3 Shows that Need to be Canceled Immediately

October 5, 7:56 PMSalt Lake City TV ExaminerAllen Glines

1. Hank (ABC)

A third network decided to give Kelsey Grammer another chance after his FOX comedy "Back to You" got canceled, and his iconic NBC shows "Frasier" and "Cheers" ran their course, firmly establishing Grammer as a television icon.  ABC's "Hank" premiered with promise and uncertainty on September 30. 

Viewers who blinked during the brief time "Back to You" was on the air only remembered Grammer's track record during the 20 years he played the role of Dr. Frasier Crane.  They gave him the benefit of the doubt for the large hit he took with the failure of his last show, and wanted to bring him back in.  Based on what we've seen so far, "Hank" will make Grammer's post-Frasier success record 0-2.

The loud laugh track, subpar writing, and uninteresting acting lead to a very unsatisfying viewing experience.  Grammer doesn't need to prove anything, and he has his two producing gigs with "The Game" and "Medium" to fall back on.  If "Hank" is any indication of future production, it's time for retirement from acting for Grammer.
 

2. The Cleveland Show (FOX)

Based on "Family Guy" and "American Dad," Seth McFarlane's "The Cleveland Show" came highly anticipated, and the ratings are looking excellent.  However, since it has its two more successful counterparts propping it up, you can't look at the current numbers as being conclusive because it's not on its own.  Air it on a different night, and I doubt it would succeed.

"The Cleveland Show" borrows the same format of "Family Guy," except it tries to urbanize it with disasterous results.  Many of the supporting characters don't bring a lot to the table like Stewie, Lois, Brian, Meg, Quagmire, and Joe.  The main character, Cleveland Brown, wasn't even the second funniest character on the original show.

McFarlane's reign has run its course.  Let him have his other shows, but don't let it spread any further.

3. Brothers (FOX)

Search for "Brothers" on IMDB, and you will find 32 exact title matches, which doesn't lend much to this show's battle for originality.  The show could have the best writing on television, but when your two main stars are Michael Strahan, a retired football player whose previous television experience consists of one episode of "Chuck," and Daryl Mitchell, who has had a solid career, but hasn't had a decent role in five years, you're doomed.  A show needs remarkable faces to succeed.

Emmy-nominated actress CCH Pounder lends her hand in the mayhem, but her excellence cannot make up for the fact that the rest of the cast is unremarkable.  The show has some laughs, but they're few and far between in addition to ripping off shows like "King of Queens" and "My Wife and Kids."  All of this put together will lead to a short-lived, forgettable television misadventure.