‘United States of Al’ Canceled After Two Seasons
It’s the end of the road for the Chuck Lorre-produced United States of Al, as CBS has decided to cancel the comedy series after two seasons.
According to Deadline, the eye network made the calls to inform the show’s higher-ups on Wednesday evening. The sophomore sitcom was one of two Lorre-produced comedies on the bubble, alongside B Positive, which has a better chance of renewal in light of Al‘s cancellation. If B Positive is picked up, it will join Lorre’s Young Sheldon and Bob Hearts Abishola on the 2022-23 schedule.
United States of Al was created by David Goetsch and Maria Ferrari and revolved around Al (Adhir Kalyan), an interpreter from Afghanistan who moves to Columbus, Ohio, with his friend Riley (Parker Young), a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. The show follows the pair as they readjust to their regular lives in America, with Al making it his mission to help Riley reconcile with his estranged wife, Vanessa (Kelli Goss).
In addition to Kalyan, Young, and Goss, the series also starred Dean Norris as Art Dugan, Elizabeth Alderfer as Lizzie Dugan, Farrah Mackenzie as Hazel Dugan, Brian Thomas Smith as Freddy, Rachel Bay Jones as Lois, Azita Ghanizada as Ariana, Amanda Payton as Holly, Blake Clark as Wayne, and John Ross Bowie as Professor Brett Williams.
The series premiered on April 1, 2021, and was initially met with criticism for its stereotypical portrayals, use of antiquated tropes, and casting of an Indo-South African actor to play an Afghan lead. However, others praised the show for its attempts to diversify television and the way it reflected the U.S.’ withdrawal form Afghanistan.
Season 2 still has two remaining episodes, with the series finale slated to air Thursday, May 19.
United States of Al, Thursdays, 8:30/7:30c, CBS
Conversation23 Comments
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G
Why are all the good shows cancelled after 2 seasons while so called reality shows fill up the schedule. I hope another network picks up the show. I really enjoyed it.
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P
Reality shows are much cheaper to produce than scripted shows. If they draw anywhere near the number of viewers as a scripted show the profit margin is far bigger.
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P
I hate to hear this. I love this show!
13 3
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O
One of the highest rated shows you have & you cancelled it? WHY? This sucks. PLEASE RENEW!!!!!!!!! Or please someone else pick this show up! I would change the channel to get to keep watching this show.
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C
This was a great show. Very funny. Why cancel it? There’s too many reality shows on. B positive should be cancelled before this one. Keep United States of Al and keep Magnum PI. Two shows that shouldn’t have been on the chopping block
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P
The infidelity was really wrong for a show that airs at 7:30 P.M.
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O
I will seriously miss "Al"--Can only hope CBS reconsiders cancelling it!!
10 3
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G
Is an excellent show. If you like a show, stupid people will cancel it!
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O
The premise was such a weak, contrived formula that it collapsed under its own weight. I watched it and kept cringing because it was a forced social messaging vessel. It failed and even Hollywood bagged it - when they could have kept it. It’s Hollywood! It was a loser. Next!
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A
"Forced social messaging vessel"? Really?! You could have just said it wasn't funny and left it at that...
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G
Subliminal brainwashing/forced social messaging=potato/potahto. Still far left propaganda.
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A
Says you!
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O
Infidelity has no place on a family comedy that airs in early prime time. Good riddance.
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O
Oh look another christian taliban member trying to force their backwards stone age religious beliefs on the entire country. Wish people like you would die the world would be a far better place.
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G
Good riddance. CBS has a dearth of actually funny comedies. Most of their comedies are dumb and silly, and not even remotely funny. The only one I watch is The Neighborhood, which I find hysterical. Occasionally, I watch Young Sheldon. That one's very funny, too. B Positive was better this season, but still not must watch tv. The rest are awful.
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A
I was never enamored of "The Neighborhood". I preferred the show that followed it: "Bob Hearts Abisola". And I definitely thought "B Positive" was must watch TV especially when they had leading lady Annaleigh Ashford singing the theme song every week!
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P
Good. When will the networks broadcast, cable and streaming realize that catering to the liberal agenda by dishing up forced diversity or vulgar and prurient programming doesn't last for long. Viewers are flocking to PBS, Britbox and Acorn for quality TV. Go back to traditional values and stop catering to the lowest common denominator.
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A
If you count "SNL" among the "forced diversity or vulgar and prurient programming", know that it's been on for 47 years and counting!
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G
Not during prime time when kids are watching. SNL was on late night for decades [10:30 P.M. in most markets.
5 1
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A
Kids stay up late on weekends too as I did when under-12 during the late '70s/early '80s...
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B
So “diversity” is synonymous with “lowest common denominator” in your narrow-minded view? I thoroughly enjoyed this show, especially the idea that the American soldier and his Afghan interpreter had such a close bond.
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G
You probably cheered for the adultery too. We have your measure.
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A
I guess you expect shows like "Little House on the Prarire" and "The Waltons" will return too but that's what cable reruns are for...
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