Call to Action: Agent Carter, Grimm, and Limitless are Among 13 Shows That Need a Show of Support from Fans RIGHT NOW!

If you have an active campaign to support a struggling sci fi / fantasy show or save a cancelled one, send us the information at cancelledscifi [at] gmail [dot] com and we will pass it along.

The Nielsen ratings continue to drive the fate of the shows currently on television (and yes, the networks do look at the overnights despite what they will tell you).  But the tide is changing and fans have social media as a powerful tool to let the networks know that there is a larger audience out there than what the ratings are measuring (and/or failing to capture).  Live tweeting when an episode airs is the best way for fans to show their support.  And hashtag campaigns throughout the week are a good idea as well. The other social media sites should also play into this.  Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and whatever the latest one is can all provide a means for fans to support their shows and get the word out for other people to start watching.  This is your Call to Action to make your voices (and numbers) known and to do your part to save your favorite shows.

Here is a list of all the shows that are struggling at the moment and that could use an outpouring of support from fans:

(Links are to the shows’ pages on this site where you can find their season to date ratings results and latest status updates.)

The 100 (CW):  This show returned for its third season at two year highs in the ratings, though it has slipped off since then.  I consider it safe right now, but it needs to get its numbers back up.  The 100 fans are a loyal, vocal bunch and they need to make noise to bring attention to this show and keep it safe.  And no, it does not get the coveted third season show status because of its shortened episode orders.

Agent Carter (ABC): This show is loved by fans and critics, but it has returned to disastrously low numbers in its second season and last week word broke that Haley Atwell has been cast in an upcoming pilot.  Fans need to make a strong show of support for this show if they want it back for a third season.

Agents of SHIELD (ABC): I believe this one is more likely than not to get a fourth season at this point, which I go into in more detail at this link.  But I know there is a strong fanbase out there for this show and it wouldn’t hurt for them to make some noise to help give it that shove into another season.  (It returns from hiatus on March 8th.)

Angel from Hell (CBS): One of only two official cancellations of genre shows for the 2016-17 season so far, this one’s numbers actually were not that bad, especially for a sitcom.  If fans were to make a strong show of support, another network (maybe TBS) or one of the streaming services might consider taking a flyer on it.  It’s already off the air, though, so it will be a tough battle, but not impossible.

Galavant (ABC): There is probably no hope for this one seeing as it returned in its second season at historically low ratings levels for a Big Four broadcast network show.  But perhaps fans could spin a little ditty on the social nets that would convince ABC (or more importantly that network’s owner Disney) to keep it around for another season.

Grimm (NBC): This show is at all-time lows, and even though ratings expectations are not as high on Fridays I still believe it is in trouble based on its current performance.  I’m thinking this will be its last season unless an uproar is heard from the fans that could push it into one more.

Heroes Reborn (NBC): The second of only two official genre cancellations this season, NBC execs might be persuaded to change their minds on that move because another season is just further padding to the Heroes syndication run (where shows really start to turn a profit).  But fans need to make a strong showing right now to have any hope of another season (and no, sister channel Syfy will not pick it up due to the expense and the extensive development they already have in the pipeline).

The Last Man on Earth (FOX): The network pretty much kicked this one to the curb at mid-season by not scheduling a return date, but it is finally back on the schedule now (starting Sunday March 6th).  Fans need to get behind this struggling sci fi comedy when it is back, lest the rest of its episodes will only be a burn-off run.

Limitless (CBS): This show was doing okay during the first half of the season, but its numbers have dropped significantly, in a large part due to the network’s scheduling hi jinks.  Fans should make noise and let CBS know they are out their before that network (which is known to have an aversion to sci fi shows) squashes this promising new entry.

Minority Report (FOX): This show is for all practical purposes cancelled, but I know that fans were trying to make a show of support a while back.  Unless that turns into a resounding roar, I’m thinking this one is done.

Second Chance (FOX): Like Minority Report, this show is cancelled in all but name and it never developed much of an audience to begin with.  I haven’t heard much from fans, but if they are out there they need to organize quick while it is still airing, otherwise it will get no . . . wait for it . . . second chance.

Sleepy Hollow (FOX): The numbers for its return on Friday at first looked promising, but sunk pretty low this last week.  This one does not get the third season show status because of its shortened episode orders and appears to be just burning off its last few episodes before heading to the Network Executioner.  Unless fans can make enough noise to let the network know people are watching.

You Me and the Apocalypse (NBC): This fun little apocalyptic comedy was dumped on the schedule with little promotion and in an hour that NBC has struggled with of late.  But it deserves a chance, and the fact that it comes as part of an international partnership means that ratings expectations are not as high.  But it has already sunk to critically low levels and needs a major outpouring of support to have any chance of returning to NBC’s schedule next year (though, there is a chance that Sky could continue it without the network partnership).