Christian Slater just can't get a break on TV. In 2008, his action drama vehicle, NBC's My Own Worst Enemy, failed after a short run of nine episodes. After a move to ABC, Slater's The Forgotten fared slightly better. However, even that improvement doesn't matter -- ABC has nixed the series after fifteen episodes.
The series, which revolved around the "Forgotten Network" (headed by Alex Donovan, played by Slater), an amateur investigation sector dedicated to identifying the corpses of 'John Does' who are otherwise unidentifiable. The series, which also starred Michelle Borth and Elisha Cuthbert, aired its last episode, "Donovan Doe" on Tuesday.
Two more episodes, "Living Doe" and "Designer Jane" (episode titles carried the motif of including "John," "Jane," or "Doe") were filmed for the series, but will not be aired to finish off the series. Instead, they'll most likely be burned off over the summer, along with the episodes of most other cancelled series.
Cancellation of the series seemed imminent for a while, especially when the March 16 episode was announced to be postponed in order for a FlashForward recap to air. "FlashForward: What Did You See?" will air in The Forgotten's place on March 16. The recap will cover the first ten episodes of FlashForward's first season, with FlashForward returning with new episodes two days later on March 18.
The Forgotten is the latest in a long line of television cancellations this season. Fellow ABC series Hank, The Deep End, Eastwick, and Ugly Betty have already bitten the dust, with more, such as Scrubs and Better Off Ted, sure to follow.
What do you think of The Forgotten's cancellation? Was it a show that needed to be forgotten, or would you have rather it stuck around for another year? Let us know in the comments below - we're interested to hear your opinion!
It figures. If I like a show it has a short life. When The Good Wife made such a big splash I was afraid this would happen. It never would occur to ABC to try a different night. There are plenty of other nights when there's nothing good on TV.
Why are they cancelling this show??? I love this show. It has made me think of why we are here and what we can do to make it better. What is ABC trying to do??? Turn into NBC??? One can only take so much reality TV. Just think about it.
This is one of the best shows that I really like to watch. ABC wouldn't know a good show if it came up and bit them in the butt. Whoever is deciding which shows stay or go should be fired.
I'll disagree with that on the principle that ABC has the best shows out of the big four networks — LOST, FlashForward, V, Modern Family, etc.
I personally really liked The Forgotten, I thought the characters where great and the story lines just as good. I have almost given up on ABC like I gave up on Fox a few years ago. I was also an Eastwick fan it was a refreshing change, I just wish ABC would have at least aired the last 2 episodes, I mean they have them why not let us see them.. Does anyone remember the show Reunion, it would have basically been just 20 episodes, cause each episode represented a year and since they went back 20yrs, 20 episodes, ya well Fox pulled that one probably after like the 10th episode, they have no regard for us viewers who are part of that 2.6 million who are viewing these shows, guess they care for the 3.5 million who are not watching well not our fault us 2.6 have great taste…..
Love the show a lot. Really wish they will give a more of a chance … Hate when they cancel good shows, and we stuck we the same old crap over and over !!! SOUTH AFRICA
Never fails, cancel a really good show with intelligent plot and a good concept. I am so disgusted with networks anymore – the general rule of thumb is, if it's not reality TV that caters to the stupid people it's not going to last. Nice going ABC, once again joining the list of twits that cancel good TV.
Like everyone else, I cannot believe they canceled this show. I also liked Slater in "My Own Worst enemy." I will be SO GLAD when all this 'Reality TV' crap is over and real programing can resume. ABC, NBC, & CBS, now you know why cable channels are surpassing the old network dinosaurs! Quit canceling shows on a whim without giving them a chance.
This was a really good show and I am sadden that it was cancelled by ABC. They really don't give shows time to develop on television any more.
i like this very much……..it is much touching than other crime drama
I think this was one of the best new shows on television. I loved this show and watched it faithfully! I even DVR'd it for my husband and he would watch it once he got off of work. ABC is dumping a winner for loser crap like Flashforward and V. V is a knock off of an old 70s Sci-Fi TV show that wasn't that good in the 70s and isn't any better now. I, unfortunately, am an avid television watcher, and I'm pretty sure I will be cutting ABC out of my own summer line up!
Let me guess, ratings from the stupid people not good enough? Too intelligent for the masses eh, ABC? People are being dumbed down by all the crap they see until they come to expect nothing else. And the networks are to blame. But that doesn't matter, right ABC? It's all about the ratings and the money. This show was great. Quality drama. Kudos to everyone involved with this show!
I thought it was a great show, it seems the American tv viewer has forgotten what good tv is, they would rather watch these mindless reality shows that are about as real as Pro wrestling, I thought The Forgotten was a quality show with great stories and characters. Its a real shame that shows like this are being canceled yet people are tuning in to see what is happening with Tori Spelling's family or what brat kid is going to be tamed by Super nanny, I for one can not wait until this fad with Reality shows is over and quality shows that actually entertain come back to television.
Great show, really disappointed that ABC dropped it. Hopefully they can sell it off to another network or cable like NBC did with Southland. I'm sure they are kicking themselves for that blunder. Anyway, The Forgotten would have probably done much better if they would have given it a chance and put it in a better time-slot. I loved the show and will truly miss it. Let's hope for a return!
I love the show. That is a shame but it doesn't surprize me that ABC is cancelling a great show. I have realized that networks like ABC,CBS,and NBC cancel shows much more often than other networks so I try not to start watching them. My favorite show White collar in on USA and I always feel more confident that those shows will stick around.
I AM SO MAD! last weeks episode was the ONLY tv show that has held my undivided attention for a full hour!! I really felt like the show had grown and I was JUST beginning to think it would be around for a while. I think Christian Slater was amazing in this role – i can't believe they would give up on a show with such a talented actor.
I really liked this show. Every time I begin to enjoy a new series, ABC gives it the ax. Why should I bother watching anything on this network? It is never given a chance to find an audience and then it is gone. I've had it with ABC!
Oh no! I'm very sad about this. This is a very good show.
I have also really enjoyed this show. Other than "Jeopardy" and "AFV", I don't even watch ABC. I've tried giving the network many chances, but everything else they show (in my mind) is just junk. Let me guess – ABC will replace this with yet another inane "reality" show that requires very little thinking on their part, just like the other networks seem to do when they don't want to work at keeping viewers. I spend more time watching old series reruns on the cable networks for lack of anything better on TV. I just wish that ABC would reconsider!
MAN!!!!!!!!I JUST FOUND OUT FROM YOUR ARTICLE THAT THE FORGOTTEN HAS BEEN CANCELED!!!!!!!IM SO SAD RIGHT NOW I THINK I MIGHT CRY!!!!!!!!!! I HATE ABC. IM GOING ON REBELLION!!!!!
I am very upset. I loved the forgotten. I would go to my friends every tuesday and we would watch the show together. We loved it! I am very upset. He was on Ellen and talked about his show The Forgotten. I want it back ASAP!!! PLEASE!!!!
what is wrong with these people everytime we get into a good show with a good story line it grts cancled.all they ever want to keep on are reality shows
ABC wants to go the way of NBC and cancel everything good. The only thing they have left is Castle now.
Ok, someone has to say this. You are actually the people who are braindead, cause this show was just a re-heated mishmash of "CSI", "Cold Case", "NCIS", and about a half-dozen other crime shows, at least two of which were produced by Bruckhiemer (not including "Case" and "CSI", mind you), and was never enjoyable. It's sad that Bruckheimer has started re-heating his ideas, because CSI was really good before William Petersen left.