‘Single Parents,’ ‘Schooled’ & More Casts and Creators React to ABC Cancellations
ABC is preparing for 2020-2021 by revealing which of its shows will (and won’t) be returning for another season at the network.
The casualties? Single Parents, Schooled, Bless This Mess, Emergence, and Kids Say the Darndest Things have officially been canceled. Needless to say, the news came as a shock to fans and the casts and creators took to social media to react and respond.
While it’s never easy to say goodbye, most social posts conveyed gratitude for the chance to bring these shows to viewers. “Breaking protocol,” Schooled‘s co-creator Adam F. Goldberg wrote on Twitter shortly before the cancellation embargo, “[I] wanted the @goldnerds to hear it from me. @SchooledABC won’t get a season 3. Big hugs to our brilliant cast, crew & writers.”
I’m breaking protocol, but wanted the @goldnerds to hear it from me. @SchooledABC won’t get a season 3. Big hugs to our brilliant cast, crew & writers. I’m beyond grateful to Karey Burke and @ABCNetwork for giving us 35 episodes to show that teachers like CB are the real heroes. pic.twitter.com/ox7piI5tcO
— Adam F. Goldberg (@adamfgoldberg) May 21, 2020
Meanwhile, the stars and creators of Single Parents had nothing but love for one another, as co-creator J.J. Philbin thanked fans while #savesingleparents began trending on Twitter shortly after the axing. “To everyone who watched, thank you for the support,” she wrote. “And to my @singleparentstv family — that wasn’t a job, that was a pleasure. I’ll miss you so much.”
Philbin’s husband Mike Schur (The Good Place, Parks and Recreation) also voiced his thoughts on the news, tweeting in support of saving the series. “My wife and an incredibly talented team of actors, writers, and crew members people made a great comedy… and it more than deserves to have another season! #savesingleparents.”
My wife and an incredibly talented team of actors, writers, and crew members people made a great comedy for @ABCNetwork and it more than deserves to have another season! #savesingleparents @SingleParentsTV
— Ken Tremendous (@KenTremendous) May 21, 2020
Star Taran Killam lamented the show’s loss on Instagram, sharing a sweet cast picture alongside the caption, “Bummed to not be telling more stories with these characters but overwhelmingly grateful to be given the opportunity to do it in the first place.”
Killam’s costars Jake Choi and Kimrie Lewis also posted some messages with a similar sentiment on their own Instagram pages.
Elizabeth Meriwether, who co-created both Single Parents and Bless This Mess, likened the news to Game of Thrones‘ infamous Red Wedding, “Two shows canceled in one day? I get the message, ABC! This is my broadcast Red Wedding,” she joked. “But seriously, folks, thank you so much for watching these shows. We loved making them. We loved writing them.”
Bless This Mess stars Lake Bell and Dax Shepard shared some messages on the cancellation, offering a humorous perspective on the news.
I got pooped on by 7 different species of animals, got stabbed by Jim O’Hare while dressed like a buck, smushed my face in @daxshepard buttcheeks while he ran around sweating, got catapulted into a freezing pond with non-potable water & I’d do it all again. ❤️ @lizmeriwether pic.twitter.com/QR5urfjt5h
— Lake Bell (@lakebell) May 22, 2020
I’m trying to focus on the positives: they chose a satisfactory pic of me for this announcement :) https://t.co/FkCmaLkvX8
— dax shepard (@daxshepard) May 22, 2020
Their costar JT Neal also reflected on his experience with the show, posting a heartfelt message to fans of Bless This Mess.
Meanwhile, Emergence‘s Ashley Aufderheide shared a photo with a caption mentioning how much she misses her TV family.
Only time will tell if the fan campaigns can save these axed titles, until then, let us know what you think about the cancellations in the comments below.
