starring Ben Feldman as Andrew, an employee at an internet dating site and Cristin Milioti as Zelda, a high-achieving no nonsense lawyer. These two meet when Zelda heads to the dating site headquarters in order to settle a dispute. The series follow their unfolding romance.

Why the show might get cancelled: It seems ill-advised to get the main characters to fall in love from the very start. This seems like the kind of show that has the potential to fizzle out very quickly…

[UPDATE: A to Z has been cancelled, though all 13 episodes of its initial order will air.]

4. Fox’s Red Band Society

Synopsis: Red Band Society is a dramedy currently airing on Fox focusing on a group of teenagers living together as patients in the same hospital ward. The cast features Griffin Gluck, Octavia Spencer, Dave Annable, Nolan Sotillo, Charlie Rowe, Ciara Bravo and Astro.

Why the show might get cancelled: Kevin Reilly, the show producer, pitched it as being a bit like Glee, in that it’s also about a bunch of misfit kids. However, this comedy touches upon much more serious issues and seems like it might not be as lighthearted as Glee. It is shaping out to be one of those shows that you either love or hate.

5. CW’s Jane the Virgin

Synopsis: Jane the Virgin is another based on a Venezuelan telenovela dramedy and currently airing on CW. The show centers around Jane Villanueva, a young religious Latina who gets accidentally impregnated by artificial insemination during a check-up.

Why the show might get cancelled: This show seems like a weird pick for a TV network like CW that is better known for its shows on vampires and superheroes. The plot seems a little too kooky for a mainstream audience.

 

So, what do you think? Will these shows be cancelled? Which do you want to stay, and which do you wish were on the chopping block? Let us know in the comments!