‘Smiling Friends’ Season 4 Was Already Written — Why Did the Creators Scrap It?

Cartoon fans are in mourning today, after the adult animated sitcom Smiling Friendsannounced the current, third season would be its last.

“This is not a bit,” Zach Hadel, co-creator of the series, explained in Adult Swim’s social media post announcing its ending. “This is not a joke. Michael [Cusack, fellow co-creator] and I are here to announce that Smiling Friends will be ending after season three is done.”

The announcement is shocking for two main reasons — firstly, the Adult Swim show has been a smash hit for viewers...