More NBC Cancellations: 'Outsourced,' 'Perfect Couples,' 'Chase' & More
The networks are cleaning house in preparation for next week's Upfronts presentations of new shows, cancelling existing shows faster than anyone can keep up.The latest shows to get shut down? NBC has axed freshman Thursday night comedies 'Outsourced' and 'Perfect Couples,' as well as drama 'Chase' and reality series 'School Pride' and 'America's Next Great Restaurant.'
While rapid-fire press releases and rumor confirmations have been the norm for getting the news out the past few days, 'Outsourced' star Rizwan Manji actually took to Twitter before news of their cancellation broke:
@Riz_Manji: "Before it hits the trades-Outsourced isnt coming back.Sad to see it go-hopeful that this opportunity was a step towards others! Thanx all!"
'Outsourced' was one of those shows that struggled from the start, failing to nab any real critical love and battling shaky numbers throughout its first season run. 'Perfect Couples' got a little more praise when it premiered midseason -- but not much.
'Chase,' which premiered last fall, was pulled from the schedule due to failing ratings, so the writing was on the wall, but sometimes middling shows get a second chance if the studios and networks think retooling and relaunching might help. (See: 'Law & Order: LA,' also pulled, then retooled, yet still got cancelled today as well.)
'School Pride' was a reality show with a real message -- which unfortunately, often means a tiny audience, something that similar shows like 'Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution' have also proven this season. (ABC recently pulled the second season of that Emmy-winning show from the air; its fate is still unknown.)
But 'School Pride' also suffered a great loss this year: The death of Denise Cramsey, who co-executive produced the show with Cheryl Hines.
As for 'America's Next Great Restaurant,' as much as I loved it and I know several critics did as well, it never found its audience. The reality competition ended its first season a couple of weeks ago, but the finale was pre-empted on the West coast by President Obama's address about Osama bin Laden, and never replayed.
What do you think: Are you sad to see any of these shows go? Or more excited about what'll be picked up in their place?

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