Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Last Man on Earth and The Mick were "absurdly low rated," yet their cancelations came as a surprise

The Hollywood Reporter

"We've grown so accustomed to Fox renewing low-rated comedies that Thursday's axings felt shocking," says Daniel Fienberg. "Back in January at the Television Critics Association press tour, the mantra from Fox brass was that even in a time of uncertainty with an acquisition by Disney looming, the plan going forward for the near future was 'business as usual.' On Thursday, as part of the inevitable bloodletting that occurs every year on the eve of broadcast network upfronts, Fox proved either that the 'near future' has passed or that 'business as usual' isn't the order of the day anymore." ALSO: A Fox insider says the addition of Thursday Night Football and the renewal of many shows played a role in cancelations.