10 Sitcoms That Quietly Got Canceled Mid-Season
A surprising number of sitcoms with big stars and bold ideas were quietly canceled mid-season, vanishing from the airwaves before most viewers even knew they existed.
- Alyana Aguja
- 3 min read
Sometimes, even sitcoms with promising casts and fresh concepts fail to catch fire, disappearing quietly before their stories can fully unfold. These mid-season cancellations often leave fans wondering what could have been, as networks swiftly pull the plug amid low ratings and mixed reviews. Behind the scenes, countless shows vanish without much fanfare — proof that in television, success can be as fleeting as a punchline.
1. Man Up! (ABC, 2011)
Image from Wikipedia
“Man Up!” tried to answer the eternal question: what does it mean to be a man in modern America? Unfortunately, the series couldn’t quite find its footing or an audience, and ABC pulled the plug after only eight episodes. It quietly faded away, leaving behind a few confused chuckles and a lot of unused testosterone jokes.
2. Partners (CBS, 2012)
Image from Wikipedia
Created by the duo behind Will & Grace, Partners followed two lifelong best friends — one gay, one straight — as they navigated love and friendship. It had a decent pedigree, but clunky writing and weak chemistry doomed it fast. CBS yanked it after just six episodes, barely giving it a shot.
3. We Are Men (CBS, 2013)
Image from Wikipedia
Starring Tony Shalhoub and Kal Penn, We Are Men had all the makings of a solid comedy about guys trying to rebuild their lives post-divorce. However, early reviews were brutal, and ratings sank like a rock. CBS canceled it after only two episodes — blink and you’d have missed it.
4. Trophy Wife (ABC, 2013–2014)
Image from Wikipedia
This show was charming, well-acted, and critically beloved, but despite a fresh take on the blended family comedy and a standout performance from Malin Akerman, it didn’t grab a wide enough audience. ABC quietly shelved it after one season, without much fanfare.
5. Selfie (ABC, 2014)
Image from Wikipedia
Selfie was a modern-day Pygmalion starring Karen Gillan and John Cho. It tried to tackle the social media age with heart and humor. It struggled early on, but fans argue it found its groove right as it got the axe. ABC canceled it mid-season after 13 episodes, though the rest trickled out online later.
6. Animal Practice (NBC, 2012)
Image from Wikipedia
A sitcom about a vet who prefers animals to people? Sounds quirky enough to work, but Animal Practice never quite connected with viewers, despite a monkey stealing scenes left and right. NBC canceled it after just nine episodes — and replaced it with Whitney, of all things.
7. Go On (NBC, 2012–2013)
Image from Wikipedia
Matthew Perry starred as a grieving sportscaster in this surprisingly heartfelt sitcom. Critics praised it for balancing humor with emotional depth, but it struggled in ratings despite its unique premise. NBC pulled the plug during its first season, leaving fans hanging.
8. The Michael J. Fox Show (NBC, 2013–2014)
Image from Wikipedia
Michael J. Fox’s return to TV after his Parkinson’s diagnosis was met with great optimism. The show was semi-autobiographical and genuinely sweet, but it couldn’t sustain its initial momentum. NBC aired only 15 of the 22 produced episodes before quietly shelving the rest.
9. Ben and Kate (Fox, 2012–2013)
Image from Wikipedia
Ben and Kate was one of those rare sitcoms with a big heart and a lot of potential. Critics adored it, but viewers didn’t show up in large enough numbers. Fox canceled it mid-season, and fans are still a little bitter about it.
10. The McCarthys (CBS, 2014–2015)
Image from Wikipedia
Set in a loud, sports-obsessed Boston family, The McCarthys was a traditional multi-cam sitcom with a modern twist — its lead character was a gay son trying to bond with his straight brothers. The premise had promise, but the jokes didn’t always land. CBS cut it short after 11 episodes, quietly closing the book on the series.