FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Failures and Cancellations Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Failures and Cancellations Quizzes, Trivia

Failures and Cancellations Trivia

Failures and Cancellations Trivia Quizzes

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. TV Trivia
  6. »
  7. Things in Common

Fun Trivia
23 quizzes and 235 trivia questions.
1.
The End of TV
  The End of TV    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Many TV shows have come and gone. Some with memorable endings. Can you name the TV show by the description of its final episode?
Average, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Dec 31 14
Average
Ilona_Ritter gold member
2161 plays
2.
  So What Happened in the End?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Your favorite TV series ended, perhaps many years ago. But can you recall what happened as the final episode drew to a close? Was the plot line resolved, perhaps in a surprising way or have you been left hanging? Let's find out! (May contain spoilers!)
Average, 10 Qns, MikeMaster99, Oct 11 15
Average
MikeMaster99 gold member
1104 plays
3.
  So Many TV Shows Canceled in 2006   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
...and it didn't end there. Ten more shows met an unfortunate end in 2006. See if you remember these shows which ceased production, closed up shop, and sold the props in this year. Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Jul 23 22
Tough
kyleisalive editor
Jul 23 22
708 plays
4.
  Your Show Is Slipping   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some TV shows get cancelled because of poor ratings, others go away just when we want more. Do you recognize these American TV shows that didn't make the grade?
Average, 10 Qns, CmdrK, Feb 20 15
Average
CmdrK gold member
531 plays
5.
  More TV Shows Canceled in 2006   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
More shows got the axe in 2006. See what happened to some of the more popular, and some of the lesser-known shows of 2006 which will never see a new episode again. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Mar 01 07
Average
kyleisalive editor
1240 plays
6.
  Loved but Lost   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to remember those shows we lost in the Rating's War. Even though these shows were with us a very short time, they have left an impact that will last forever.
Average, 10 Qns, spamster101, Dec 31 14
Average
spamster101
693 plays
7.
  One Season Blunders    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Match the actor to his/her one season TV show.
Average, 10 Qns, nyirene330, Dec 23 19
Average
nyirene330
Dec 23 19
247 plays
8.
  TV's Finest Failures    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In response to a request, this quiz regards some of the biggest flops and worst decisions in US television. Enjoy.
Tough, 10 Qns, RivkahChaya, Nov 08 15
Tough
RivkahChaya
528 plays
9.
  When The Television Series Ended    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All TV series come to an end eventually. What's next? Here's what happened when some TV series wrapped it up.
Tough, 10 Qns, JRooowe, Oct 29 17
Tough
JRooowe gold member
Oct 29 17
706 plays
10.
  More TV Shows Canceled in 2005   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I already made a quiz about shows canceled in 2005, and what do the networks do? They cancel more shows! See what you know about shows which got the axe in 2005. Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Dec 18 05
Tough
kyleisalive editor
1505 plays
trivia question Quick Question
Drawing on science fiction, Arthurian legend and Egyptian mythology, which TV series lasted for ten years before finally being shut down?

From Quiz "Your Show Is Slipping"




11.
  Television's Greatest Misses - Part 2   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The vast Graveyard of Television contains programs that were canceled after only a short time on the air. Here's a second helping of Television's Greatest Misses!
Tough, 10 Qns, cag1970, Jun 22 13
Tough
cag1970
649 plays
12.
  TV Shows Canceled in 2005    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
TV shows are canceled for various reasons including low ratings and low viewer support. This is a quiz about TV shows that didn't make the cut in 2005. Good luck!
Difficult, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, Oct 25 05
Difficult
kyleisalive editor
3781 plays
13.
  A Season of Magic, Mayhem, Mysticism, Or Madness    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This is a quiz on TV series that lasted a year or less (one season), and featured a subject matter of paranormal phenomenon, horror, mental confusion, etc. Please use imdb.com for help with these.
Tough, 15 Qns, Gamemaster1967, Oct 22 05
Tough
Gamemaster1967 gold member
446 plays
14.
  Short-lived TV Shows    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A quiz about TV shows that have never made it to that crucial second series.
Tough, 10 Qns, Islingtonian, Feb 24 05
Tough
Islingtonian
4344 plays
15.
  One and Done    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some TV shows are so bad, or so unlucky, that they only get aired once before being canceled. See how much you know about ten of the most unfortunate shows in TV history.
Difficult, 10 Qns, parrotman2006, Mar 29 15
Difficult
parrotman2006 gold member
314 plays
16.
  TV Shows Canceled in 2006    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Another year, more cancellations. In the first half of 2006, there were many shows canceled by different TV stations. What do you know about these shows that were canceled or ended in 2006. Good luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, kyleisalive, May 27 06
Tough
kyleisalive editor
866 plays
17.
  Television's Greatest Misses    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
There are hit series and series that miss. None of the TV shows in this quiz lasted more than two seasons. How much do you know about these short-lived wonders?
Very Difficult, 10 Qns, cag1970, Dec 31 14
Very Difficult
cag1970
1645 plays
18.
  The First Seasons Club    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Not every show can go on to become a success. This show is about those shows that are either one-season wonders or flops that never stood a chance. Good Luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, EJayViera, Jan 17 19
Tough
EJayViera
Jan 17 19
124 plays
19.
  Canceled Shows    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
For every 10 shows that get put on the air, about 1 make it to the next season. Here's a couple of canceled shows.
Tough, 10 Qns, billybob87, Feb 20 19
Tough
billybob87
Feb 20 19
2923 plays
20.
  Failed Television Pilots Part 2    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is another quiz on television pilots that you likely never saw.
Tough, 10 Qns, GoodVibe, Feb 24 05
Tough
GoodVibe gold member
400 plays
21.
  Failed Television Pilots Part 3    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here is yet another quiz on television pilots never picked up.
Tough, 10 Qns, GoodVibe, Mar 28 06
Tough
GoodVibe gold member
328 plays
22.
  Gone By Season's End    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A lot of shows get the chance to be on television. However, there are some that don't make it past the first season.
Difficult, 10 Qns, GoodVibe, Feb 24 05
Difficult
GoodVibe gold member
613 plays
23.
  Failed Television Pilots Part 1    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout the history of television, a lot of TV shows have never been seen, perhaps because the idea isn't all that great.
Difficult, 10 Qns, GoodVibe, Mar 21 06
Difficult
GoodVibe gold member
440 plays

Failures and Cancellations Trivia Questions

1. This show featured Karyn Parson, best known for playing Hillary Banks on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", alongside Lori Petty as two best friends determined to live life to the fullest, without a lot of money.

From Quiz
The First Seasons Club

Answer: "Lush Life" (1996)

Parson starred as Margo Hines, a woman who has never lived her own life before. She leaves her philandering husband after he reveals another one of his many trysts to her. She moves in with her best friend George, played by Petty, and the two have many adventures figuring out how to keep financially afloat. The show only lasted for seven episodes, with three unaired.

2. There were a number of shows spun off when the Mary Tyler Moore show ended its 7 year run. For Mary's friend "Rhoda", however, it happened after the fourth season of "MTM". Who appeared as a regular on that show?

From Quiz When The Television Series Ended

Answer: Julie Kavner

"Rhoda" was one of the spinoffs. Julie Kavner played Brenda Morgenstern, the sister of "Rhoda" in all 110 episodes of the show. Rhoda was played by Valerie Harper on both shows. Ted Knight played cartoonist Henry Rush in "Too Close For Comfort"... which was not a spinoff.

3. What future "Fall Guy" cast member was less successful with the show "Co-ed Fever" which went off the air after only one episode in 1979?

From Quiz One and Done

Answer: Heather Thomas

Heather Thomas played Sandi on "Co-Ed Fever" which was a rip-off of "National Lampoon's Animal House". The show starred David Keith and Alexa Kenin, and while eight episodes were produced, "Pepperoni Passion" was the only one to air, on February 4, 1979. Thomas had much more success as Jody Banks on "Fall Guy" which had 112 episodes.

4. If Wild Bill Hickok and Wyatt Earp showed up in your South Dakota town you might think it would be safe, but no, even they couldn't keep a certain TV western from being cancelled; which one?

From Quiz Your Show Is Slipping

Answer: Deadwood

Set in Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s, the show was fictional but occasionally used the names of real people of the times as characters. Shown on the HBO Network, it was produced by David Milch, who did most of the writing during its three seasons from 2004 to 2007. Even after winning eight Emmy Awards HBO didn't "cancel" the show, it just decided it wouldn't pay the actors for a fourth season. There were false hopes raised over the next few years but in 2012 everyone finally admitted the series was dead.

5. Running from March 6 to June 19, 1975, on NBC, "The Bob Crane Show" featured the late actor starring an insurance executive who quits his job to do what?

From Quiz Television's Greatest Misses - Part 2

Answer: Go to medical school

Although best known for is work on the CBS sitcom "Hogan's Heroes", Bob Crane appeared in a number of well-known TV programs before his untimely death in 1978. He was joined on this short-lived sitcom by the likes of prolific character actors Todd Susman (Officer Shiflett on "Newhart") and James Sutorius (Mike Andros of the short-lived journalism drama "The Andros Targets").

6. Which TV show, based on a Wesley Snipes film series, was canceled after a single season in 2006?

From Quiz So Many TV Shows Canceled in 2006

Answer: Blade

Written by one of the original writers of "The Dark Knight" and "Jumper", "Blade: The Series" was actually a very popular cable show (originally airing on the Spike TV Network). Despite extremely favorable ratings, the show was not renewed for a second season. It is speculated that the relative cost to produce the show, both in standard and high definition, was too much to continue with. Though Wesley Snipes did not return to reprise his role as the titular comic book hero, the role of Blade was taken by Kirk 'Sticky Fingaz' Jones, a hip-hop artist. The show was canceled in September 2006.

7. What "Full House" star also played the lead character in the canceled show "Jake in Progress"?

From Quiz More TV Shows Canceled in 2006

Answer: John Stamos

Although "Jake in Progress" didn't have the best first season, the show was picked up by ABC for a second season. What's the catch? ABC placed the show right after the major flop "Emily's Reasons Why Not" which only aired one episode before being canceled. Likewise, "Jake in Progress" was also removed from the schedule before ABC announced it had been canceled in May 2006.

8. "Emily's Reasons Why Not" was one of the first shows to be canceled in 2006, and it's one of the few shows to be canceled after airing a single episode! Who starred as Emily in this flop?

From Quiz TV Shows Canceled in 2006

Answer: Heather Graham

Although Heather lost this show rather quickly in mid-January, she performed guest roles on TV's "Scrubs", "Arrested Development", and "Sex and the City" over the previous years, and she was the co-star in the hit movie "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999). The show was about a woman (Emily) who wrote self-help books and turned to her friends in order to make lists of reasons as to why she should break up her relationships. After only 6.2 million viewers in the premiere episode, the show was immediately cut from ABC's schedule.

9. FOX released a show called "Reunion" which featured an episode for every year of the relationship of a group of friends. What year was the focus of the first episode?

From Quiz More TV Shows Canceled in 2005

Answer: 1986

The show was about six friends in 2006. One has been murdered, and the other five are all suspects in the case, but to figure out what really happened, they have to go back to every year over the past twenty years to find out what went wrong. FOX had the idea to run hour-long episodes to show one year (per episode), and when it was all over, they planned to have a new set of friends with a new problem. The show was canned in November due to low ratings in its very first season.

10. "M*A*S*H" spun off "Trapper John, M.D.," which ran from 1979-1986 and the less successful "AfterMASH," which ran from 1983-1985. Some fans may not know there was a third spin-off in 1984 that never became a series. Who starred in it?

From Quiz Failed Television Pilots Part 3

Answer: Gary Burghoff

Burghoff was in the pilot "W*A*L*T*E*R", where he would reprise his role as Radar. In this one, Radar became a police officer. The pilot was shown on 17 July 1984. It was shown in the eastern United States, but delayed in the west because of the Democratic National Convention.

11. FOX kicked off the cancellations of the 2005-2006 fall season with a show about two lawyers coping with personal problems while working together in court. What show was this?

From Quiz TV Shows Canceled in 2005

Answer: Head Cases

A successful lawyer who suffers a nervous breakdown and a somewhat unsuccessful lawyer he meets at a mental wellness clinic team up to bring justice to the courts in this "Ally McBeal" of the twenty-first century. Chris O'Donnell and Adam Goldberg teamed up in only two episodes of FOX's would-be hit, but the station took the axe to "Head Cases" after extremely low ratings.

12. Trying to capitalize on the success of the movie "Animal House", ABC rolled out "Delta House" in January 1979. Which actor, who played Dean Vernon Wormer in the movie, also played the same role in the short-lived TV series?

From Quiz Television's Greatest Misses

Answer: John Vernon

A versatile character actor who appeared in numerous movies and TV shows during his career, John Vernon (real name Adolphus Agopsowicz) played the sinister dean of Faber College in both "Animal House" and "Delta House". John Belushi was unavailable to reprise the role of Bluto Blutarsky for the series, and that may have contributed to its short lifespan. The last of the fifteen half-hour episodes of "Delta House" aired on ABC in April, 1979.

13. In 2001, CBS put out "Danny," which was so bad, it only lasted two episodes. What Danny starred in "Danny"?

From Quiz Gone By Season's End

Answer: Daniel Stern

Daniel Stern was "Marv" in the first two "Home Alone" movies.

14. What was the 1977 pilot "Bunco" about?

From Quiz Failed Television Pilots Part 2

Answer: Policemen

"Bunco" starred Tom Selleck and Robert Urich.

15. NBC attempted to air an American version of the popular British show "Red Dwarf," a series centered around the last living human being on earth living in space. When was this idea given the thumbs down?

From Quiz Failed Television Pilots Part 1

Answer: 1992

Two pilots were made of the show. Craig Bierko, the actor who played doomed human Dave Lister, turned down a chance to play Chandler Bing on "Friends."

16. Which 1983 series starred Simon McCorkindale as a man who could change into animals?

From Quiz Short-lived TV Shows

Answer: Manimal

In theory, the hero had the ability to change into any animal he chose. However, the show plainly didn't have much of a budget, so he seemed only ever to change into a hawk or a puma. Perhaps that's why it only lasted 8 episodes.

17. This show featured Eddie Cahill as a writer trying to solve a different crime each week.

From Quiz Canceled Shows

Answer: "Glory Days"

It was written by Kevin Williamson of "Dawson's Creek", and was canceled after only one season (2002).

18. In 1960, "Father Knows Best" ended after 204 episodes. Shortly thereafter Robert Young was back on television playing a writer who returns to his home town. What was that show?

From Quiz When The Television Series Ended

Answer: Window On Main Street

This mild comedy/drama only lasted one season. In 1969, after several years of relative inactivity, he returned to television in his Emmy winning role as Marcus Welby.

19. "Pink Lady & Jeff" ran for six episodes in 1980, before it was mercifully cancelled. Who or what was Pink Lady?

From Quiz TV's Finest Failures

Answer: A Japanese pop singing duo who spoke no English

Kei and Mie were two women from Japan who formed a duo named Pink Lady. In their native country, they filled stadia with clamoring fans, and so Fred Silverman, a producer at NBC thought they'd be able to bring American viewers to the TV for an hour every week as hosts of a variety show. He neglected to find out whether they spoke English. When it turned out they didn't, Sliverman was not deterred; he hired stand-up comic Jeff Altman to join them, and do most of the talking, while Kei and Mie supplied a few lines memorized phonetically, plus a song or two learned the same way. Once in a while, they'd sing in Japanese, and the audience got a sense of what Japanese audiences loved so much, but they were less charming when they had no idea what they were saying, and the show fell flatter than one of Jeff Altman's falls into a hot tub, fully clothed in his tux, which was a running joke on the show. Really.

20. Pop singer Melba Moore's attempt at a sitcom in the mid-1980s was doomed by what event happening the same day as the show's premiere?

From Quiz One and Done

Answer: The space shuttle Challenger explosion

"Melba" premiered on January 28, 1986. Unfortunately, the Challenger had exploded only hours earlier, leading "Melba" to have the lowest ratings in the history of any first-run television program. "Melba" was a family sitcom by CBS that was attempting to capture some of the same audience as "The Cosby Show". The first episode of "Melba" was titled "Manhunt". Eight episodes were produced, and they were aired in August and September of 1986, to very low ratings. Chernobyl happened April 26, the Berlin bombing occurred April 5, and Geraldo's disastrous (but non-fatal) opening of the Capone vault happened on April 21.

21. A TV western show in space? Yippie-ki-yi-yay pardner! But a western in the sense that the characters were outcasts on the fringes of a newly-settled star system. Which show was it, named after the class of ship the crew flew in?

From Quiz Your Show Is Slipping

Answer: Firefly

"Firefly" was on the Fox Network in 2002 and only lasted for 11 of its planned 14 episodes. Director and writer Joss Whedon used the premise that 500 years in the future technology will have advanced but we will still have the same social problems we do now. It ranked in the top 100 in the Nielsen ratings but Fox pulled the plug. Despite that, its DVD sales were strong when released and in 2013 "TV Guide" named it number five on its list of 60 "Cancelled Too Soon" shows.

22. The sitcom "Shaping Up" didn't shape up to be a hit for ABC, running from March 20 to April 17, 1984. What actor, best known for his comedic work in another short-lived sitcom, "Police Squad", played health-club owner Buddy Fox in this show?

From Quiz Television's Greatest Misses - Part 2

Answer: Leslie Nielsen

All four men listed in this question appeared in the short-lived "Police Squad", itself the basis of the very successful series of "Naked Gun" movies. Alan North played Captain Ed Hocken; Ed Williams played police scientist Ted Olson; and in the opening credits, Rex Hamilton played an Abraham Lincoln who shoots back at a would-be assassin. But it was Leslie Nielsen, whose roles widely varied during his career, who drew the short straw with "Shaping Up". Also appearing with him on that short-lived show were future poker champion Jennifer Tilly (as aerobics instructor Shannon Winters) and Miss Universe 1980 Shawn Weatherly (as aerobics instructor Melissa McDonald).

23. Hosted by William Shatner, what game show met its end in December 2006?

From Quiz So Many TV Shows Canceled in 2006

Answer: Show Me the Money

Armed with a group of thirteen female dancers, William Shatner would spout the words 'Show Me the Money' and the show (and dancing) would begin. Essentially, players would need to answer trivia questions in order to select a dancer, each with a respective amount of money ranging from $20,000 to $250,000, to earn over a million. Correct answers add money to the final pot though only the six highest dollar amounts earned would count. If a player incorrectly guessed the answer, that amount would be taken away from the total (sometimes giving a negative balance). If that player encountered the one Killer Card held by one of the dancers, the game would go into Sudden Death mode and the player could potentially lose it all. ABC dropped the show from its mid-season line-up after sharply declining ratings. Only seven episodes made it to air over the show's brief run.

24. In the canceled "Friends" spin-off "Joey", which relative is prominently featured in the episodes?

From Quiz More TV Shows Canceled in 2006

Answer: His sister

Although "Friends" was canceled less than a year earlier, Matt LeBlanc returned and reprised his role as the ladies man, Joey Tribbiani in the NBC comedy "Joey". The show took Joey to Los Angeles where he moved in with his sister and nephew. After two seasons, "Joey" was canceled by NBC when it became the lowest-rated show on the four major networks. It was pulled from the air and announced canceled by May 2006.

25. Which FOX show about the San Francisco Deviant Crimes Unit, was canceled in January 2006?

From Quiz TV Shows Canceled in 2006

Answer: Killer Instinct

Of course, all of these shows were canceled, and two of them were by FOX. "Threshold", a show based around a government agency to stop aliens, was canceled by CBS in 2005. "The Inside", was a FOX show starring Alec Baldwin, and it was canceled in the summer (also in 2005). "Wanted" was a TNT drama about cops in Los Angeles, and like "Killer Instinct", it left in January 2006. Before being canceled, "Killer Instinct" aired nine episodes on FOX (with four remaining), and it was about a police unit in charge of seeking out and solving deviant crimes in San Francisco.

26. What TV show about four real estate agents was canceled by ABC in November 2005?

From Quiz More TV Shows Canceled in 2005

Answer: Hot Properties

Another show gets the axe in the first season. "Hot Properties" was created by one of the minds behind the popular show, "Frasier", but this show never managed to take off. The show was set in Manhattan as four friends/co-workers/real estate agents solve business and personal problems together. This show was kicked off due to low ratings (once again).

27. What year was a pilot based on the movie "L.A. Confidential" made?

From Quiz Failed Television Pilots Part 3

Answer: 2003

Kiefer Sutherland was Jack Vincennes. HBO was originally supposed to have a 13-part miniseries, but negotiations failed. Fox then produced the pilot, but did not pick up the series.

28. In 1987, NBC tried "The Tortellis," but that only lasted 13 episodes. What show did "The Tortellis" spin from?

From Quiz Gone By Season's End

Answer: Cheers

"The Tortellis" centered around Loretta, the former waitress. Loretta was played by Jean Kasem, who is Casey Kasem's wife.

29. What broadway legend and Tony award winner starred in the 1991 CBS pilot "Acting Sheriff?"

From Quiz Failed Television Pilots Part 2

Answer: Robert Goulet & Goulet

Goulet played Brent McCord, a washed-up actor who became a small-town sheriff.

30. Network executives gave a big thumbs down to "LAX 2194," a show centered around airport workers at Los Angeles International Airport 200 years in the future. Who was on that failed show?

From Quiz Failed Television Pilots Part 1

Answer: Ryan Stiles

Matthew Perry and Kelly Hu also starred in the flop.

This is category 13128
Last Updated Mar 23 2024 5:47 AM
play trivia = Top 5% Rated Quiz, take trivia quiz Top 10% Rated Quiz, test trivia quiz Top 20% Rated Quiz, popular trivia A Well Rated Quiz
new quizzes = added recently, editor pick = Editor's Pick editor = FunTrivia Editor gold = Gold Member

Teachers / educators: FunTrivia welcomes the use of our website and quizzes in the classroom as a teaching aid or for preparing and testing students. See our education section. Our quizzes are printable and may be used as question sheets by k-12 teachers, parents, and home schoolers.

 ·  All questions, answers, and quiz content on this website is copyright FunTrivia, Inc and may not be reproduced without permission. Any images from TV shows and movies are copyright their studios, and are being used under "fair use" for commentary and education.