ABC Cancels One Of The Best Sitcoms In Years
Things in Hollywood have been a bit shaky lately, and it’s resulted in the cancelation of some pretty great shows. Home Economics, one of the best sitcoms in years, was canceled after only three seasons, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, High Potential, which was scheduled to debut this fall, was pushed to a fall 2024 release, and The Rookie: Feds is still awaiting its verdict from the network.
Home Economics, starring Topher Grace, has been canceled by ABC.
Home Economics, produced by ABC Signature and Lionsgate Television, followed the lives of three adult siblings and their families. The series starred Topher Grace (known for That 70’s Show) as Tom, the eldest sibling who lives a happy, middle-class life. Caitlin McGee (known for Bluff City Law) plays the middle sibling, Sarah, who struggles financially, and Jimmy Tatro (most well-known for his YouTube channel, LifeAccordingToJimmy) plays the youngest sibling, Connor, who is extremely well off but struggles in love.
Despite its dedicated fan base, Home Economics struggled with viewership during the 2022-23 season, averaging 2.92 million viewers per episode and a 0.55 rating among adults aged 18-49, excluding streaming numbers. Unfortunately, these numbers were not enough to secure its continuation on the network.
The cancellation of Home Economics leaves ABC with only three comedies on its 2023-24 roster: Abbott Elementary, which follows the popular mockumentary format and is set in an elementary school; The Conners, which is a continuation of Rosanne; and the second-year show Not Dead Yet, which follows an accident-prone American expat in the United Kingdom.
Despite its dedicated fan base, Home Economics struggled with viewership during the 2022-23 season…
Home Economics was one of two shows still awaiting announcement on its fate. The other is The Rookie: Feds, which follows Special Agent Simone Clark, the FBI’s most senior rookie who is assigned to the LA field office. ABC has yet to announce what will become of this show starring Niecy Nash.
The uncertainty of whether shows like Home Economics and The Rookie: Feds would be renewed came after the film and television work pause caused by the recent Hollywood strikes. While writers have resumed work, the actors are still on strike, with negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers still being discussed.
The cancellation of Home Economics leaves ABC with only three comedies on its 2023-24 roster.
Because of this, many networks are shifting schedules, causing cancelations, like in the case of Home Economics, and delays like High Potential. High Potential received a series order from ABC in May with plans to release this fall, but now the network has announced the new crime drama will debut next year. High Potential stars Kaitlin Olson as a single mom with an extraordinary talent for solving crimes, which leads to an extraordinary partnership with a seasoned detective portrayed by Daniel Sunjata.
ABC’s decision to cancel Home Economics is a disappointment for fans who enjoyed watching Topher Grace appear in a television comedy again. However, the cancelation is just the tip of the iceberg with the fates of many other shows still hanging in the balance.
