What's HOT & What's NOT: The state of Prime-Time television.

I'm sure it has got me into trouble more then once but I've never been afraid to share my opinion....

We've once again entered that time of year when television network executives breakout their sharpies and start "stroking off" their lists, I'm of course referring to their list of series that won't be returning in the fall. And in a world that seems to be dominated by reality television, once again this year two of the shows that I've found myself firmly attached to will not be coming back.

Lucifer is the one that I think has really upset me, it's true that season three seemed to fall off the rails a little with the whole Sinner-man story-arc, but generally speaking the series was a well-written & performed diversion to an otherwise stagnant Monday night lineup. 

The news that they would not be picked up for a fourth season seemed to take the cast and crew off-guard as well, with the hashtags #SaveLucifer and #PickupLucifer going viral on social media within a matter of hours. 

And without ruining the series finale for anyone who has yet to see it, showrunner Joe Henderson recently told Deadline that "His team created a huge cliffhanger" that's going to "Frustrate the hell out of fans so that there was no way Fox could cancel us".

Unfortunately Henderson was only 50% right, his team created a huge cliffhanger, but Fox pulled the plug and unless another network steps in to save them, fans will truly be frustrated with the unexpected series finale.

Last week when ABC decided to cancel Designated Survivor it was less then surprising.

The series which stars Kiefer Sutherland has suffered multiple turnovers as a number of cast and crew have gone through a revolving door during its two years on television. And although this series started off strong - telling the story of a man thrust into unexpected power after a horrible terrorist attack, anyone can see that it has lost its way during the course of the second season.

What made this series so compelling during season one has ultimately harmed it during season two, the lack of a conspiracy and a true villain. In my personal opinion, had the writers not introduced Terry Serpico's character, Patrick Lloyd as a rich industrialist then the second season could have been about discovering who funded the man behind the attack on Washington D.C

Having said that, The Hollywood Reporter has recently suggested that talks are underway with Netflix to revive the series for a third season with its fifth showrunner in two years. They may also want to consider talking to some new writers or their run on the video streaming service might be a short lived one. 

On the plus side, Gotham has been confirmed for its Fifth and final season. The series which has taken a unique approach to the DC Batman story, focusing on a young Bruce Wayne prior to dawning the cape and cowl, was one of many shows that Fox was rumored to be cutting.

However Variety has confirmed that the Warner Brothers produced show will be given the green-light for one final run so that fans can witness Young Master Wayne finally suit up and seize his future legacy.

And with The CW renewing both Supernatural and it's entire DC lineup of shows, my options for series to continue binge watching has never been better.... Now if The CW would only pick up Lucifer that would be perfect!

Outside of a few shows where a decision has yet to be made you can click here to see a complete list of what will and will not be returning in the fall. Let us know in the comments below what cuts have truly disappointed you and remember to join in on the conversation on the CanGeek Community Page.

Thanks for reading.

What's Next For Designated Survivor?

I generally try to avoid political dramas as a form of entertainment, with so much happening in the "Real World" I need not look any further than the six o'clock news if I want to become both disgusted and depressed. 

With that fact in mind I have never watched House of Cards or The West Wing, although many friends and family members have regularly recommended these shows to me. 

But there was something different about Designated Survivor, it was obvious from the beginning that this was not going to be your typical political drama. This story was going to focus on a conspiracy of epic proportions, one which would bring a nation to its knees as a government was dismantled and a man with no political ambitions was thrust into the most demanding role in the world.

This looked like a series that I could get behind, plus it starred Kiefer Sutherland so how could you really go wrong?

The first season didn't disappoint. 

As the designated survivor Sutherland's character Tom Kirkman was flung into the presidency when a homegrown terrorist attack leveled Washington's Capital Building and eliminated the bulk of the United States Government during the State Of The Union address.   

Kirkman would immediately be faced with many challenges, transitioning his family to the White House, navigating the minefield that is a political life in Washington, restoring the trust of a demoralized nation, and bringing those responsible for this attack to justice.

This did not feel like your typical political drama, and by the time season one drew to a close I was already eagerly anticipating season two and the journey that the writers would continue to take us on. 

That wait came to an end last night as season two began with a giant leap forward!

It has been a year since the events that began the series transpired, the Kirkman administration has rebuilt that which was destroyed at a considerable expense, the wealthy ringleader behind the attack has been identified and is now on the run, and the American people have begun to lose faith in Tom Kirkman and his ability to lead.

Last nights episode found the States being drawn into a conflict between Russia and Chechnya with American civilians being used as leverage, but as the episode concluded it saw Patrick Lloyd, the terrorist leader played by Terry Serpico sneaking back into Washington D.C.

The return of Lloyd to Washington is in my opinion the catalyst that will propel season two forward. Because at its core it is this homegrown conflict that made season one so enjoyable, and it is that same tension that the shows producers will need in order to not only have a successful second season but to also hopefully be renewed for a third season as well.

Are you watching Designated Survivor?  If so, let us know in the comments below what your hopes are for season two and please remember to follow us on social media via our website at cangeek.com