‘Emergence’ among 4 ABC shows canceled for 2020-21, ‘For Life’ renewal remains uncertain

The ongoing pandemic has resulted in a lot of uncertainty surrounding the production of television shows. On Thursday (May 21), ABC announced its schedule for 2020-21 and it comes as rather sad news with some shows being canceled, while the fate of a few left hanging up in the air. 

The shows returning with new seasons include 'American Wife with Season 5, 'Black-ish' Season 7, 'Mixed-ish' Season 2, 'The Conners' Season 3, 'The Goldbergs' Season 8, 'A Million Little Things' Season 3 and 'The Rookie' Season 3, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

While Cobie Smulders’s freshman series ‘Stumptown’ is said to return with a Season 2, ABC’s other recent rookie drama ‘Emergence’ is among a few other shows that have been canceled, including the sophomore comedies ‘Bless This Mess’, ‘Single Parents’ and ‘Schooled’.

And a few shows, including 50 Cent’s ‘For Life’ and ‘The Baker and the Beauty’ are hanging by the thread as no news regarding their renewal or cancellation is available. Meanwhile ‘United We Fall’ is reportedly awaiting its premiere date. 

The network has confirmed a series order for ‘The Big Sky’ and ‘Call Your Mother’. However, both the shows couldn’t shoot their respective pilot episodes before the production came to halt. Reportedly, the network’s current scripted volume is about half of what it was in the schedule for the 2019-20 season. 

Meanwhile, ‘Kids Say’ and ‘Darndest Things’ are two of ABC's unscripted shows that have been canceled. However, ‘The Bachelor’ will be returning with Season 25, ‘Dancing With the Stars’ with Season 29, ‘Shark Tank’ Season 12 and ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ will make a comeback with Season 2. 

ABC Entertainment president Burke told in a statement, “At a time when we are physically apart and shared experiences matter more than ever, these shows will build on the strategy that has made us No. 1 this season — bringing people together, creating cultural moments and making content that entertains and inspires across generations and demographics.”

“Our top priority now is to work with our studio partners to ensure a safe return to production so that we can build on the strong momentum of a winning lineup with measured bets on new series that will invigorate our air and continue to deliver the quality programming that our viewers have come to expect and love,” he added.