2015: TV’s New Obscurities

Here we go again. 2016 is underway so that means it’s time for my annual back at the new obscurities of the past year. I’m sticking to my rule of only including scripted TV shows that aired 13 episodes or fewer on one of the broadcast networks. By my count there were 15 of those during 2015, compared to 29 in 2014, 17 in 2013, 20 in 2012, 17 in 2011, and 18 in 2010.

For the current 2015-2016 season, cancellations have been few and far between. Unless I’m mistaken, the only new fall show on the networks to officially be cancelled is ABC’s Wicked City. I am including several shows that had their initial orders trimmed, have completed airing all produced episodes, but haven’t yet been cancelled. It’s possible but unlikely they may be renewed for another season.

I’m not including Scream Queens (FOX) even though it has completed airing its 13 produced episodes. The network has yet to make a decision on its fate. Heroes: Reborn (NBC) is also not on the list. It returns this month with its final three episodes and likely will not be renewed but it was promoted as an “event miniseries” rather than a traditional continuing series.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) and Code Black (CBS) have both received 18-episode orders so even if they’re cancelled at the end of the season they’ll have just made it past my 13-episode cut-off.

Not on the list is Dates (The CW), which aired for nine incredibly low-rated episodes during the summer. It was a British series produced and first aired in 2013. The CW simply acquired rights to the existing episodes.

How many of the shows listed above did you watch? Are there any you’ve never even heard of? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

Mid-Season 2015

Backstrom (FOX) – 13 episodes
Premiered January 22nd, 2015

Allegiance (NBC) – 13 episodes (8 unaired)
Premiered February 5th, 2015
NOTE: Unaired episodes were later made available on Hulu and NBC’s website.

Battle Creek (CBS) – 13 episodes
Premiered March 1st, 2015

One Big Happy (NBC) – 6 episodes
Premiered March 17th, 2015

Weird Loners (FOX) – 6 episodes
Premiered March 31st, 2015

Spring 2015

A.D.: The Bible Continues (NBC) – 12 episodes
Premiered April 5th, 2015
NOTE: Some might consider this a miniseries. It doesn’t really matter. NBC definitely cancelled it.

American Odyssey (NBC) – 13 episodes
Premiered April 5th, 2015

The Messengers (The CW) – 13 episodes
Premiered April 17th, 2015

Summer 2015

The Whispers (ABC) – 13 episodes
Premiered June 1st, 2015

The Astronaut Wives Club (ABC) – 10 episodes
Premiered June 18th, 2015
NOTE: The creator of the series considers it a miniseries and never planned for a second season.

Significant Mother (The CW) – 9 episodes
Premiered August 3rd, 2015
NOTE: The CW has apparently not officially cancelled this series.

Mr. Robinson (NBC) – 6 episodes
Premiered August 5th, 2015

Fall 2015

Minority Report (FOX) – 10 episodes)
Premiered September 21st, 2015
NOTE: FOX trimmed the show’s initial 13-episode order and has yet to officially declare it cancelled.

The Player (NBC) – 9 episodes
Premiered September 24th, 2015
NOTE: NBC trimmed the show’s initial 13-episode order and has yet to officially declare it cancelled.

Blood & Oil (ABC) – 10 episodes
Premiered September 27th, 2015
NOTE: ABC trimmed the show’s initial 13-episode order and has yet to officially declare it cancelled.

Truth Be Told (NBC) – 10 episodes
Premiered October 16th, 2015
NOTE: NBC trimmed the show’s initial 13-episode order and has yet to officially declare it cancelled.

Wicked City (ABC) – 8 episodes (5 unaired)
Premiered October 27th, 2015
NOTE: First and only true cancellation of the 2015-2016 season thus far. The unaired episodes were later made available on Hulu.


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3 Replies to “2015: TV’s New Obscurities”

  1. Best Time Ever with Niel Patrick Harris was officially cancelled a month after the final episode aired. There were 8 episodes in total.

    Heroes Reborn can be considered a continuation of Heroes and will likely wind up getting packaged with it for syndication.

    I have to wonder now, considering all the DVD and Internet distribution of these shows (both legal and illegal) how obscure will these shows become?

    I think the obscure shows of the future may be cable shows such as many of the shorter ones on the Food channel. People watch them but don’t tend to keep them.

  2. Backstrom gets extra credit for having the greatest tagline in the history of television: “Brilliant Detective. Total Dick.”

  3. Battle Creek was funny. I was sad to see it go. Still think of the show when I see the Mayhem commercials ( he starred)

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