The original plan for AF, like most high school shows is to have 4 years and a graduation. I'll admit that AF's third season was their worst, but it's not like the first two were epic either. It's not like the dropoff was: Season's 1 and 2 it's the Cosby show, season 3 it's Homeboy's in Outer Space. But it was probably hard to defend that show if you're a DC exec. If it was a hit from start to finish, or at least at the start, they coulda made another season work even without Fletcher.
I have a feeling that mighta been the original plan for the New York episode, to write out Fletcher and continue the show. But they reconsidered.
But they left kinda gracefully. SIU gets almost no air place. One show per day at midnight and it's an old episode. But SLOD and WWOP still are getting at least two episodes a day. I'm sure AF and GLC fill those slots, or share them. Or not. They originally only wanted to run WOWP until May of 2012, but it still gets watched, enough to justify a 1-hour movie. I don't see that happening with AF. They never even got a movie or crossover. I may be wrong on the crossover, but I doubt it.
I once adamantly said DC wouldn't get rid a bunch of shows at once, but now I agree with the other side of that coin. They had to clean house. They didn't need to spend anymore time building the careers of Chyna, Bella, Zendaya, Bridgit, or Stefanie Scott for that matter. All of them are known faces and should be able to get bigger without Disney helping, because it might hold back.
And for Disney, it gives them a chance to build up the names and brands of Olivia Holt, Rowan Blanchard, G Hannelius, Sabrina Carpenter, Laura Marano and Dove Cameron. Debby is riding that wave still. But Disney needs her just as much as she needs them. Jessie will last a little longer by default. They need that knockout bombshell out in front to stay ahead of Nick.
Nick's problem, IMO, they focus too much energy into the already well-known actresses in their stable. When they should focus more on Kira Kosarin, Ryan Newman, Amber Montana and even Ciara Bravo and Audrey Whitby.
Disney trimmed some fat so newer shows can flourish. I still haven't bought into I didn't do it, but it'll probably be easier now that GLC, AF, and Siu aren't around anymore with new episodes.
And Great MASH analogy. I'm too young to know much about it, but I do know it lasted forever but the war wasn't long.
Embrace Debate.
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MrCG
10 years ago
I agree GLC has run it's course and A.N.T. Farm was a mess
The only one that was shocking SIU being cancelled with the overall age of the cast they could've done at least a S4.
I disagree on Jessie though, because the cast is still very young they can probably stretch to the 4th season. Besides the focus is mainly on the Ross kids anyway with Jessie being around them. Plus I think Debby is her prime right now and there is no need for her to leave Disney, at least not yet.
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Getoboy730
10 years ago
Agree with that about Jessie. She's the title character, but it's mostly lipservice. Similar to lil Charlie being the title character of GLC. She was hardly the focus. But in many way, that made the show good. I'm not calling GLC a masterpiece, but at least they didn't do what Full House did with Michelle. I wouldn't have minded them giving Mia more screentime, because they were far from what the Olsen Twins were. And she was way more tolerable.
The kids getting older just makes having a nanny meaningless. But not unnecessary. Even if Jessie was to leave them, they would still have to hire another nanny since they're so busy. Even if Zuri was almost outta high school, she was need someone besides Betram around.
On a programing standpoint. Jessie might be waning, but it's still profitable (apparently), and the kids being older doesn't make the show any worse. And they might as well get their money worth from Peyton, who probably helps with the ratings more than anyone else besides Debby herself. and maybe more that her
Embrace Debate.
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jonathanrspalding
10 years ago
I think ideally they would have preferred to spread the end of these shows out but I think it kind of happened that way. Ant Farm and Shake it Up got there 65 or so shows which is the standard life of a show on youth television. Some go more, a few go less, but 3 seasons is the normal lifespan. They started around the same time. Fish Hooks is kind of off the table as it is animated and gravity falls takes it place with animation is now primarily on XD anyway.
Both shows had run their course. A.N.T. farm never was great and losing Fletcher to mighty med after the changes from last year would have been hard. Shake it Up could have gone farther because it was more complex in its relationhsips between the characters but would have ended up where the class renunion episode left it anyway.
Jessie got its 4th year and Austin and Ally I suspect will too if it has not already. (a 4th for Jessie is great because it is too early probably for Petyon List's project and too late for another for Debby Ryan) I think Disney expects alot from GMC and actually plan a 5 or 6 year run for it due to the actual and series age of its cast though it has not found its feet yet. I personally really like I didn't do it but I think I am one of the few. So if you bring two new shows it for the two you lose. The interesting thing coming up in the next year or two. Austin and Ally and Jessie will probably not go an unprecendet 5 seasons, thought they could. DWAB is getting older. So you have to have 2 or 3 new series in deveopment. That is great news for I did not do it as they probably cannot afford to cancel it just because they need something to put on the air.
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Poweranimals
10 years ago
Yeah, A&A was renewed for a 4th season before Jessie was. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what happens with DWAB. I know Disney has some pilots in the works at the moment.
"Weird is just a side effect of being awesome."
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