Top 10 Kid Shows That Got CANCELED

If you’re not ready yet, get set for a classic comedy. “All That” debuted as Nickelodeon’s first kid’s comedy sketch show. It’s since gone down in TV history as a hallmark of kid’s television that served as the launchpad for several comedians and spin-off shows. After the departure of multiple cast members, the show went on a two-year hiatus in 2000. Although it returned with a new cast, slightly altered format and solid ratings, it was suddenly cancelled by the network. Fans were thrilled when it was revived in 2019. But despite excitement over its return, the COVID-19 pandemic brought production to a halt before it was canceled again. We still wish we could see the show and hear the iconic theme one more time.

In this live-action Cartoon Network show, teenage boy Henry Griffin, used his worldly knowledge to solve mysteries with his friends. It also had an overarching plot and a ton of smaller mysteries. Additionally, Unnatural History did particularly well in the young demographic the network was aiming for. But it still wasn’t renewed for a second season outing. While reviews from critics were a bit mixed, “Unnatural History” was still a promising show with a fresh premise that brought light to history’s unsolved mysteries. The showrunner even publicly shared ideas for another season. According to him, the stakes for the heroes would have been raised as they uncovered even more secrets about the past.

As an aspiring singer and actress, Taina showed young girls what it meant to pursue one’s dreams. We saw her work towards her dreams of fame as she attended a performing arts school. Audiences were even regularly gifted with original songs. Additionally, the show also broke new ground by featuring a Puerto Rican female lead — a first for the network. Although the show ran for two seasons and did remarkably well in ratings, it was still quietly cancelled by the network. It was allegedly dropped due to high production cost. But lead actress Christina Vidal later claimed that her pursuit of a record deal might’ve been partially to blame. Despite its early departure, the show’s impact on diverse audiences won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

A spin-off of the successful kid’s game show, “Double Dare,” “Family Double Dare” intended to bring the fun to audiences of all ages. Contestants on the show would compete for cash prizes in trivia and challenges that often left things pretty messy. The original run of this spinoff did quite well at Fox. However, when the network allegedly pushed to bring in groups like the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders for specials, Nickelodeon decided to walk. Thankfully, “Family Double Dare” came back for a brief revival in 1990. But there’s no telling how long it would’ve run if it didn’t get prematurely canceled on Fox.

When it comes to monsters and otherworldly threats, someone’s got to investigate. Nickelodeon had “The Troop,” which featured a secret organization determined to protect the world from the supernatural. The show’s been likened to much more kid-friendly version of “Men in Black” Despite the comparison, the series stands apart on its own for its unique perspective and boundless creativity. Nickelodeon unexpectedly put it on hiatus midway through season two without airing the remaining episodes. While those lost episodes eventually found a home on TV, their presence couldn’t spark a full revival. The secret organization was forced back underground.

Unlike much of Disney Channel’s content, “So Weird” wasn’t afraid to get, well, weird. The show followed Fiona Phillips as she solved paranormal mysteries while touring with her mom’s band. It felt moving and even spooky in a way that other shows on the network didn’t at the time. After getting progressively darker in season two, it took another risk by changing protagonists in its third season. Its relatively mature tone was rumored to play a role in its cancellation. However, others theorize that it ended when it did due to Disney's long rumored policy of cutting off shows after 65 episodes. It’s a shame this fan favorite and unique program had such a strange end.

After Sam from “iCarly” and Cat from “Victorious” both became breakout characters on their respective shows, Nickelodeon connected both worlds in one program. Although the two might look like an odd pairing at first glance, their individual comedic styles gelled well together. The network was so excited about the comedy that they doubled the length of the first season. It also won a kid’s choice award for best show. However, a number of behind-the-scenes issues caused those plans to change. Some insiders theorize a salary dispute was to blame. According to other outlets, the actresses were simply ready for new opportunities outside of Nickelodeon. Despite the mystery around its cancellation, it was clear fans and the network loved the short lived show.

After the success of “Hannah Montana,” Mitchel Musso hosted Disney Channel’s reality prank show, “PrankStars.” The show brought fans face to face with their idols in chaotic and at times ridiculous situations set-up by friends and family. It had an interesting premise that not only introduced fans to their favorite Disney Channel stars, but also let the stars shine in a new light. But it was pulled from the network in the middle of the first season after Musso was arrested for driving while under the influence. Given the prank show’s fun formula, there’s no reason why it couldn’t return with a different host in the lead.

This beloved series explored the mind of Lizzie McGuire while she dealt with the day-to-day troubles any middle schooler can relate to. It uniquely featured animated segments depicting the character’s innermost thoughts. Since Lizzie was a relatable character for everybody, it seriously stung when the series ended at the 65-episode mark. It allegedly ended over a contract dispute between Disney and the star. The 2019 revival that would have seen Hilary Duff reprise her role as an adult unfortunately got shelved as well due to creative differences for the direction of the show. Despite the setbacks, fans are still hopeful that they’ll get to see Lizzie on their screens again soon.

Take a look, in a book and you’ll find the ever-iconic “Reading Rainbow.” Since its run spanned generations on PBS, you’d have a tough time finding someone who doesn’t know the show. It set out to inspire children to read and explore their imaginations as they went. Unfortunately, “Reading Rainbow” struggled with a lack of funding and growing expenses in its final years. These factors prevented the show from ending on its own terms. It was eventually revived with new ownership in the 2020s. While it’s a bit different from the show many remember, it still strives for the same goal of inspiring young viewers.