For the past couple of weeks, Fox has scheduled an episode of "Vanished" on Friday at 7 p.m. And then, mysteriously, the episode didn't air.

Well, not so mysteriously. What with the lousy ratings the show has received, it's no surprise that Fox has canceled the show. (Although a little more notice for TV listings might have been nice.)

Hey, when they kill the lead character in the seventh episode, you know things aren't going well.

Fox will make the remaining episodes available online — they'll stream OnDemand at Fox-owned MySpace platforms. Don't expect any sort of wrap-up, but we're at least supposed to find out why Sarah Collins was kidnapped. (For all 11 of you who care.)

Ironically, NBC also canceled its kidnapping serial — cleverly titled "Kidnapped" — and put the remaining episodes of that show online at nbc.com. (At least that one has a conclusion at the end of 13 episodes, for all 23 of you who care.)

Fox plans to air four episodes of "Justice" on Fridays at 7 p.m. in December. The last four episodes, because it has canceled that show, too.

REPORT CARD: This was to be the season of the serials series — 13 new shows on five networks. And, while some are declaring it a failed effort, in point of fact the success/failure rate hasn't been much different than what we expect with any slate of new shows.

• A or A-: Just a couple — "Heroes" and "Ugly Betty"

• B- or C+ "Brothers & Sisters" and "Jericho," which have both been picked up for full seasons.

• Graded on a curve: "Friday Night Lights" and "Studio 60" are both struggling in the ratings, but NBC has picked up full seasons of both shows.

• Academic warning: It will be no surprise when "Six Degrees" and "The Nine" are canceled.

• Failing grades: "Smith," "Kidnapped," "Runaway" and "Vanished" have gotten the ax.

• Incomplete: After one outing, it's too early to say on "Day Break."

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com