Topless Robot has posted a list of the top 10 sci-fi television shows that were canceled too soon.I've never seen most of the other shows (and if a lot of America followed my example, that could somewhat explain their early cancellation), but I have watched numbers 1,2 and 7. Star Trek is an obvious choice for number 1 given that it is still the icon of science-fiction television.
I've heard good things about Max Headroom (number 3) and would probably at least watch it on DVD should it ever be released in the format. I disagree about the 1981 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series (number 2) and think it works best at its current length. I find it interesting how the only reason the author wanted to extend Buck Rogers In the 25th Century was to see more of Erin Gray ("Off think. Off think. Off think").
Major examples are missing in their list such as Futurama and Firefly. Of course one could argue that the continuation of such shows on DVD and/or movies allowed them to survive beyond their television life. Star Trek wouldn't have even gotten syndicated and become the phenomenon it is if not for a relaxation of the rules for required number of episodes for syndication combined with a letter-writing campaign for a third season.
Which shows do you feel are missing from the list? Which shouldn't be included at all?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-10-2008 @ 4:59PM
Midnight13 said...
They seem to stick to shows from the 70's to 80's. These are shows for the most part that were before my intrest in the genre. What about "The Lone Gunmen", (which could be argued wasn't really a sci-fi show but a spin off of one), "Wonderfalls", "Brimstone", "Freakylinks"? These were just shows from the 90's alone that had potential but got cancelled.
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7-10-2008 @ 7:16PM
Jeff N. said...
What about the ABC show Invasion? ABC cancelled mainly because it cost too much.
It was a great show. How come isn't in the TOP 10?
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7-10-2008 @ 5:49PM
Genius Jones said...
Firefly, no question.
Fourteen episodes, and a lot of tears.
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7-10-2008 @ 5:58PM
Michael Graham said...
What about Jerico? One of the best series I have seen in many years, Only to get canceled then came back for 7 episodes and then canceled again.
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7-10-2008 @ 6:18PM
terry740 said...
Futurerama was killed by Fox not moving all of it's programming back when football games ran long, instead they would routinely cancel that weeks Futurerama . This killed any chance of keeping a solid following.
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7-10-2008 @ 6:23PM
Morjana Coffman said...
Alien Nation.
Brisco County, Jr. (it was sort of scifi...)
Firefly
John Doe
Threshold
The Invaders
Space: Above and Beyond
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7-10-2008 @ 6:49PM
Mike Porter said...
Earth 2 1994-95
Firefly 2002
Futurama 1999-2003 (+ 2 New Movies)
Invisible Man 2000-02
Nowhere Man 1995-96
Odyssey 5 2002
Space: Above and Beyond 1995-96
Only two of these lasted more than one season. They are Futurama (Five Seasons) and Invisible Man. (Two Seasons)
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7-10-2008 @ 6:51PM
smashthesymbols said...
That list is completely useless without Firefly.
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7-10-2008 @ 7:29PM
Oreo said...
ABC canceled Invasion because they were too stupid in the beginning and wanted to move the story too slowly. That had half the audience ditch (myself included) and then by the time it became wonderful there wasn't enough viewers for the cost. The WB passed on it because of cost issues.
Odyssey 5 was canceled because the Showtime president was an asshole. No other reason, it was the number two show on the network.
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7-10-2008 @ 10:00PM
Aberdeen said...
Odyssey 5
Space: Above and Beyond
Firefly
Invisible Man
...
damn thats depressing!
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7-10-2008 @ 11:27PM
Alicia said...
Odyssey 5.... That was a FANTASTIC SHOW!
I am sad that Jeremiah isn't on the list. It was on Showtime too.
7-10-2008 @ 11:43PM
gonnabechef said...
Max Headroom was awesome. They had this thing that I think was called "global sweeps day," when the networks would pull the craziest stuff to get people to watch. Plus, Amanda Pays was hotter than Erin Gray and was also in The Flash, which could have been on this list.
But yeah, no Firefly, no peace. How could they forget Firefly? And Space: Above and Beyond. Cut down in their prime.
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7-11-2008 @ 12:47PM
kevjohn said...
"No Firefly, no peace"
I think I just decided what I want on my tombstone!
I just downloa.... uhh, legally purchased every bit of Max Headroom that ever saw the light of day. Remarkable show. As with all great sci-fi, it was truly ahead of its time.
7-11-2008 @ 1:36AM
CJH said...
Jericho
Journeyman
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7-11-2008 @ 9:22AM
Sam said...
I miss Invasion and I still literally hurt inside thinking about all the firefly that could have been. You know, when they did a musical episode, met Inara's whiney sister, Mal suddenly had a psycho teenage son then became president of the Alliance.
I tease though.
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7-11-2008 @ 9:26AM
rick cokely said...
Thank god that list didn't have Firefly on it. I just don't understand why people like that show. It is not Sci-Fi, it is a space dramedy.
To me, anyone that lists that show as one of the best instantly loses all credibility as a reviewer/list-maker.
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7-11-2008 @ 10:34AM
Mike Porter said...
Nice threadcrap. Which shows do you feel are missing from the list?
7-11-2008 @ 4:00PM
rick cokely said...
The 4400, Dead Like Me, Enterprise (it was FINALLY getting good.)
7-11-2008 @ 5:02PM
sue said...
what about quantum leap?
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