Be careful what you wish for: Why beloved shows that are canceled should stay canceled

GQ

"We're very much in the age of fan outrage," says Tom Philip, pointing out that the power wielded by fans could be used for good and bad. He even thinks the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cancelation and revival was orchestrated by Fox and NBC. "Here's my fire-hot, completely unfounded conspiracy theory: Fox and NBC had done the deal before the 'cancelation' was even announced, and they suckered us into a day of orchestrated mourning, because nothing is better for a TV show nowadays than getting canned," he says. As Philip argues, it is these "wheel-spinning legacy shows that are keeping out new, original art from making its way onto screens. Yes, Brooklyn Nine-Nine can now craft a proper ending; yes, John Krasinski is into an Office return; but maybe, just maybe, we should be willing to accept when time is up, and leave the door open for something brand new. After all, there would be no Nine-Nine, no The Mick, and certainly no The Last Man on Earth if we’d demanded six seasons and a movie of everything we ever liked."