UNEXPECTED EXITS: SHOWS SENT PACKING AFTER HAPPY RENEWALS

In the world of television, a show’s journey from renewal to cancellation can be an emotional rollercoaster for creators and fans alike. Despite the elation and relief of securing another season, shows can often find themselves facing an unexpected and untimely demise. Here’s some shows that met such a fate recently

Uncoupled

Neil Patrick Harris’ Uncoupled premiered all eight episodes of the first season in July 2022. However, the network later decided not to proceed with season 2 of the comedy series, although it had been renewed for a second season earlier. Harris revealed in June 2023 that the second season was supposed to start filming in early July last year but production was delayed due to the WGA strike.

Bumper in Berlin

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin was cancelled despite having previously been renewed for a second season. The spinoff of the Pitch Perfect film franchise originally premiered in November 2022 and was renewed in January 2023. According to Variety, the decision was made to cancel the series as the SAG-AFTRA strikes in Hollywood at the time meant that production would not begin as originally scheduled. The series saw actor Adam Devine reprise his role as Bumper Allen.

61st Street

The series got a two-season order when it was originally picked up in 2019. While the first season premiered in 2022, AMC announced in January 2023 that it would not air the second season, which had just wrapped up.*

While You Were Breeding

The series was cancelled in September 2023 — after its ten-episode first season had already been filmed. Producer Kristin Newman’s hour-long comedy was based on her memoir. There were rumblings that it would be shopped to other streamers, but no new developments have been reported.

Bupkis

Bupkis will not return for a second season. Comedian Pete Davidson confirmed last week that he had opted not to continue with his semi-autobiographical comedy, which had previously been renewed for another season. “I’ve always seen Bupkis as a window into my life, since it is so personal and about my struggles and family,” Davidson said in a statement, adding, “After nearly a decade of my personal life being in the media I wanted a chance to tell my story my way. Of all the work I’ve ever done, Bupkis is by far what I’m most proud of. I am so grateful to Lorne Michaels and Broadway Video, Peacock, Universal Television and the amazing cast and writers for helping me create something honest, funny and heartfelt. I do also feel that this part of my life is finished.”