Another promising new series that won’t be returning next season is Shawn Ryan’s cop drama The Chicago Code. In addition to dropping Breaking In and Human Target, Fox has also decided not to renew TCC. Considering this was the series that renewed my interest in the crime-fighting/solving TV dramas, to say I’m disappointed is an understatement.
HitFix’s Alan Sepinwall got the exclusive on this news, having been in touch with Chicago Code creator Shawn Ryan who confirmed that Fox Broadcasting Entertainment President Kevin Reilly delivered the bad news to him today. While The Chicago Code won’t be on the schedule next season. Rest assured, Season 1 will continue to air its final episodes.
If FX hadn’t recently cancelled another of Ryan’s small screen projects (Terriers), I might have argued that the series would’ve done better on the cable channel as opposed to Fox. Not only would we not have been subjected to repeated use of the word “jaghole,” but the series might’ve been able to stretch its dark and gritty legs a bit more on the cable network. But given FX’s recent cancellation of Terriers and even more recently, Lights Out, I’m not sure The Chicago Code would’ve fared much better there. Regardless, this is a loss for TV. Last night’s episode in particular demonstrated how well the show handles the complexities of human relationships when mixed with the dangerous and messy life as a law enforcer.
In equally disappointing news, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that freshman comedy series Traffic Light has also been cancelled. Sure, the whole couple-themed comedy thing is becoming a bit too common on TV right now but Traffic Light had a particularly great cast with excellent chemistry. Hopefully this won't be the last we see of David Denman, Nelson Franklin, Kris Marshall, Liza Lapira and Aya Cash.
