‘Go On’ won’t. ‘The New Normal’ was too different. NBC killed them both off

Why'd you whack my shows, Peacock?

Why’d you whack my shows, Peacock?

It’s the time of year when the networks announce to the world who made the 2013-14 team and who got cut.

Bad news for me this year, on the list of shows hit by NBC’s hatchet.

Two shows in particular earned my audible “oh, no!”

Bye-bye, “Go On” and “The New Normal,” two comedies that deserved more than the one season given to them by the Peacock.

Both involved a big name surrounded by a talented ensemble. Both made my like the characters. Both made me laugh.

If you haven’t watched — and that’s a pretty good assumption considering the hatchet-swingers supposedly base these decisions on ratings and the advertising dollars that are tied to them — here’s a very brief summation of what these two little-comedies-that-could were all about.

Matthew Perry starred as a radio sports show host who had just lost his wife. The funny people around him formed his grief support group — “Go On,” get it — and closest radio show colleagues. Perry made me like him. Under the snark and snarl was a big heart. The way they all cared for each other was really pretty sweet.

Ellen Barkin was the star power, but the bigoted grandma who fancied herself a player was really just a bit player in “The New Normal,” and arguably the least liked character or the bunch. Her granddaughter, Goldie, agreed to surrogate the child of two committed and engaging gay men. Goldie’s eccentric pre-teen daughter Shania was a blast. They became one interesting extended family, and, again, the way they all cared for each other was really pretty sweet.

Both already had their finales. Perry’s character, Ryan King, spread what remained of his wife’s ashes in the batting cage where they’d had their first date. Bryan and David got married, and Goldie delivered their son.

I wanted to see more.

Click for a full accounting of which shows got the hatchet.

Any favorites?

And, oh … enjoy the long-ago-announced series finale of “The Office” tomorrow night. That’s the way a great show is supposed to go out.

2 thoughts on “‘Go On’ won’t. ‘The New Normal’ was too different. NBC killed them both off

    • Hi Dee, I was never into the 24/Touch cycle of Sutherland … But, another cancellation I doth protest is “Southland,” scorchinginy realistic LA cop drama that started on NBC and swtiched to TNT for four more seasons. Speaking of TNT, why, oh, why is a cable network series seem to be about 10 episodes compared to broadcast network’s 22? Thanks for reading. Mark

      Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.