Movies

10 TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon: Gone But Not Forgotten

written by Louise Everitt

July 1, 2023 12:38 pm

10 TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon: Gone But Not Forgotten — Image credit: Legion-Media, Slaverats, MGM Television, 20th Television, DreamWorks Television, Warner Bros. Television

They may have been cancelled too soon, but they left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers.

1. Firefly ( 2002-2003)

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All right, space cowboys, let's start with a show so wronged it could fill the Grand Canyon with the tears of its fans. Firefly, a sci-fi western helmed by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon, was snuffed out by Fox after only one season. In it, Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his ragtag crew navigated space in their spaceship, the Serenity, and tried not to starve or get shot. The show was a fantastic blend of genres, with snappy dialogue, compelling characters, and a spaceship with more personality than some reality TV show hosts. Its cancellation sparked a fan revolt that persists to this day. Yes, Fox, we're still bitter.

2. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

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Before Judd Apatow was the godfather of modern comedy and James Franco was... well, James Franco, there was Freaks and Geeks. The show was an earnest, painfully relatable depiction of high school in the 1980s, full of humor and heartbreak. It launched the careers of Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, and Jason Segel, among others. Alas, NBC pulled the plug after just one season, proving that network executives are indeed the natural predators of quality television.

3. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)

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Pushing Daisies was a bright, bizarre little gem that was simply too good for this world. It followed the life of Ned, a pie maker who could bring the dead back to life with a touch, and the chaos that ensued when he revived his childhood sweetheart. It was like a pop-up book turned into a TV show, full of whimsy, wonder, and lots of pie. However, despite critical acclaim, ABC decided two seasons were enough.

4. Better Off Ted (2009-2010)

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In the quirky world of TV comedies, Better Off Ted stood out. It satirized the corporate world through the lens of Ted Crisp, an employee at Veridian Dynamics, a company with questionable ethics and absurd projects. From weaponizing pumpkins to freezing employees, the show was an outrageous, hilarious take on the office comedy. But, like a promising intern turned full-time employee, it lost its charm for ABC after two seasons.

5. Party Down (2009-2010)

Party Down was about a group of caterers in LA who were really actors, writers, and comedians, waiting for their big break. The humor was dry, the situations were awkward, and the writing was top-notch. The ensemble cast, including Adam Scott and Lizzy Caplan, played off each other perfectly. Sadly, Starz canceled the show after two seasons, proving once again that we can't have nice things.

6. Dead Like Me (2003-2004)

Who knew a show about grim reapers could be so lively? Dead Like Me was a darkly humorous show that followed George (Ellen Muth), a grim reaper in training, who died at 18 when a toilet seat from the Mir space station fell on her. Yes, you read that correctly. Despite its morbid premise, the show was rich in heart, humor, and life (ironically). The reapers weren't ethereal, cloaked figures, but humans with day jobs and reaping quotas. Sadly, after two seasons, Showtime gave it the grim reaper treatment.

7. Terriers (2010)

Terriers was an FX show about unlicensed private investigators in San Diego. It was a smart, witty, character-driven drama that refused to be defined by a single genre. Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James had the kind of bromance that made you wish for a best friend who'd help you hide a body. Unfortunately, Terriers was let off the leash after one season, leaving viewers wondering what could've been.

8. Undeclared (2001-2002)

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Here's another one-season wonder from the Apatow stable. Undeclared was a comedy about college freshmen adjusting to dorm life. It was as real as a university brochure, with its moments of humor, heart, and harsh reality checks. The ensemble cast, including Charlie Hunnam and Seth Rogen, made the show a lively and relatable slice of college life. Alas, Fox canceled it faster than a freshman drops an 8 AM class.

9. My So-Called Life (1994-1995)

My So-Called Life was a teen drama that actually treated its teenage characters like human beings with complex emotions and thoughts, instead of just hormone-fueled plot devices. Claire Danes played Angela Chase, a 15-year-old navigating the complexities of high school, family, and the 90s. Despite critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, ABC called it quits after one season.

10. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-2007)

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, created by Aaron Sorkin, took viewers behind the scenes of a SNL-style sketch comedy show. While it was sometimes overly dramatic for a show about comedy, it had sharp dialogue, compelling characters, and a stellar cast, including Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford. Despite its potential, NBC pulled the plug after one season. Sorkin may have gone on to write The Social Network and The Newsroom, but we'll always wonder what Studio 60 could've been with more seasons.