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year in review

Amber Heard and Laura Benanti in The Playboy Club.

A quick rundown of the TV programs that came and went in 2011.

Lone Star (Fox, Global): The much-hyped return to Dallas-style drama was last season's first casualty, lasting two episodes.

Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC): The crime drama starring Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos as a Detroit homicide cop was too gritty for network television.

My Generation (ABC): Mockumentary following Texas high-schoolers 10 years after graduation. Two-episode run.

No Ordinary Family (ABC, CTV): Michael Chiklis as the patriarch of a family suddenly bestowed with superpowers, except the ability to draw viewers.

Mr. Sunshine (ABC, CTV): Former Friends star Matthew Perry as a testy arena manager? Could it be more cancelled?

The Whole Truth (ABC, CITY-TV): Rob Morrow ( Northern Exposure) and Maura Tierney ( ER) as lawyers who really, really cared about their clients. For four episodes.

The Defenders (CBS, CTV): Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell as two Las Vegas lawyers with more flash than ethics.

$#*! My Dad Says (CBS, CTV): Even the power of William Shatner couldn't save this sitcom based on a Twitter feed. But Canadians loved it!

Live to Dance (CBS): What did Paula Abdul do in between American Idol and The X Factor? This low-rated dance competition.

The Chicago Code (Fox, Global): Jennifer Beals looked good as a Chicago police superintendent, but seriously? Viewers tired quickly of the ruse.

Outsourced (NBC, Global): Nice guy American (Ben Rappaport) goes to Mumbai to run his company's call centre. Way over the heads of most viewers.

The Event (NBC, CITY-TV): Megabudget conspiracy drama that plodded interminably toward the same old conclusion: Aliens walk among us!

Law & Order: L.A. (NBC, CTV): Hey, the concept worked three times before, why not in the City of Angels? Who knows.

The Playboy Club (NBC, CITY-TV): Even the bunnies looked bored.

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