Cancelled TV Shows 2008-09

Several TV shows, including old and new ones, have been cancelled already in this 2008-09 season. Some of these cancelled shows will just end when the 2008-09 season ends. Other of these cancelled shows will go off the air when their first batch of episodes is over. Here's a quick look at some shows cancelled so far as the 2008-09 season hits midseason.

Eli Stone

This ABC series stars Johnny Lee Miller as a lawyer who gets prophetic visions that help him pick and win cases. Introduced in last year's strike-truncated season as a mid-season replacement, Eli Stone was a surprise renewal. Maybe the cool season-ending earthquake helped. Eli Stone also stars Victor Garber (Alias), Natasha Henstridge and an underused Loretta Devine (Grey's Anatomy). Eli Stone this season focused on a reshuffling of the law firm as Eli and Garber's character started a new firm, and Eli's new, stronger faith in his visions. Whether we'll get to see the big future payoff Eli envisions, who knows. Maybe Eli...

Pushing Daisies

Few shows in last year's season got the buzz of whimsical Pushing Daisies. The series revolves around a baker (Lee Pace) who can touch a dead person and temporarily resucitate him or her. He solves mysteries using this skill, supported by his PI partner (Chi McBride.) Kristen Chenoweth also stars. With its weird premise, quirky stories, and colorful set, Pushing Daisies stood out from the crowd. But the crowd of viewers didn't want to watch it enough.

Lipstick Jungle

It was the battle of the wealthy New York career women: Cashmere Mafia vs. Lipstick Jungle. Only one soapy series was left standing. But not for long. Starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsey Price, Lipstick was also a borderline series last spring but it made the cut. Not so this year as the show just couldn't pull in the viewers.

My Own Worst Enemy

It's Christian Slater as a spy who is also a suburban corporate dad and doesn't know it! Whaa? This seemed to be the feeling of most viewers as this NBC drama as canned quickly out of the gate. Also starring Alfre Woodard and Mike O'Malley (there's an odd combo for you...) Worst Enemy's premise may have been it's...own worst enemy, a little too high concept. I caught one episode and thought Slater and Woodard were good and so were the action sequences. Oh well, guess I can watch the few episodes that are left if I want.

MadTV

Don't worry, MadTV has several more months of sketch comedy left; it won't end til this season does. But sadly, and weirdly, it will end. I don't know about you, but even if this season's cast wasn't as strong as some seasons past (like even last year's...) I still find this show often as funny as SNL, though each show has a different sensibility. Maybe it's never been "relevant" like SNL, but there's been some really funny stuff over the years. I'm upset about this one leaving.

ER

What? They're cancelling ER? But it's only been on 15 years! I'm joking. I think this show should have been canned about five seasons ago. If you're one of the loyal ones still checking into County General every Thursday, you will know this season has focused on Sam and Tony's relationship and blended family, Neela dealing with a threat to her career, Angela Bassett showing up to be the new boss, and most of the other major characters being MIA - including Abby and Luka who walked off into the sunset and Greg who was killed off. Ouch, that one hurt. Guests from years past who have shown up include Anthony Edwards, Gloria Reuben, Laura Innes, Paul McCrane, and not George Clooney.

The L-Word

This Sapphic series has spent six years on Showtime. The adventures of Bette and her friends will call it a wrap this season. Never a huge ratings hit, the show still got its share of buzz and a loyal fan base. Word is one of the major characters will be killed off in the final season (and apparently, the season 6 trailer makes it obvious who that person is....)

Battlestar Galactica

The original from the 70s never got the buzz this SciFi Channel did. Edward James Olmos, Katee Sackhoff and all the rest take on the Cylons for one last hurrah and then, we'll have to rely on the prequel slated to be set before the whole thing went to heck. The series ends in March.

Boston Legal

Denny Crane...has left the building. So has Alan Shore, Shirley Schmidt, Jerry, and what's weirder, for the first time in 20 years, creator David Kelley has no show on TV. If you haven't seen the series finale, I won't give you many spoilers, but ABC will probably spoil your day when you realize you can't watch the show on their site.