It used to be that once a TV comedy or drama developed a following and got some notice from worthy critics, it was safe for several seasons. Times have changed on the TV viewing landscape and viewing on-demand and shorter run cable series are stealing the masses away from “appointment TV.” The networks have to give their prospectus next week, showing what’s going to be new and exciting for next season to their New York bosses, and as always, some fan-favorites are taking the fall, and will not be seen come this fall 2017.

The major blows

For CBS, America's “most watched network” thanks to its lock on very successful franchises, the mainstays are staying in place.

Friday night favorites,” Hawaii Five-O” and “Blue Bloods” lead-in by “MacGyver” got welcome early news of safety. The newer promising shows were not so lucky.

“Doubt,” the courtroom drama that starred Catherine Heigl with a stellar supporting cast, including Laverne Cox, Elliott Gould, and Dule Hill, began in a flash of advance fervor and the stamp of approval from the critical world. Sadly, the glamor only lasted for two episodes, and there will be no second chance. “Pure Genius,” the medical drama that meshed computer tech savvy into medicine, and pulling on the talents of Dermot Mulroney, won't get a saving prescription. The show never managed to gain a full viewership point in the crucial 18-49 demographic.

“Bull” is the new drama survivor, breathing life into shows still created by real writers and real scripts.

ABC truly wields the ax

Fans are fuming on social media about “Last Man Standing” being stricken from the schedule after six seasons. The comedy certainly had its following, but numbers tell the story for networks, and the last season came to a low.

Tim Allen always seems to resurrect himself, and “Last Man Standing” will have immortal life in syndication, and on its Hallmark Channel home.

“Dr. Ken,” starred, was produced, and created by the real-life doctor, Ken Jeong. The comedy will have no lucky charm of a third year, since its leaving the ABC lineup after two seasons.

The funny man of medicine can always return to his film career. After all, he left his practice for putting bigger studio bucks in his pockets.

Another notable absence will be “American Crime” starring the gifted combination of Felicity Huffman and Regina King. The drama got wide critical acclaim, and even Golden Globe nods, but pumping up the numbers is even tougher than courtroom prosecutions. Shonda Rimes couldn’t work enough magic to keep “The Catch” from being caught in the cuts after two seasons. “Secrets and Lies,” “The Real O’Neals,” “Conviction,” and Jenna Elfman’s latest incarnation on “imaginary Mary” will say so long, too.

New shows not so hot for NBC

“Timeless,” “Powerless,” and “Emerald City” turned out to not be gems for NBC.

Maybe the trick is to not have anything “less” in the title if ratings are the key.

Favorites leaving FOX

“Sleepy Hollow” had a slow build but built a strong fan base over four seasons. The Ichabod Crane continuing story had a dramatic dip in viewers for its last season, and that, unfortunately, is the reason for the shears. “Rosewood,” the police procedural with the smart and sexy Morris Chestnut, drew its fan base through its first season as a lead-in to “Empire,” but shifting twice to Thursdays, then Fridays, proved fatal this past season.