It's been another year for the books, television fans. Not only did we get exciting premieres and highly-anticipated returns of some of our favorite series, but the entertainment industry was forever changed by the writers' and actors' strikes. Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) fought for better terms for their contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which was incredibly inspirational to watch.
The creatives behind so many of our favorite shows were seen on the picket lines, demanding better treatment from the studios. And fortunately, both strikes have concluded after long negotiations, meaning American productions can continue on. 2024 will look a little different considering the impact of the strikes, however, as many releases have been pushed back. But of course, not every show has been affected. Many of our favorites will return in 2024, but the bad news is some of those shows are also coming to an end next year.
We're breaking down the biggest comedy shows that are ending in 2024, starting with a long-running HBO series that's close to my heart.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm, created by and starring Larry David, premiered on HBO back in 2000 and has kept viewers on their toes ever since. The incredibly silly, cringe-worthy, and hilarious sitcom follows a fictionalized version of Larry as he navigates his career in Hollywood, his relationships, and everyday complications.
After 12 seasons, Curb Your Enthusiasm will sadly come to a close in 2024. The final season is scheduled for a Feb. 4 premiere date on HBO, with the finale airing on April 7. The show's leading man shared a statement about saying goodbye to his show, and unsurprisingly it's so unserious:
"As Curb comes to an end, I will now have the opportunity to finally shed this ‘Larry David’ persona and become the person God intended me to be – the thoughtful, kind, caring, considerate human being I was until I got derailed by portraying this malignant character. And so ‘Larry David,’ I bid you farewell. Your misanthropy will not be missed. And for those of you who would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me at Doctors Without Borders."
While we're sad to see Curb go, the great thing about this show is that it's totally re-watchable! And who knows? Maybe David will bring it back again at some point like he did years ago.
Young Sheldon
A spinoff to the super popular sitcom The Bing Bang Theory, Young Sheldon premiered on CBS in 2017 and has been a staple for comedy lovers ever since. The series follows, as the title suggests, the character Sheldon Cooper when he's a child, growing up in the late '80s and early '90s. Fans of the original series fell in love with Jim Parsons' portrayal of the quirky physicist, so much so that a spinoff was truly a no-brainer. Actor Iain Armitage plays the younger version of Sheldon and does a great job as well.
Young Sheldon follows the titular character's life as a child prodigy as he navigates family and friendships feeling like an outsider. It was easy for The Big Bang Theory fans to get invested in this show, as not only does it explore a beloved character's background, but it does so with really great humor and heart.
The seventh and final season of Young Sheldon premieres on CBS on Feb. 15, 2024, with the finale scheduled for May 16, 2024. Executive producers Steven Molaro, Steve Holland, and Chuck Lorre shared the following statement with fans alongside the news the show would be ending next year:
"Being able to tell the origin of Sheldon Cooper, and expanding the story to include the entire Cooper family has been a wonderful experience. We are grateful to our fans for embracing this chapter of the Coopers these past six seasons, and on behalf of the entire Young Sheldon family, we’re excited to share this final season with you."
Cobra Kai
Similar to Young Sheldon, Cobra Kai is a spinoff show with a ton of heart that's garnered a huge fanbase since its premiere. Cobra Kai originally began in 2018 as a YouTube Red (now called YouTube Premium) series before moving over to Netflix, serving as a sequel story to the Karate Kid movies. Many of the original actors from the movies, such as Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Martin Kove, and Thomas Ian Griffith, reprised their roles for the comedy that's won over hearts worldwide.
Cobra Kai takes place over 30 years after Daniel and Johnny's epic face-off at the All-Valley Karate Tournament, and a lot has changed. Daniel is extremely successful and happy, while Johnny is not doing too hot. The two reunite, still as enemies, but are forced to put their differences aside as the show progresses to protect their kids. If you grew up watching the Karate Kid movies like I did, Cobra Kai is a fun dose of nostalgia that'll leave you laughing through every episode.
When Cobra Kai season 6 was announced, the showrunners shared a letter with fans, confirming it'll mark the end of the series:
A letter to you, the greatest fans in the world, from the showrunners of COBRA KAI. pic.twitter.com/Nz71m5iOOm
— Cobra Kai (@CobraKaiSeries) January 20, 2023
We're predicting that Cobra Kai season 6 will likely be released in late 2024. We don't have a release date just yet, but we know filming is supposed to begin in January, so it's likely the final season will come out by the end of the year.
Big Mouth
Those who enjoy R-rated animation movies and shows no doubt love Big Mouth. The adult sitcom was created by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, and premiered on Netflix in 2017. The series gained popularity very quickly, with its bold and oftentimes explicit and uncomfortable depiction of the challenges of puberty resonating with viewers. For me personally, it's a little too gross, but I understand the appeal nonetheless.
Big Mouth follows a group of middle schoolers who struggle to navigate the pains of growing up, from fighting off sexual urges, to menstruating, to dealing with their ever-changing bodies, and more. The show also includes sexualized shoulder angels, a.k.a. the hormone monsters Maurice and Connie. The outrageous humor and cringe-worthy moments bring a uniqueness to Big Mouth, as does its ability to tackle sensitive topics like gender identity and mental health. Not only is the show funny, but it also features heartfelt moments when you least expect it.
Kroll joked at the time of the announcement that Big Mouth would be ending: "If you would have told adolescent Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg that middle school would take eight years to finish, they would have been like ‘Yeah, that sounds about right. This seems like it will never end.'”
With its upcoming eighth and final season, Big Mouth will be Netflix's longest-running scripted original series ever, which is seriously impressive. The streamer renewed the sitcom for one last installment in April 2023, and it's confirmed for a 2024 release.
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is first and foremost a superhero action series, but it's also incredibly funny! The quirky series based on the comic book of the same name written by Gerard Way follows the Hargreeves family, adopted siblings with superpowers who reunite in the first season to save the world. Superhero movies and shows have started to feel really stale in the last couple of years, but The Umbrella Academy is still incredibly fresh, even after three seasons.
The Netflix Original series sees the siblings try to balance their supernatural abilities and responsibilities with the challenges of everyday life, including relationships, passions, and mental health — all while having to save the world from the apocalypse over and over again. It might sound repetitive, but it's honestly not. And while I was a little disappointed with the third season, it's still an all-around great show.
The Umbrella Academy will return for a fourth season in 2024, which will mark the show's end. Each season has brought us so many surprises, jaw-dropping moments, and laughs, so here's to hoping the final season delivers! Actress Emmy Raver-Lampman, who plays Allison, promises it's "really, really packed with classic Umbrella Academy family nonsense and shenanigans." I can't wait!