Cut Short: Difference between revisions

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(Galactica links)
(moved the examples from "Woody's Finest Hour" to this page, since they're the same trope and this page has a name that people who've never seen Toy Story can understand)
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== Film ==
== Film ==
* "Woody's Roundup," the ''[[Toy Story (franchise)|Toy Story 2]]'' [[In-Universe]] children's show. The final episode featured Woody and Bullseye attempting to jump the Grand Canyon to rescue their friends the Prospector and Jessie from imminent destruction. The next episode never aired as the show was cancelled due to the launch of Sputnik.
* "Woody's Roundup," the show-within-a-show in the [[Toy Story (franchise)|Toy Story]] franchise.
* An [[In-Universe]] example is found in ''[[Galaxy Quest]]''; the original TV show the actors were in was cancelled, but the final episode ended with the words "Activate the Omega 13.". Fans had spent years trying to figure out what the Omega 13 might do, since there were no further episodes to show its use or effects.


== Literature ==
== Literature ==
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* ''[[Ace Lightning]]''
* ''[[Ace Lightning]]''
* ''[[Brimstone (TV series)|Brimstone]]''
* ''[[Brimstone (TV series)|Brimstone]]''
* ''Commander In Chief''
* ''[[Commander in Chief|Commander In Chief]]''
* ''[[Drive]]''
* ''[[Drive]]''
* ''[[My Name Is Earl]]''. While it was a comedy and therefore didn't have a huge [[Myth Arc]] or anything, it did have Earl's karma list. Also, for four seasons, viewers had never known who Dodge's father was (though Earl was ''not'' a likely candidate for several reasons) and had assumed that Darnell was the father of "Earl Junior" (given that they're both black, while Joy and Earl are white). The last episode suggests Earl may in fact be Dodge's dad, and proves that Darnell ''isn't'' Earl Junior's dad. The episode ended just as Joy was about to begin explaining, and then the series got canceled. We don't even know how far along on his list Earl was, or what all he had left to do.
* ''[[My Name Is Earl]]''. While it was a comedy and therefore didn't have a huge [[Myth Arc]] or anything, it did have Earl's karma list. Also, for four seasons, viewers had never known who Dodge's father was (though Earl was ''not'' a likely candidate for several reasons) and had assumed that Darnell was the father of "Earl Junior" (given that they're both black, while Joy and Earl are white). The last episode suggests Earl may in fact be Dodge's dad, and proves that Darnell ''isn't'' Earl Junior's dad. The episode ended just as Joy was about to begin explaining, and then the series got canceled. We don't even know how far along on his list Earl was, or what all he had left to do.
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* ''Profiler'' ended on a cliffhanger.
* ''Profiler'' ended on a cliffhanger.
* ''[[Night Court]]'' ended with an episode that seemed part [[Cliff Hanger]] and part [[Wrap It Up]], with roughly one third of the cast electing to stay in their current jobs and half the cast moving on to some new life outside the courthouse. While some of these career changes seemed poised to start a spin-off series (Christine is elected to Congress) most of them seemed poised to continue the series. Perhaps the strangest of these was bailiff Bull Shannon being persuaded to leave Earth by humanoid aliens who needed a tall guy to reach the things on their high shelves...
* ''[[Night Court]]'' ended with an episode that seemed part [[Cliff Hanger]] and part [[Wrap It Up]], with roughly one third of the cast electing to stay in their current jobs and half the cast moving on to some new life outside the courthouse. While some of these career changes seemed poised to start a spin-off series (Christine is elected to Congress) most of them seemed poised to continue the series. Perhaps the strangest of these was bailiff Bull Shannon being persuaded to leave Earth by humanoid aliens who needed a tall guy to reach the things on their high shelves...
** An episode of ''30Rock'' was built around shooting a proper finale for ''[[Night Court]]''.
** An episode of ''[[30 Rock]]'' was built around shooting a proper finale for ''[[Night Court]]''.
* The final episode of the sci-fi war series ''[[Space: Above and Beyond]]'' sets up a great cliffhanger, with two of the main characters trapped behind enemy lines, another main maimed and possibly near death, the battle plan Earth Forces had pinned all of their hopes on compromised...and then it's over. We never even find out if Earth wins the war or not. Thanks, FOX!
* The final episode of the sci-fi war series ''[[Space: Above and Beyond]]'' sets up a great cliffhanger, with two of the main characters trapped behind enemy lines, another main maimed and possibly near death, the battle plan Earth Forces had pinned all of their hopes on compromised...and then it's over. We never even find out if Earth wins the war or not. Thanks, FOX!
* ''[[My Own Worst Enemy]]''.
* ''[[My Own Worst Enemy]]''.
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* The HBO series ''Luck'' had good enough ratings to renew it early in its first season, but they were forced to cancel it when three horses died during production.
* The HBO series ''Luck'' had good enough ratings to renew it early in its first season, but they were forced to cancel it when three horses died during production.
* Being a [[Sketch Comedy]], ''[[The Amanda Show]]'' itself didn't suffer from this after its abrupt cancellation, but [[Show Within a Show]] ''Moody's Point'' had ended the final season on a huge [[Cliff Hanger]] in which the main character learned that she'd been [[Switched At Birth]] and that she wasn't who she thought she was. Even creator Dan Schneider doesn't know what would have happened next, because he never got a chance to write it.
* Being a [[Sketch Comedy]], ''[[The Amanda Show]]'' itself didn't suffer from this after its abrupt cancellation, but [[Show Within a Show]] ''Moody's Point'' had ended the final season on a huge [[Cliff Hanger]] in which the main character learned that she'd been [[Switched At Birth]] and that she wasn't who she thought she was. Even creator Dan Schneider doesn't know what would have happened next, because he never got a chance to write it.
* ''[[The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]'' ends abruptly due to this shortly after Angsty Teen!John Conner gets himself sent to a future where no one recognizes his name due to being pulled out of the timeline.


== Newspaper Comics ==
== Newspaper Comics ==
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== Web Comics ==
== Web Comics ==
* ''[[Elf Only Inn]]'', twice.
* ''[[Elf Only Inn]]'', twice.
* ''[[RPG World]]'' made it all the way up to the final battle before the [[Creator Breakdown]] the author had over people wanting him to finish the story before moving on to side projects finally made him give up on the whole thing.
* ''[[RPG World]]''. Tragically, in its final arc.
* ''[[Venus Envy]]''.
* ''[[Venus Envy]]''.
** Seems to be back, if sporadically, as of September 2009.
** Seems to be back, if sporadically, as of September 2009.
* ''[[Pictures for Sad Children]]'' is an odd example of a webcomic doing this ''deliberately''. The story of Paul and Gary just ended without any resolution; since this, Campbell has continued writing comics in [[Magic Realism|the same style]], just with no overarching plot or recurring characters.
* ''[[Pictures for Sad Children]]'' is an odd example of a webcomic doing this ''deliberately''. The story of Paul and Gary just ended without any resolution; since this, Campbell has continued writing comics in [[Magic Realism|the same style]], just with no overarching plot or recurring characters.
* ''[[Yehuda Moon and The Kickstand Cyclery]]'' ended in the middle of two story arcs because the artist couldn't fit it in between commitments.
* ''[[Yehuda Moon and The Kickstand Cyclery]]'' ended in the middle of two story arcs because the artist couldn't fit it in between commitments.
* It seems traditional for ''[[A Modest Destiny]]'' to be cancelled just as some sort of epic climax is about to occur (or, is in fact, occurring), only to be once again resurrected. Only to be cancelled again. Then resurrected. Then cancelled. There's a pattern here, is what we're saying.


== Web Original ==
== Web Original ==
* Many roleplays on ''[[The Gungan Council]]'' end short of the planned climatic grand finale.
* Many roleplays on ''[[The Gungan Council]]'' end short of the planned climatic grand finale.
* Not quite an episode itself, but ''Smash Kingdom'' had the ''Sonic vs Mario'' clip, which ended with a cliffhanger as Super Sonic and Super Mario resuming their fight. However, it was not resolved in the last episode of the series.
* ''[[Super Mario Bros Z]]'' had something similar happen: The episode sets up a cliffhanger for Episode 9 regarding Basilisx fighting Mario and Mario being at his mercy due to being poisoned. Unfortunately, thanks to a lack of motivation on Alvin Earthworm's part, the series got cancelled before Episode 9 got released.
** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SIxQmwca5U&feature=g-u-u&context=G213b43eFUAAAAAAAAAA Episode 9's first scene did get released, though.] Unfortunately, it leaves it on a bigger cliffhanger with Mario and Luigi squaring down with Basilisx and Shadow with Mecha Sonic... On the other hand, the ending of the trailer, as posted on Alvin Earthworm's [[Deviant ART]] account, does have the words "The End?", implying the possibility that he might consider restarting the series at a later date.


== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
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* ''[[Spider-Man Unlimited]]''
* ''[[Spider-Man Unlimited]]''
** ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series|Spider Man the Animated Series]]'' also suffered from this, cancelled entirely due to a Fox employee's fit of pique. While we did get something of a workable final episode, a few plot threads had to be forgotten; most notably the real Mary Jane was never rescued from limbo.
** ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series|Spider Man the Animated Series]]'' also suffered from this, cancelled entirely due to a Fox employee's fit of pique. While we did get something of a workable final episode, a few plot threads had to be forgotten; most notably the real Mary Jane was never rescued from limbo.
** Seeing how it's confirmed, another example is ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man|The Spectacular Spider Man]]''.
** Seeing how it's confirmed, another example is ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]''.
* ''[[The Pirates of Dark Water]]'' was ended before they could gather all 13 [[McGuffin]]s , or defeat the [[Big Bad]].
* ''[[The Pirates of Dark Water]]'' was ended before they could gather all 13 [[McGuffin]]s , or defeat the [[Big Bad]].
* The two American-made [[Humongous Mecha]] [[Animated Series]] from [[The Nineties]], ''[[Exo Squad]]'' and ''[[BattleTech]]'', both end with unresolved [[Cliff Hanger]]s.
* The two American-made [[Humongous Mecha]] [[Animated Series]] from [[The Nineties]], ''[[Exo Squad]]'' and ''[[BattleTech]]'', both end with unresolved [[Cliff Hanger]]s.
** The last episode of ''[[Exo Squad]]'' ends with JT Marsh watching in horror as strange alien ships appear out of nowhere, steal Mars (yes, the whole planet), and disappear again.
* ''[[Duckman]]'', which went three seasons without a single [[Cliff Hanger]], ended its run with an episode where the title character (a talking duck, private detective and widower) remarries only to have the wedding disrupted by the return of his dead wife, Beatrice. She asks why he didn't wait for her. He says he thought she was dead. She asks why Cornfed (Duckman's partner) didn't tell him the truth. Cornfed says he can explain everything. And [[To Be Continued]] pops up on the screen. Naturally, the one time they ended the season with a [[Cliff Hanger]] expecting renewal, the show was canceled.
* ''[[Duckman]]'', which went three seasons without a single [[Cliff Hanger]], ended its run with an episode where the title character (a talking duck, private detective and widower) remarries only to have the wedding disrupted by the return of his dead wife, Beatrice. She asks why he didn't wait for her. He says he thought she was dead. She asks why Cornfed (Duckman's partner) didn't tell him the truth. Cornfed says he can explain everything. And [[To Be Continued]] pops up on the screen. Naturally, the one time they ended the season with a [[Cliff Hanger]] expecting renewal, the show was canceled.
* ''[[Clone High]]''. At least it was some kind of resolution since it was supposed to be the season finale, but it was a [[Cliff Hanger]].
* ''[[Clone High]]''. At least it was some kind of resolution since it was supposed to be the season finale, but it was a [[Cliff Hanger]].
* ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' seems to have fallen victim to this. Due to its abrupt cancellation, it ended with many unresolved plotlines and unexplored characters. The final episode itself only resolved a ''fraction'' of the many plot points introduced earlier in the season.
* ''[[Transformers Animated]]'' seems to have fallen victim to this. Due to its abrupt cancellation, it ended with many unresolved plotlines and unexplored characters. The final episode itself only resolved a ''fraction'' of the many plot points introduced earlier in the season.
* ''[[Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!|Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go]]'' ended right when the [[Big Bad]] had been resurrected and the Hyperforce and [[Gondor Calls for Aid|all of their previous allies]] where about to go at him.
* ''[[Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!]]'' ended right when the [[Big Bad]] had been resurrected and the Hyperforce and [[Gondor Calls for Aid|all of their previous allies]] where about to go at him.
* ''[[Sonic Sat AM|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', and ''[[Sonic Underground]].'' The former got screwed because it was beaten in the ratings by the [[Merchandise-Driven]] ''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]''. The other got screwed for the [[Dreamcast]][[Retool|-driven]] ''[[Sonic Adventure]].'' In some cases, it was canceled in MID-BROADCAST, leaving the audience hanging.
* ''[[Sonic Sat AM]]'' had a very resolving ending...until the last 10 seconds, where they pull a cliff hanger on the audience. The show was [[Screwed by the Network|promptly cancelled after that]] because it was beaten in the ratings by the [[Merchandise-Driven]] ''[[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers]]''.
* ''[[Sonic Underground]]'' got screwed for the [[Dreamcast]][[Retool|-driven]] ''[[Sonic Adventure]].'' In some cases, it was cancelled in MID-BROADCAST, leaving the audience hanging.
* ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men]]:'' The last episode ended with a scene in which Apocalypse rules in the future leaving no clue as to what's going to happen next. The show only lasted one season.
* ''[[Wolverine and the X-Men]]:'' The last episode ended with a scene in which Apocalypse rules in the future leaving no clue as to what's going to happen next. The show only lasted one season.
* The 2000s reboot of ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]'' [[Too Good to Last|only lasted 39 episodes]] before being abruptly cancelled, leaving many loose ends unresolved..
* The 2000s reboot of ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]'' [[Too Good to Last|only lasted 39 episodes]] before being abruptly cancelled, leaving many loose ends unresolved..
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* ''[[Hey Arnold!]]!'' never did explain what happened to Arnold's parents on their final mission, all because the show's creator couldn't agree with Nickelodeon over the necessary contract extension. Result: no extension at all. There was going to be a Jungle Movie which would have resolved practically everything - Arnold goes back to San Lorenzo to find his parents, and he probably hooks up with Helga. Sadly it never got produced.
* ''[[Hey Arnold!]]!'' never did explain what happened to Arnold's parents on their final mission, all because the show's creator couldn't agree with Nickelodeon over the necessary contract extension. Result: no extension at all. There was going to be a Jungle Movie which would have resolved practically everything - Arnold goes back to San Lorenzo to find his parents, and he probably hooks up with Helga. Sadly it never got produced.
* ''[[King Arthur and the Knights of Justice]]'' was unexpectedly cancelled after two seasons and 26 episodes, with its premise (collecting all the [[MacGuffin]]s and freeing the original King and Knights) far from resolution.
* ''[[King Arthur and the Knights of Justice]]'' was unexpectedly cancelled after two seasons and 26 episodes, with its premise (collecting all the [[MacGuffin]]s and freeing the original King and Knights) far from resolution.
* ''[[Sym-Bionic Titan]]''. The conflict was building up, the show was gaining fans, and the staff was all set to make a second season. Then the show got canceled because it failed to secure [[Merchandise-Driven|any key toy deals]]. Attempts to get the second season made were fruitless, and [[Genndy Tartakovsky]] was so displeased with the way [[Cartoon Network]] handled his series that he left them to form his own studio under Sony.
* ''[[Bionic Titan]]'' was cancelled solely because they could not interest toy companies, despite it being a widely-loved show.
* The last episode of ''[[Xiaolin Showdown]]'' ends with all the villains gathering together for a last Xiaolin versus Heylin Cosmic Clash Showdown.


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