We've talked a lot about great short-lived shows here at TV Squad. We even have a whole category for them. But it's always good to revisit the topic to see what you readers think.Over at Entertainment Weekly, they've chosen the 25 great TV shows that got a quick hook, the shows that got canceled (way) before their time (we're talking really short runs, so Arrested Development and Sports Night aren't on the list). There are several shows on the list that you would expect to see (Freaks and Geeks, My So-Called Life, Firefly), some surprise entries that made me happy to see on there (The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr, Frank's Place, Karen Sisco, Now & Again), and a few head-scratchers (Malibu Road? Really?). It's slightly heavy on the current side, with Journeyman and Life on Mars on the list. I mean, Life on Mars is still running new episodes.
But now comes the time when you and I get together to try to figure out which shows didn't make it to the list.
How about Private Eye, the NBC series from the late 80s that starred Michael Woods and Josh Brolin? I'd pick Surface over Invasion. We talked about Eyes earlier today. And what about The Fifth Corner? Shannon's Deal? Police Squad?
What's on your list? Shows that ran one season or less and shouldn't have been canceled.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
3-24-2009 @ 3:17PM
gooby said...
Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Firefly. Hands down. Period.
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3-24-2009 @ 3:20PM
brian said...
Two that I would have to vote for:
1 Pushing Daisies
2 John from Cincinnati
Pushing Daisies was far and away one of the best shows on TV when it got canceled.
I still want to know what the heck was going on with John from Cincinnati. It was way better than the critics gave it credit for.
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3-24-2009 @ 3:21PM
No1Dad said...
Journeyman and Lucky Louie.
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3-24-2009 @ 10:48PM
Adam said...
Loved Lucky Louie. Was perfect on HBO.
3-25-2009 @ 12:17PM
Dan said...
Absolutely, I agree on both of these. Could it be any more clear that the network made a mistake in ending Journeyman? So many people mentioned it in this list.
Also, Carpoolers (it got much funnier as it went along), Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared, Kitchen Confidential, Andy Barker PI, The Black Donnellys, Raines, The Critic.
Arrested Development, Futurama, and NewsRadio (though it did lose a lot without Phil Hartman) also had runs that should have been longer.
3-24-2009 @ 3:25PM
Laura said...
journeyman...totally.
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3-24-2009 @ 3:44PM
Chadwick said...
pushing daisies, journeyman, studio 60, life on mars, alf, men behaving badly
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3-24-2009 @ 3:29PM
Brian said...
Hidden Hills (early 2000's) was a great, short-lived comedy on NBC. Stylistically, it had much in common with Scrubs and 30 Rock. However, it was a bit ahead of its time (studio audiences were still raging on Friends and Frasier), and didn't grab an audience. I just wish, wish, wish that Hulu would get license to these wonderful gems.
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3-24-2009 @ 9:11PM
Modwild said...
Yes! Big shout out for Hidden Hills. I used to laugh my ass off during that show...thanks for the reminder!!
3-24-2009 @ 3:33PM
StillBash said...
"Journeyman" and "The Bob Sassone Family Hour" ;-)
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3-24-2009 @ 3:35PM
scott said...
Firefly, Journeyman, JFC and Daisies... and I'd pick Invasion over Surface.
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3-24-2009 @ 3:37PM
tvvwr said...
How about the show that coined "Brilliant but Canceled"? EZ Streets was amazing and just way before it's time. I also would have liked to see more of Century City, Nothing Sacred, Leaving LA, Earth 2, American Embassy, Keen Eddie and the original version of Cupid.
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3-24-2009 @ 4:52PM
CParis said...
Recs for Keen Eddie!
3-25-2009 @ 12:43PM
Backing Logan on this one said...
Thank GOD someone mentioned EZ Streets. I will NEVER forgive CBS for canceling this dark favorite. I loved that show. Could have been "The Wire" on network TV.
3-24-2009 @ 3:39PM
Aaron said...
I'd absolutely have to put Profit in that list. Adrian Pasdar as a scheming businessman. The effects haven't aged well, but the plot has done just fine. Firefly is one a lot of people will probably pick, and I agree wholeheartedly. As for comedy, I agree with the person who said Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and I'd add the live-action Tick sitcom, also.
Coincidentally, I do a podcast that's devoted to shows of this nature. It's called Axed, and is at www.axedpodcast.com. What a semi-relevant plug!
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3-24-2009 @ 3:43PM
Fred said...
The EW link, incidentally is here:
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20266883,00.html
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3-24-2009 @ 3:46PM
Astin said...
Your link points to the TV Squad short-lived-shows category instead the EW article.
Firefly obviously, and I'm really happy to see Brisco on there too. Andy Richter would have been nice to keep around too. Also, My Mother the Car and After M*A*S*H... no... wait, not those ones.
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3-24-2009 @ 3:47PM
Rocketboy said...
Max Headroom was on for way too short of a time...
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3-24-2009 @ 3:49PM
tvvwr said...
Oh man, Max Headroom, absolutely! And Profit.
I also agree about listed shows, Firefly, Wonder -falls, and -land, Frank's Place and Karen Sisco. It would be nice if some more of these would make it out on DVD.
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3-24-2009 @ 4:04PM
mdisloki said...
I've got
John Doe
Tru Calling
Invasion
Journeyman
Day Break
Lucky Louie
Jericho
Arrested Development
Firefly
And, Brisco County Jr.
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