The Chicago Code - It was over before it even begun.

I was really looking forward to Sky 1’s new show, The Chicago Code. Sky have been plugging it for the past two weeks, and have called it ‘the new Shield.’ As a massive fan of The Shield (it’s probably my favourite show ever) this made me extremely excited. And when I found out Shawn Ryan was involved, I knew I was in for a treat. To steal a phrase off Cheryl Cole, The Chicago Code looked ‘right up my street’

That was of course until I found out it had been cancelled in the US. That’s right, Sky 1’s brand spanking new, American cop series has only lasted one season in America. Despite receiving critical acclaim, The Chicago Code has been shown the door. FOX didn’t even give the show a chance to see if it would sell well on DVD. So now, despite being really excited about it, I won’t be tuning in.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not assuming The Chicago Code is a bad show because FOX cancelled it. We all know 90% of the time FOX can’t make a right decision when renewing and cancelling shows. This is the network that cancelled ‘Family Guy’ for ‘That 80’s show’ and got rid of ‘Arrested Development’ after only three seasons, when it may just be, one of the best comedies of our generation. Note that FOX brought back Family Guy almost immediately because of public outcry and are now funding an Arrested Development film!

No, FOX cancelling The Chicago Code only confirms my belief that it would have been a great show. But, what’s the point of only watching something for one season? Why get attached when it’s not going to be around for any longer than six months? I can watch a miniseries, I’ve enjoyed shows like ‘Pillars of the Earth’ and ‘The Pacific’ even though I know there are only a limited number of episodes. But watching one series of a show that was never meant to end after 13 episodes doesn’t seem right. What happens if I think it’s the best show I’ve ever seen and then have to come to terms with the fact it won’t be back on the air. What if it is like watching the first series of The Shield and then never having any more episodes. I can’t be dealing with all that.

To be honest I’m more concerned for Sky. I mean, how embarrassing! Here they are, flogging this show constantly, telling us it’s the BEST SHOW EVER, whilst their friends at FOX have already decided they think it’s a waste of space. What with the Mad Men/Sky Atlantic saga, they really aren’t having much luck with their American imports lately.

I suppose I can’t be too mad at FOX, they did renew ‘Fringe’ for a 4th season, but I just wish they would give things a bit more time. Otherwise, before we know it, all the good cop shows will be dead and all we’ll have to watch is a constant stream of Simon Cowell reality shows and 158 episodes of Glee per series.