2016 TV Resolution: Learn When to Call It Quits

Emma Roberts - Scream Queens
Steve Dietl/FOX
SCREAM QUEENS: Emma Roberts as Chanel Oberlin in "Pilot," the first part of the special, two-hour series premiere of SCREAM QUEENS airing Tuesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Steve Dietl/FOX.

The TV Insider / TV Guide Magazine team sets their goals for small-screen viewing in the new year. See more 2016 TV Resolutions.

There’s way more to watch on television than we’ve ever had before. 2015 nearly doubled the amount of scripted shows than we had just six years ago (imagine the reality TV shows that have also risen in addition to these numbers). This is great, exciting news, especially for people working in television news. However, it also poses a problem: How do you choose what to watch?

This year, I struggled with that question, as I tried to give every single mildly-interesting pilot a season-long commitment. I made lists, subscribed to apps and filled my DVR, but it became too much. I stayed the course with shows I had previously enjoyed—even if they were losing their luster for me—and missed out on shows I wished I had actually committed to, like the sophomore seasons of Fargo and The Leftovers. Instead, I chose to watch a few half-baked MTV series that subsequently got cancelled, Scream Queens (Yes, really) and even How to Get Away With Murder‘s snore-worthy Season 2. I wish I had called it quits on a few shows, instead of forging on out of loyalty.

So starting in 2016, I will try my darnedest to stop watching a show when it stops being entertaining to me. Even though I’m nervous about letting go of shows I’ve watched for many seasons (Sleepy Hollow, anyone?), I’ve just got too many shows on my plate. It’s time for something fresh. But maybe, just maybe, if watching TV actually gets better again, I can always catch up on those old shows…right?

More New Year’s Resolutions