SECOND CHANCES

These shows were all rescued from cancellation … for better or worse

NEIGHBOURS

After just 170 episodes on Seven, the fledgling soap was pounced on by Ten, where it has been one of the network’s flagship series ever since, launching countless actors (and the odd singer) in the process.

THE MINDY PROJECT

Three seasons of the Mindy Kaling comedy aired on US network Fox before its 2015 axing. It was quickly announced the show would move to streaming service Hulu, with three more seasons made.

SCRUBS

This comedy had two reprieves – after seven seasons on original US network NBC, it moved to ABC for an eighth, which ended with “My Finale”. But it wasn’t over: a rebooted ninth (and final) season followed.

COUGAR TOWN

The show that embraced its terrible title had a tumultuous run on original US network ABC, including its third season being cut by seven episodes. TBS swooped in and aired three additional seasons.

A COUNTRY PRACTICE

Ten tried to repeat the trick with this beloved Seven drama, but since ACP had already run for 13 seasons and the salvaged series continued with a mostly new cast, it sputtered out after a 14th season.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

On the brink of cancellation in 2008 after two seasons, the critical darling’s US network, NBC, and satellite service Directv came up with a deal that resulted in three more seasons – and a couple of Emmy wins.

NASHVILLE

Country Music Television (CMT) picked up the music drama after it was discarded by ABC following four seasons. Two further seasons aired on CMT before the network abandoned scripted series altogether.

COMMUNITY

The cult favourite seemed destined never to achieve “six seasons and a movie” when NBC dropped it after Season 5. Yahoo! Screen ended up commissioning Season 6, but we’re still waiting for that film.