Last week’s Upfronts decided the fates of potential new shows arriving on the small screen later this year. Here are 10 shows that will not make it to your television.
Straight to series, full season order, 13 episodes, and instant streaming, are key words that will not apply to the large portion of shows not picked up by networks for the fall, mid-season, or spring of 2015 — 2016 television season. Major cancellations, renewals, and pick ups are close to complete, with only a few stragglers waiting in limbo.
You can check out our full list of what’s been picked up, canceled, or renewed here.
While the networks roll out their 2015 schedules for the admen, here are 10 shows that did not make the cut and suggestions of shows to watch if you like what you see!
‘All-Stars’ (ABC)
Starring: Greg Grunberg as Gary, Megan Hilty as Irene, Marissa Jaret Winokur as Donna Mary Lynn, Rajskub as Susie, and Tony Rock as Ty
Premise: This single camera comedy revolves around married couple Gary and Irene and their eight-year-old son, Gus. Gary is a geriatric physician who backs down from conflict. Irene is a Tony-award winner, who retired from the Broadway stage to raise Gus in the suburbs. Gus, short for August, is “fiercely competitive and athletically-inclined alpha male” who treats everything like a competition, while Irene prefers to burst into song and Gary will take Lego competitions over soccer fields any day. ABC decided not to give the comedy a shot against the likes of Modern Family and Fresh Off the Boat.
What to watch: Mom (CBS), The Middle (ABC)
‘Kingmakers’ (ABC)
Starring: Adrian Pasdar as Adam Walden, Colm Feore as Simon Vandermeer, Gus Halper as Eli Hennessy/Jacob Darlow, Khary Payton as Ben Wheeler, Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maeve Vandermeer, Parminder Nagra as Radha Mittal
Premise: When Adam’s sister is found dead during her freshman year at an Ivy League school, he makes it his mission to find out the cause. Enrolling in the college under an assumed name, he worms his way into a top secret society with a very reputable alumni group and a dark history to find justice for his sister. With How to Get Away With Murder covering the secret society spot in ABC’s TGIT line-up it was not Kingmakers time.
What to watch: How to Get Away With Murder (ABC)
‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D’ spin off (ABC)
Starring: Adrianne Palicki as Agent Barbra “Bobbi” Morse, Nick Blood as Lance Hunter, and Brett Dalton as Ward
Premise: The unnamed spin off would likely take place after Ward kidnaps Agent Morse with Lance following after her. With Agents still young in its second season, perhaps the thought of removing two stars from S.H.I.E.L.D left this spin off dead on arrival to ABC’s executives. But never say never! The buzz around the series is officially dead for now, but expect to hear murmurs of a revival this time next year.
For more read on here: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D spinoff to star Mockingbird and Lance Hunter
What to watch: Umm… isn’t it obvious? Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC), Agent Carter (ABC)
‘The King of 7B’ (ABC)
Starring: Craig Ferguson, Carla Jiminez, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Amir Talai, Marin Hinkle
Premise: A man who suffers from agoraphobia, or a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment, decides to leave his home for the first time in 20 years. Why? To get the girl of his dreams of course. With the success of The Last Man on Earth, this comedy is working towards the right target, but might be a little too similar in color. Or maybe it was the title’s close resemblance to The B in Apartment 23 that sealed its fate.
What to watch: The Last Man on Earth (Fox), Mike & Molly (CBS)
‘Knifeman’ (AMC)
Starring: Daniel Mays as Julian Tattersal, Tom Hollander as John Tattersal
Premise: We’ll let the official release do all the technical talking! “Set in 18th century London, Knifeman will focus on the untold story of a charming, arrogant, decorum-breaking genius who challenges societal norms to transform his visions into cutting-edge discoveries. He picks up extra cash harvesting organs for his brother Julian, favorite son and prized physician of the St. Stephen’s teaching hospital.”
What to watch: Call the Midwife (BBC), The Knick (Cinemax)
‘Studio City’ (Fox)
Starring: Eric McCormack, Heather Graham, Jeanine Mason, Florence Pugh, Riley Smith, Samantha Logan, Jordan Calloway, Timothy Granaderos, Chris Daughtry with guest a appearance by Christina Perri
Premise: This is the story of a young singer’s path to stardom as she comes of age living with her songwriter father, who turns out to be a drug dealer to the stars. Inspired by screenwriter writer and producer Krista Vernoff’s real-life experience. While this O.C. meets Shameless pilot had a lot of potential, Fox passed on the deal to give the series a shot. But rumor has it this pilot is not dead in the water just yet! It may find a home by year’s end. Stay tuned!
What to watch: The Americans (FX)
‘Sneaky Pete’ (NBC)
Starring: Giovanni Ribisi as Marius Josipovic/Peter Murphy, Libe Barer as Carly, Margo Martindale as Audrey, Marin Ireland as Julia, Peter Gerety as Otto, Shane McRae as Taylor
Premise: Identity theft! Margo Martindale! What’s not to love? When Marius is released from prison the mob turns their attention to the man who wronged them. Marius takes on the identity of his ex-cellmate, Pete and begins to work with Pete’s family in their bail bond business while keeping a low profile. In a soon-to-be Mad Menless world, another dramatic approach to stolen identity was not in the cards for this season, even with Bryan Cranston’s name attached to the series.
What to watch: Mad Men (AMC), The Good Wife (CBS)
‘Sober Companion’ (Fox)
Starring: Nick Frost as Robert, Justin Long as Jeremy Brummel, Mouzam Makkar as Alex, Dorian Brown as Cate, Pete Davidson as Derek, Ally Maki as Kamiko, Mallory Mahoney as Joan Jett
Premise: A story about a charming lawyer, Robert, whose self-destructive behavior lands him a court-appointed, and “highly unconventional” sober companion. Does this ring a bell? Elementary covered a more dramatic sober companion storyline covered back in 2010. Unfortunately, not every eccentric recovery pairing will be a hit. Note the image. Fox’s vendors did not receive the message before their Upfront presentation, leaving Sober Companion posters on display for the event!
What to watch: Elementary (CBS), The Odd Couple (CBS)
’48 Hours ‘Til Monday’ (Fox)
Starring: Sarah Chalke, Rob Riggle, Jane Curtin, Merrin Dungey, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Joe Spano, Kayla Kenedy
Premise: In the half-hour comedy world, weekday school projects, meetings at work, and making dinner can only take you so far. For this husband, weekends are an equally challenging battle to ensure that not everything goes directly to hell in a hand basket. It’s the half-hour comedy that Modern Family and other sitcoms get to every now and again in their seasonal rotation and the networks didn’t feel the need to reiterate.
What to watch: Togetherness (HBO), Modern Family (ABC)
‘Knoxville’ (ABC)
Starring: Brad Carter as Jukebox, Brittany Beery as Audrey, Dave Koechner as Ray, Johnny Knoxville as Narrator (Voice), Julie Ann Emery as Genevieve
Premise: Knoxville, Tennessee, home to a rambunctious 12-year-old kid named Johnny and the setting for the series based on the life of prankster Johnny Knoxville. The series tells the tales of his childhood, narrated by Johnny Knoxville, as he recalls the experiences that shaped him into the MTV reality star and blockbuster film creator. Everybody Hates Chris ran for a few seasons, why pass on another story of a man telling his story in a series of flashbacks? Or are we still not over How I Met Your Mother?
What to watch: If you can find Everybody Hates Chris (CW), How I Met Your Mother (CBS)