As the 2026 television season kicks off, it is set to showcase a blend of returning favourites and new offerings. However, the landscape also bears the hallmark of recent setbacks, with several sitcoms experiencing untimely cancellations. Among the notable shows that will not see another season are Fox’s “Going Dutch,” NBC’s “Stumble,” and CBS’s “DMV.”
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The upcoming weeks promise excitement for viewers as beloved series such as ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” prepare to return with fresh episodes. At the same time, NBC will launch its new sitcom “Newlyweds,” designed to attract comedy enthusiasts. Nonetheless, viewers may find themselves grappling with loss, as they bid farewell to a handful of series that did not last beyond their first seasons.
“Stumble,” a mockumentary-style sitcom starring Taran Killam and Jenn Lyon, along with Kristin Chenoweth in a recurring role, was one of the shows to suffer cancellation. The decision came in May, with NBC deeming the series one of their least-viewed offerings. Lisa Katz, president of scripted content at NBC, conveyed her disappointment over the show’s fate. In an interview, she emphasised her affection for the project, declaring, “Creatively, we loved this show… we’re incredibly proud of it, and think it had so much humour and so much heart.”
The series concluded with its season finale airing in March 2026, but efforts are already underway to secure another platform for the show. Co-writer Liz Astrof took to Instagram to share her determination to continue the journey of “Stumble.” Emphasising her belief in the show’s potential, she stated, “We CAN. We WILL. We MUST… find another home for our #stumble family.”
Following closely behind is “DMV,” a workplace comedy that offered a comedic glimpse into the daily lives of employees at a Department of Motor Vehicles office in East Hollywood. The show, featuring talents like Tim Meadows and Harriet Dyer, also fell victim to cancellation after only one season. Network president Amy Reisenbach addressed its removal with a sense of realism, acknowledging the tough choices networks must make amid shifting viewer preferences and ratings. She noted, “It’s a high bar on CBS… we have to make those tough decisions in order to make room for new shows.”
“DMV” aired its final episode in May, closing the chapter on its short-lived existence. The series struggled to attract a significant audience and ultimately could not meet the competitive standards set by other programmes in the network.
Another casualty of the cancellation wave has been “Going Dutch,” which starred Denis Leary as a disgraced colonel assigned to a underperforming military base in the Netherlands. Despite its unique premise, the sitcom struggled to capture audience attention, logging an average of fewer than two million live viewers weekly. Fox officially announced the show’s cancellation in early May, promptly following the conclusion of its second season in April.
Critics have noted that Fox has been gradually pivoting away from scripted shows in favour of unscripted content, including game shows, as the network evaluates its programming strategy going forward. The changing tides of television consumption have led many networks to rethink which shows to keep on their schedules, often prioritising those that resonate more strongly with viewers.
As the networks navigate these shifts, the future of comedies like “Stumble,” “DMV,” and “Going Dutch” hangs in the balance. Creators remain hopeful for a revival elsewhere, while audiences must adapt to the ever-evolving television landscape.
Amidst the sweet anticipation of new comedies and the return of established favourites, there is also an undeniable tinge of sadness over the series that have been cut short. It remains to be seen whether these shows will find new homes or if they will become mere footnotes in the extensive history of sitcoms. What is certain is that this season will offer a mixture of nostalgia and novelty to comedy enthusiasts, who will embrace what comes next while remembering what has been lost.