Tim Allen, Joel McHale and More Stars React to Show Cancellations

Last week, NBC canceled its critically beloved drama Timeless. The news prompted a tweet-storm from creator Shawn Ryan in which he mourned the loss of the time-travel series. But then in an unprecedented move three days later, the network reversed its decision on the show, handing out a late — and utterly shocking — season-two renewal.

If only every broadcast showrunner could be so lucky. As it goes, this year’s pre-Upfronts bloodbath resulted in a swarm of cancellations — ones that, unlike Timeless, would actually stick. CBS said goodbye to long-running comedy 2 Broke Girls, while ABC axed Tim Allen’s sitcom Last Man Standing after six seasons on the air.

Among the hordes of other shows that won’t live to see another day: Fox’s Scream Queens and Rosewood, CBS’ The Odd Couple and The Great Indoors, NBC’s Blacklist: Redemption and Powerless, and ABC’s The Real O’Neals and The Catch. From Tim Allen to Jamie Lee Curtis, The Hollywood Reporter rounds up the actors’ most surprising reactions to news that their show had been axed.

Tim Allen

Amid uproar from the show’s conservative fan base that ABC canceled the comedy because of Allen’s political views, the former Home Improvement star had nothing to say publicly. But four days after the news was announced, Allen broke his silence on the matter, saying that he was “stunned and blindsided” by the Disney-owned network he “called home for the last six years.”

Stunned and blindsided by the network I called home for the last six years. #lastmanstanding

— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) May 16, 2017

Joel McHale

Given that CBS’ The Great Indoors had only been on the air for one season, The Soup vet’s response to the cancellation news was more tempered compared to Allen’s. On Instagram, he simply thanked the fans who tuned in for all 22 episodes of the millennial-centric comedy, along with a video from set.

 

Thx to all who tuned in for the 22 eps of The Great Indoors. Here’s @mintzplasse bearing-down after speaking w/ @christine_ko. Xoxo @deborahbakerjr @stephenfryactually @shaunbrown @misssusannahf @chris.williams_ @andrewhleeds @maggielawsonkoldyke

A post shared by Joel McHale (@joelmchale) on May 13, 2017 at 4:02pm PDT

Morris Chestnut

Rosewood lasted two seasons before Fox axed the procedural drama starring Chestnut. The actor took to Instagram to post a thoughtful message about the show and the various people who helped put it on the air. He called the Rosewood family an “extremely special group of people who will be friends forever.” Awww.

 

I am very grateful about the part that everyone took in Rosewood’s journey, because everyone was truly an integral part; the writers who crafted great story-lines, the actors who brought these stories to life, the production crew who sustained the show’s infrastructure, and the terrific fans who embraced this phenomenon and became just as much a part of Rosewood as anyone else. FOX provided a platform for a show that made strides in diversity and the positive images it projected as all-inclusive. We were able to peer into the lives of characters who displayed their hopes, dreams, courage and fears. Rosewood also helped reinforce a newer definition of Family, as a group of people who most care for and support one another. The #Rosewood family, itself was an Extremely Special group of people who’ll be friends forever. This is not only a part of the industry, it’s a part of life. When one door closes, two more can open… Thank you all for your continued #onelove and support. See you back on the screen, soon. Big and Small. #PEACE – MC

A post shared by Morris Chestnut (@morrischestnutofficial) on May 9, 2017 at 7:57am PDT

Kat Dennings

Dennings, one-half of the 2 Broke Girls pair, published a simple message on Twitter about the ending of the Michael Patrick King-created sitcom. She expressed how proud she was of her and her co-star Beth Behrs‘ time on the show and of all the things the experience has given them. “The most treasured,” she continued, “is our lifelong friendship.”

pic.twitter.com/aEKCqy5Jeq

— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) May 13, 2017

Beth Behrs

Not only did the other 2 Broke Girls lead post the same message on Twitter as Dennings, she also tweeted a sweet GIF of the two of them hugging it out on camera, along with a behind-the-scenes Polaroid picture from set. The latter read, “Family. Always.” with a broken heart emoji.

Family. Always.pic.twitter.com/iZEJvNbsHa

— Beth Behrs (@BethBehrs) May 13, 2017

Jamie Lee Curtis

While the rest of the Fox ensemble was silent on Scream Queens‘ demise, castmember Jamie Lee Curtis spoke out on Twitter with a goofy photo of her with devil ears and the major series spoiler, “It was me all along after all!” She also noted that she got to direct two episodes of the Ryan Murphy dramedy, adding of the experience: “I will miss these talented people!”

2 the fans & friends in front of & behind the mask I thank u 4 a fun & funny run. It was me all along after all!@ScreamQueens pic.twitter.com/fUeaAsmavt

— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 15, 2017

I got 2 direct an episode of @ScreamQueens The writing+acting+technical came together so well. I will miss these talented people! pic.twitter.com/Ap0ehS0tbC

— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) May 15, 2017

Thomas Lennon

Lennon, who starred in The Odd Couple alongside Matthew Perry, had the best cancellation joke of them all. He tweeted to The Great Indoors star Joel McHale, “Looks like we’re free and clear for #TrueDetective season 3.” McHale was clearly amused by the quip, and wrote back, “Sounds good … but I think we’re shoe-ins for the #BJandtheBear reboot. Who do you want to be?” Good one, guys.

Hey @joelmchale, looks like we’re free and clear for #TrueDetective season 3.

— Thomas Lennon (@thomaslennon) May 16, 2017

.@nicpizzolatto‘s #TrueDetective3 sounds good @thomaslennon but I think we’re shoe-ins for the #BJandtheBear reboot. Who do you want to be? pic.twitter.com/KyKqXAV3eq

— Joel McHale (@joelmchale) May 16, 2017