As we near the end of the calendar year, it’s time to reflect on the preceding 12 months in prime time — including shows that gave it their all but just couldn’t cut the proverbial mustard.
Hey, it happens.
In that spirit, we’re here to remind you of those now-forgotten shows on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC that, for one brief shining moment (or two), graced our screens in 2017 before quickly fading to black. Here they are, without further ado:
ABC
“Imaginary Mary”: Jenna Elfman as a public relations exec with an imaginary childhood friend (voiced by Rachel Dratch). ’Nuf said.
“Downward Dog”: A talking dog (courtesy of CGI) in Pittsburgh reflects on his owner’s (Allison Tolman) life, loves and career trajectory. Pulled after eight episodes. Cute dog, though.
“Time After Time”: Time-traveling sci-fi series with Freddie Stroma as HG Wells and Josh Bowman as Jack the Ripper. Lasted five episodes before the ax fell.
“Ten Days in the Valley”: Kyra Sedgwick as a TV producer whose young daughter goes missing — along with the show’s viewers. Exiled to Saturday night.
“Still Star-Crossed”: No one else remembers this historical drama, either.
CBS
“The Great Indoors”: Joel McHale as a writer working for an outdoors magazine who’s forced back into the office to supervise a group of self-involved, Web-ready millennials.
“Training Day”: Series star Bill Paxton died during production, but the series, a reboot of the 2001 movie, was already pulling low numbers before being moved to Saturday night (TV’s version of Siberia).
“Me, Myself & I”: Sitcom starring Jack Dylan Grazer, Bobby Moynihan and John Larroquette (as the same character in different life stages) launched decently but quickly fizzled. Pulled after six episodes. CBS says it will eventually burn off the unaired episodes.
“Doubt”: Another Katherine Heigl bomb (see: “State of Affairs”). This time she played a “brilliant” attorney who falls for her client, accused of murder. Pulled after two episodes; burned off last summer.
“Wisdom of the Crowd”: Allegations of sexual harassment against star Jeremy Piven killed this drama about an entrepreneur (Piven) who starts a crowd-sourced crime-fighting app.
Fox
“Making History”: It didn’t. Time-travel comedy lasted nine episodes.
“24: Legacy”: Continuation of the “24” franchise, this time starring Corey Hawkins. Never caught on.
“Shots Fired”: Well-intentioned, if little-watched, drama starring Sanaa Lathan and Helen Hunt.
NBC
“The Blacklist: Redemption”: Low-rated spinoff from “The Blacklist” starring Famke Janssen and Ryan Eggold.
“Chicago Justice”: A rare whiff from “Law & Order” creator Dick Wolf (unlike his three other “Chicago”-based dramas, “PD,” “Med” and “Fire.”).
“Powerless”: Probably how NBC execs felt regarding this comedy about people who insure others against collateral damage inflicted by superheroes. What?
“Emerald City”: Trippy re-imagining of “The Wizard of Oz.” No one cared.