What canceled TV show would you bring back if you could?

[DeToxRox]

I was thinking about this as I started re-watching Veronica Mars. That show was amazing and it's a shame it didn't get to end on it's own free will. I'd for sure bring it back, though Freaks and Geeks would secure a close second.

[MikeVic]

I would probably vote for Freaks and Geeks or Firefly or Buffy or Angel. But only if the same cast and all that was brought back... and they'd have to look the same as when the shows stopped, which would kinda be hard.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Arrested Development.

[gkb]

Firefly.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

THE WIRE, although the last season got kind of crazy.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The Newz or perhaps Double Dare. Sorry I didn't go with the internet-friendly answers. :(

[Flasch186]

NewsRadio

[timmynausea]

I was thinking about this as I started re-watching Veronica Mars. That show was amazing and it's a shame it didn't get to end on it's own free will. I'd for sure bring it back, though Freaks and Geeks would secure a close second.

Those are both excellent choices. I remember checking daily at the end of both the 2nd and 3rd season to see if VM would get canceled. The creator of Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas, has several new shows coming out, including one called "Party Down" that starts this Friday on Starz. Interestingly, the guy that played Bill in Freaks and Geeks is part of the regular cast.

Here are a few more:

1. Carnivale - We only got 2 seasons, and 6 were planned. So many loose ends. I just started rewatching it this week.

2. Deadwood - It would've only been 1 more season, but Deadwood deserved to go out in a blaze (literally) of glory.

3. Wonderfalls - It never got much of a chance.

[lungs]

Cavemen

[Dr. Sak]

American Dreams

[Mustang]

Space Above and Beyond

Stargate

Firefly

[Travis]

Firefly in a heartbeat (caveat of being able to get the cast back as a whole). Nice part is that they wouldn't look much different from where they left off.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Cavemen
second best answer behind double dare

[Samdari]

Robbery Homicide Division

[samifan24]

Early Edition - It was such a good, wholesome show.

If we expand the criteria to shows that ended, I'd add:

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The seasons that revolved around the Dominion War were outstanding, in particular seasons 4-6 and the early part of season 7.

[jeheinz72]

Joan of Arcadia

[spleen1015]

1. Carnivale - We only got 2 seasons, and 6 were planned. So many loose ends. I just started rewatching it this week.

2. Deadwood - It would've only been 1 more season, but Deadwood deserved to go out in a blaze (literally) of glory.

Werd.

[lungs]

second best answer behind double dare

I'm still reeling from the cancellation. Cavemen was the most wickedest show out there. Ever.

[Lathum]

Jericho- There were alot of things they could have done with this show, the way it ended was so unsatisfying.

Las Vegas- Was a guilty pleasure of mine, and you knew as soon as Cahn left it was over, but they never even resolved the show, they just dropped it in the middle of a bunch of storylines.

[Big Fo]

Arrested Development.

Winner. Hopefully the movie can meet expectations.

[BrianD]

John Doe

The title of that show has become a verb in our household to describe what happens when you finally get into a show only to have it canceled with all kinds of unanswered questions.

We tend to be very slow to check out new serial dramas to make sure we don't get John Doe'd again.

[Neon_Chaos]

Journeyman

[Toddzilla]

SportsNight

[sterlingice]

Didn't we already do this thread?

SI

[BrianD]

Didn't we already do this thread?

SI

This is the thread we all would have brought back if we could...

[Tasan]

John Doe

The title of that show has become a verb in our household to describe what happens when you finally get into a show only to have it canceled with all kinds of unanswered questions.

We tend to be very slow to check out new serial dramas to make sure we don't get John Doe'd again.

This and Sportsnight are two that get the "verb" treatment in our household. I'm glad someone else remembers John Doe. They had just gotten it set up and then bam, not on anymore.

I also liked the show Daybreak. Good idea that I think just got bogged down a bit.

[Ryan W.]

Arrested Development.

THE WIRE, although the last season got kind of crazy.

Jericho- There were alot of things they could have done with this show, the way it ended was so unsatisfying.

+1

[Tigercat]

Firefly and Journeyman (And soon to be Life on Mars. They never give good scifi that could appeal to the masses a chance. :( )

[larrymcg421]

Sports Night and Firefly

[Arles]

Playmakers

After that, I'd say Las Vegas, but Playmakers is an easy first choice.

[Passacaglia]

Cavemen

Scanning for sarcasm...still not sure. Anyway, Cavemen was awesome. I'm torn between that and Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

[lungs]

Scanning for sarcasm...still not sure. Anyway, Cavemen was awesome. I'm torn between that and Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

I actually did like it. In a sort of 'that's so dumb it isn't so dumb' way.

[Big Fo]

Playmakers

After that, I'd say Las Vegas, but Playmakers is an easy first choice.

I forgot about Playmakers, that was a pretty good show. Weren't they going to do a second season before the NFL complained about it?

[larrymcg421]

I was thinking about this as I started re-watching Veronica Mars. That show was amazing and it's a shame it didn't get to end on it's own free will. I'd for sure bring it back, though Freaks and Geeks would secure a close second.

I loved this show, but to be fair, this was one example where a network did everything it could to make a show successful. They promoted the heck out of it, tried to give it favorable timeslots, but nothing would work.

However, there is alot of talk about a Veronica Mars movie. Both Rob Thomas (creator) and Kristen Bell want to do it. I think we will start seeing more of this from failed tv-shows in the wake of Serenity's success. Get moderate domestic box office grosses and make a fortune on DVD sales to the loyal fanbase.

[gstelmack]

Police Squad

Sports Night

[Draft Dodger]

the good version of SportsCenter

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

the good version of SportsCenter

+1 I watched Sports Center religiously before school and in the evenings throughout elementary and middle school. Now the only show I watch on ESPN is PTI...my how times change

[Thomkal]

Add me to the Journeyman crowd. And going back a bit my all-time favorite sci-fi show, Babylon 5.

[Sun Tzu]

The State.

[flere-imsaho]

Firefly and I'll second a call for Space: Above and Beyond.

[RendeR]

Firefly and I'll second a call for Space: Above and Beyond.


+2

[Honolulu_Blue]

Firefly and Freaks and Geeks.

[sabotai]

Upright Citizens Brigade

[RainMaker]

Journeyman - I like the concept of the show and thought it could have been executed much better. But I liked it and thought it was one of the more unique shows on TV.

Twin Peaks - Maybe the best show that's ever been made. Not sure if you could drag out storyline much farther, but I would trust any direction Lynch would take the show.

Firefly - Just a great show that never got it's due.

[dolfin]

October Road...

stupid ABC

[ISiddiqui]

Easy question: Arrested Development.

If I could pick two, Andy Richter Controls the Universe.

[Dr. Sak]

The State.

They call me bologna feet...sandwich feet...penis face.

[Abe Sargent]

Jeremiah

[Bad-example]

Futurama

The Wire

Deadwood

Malcolm in the Middle

[B & B]

Get a Life

[LoneStarGirl]

The Class -- only lasted one season behind How I Met your Mother

Joan of Arcadia is a close second

[Greyroofoo]

Futurama, though I guess there are talks going on.

[rowech]

Life on Mars (done as of two weeks ago although they're letting it finish out), Journeyman, and Freaks and Geeks.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

Futurama was great, no doubt, but the four movies they released make me think it was close to its expiration date when cancelled.

[JediKooter]

Futurama
The original Battlestar Galactica
The A-Team
Welcome Back Kotter

[AgustusM]

Sports Night

[DaddyTorgo]

Las Vegas- Was a guilty pleasure of mine, and you knew as soon as Cahn left it was over, but they never even resolved the show, they just dropped it in the middle of a bunch of storylines.

yes yes yes. tres guilty pleasure, but oh so enjoyable.



If we expand the criteria to shows that ended, I'd add:

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - The seasons that revolved around the Dominion War were outstanding, in particular seasons 4-6 and the early part of season 7.

If we're expanding the criteria to that I'd have to agree that this would be far and away my #1 choice.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Playmania/Quiznation :(

[flere-imsaho]

I just realized that Space: Above and Beyond was yet another good scifi killed by Fox being dimwits (like Serenity). DAMN YOU FOX!!!

:D

[DaddyTorgo]

space above and beyond was cool

[DeToxRox]

Playmania/Quiznation :(

I am surprised you didn't just say UPN.

[DolphinFan1]

Sliders

The Dead Zone

[Pumpy Tudors]

I am surprised you didn't just say UPN.
homeboys from outer space and malcolm and eddie ftw

[DaddyTorgo]

ooooh sliders!!!

but can we specify "sliders before the lame parallel-earth traveling aliens" stoyline? back when it was just "slide of the week" format?

I actually preferred that because I felt like there was a lot more fun storylines and insightful social commentary as opposed to "blowing shit up"

[DaddyTorgo]

no wait - I've got two more

Time Trax - "It began in the future. A scientist turning to evil, a time machine called TRAX, criminals who vanish and a lawman with a mission. He has one weapon and a computer named SELMA. With them he will travel to a time more innocent than his own. Now he is among us. A special breed of man, a hunter, traveling through our world searching for fugitives from his own, knowing he can not go home until he has found them all. His name is Darien Lambert and this is his story."


Highlander - nuff said

[DolphinFan1]

no wait - I've got two more

Time Trax - Time Trax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Trax)
Highlander

I second Time Trax

And I got another, 7 Days

[DaddyTorgo]

hah you seconded it while i was editing out the wikipedia entry to include instead the intro narration.

my buddy and i will still sit down to watch time trax if we find it on.

and i used to DVR 7-Days when SpikeTV was replaying it at 3am last year and watch it the next day. qualitay!!

[Oilers9911]

Sports Night
Titus
The Job
The Black Donnellys

[jeheinz72]

Good calls on Sports Night and Journeyman.

[Nogram]

Alf

[cougarfreak]

Jericho
American Dreams
Journeyman
West Wing

[kcchief19]

Get a Life
Wow ... I would have forgotten about this one but I would have loved to have more episodes of Get a Life. They need to get on the ball on DVDs for this one.

SportsNight and Freaks and Geeks are musts because they went far before their time. Studio 60 was a good show too that was maligned by overhype. The original Battlestar Galactica would have been on this list but the reimagined version has more than sated my appetite, although it is now leaving far too early. For shows that still have creative life but left me wanting more, I'd go with WKRP, Ed and Newsradio (but we'd have to get Phil Hartman back, rest his soul).

For a show that had miles on it already, I would put The West Wing at the top of the list. I would have liked to see what the show would have done with a new administration, regardless of whether they went with Alan Alda or Jimmy Smits.

Seinfeld should almost automatically be on the list but I have to admit that I think another season or two would have tarnished the franchise, whereas I can't say that about the other shows.

[Shkspr]

I would bring back Earth 2, but that's just because I could use the money (my first job in college was working on the tech crew).

[gkb]

King of the Hill (wasn't it canceled recently?)

[sabotai]

Wow ... I would have forgotten about this one but I would have loved to have more episodes of Get a Life. They need to get on the ball on DVDs for this one.

It was out on DVD, but it looks like they stopped making them. Netflix had them too (I rented them awhile back) but it looks like they don't have them anymore.

[CU Tiger]

Playmakers

[DaddyTorgo]

I would bring back Earth 2, but that's just because I could use the money (my first job in college was working on the tech crew).

ooooh good one!

[Buccaneer]

I apparently have just about nothing in common with most of you.

[Karlifornia]

My Big Fat Greek Life
The Magic Hour

[molson]

The State.

That would be pretty awesome

I'd settle for Stella

[Logan]

Everyone knows The Wire wasn't canceled right? It was a max five season arc from the onset.

[Daimyo]

Arrested Development would be #1 by a decent margin, but I'd love more episodes of Freaks and Geeks too.

[BYU 14]

Deadwood for sure.

Old school show - Night Gallery, damn show made me wet my bed as a kid.

[Abe Sargent]

Crusade

[mckerney]

Firefly
Andy Richter Controls the Universe
Stella
NewsRadio (With the reanimation of Phil Hartman)
Kenny vs. Spenny (Haven't seen news yet of a 6th season)



As much as I love Arrested Development, I'm not sure I'd bring it back given the choice. The final season may have been better had they been able to run the course of the number of episodes initially planned, but the show was almost better off being able to make the parallel of it's own struggles alongside those of the Bluth family. But it couldn't run its story line on forever, and it's not as if they didn't get enough time to tell the story with 53 episodes. I don't think Arrested Development would have been quite as good were it a typical 24 episodes of programing to get to syndication quickly and run it as long as possible until people get tired of it like most sitcoms. Likewise, I don't think The Office has benefitted from being on it's 5th season and running 20+ episodes a season. It was much better in the begining and I think it may have been better if it had been allowed to run the course of it's story like the original and had it's creators go on to create something else to entertain us.

Not that I think this is the case for any comedys, as shown with NewsRadio as one of the shows I'd bring back. NewsRadio is much more like Seinfeld in that, althought there may be some themes and plots that carry throughout the series, there was no overarcing storyline to either of those two shows as there was with Arrested Development (the charges against George Sr. and the trouble with the Bluth Company), and at the begining of The Office (documenting a branch of a company that may face closure). With no over arcing story line to progress NewsRadio and Seinfeld were just allowed to be funny without the risk of dragging the plot out or turning it absurd. Much like the problems that Lost and Heroes have seemed to have running a story over 24 episdoes when it probably only needs 16 at most.

[3ric]

Firefly and Deadwood

[DeToxRox]

Everyone knows The Wire wasn't canceled right? It was a max five season arc from the onset.

This. I thought I read that HBO was interested in a 6th season, and David Simon thought about it. It would've been about the influx of Mexicans into Baltimore, but he didn't feel like he or his staff could make that authentic enough so he decided not to. I am glad too, as it ended as perfectly as a show like that can.

[RainMaker]

Lot of Firefly fans. Thought I was the only one that loved that show.

[jeff061]

Upright Citizens Brigade


Glad I'm not the only one.

[Thomkal]

How about an obscure one? Veritas: The Quest.

[Matthean]

Listing ones not mentioned.

For classic shows, The Wonder Years, The Cosby Show, and Happy Days.
For ones I'm surprised weren't mentioned, Kids in the Hall and Pushing Daises.

Sometimes I swear somebody should make a network that builds it's programming off of canceled shows and grabbing ones that get killed before their time and gives them a second chance.

[Dutch]

Firefly was an outstanding series (Am I the only one who wasn't impressed by Serenity, though?) and deserved a longer run.

I also wanted to see more of Invasion, but I knew there was only so much further they could go without it becoming cooky.

[Apathetic Lurker]

Gilmour Girls

Thats my wife using me as a mouthpiece.I do not have free will

[DaddyTorgo]

Gilmour Girls

Thats my wife using me as a mouthpiece.I do not have free will

uh huh...suuuure :p

[Passacaglia]

We're going way past shows that have been cancelled now.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Firefly was an outstanding series (Am I the only one who wasn't impressed by Serenity, though?) and deserved a longer run.

No. Serenity had some great moments and it was fun to visit with those characters again and be back in that world, but it wasn't as good as the series for a host of reasons.

I liked it, but didn't love it.

[larrymcg421]

I'd also like to throw in Undeclared, a hilarious little Judd Apatow show that is in the same format as his movies and contains many of his regulars.

[Mustang]

I apparently have just about nothing in common with most of you.

C'mon Buc.. didn't Gunsmoke have a long enough run?


;)

[Mac Howard]

For me the Rock Star series petered out too early. Could have gone to at least a third season.

I'll add my name to Deadwood as well - would even settle for a re-run of the first season (never saw that).

[Logan]

I'd also like to throw in Undeclared, a hilarious little Judd Apatow show that is in the same format as his movies and contains many of his regulars.

I have the DVDs, highly recommended.

[flere-imsaho]

I think there's a special place for Firefly in people's hearts because of the way Fox well and truly fucked with that show.

[MikeVic]

I watched Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared one after the other. Both were good shows, but I felt Freaks and Geeks was great, whereas Undeclared was only "good."

[Autumn]

Wow ... I would have forgotten about this one but I would have loved to have more episodes of Get a Life. They need to get on the ball on DVDs for this one.

I had the DVDs for Get A Life I had picked up real cheap years back. I have to say, they were almost unwatchable. I loved the show when it was on, but something changed. Luckily I sold it on Amazon to some collector for an ungodly price. Hah.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Lot of Firefly fans. Thought I was the only one that loved that show.
read more internet

[bbor]

Boomtown....loved this show.

[ISiddiqui]

read more internet

Yeah totally! I wish I could get away from the interwebs people who think Firefly is God's gift to mankind!

[lordscarlet]

I had the DVDs for Get A Life I had picked up real cheap years back. I have to say, they were almost unwatchable. I loved the show when it was on, but something changed. Luckily I sold it on Amazon to some collector for an ungodly price. Hah.

The only comedian worse than Chris Elliot is Tracy Morgan.

[lighthousekeeper]

The Higgins Boys and Gruber

[lighthousekeeper]

mst3k ?

[JPhillips]

Old school Wide World of Sports.

[lighthousekeeper]

Its the Gary Shandler Show

[JediKooter]

mst3k ?

+1,000,000,000

[I. J. Reilly]

Boomtown....loved this show.

+1 - Neal McDonough was outstanding as the drunk assistant DA

[Autumn]

mst3k ?

I've often fantasized of having a Mystery Science Theater 3000 button on my remote. No matter what show or channel I was watching I could push it and those familiar silhouettes would appear as an overlay and start snarking on whatever happened to be on: Survivor, Entertainment Tonight, the nightly news. It would be glorious.

[Travis]

Firefly was an outstanding series (Am I the only one who wasn't impressed by Serenity, though?) and deserved a longer run.

I also wanted to see more of Invasion, but I knew there was only so much further they could go without it becoming cooky.

As much as Whedon wanted to make the movie as great as possible, I think he knew it would fall short of the show but wanted to have as much closure on the universe as he could. I was just happy that he tied up as many storylines as he did. I can't recall off hand, but I believe some of the interviews he did between the show and the movie made it sound like he had intended to take 3-5 seasons to reveal the information that ended up in the movie. Given the way he tends to develop stories/characters, there was really no way the movie could live up to the style/quality of the show, but it's a lot nicer to have that information/wrap up than to have not done it at all. That said, I believe that Whedon knew the movie would likely be it for live action continuation of that series and wrapped up as much as he did.

Now if they'd just hurry up and start releasing some of the books they've talked about (like giving some info on Book's background and Inarra/the syringe she was holding when they first showed had the Reavers attacking).

[mckerney]

Ugh, can't believe I forgot to mention Futurama in my first post.

[Neuqua]

Arrested Development
Dawson's Creek

[Bad-example]

Its the Gary Shandler Show

Reminding me of the great HBO product The Larry Sanders Show. That show was so funny and the casting was perfect. A real shame that music copyright issues have (mostly) kept it from reaching dvd. I remember the episode with Carol Burnett being especially hilarious. The Bobcat Goldthwaite one was great too.

[SFL Cat]

Probably Firefly. Watched an episode, didn't care for it much...didn't watch. Saw Serenity...liked the movie, bought the DVD of the series, watched it again and realized I missed out on a pretty darn entertaining series.

[Crapshoot]

Holy shit, Firefly is something I can agree with SFL on. That's reason enough to bring it back. Greatest show evah!

[FBPro]

Early Edition - It was such a good, wholesome show.


Concur, EE was a show with a fresh idea for it's time.

[Senator]

Old school Wide World of Sports.

+1

I want to see more diving from the high cliffs of Mexico!!!

[Big Fo]

I'd never heard of Firefly before this thread. Maybe I'll give it a shot one day.

[Apathetic Lurker]

uh huh...suuuure :p


you have never met the old battleaxe, have you?

[sterlingice]

I've often fantasized of having a Mystery Science Theater 3000 button on my remote. No matter what show or channel I was watching I could push it and those familiar silhouettes would appear as an overlay and start snarking on whatever happened to be on: Survivor, Entertainment Tonight, the nightly news. It would be glorious.

This must be what heaven is like :D

SI

[Lathum]

The only comedian worse than Chris Elliot is Tracy Morgan.

+1 on the Tracy Morgan comment, there is just something uncomfortable about him

[Lathum]

Temptation Island

[sabotai]

MST3K was never canceled!!

(At least sabotai-world, it goes on strong.......*cries*)

[sterlingice]

I might have happened to order a set from valuemst3k before it went offline so I might just watch an episode or so a week ;)

SI

[Dutch]

I'd never heard of Firefly before this thread. Maybe I'll give it a shot one day.

Be forewarned, I thought the pilot episode was absolute shit (I felt like they tried to cram 500 hours of storyline into one program. I damned near turned away from it after that. But I had bought the series on DVD, so I gave the 2nd episode a shot and some of the humor appeared as well as a vast slow down in character development (a good thing) and I thought, hmmm, that wasn't so bad. Then I tried the 3rd episode and the rest was history.

[Antmeister]

Daybreak
The Ben Stiller Show
Firefly (of course)
In Living Color (well actually I wish the original cast didn't leave)

And I have a feeling that I will feel that Battlestar Galactica will have ended too soon when all is said and done.

[BreizhManu]

Dead like me

[larrymcg421]

Be forewarned, I thought the pilot episode was absolute shit (I felt like they tried to cram 500 hours of storyline into one program. I damned near turned away from it after that. But I had bought the series on DVD, so I gave the 2nd episode a shot and some of the humor appeared as well as a vast slow down in character development (a good thing) and I thought, hmmm, that wasn't so bad. Then I tried the 3rd episode and the rest was history.

That's interesting, because the reason FOX supposedly skipped the pilot episode when it was on is because they felt it was too slow. The 2nd episode was created to be the new pilot. I thought the original pilot was much better, and this switch was one of the many ways in which FOX screwed the series.

[ShaneTheMaster]

Lucky Louie

[Oilers9911]

I have the DVDs, highly recommended.

Wow, I had forgotten that show. Funny show.

[Passacaglia]

Yeah, highly recommended is one of my favs, too.

[larrymcg421]

I have the DVDs, highly recommended.

Definitely one of the best DVD sets ever produced. Commentary for every single episode, including almost the entire cast (except Carla Gallo), even guest stars. Two different versions of certain episodes.

The only drawback to the set was that the episodes are not ordered chronologically, but instead by the date of airing, which screws up the whole continuity.

[Racer]

Journeyman

[Schmidty]

This one's easy - Frasier.

[JediKooter]

M*A*S*H

[sterlingice]

The shows that lasted 1 or 2 seasons- I definitely understand. I still will never get the Firefly following but I chalk it up to Whedon and strange phenomenons that I will never get like Boba Fett and internet memes.

But I'm curious about the 5+ years shows. There have been some justifications here for some, but do you really think they needed another season or seasons of venerable shows? I mean, for instance, I loved Cheers but when it went off the air it was time to go. A really rare example is when a show goes just about right, even more amazing if they close it out well. Deep Space Nine is about the best example of this I can think of. I've been racking my brain to try and come up with shows that went on too short and were more than 5 seasons long. Stargate Atlantis just finished at 5 and was probably a season or two too short- they still had a lot of good stuff going on, but SG-1 was easily 2 seasons too long.

The Simpsons should have been yanked years ago, after about season 10 or 8 if you're really critical. But here we are. Married With Children and Roseanne- classic sitcoms that definitely went too long. X-Files, should have closed it off and stopped at 7. Anyone clamoring for that 17th season of ER? Once Law and Order or CSI get cancelled, will it be too soon or too late? The other L&O's? I'm pretty sure we know that answer.

So, again, really, after 5 years how many cancelled shows needed to go on longer? I'm not saying there aren't any but just because you liked a show doesn't mean it hasn't reached its expiration date.

SI

[Marc Vaughan]

Two easy calls

"Firefly" - great sci-fi series, cancelled in its prime imho
"The Dresden Files" - was well chuffed when the series started, was fantastically well done ... and then cancelled :(

[Dr. Sak]

MILF Island

[larrymcg421]

John Larroquette Show - Original Style

The first season of the John Larroquette Show was dark and weird and completely awesome. It was one of the more authentic sitcoms I've ever seen. However, the network panicked because it got low ratings, typically not looking at their own dumb ass decision to premiere it against Roseanne and blaming it on the tone. I would like to see that first season brought back and forget the watered down nonsense NBC turned it into, which basically made it Wings in a bus station.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

When the Whistle Blows

[rowech]

This one's easy - Frasier.

Sorry...that show had long run it's course. It had a few funny moments here and there but that show simply ran out of steam.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The shows that lasted 1 or 2 seasons- I definitely understand. I still will never get the Firefly following but I chalk it up to Whedon and strange phenomenons that I will never get like Boba Fett and internet memes.

But I'm curious about the 5+ years shows. There have been some justifications here for some, but do you really think they needed another season or seasons of venerable shows? I mean, for instance, I loved Cheers but when it went off the air it was time to go. A really rare example is when a show goes just about right, even more amazing if they close it out well. Deep Space Nine is about the best example of this I can think of. I've been racking my brain to try and come up with shows that went on too short and were more than 5 seasons long. Stargate Atlantis just finished at 5 and was probably a season or two too short- they still had a lot of good stuff going on, but SG-1 was easily 2 seasons too long.

The Simpsons should have been yanked years ago, after about season 10 or 8 if you're really critical. But here we are. Married With Children and Roseanne- classic sitcoms that definitely went too long. X-Files, should have closed it off and stopped at 7. Anyone clamoring for that 17th season of ER? Once Law and Order or CSI get cancelled, will it be too soon or too late? The other L&O's? I'm pretty sure we know that answer.

So, again, really, after 5 years how many cancelled shows needed to go on longer? I'm not saying there aren't any but just because you liked a show doesn't mean it hasn't reached its expiration date.

SI

I agree with most of this. I think it was definitely the case for "Buffy", for example. Other than a few fantastic single episodes, the quality of the show was declining from season 5 on. While I probably would have continued to watch it, had it continued to air, I think it was time for it to end. "Angel" could have had maybe another season, but even that's questionable.

As for Deep Space Nine, though my memory is a bit funny, I do recall it was starting to slip a bit. It was still higher quality than anything pre-Dominion war, but after Dax died and all, things were winding down. I am not sure if that show had anywhere else to go but down as well. Then again, my memory is a bit foggy on it at all.

[Schmidty]

Sorry...that show had long run it's course. It had a few funny moments here and there but that show simply ran out of steam.

I disagree, but that's cool. I loved right until the end in 2004. The best thing about the show was it's dialogue, and that never suffered, imo. It was one of the last "smart" sitcoms. Now all we get is garbage like Two and Half Men.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I disagree, but that's cool. I loved right until the end in 2004. The best thing about the show was it's dialogue, and that never suffered, imo. It was one of the last "smart" sitcoms. Now all we get is garbage like Two and Half Men.

No. We still have things like "The Office", "30 Rock" and "How I Met Your Mother." I think the balance of "smart" sitcoms versus "garbage" is probably pretty similar to what it always has been, especially considering the decline in the overall number of sitcoms on the air.

[Pumpy Tudors]

sorry the correct answer was Woops!

Woops!

[Tigercat]

I am surprised to see so much Journeyman talk, didn't realize it had so much love. Personally, I think it had a chance to be better and more popular than Quantum Leap.

[larrymcg421]

sorry the correct answer was Woops!

Woops!

I remember when Fox had The Simpsons, Woops, Married With Children, Flying Blind (w/ Tea Leoni), and Herman's Head all one the same night.

[Dr. Sak]

Head of the Class

[Autumn]

+1 on the Tracy Morgan comment, there is just something uncomfortable about him

I think it's his arms. They're just not right.

[larrymcg421]

Head of the Class

Only if they bring back Johnny Fever as the teach and erase Billy Connolly's reign from the continuity.

[Crapshoot]

Be forewarned, I thought the pilot episode was absolute shit (I felt like they tried to cram 500 hours of storyline into one program. I damned near turned away from it after that. But I had bought the series on DVD, so I gave the 2nd episode a shot and some of the humor appeared as well as a vast slow down in character development (a good thing) and I thought, hmmm, that wasn't so bad. Then I tried the 3rd episode and the rest was history.

Another odd bird. Wow.

I actually loved the pilot; its probably only 3rd to Jaynestown and Mrs. Reynolds in my favorite episodes. I thought the 2nd episode was more action-y and therefore less interesting.

[Marc Vaughan]

Jaynestown was fantastic, loved that one :D

[cubboyroy1826]

Definitely Sportsnite, i loved that show.

[larrymcg421]

Another odd bird. Wow.

I actually loved the pilot; its probably only 3rd to Jaynestown and Mrs. Reynolds in my favorite episodes. I thought the 2nd episode was more action-y and therefore less interesting.

I agree with this, although I'd also throw in Out of Gas as one of the best.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I remember when Fox had The Simpsons, Woops, Married With Children, Flying Blind (w/ Tea Leoni), and Herman's Head all one the same night.
Best primetime lineup in television history.

[WVUFAN]

V The Series

You'll get your wish this upcoming year, since they're remaking this show.

[judicial clerk]

Tales of the Gold Monkey

[Julio Riddols]

Small Wonder

Salute Your Shorts

Dog Bites Man

[rowech]

Best primetime lineup in television history.

Yeah....Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers, Night Court, Hill Street Blues...that lineup sucked.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Yeah....Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers, Night Court, Hill Street Blues...that lineup sucked.
Well, I sure don't see Woops! anywhere on your list.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I agree with this, although I'd also throw in Out of Gas as one of the best.

I think my favorites are "Out of Gas", "War Stories", and "Ariel."

That's the thing about this show. I've watched all of the episodes multiple times and never really get tired of it.

I can't say the same for, say, Battlestar Galactica. It's a great series. In fact, no sci-fi series has ever done space combat/tactics any better. That said, I've never had the desire to watch a single episode over again.

[Passacaglia]

I remember when Fox had The Simpsons, Woops, Married With Children, Flying Blind (w/ Tea Leoni), and Herman's Head all one the same night.

Oh man, I had no idea what Pumpy was talking about until you gave me some context. Although, I'd say there's at least an 80% chance it was spelled Whoops, not Woops. Anyway, good stuff.

[Passacaglia]

Gah, IMDB proves I'm a moran. Oh well.

[duckman]

M*A*S*H
+1

Love that show! I still watch the reruns on Hallmark.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Oh man, I had no idea what Pumpy was talking about until you gave me some context. Although, I'd say there's at least an 80% chance it was spelled Whoops, not Woops. Anyway, good stuff.

Gah, IMDB proves I'm a moran. Oh well.
Why would you even bother challenging me?

[Big Fo]

Alright guys, I was at Best Buy today and I saw Firefly on sale for $13 today and picked it up after remembering how people enjoyed it on this thread. If I don't like it I'll feel that FOFC's members collectively owe me $13 that I'll never get back. I'm looking forward to it though, you lot are usually alright in your collective taste.

[SackAttack]

Jericho- There were alot of things they could have done with this show, the way it ended was so unsatisfying.

Jericho

Add me to the list. They're doing "season 3" In a comic book miniseries. We'll see if that's any good, but it's not the same.

[DeToxRox]

Still say Veronica Mars.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just got Firefly on Blu-Ray. I watched the first episode again tonight. Fuck, was that a good show. Unbelievably good.

[cthomer5000]

Those are both excellent choices. I remember checking daily at the end of both the 2nd and 3rd season to see if VM would get canceled. The creator of Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas, has several new shows coming out, including one called "Party Down" that starts this Friday on Starz. Interestingly, the guy that played Bill in Freaks and Geeks is part of the regular cast.

Here are a few more:

1. Carnivale - We only got 2 seasons, and 6 were planned. So many loose ends. I just started rewatching it this week.

2. Deadwood - It would've only been 1 more season, but Deadwood deserved to go out in a blaze (literally) of glory.

3. Wonderfalls - It never got much of a chance.

All very solid picks.

I'll even toss in a very current one - Dollhouse. The show has grown considerably from mid season 1 to now... and I think it could really come into it's own given more time. Shame it wont get that time.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

edit: dammit, I forgot this was for canceled shows. oh well...

[kingnebwsu]

Gotta go with the Critic & Sports Night. The Critic is a show that would fit perfectly on FOX Sunday nights. I guess it got canceled because Hollywood just stopped making bad movies...right?

Sports Night was genius for its time and is still great a decade later. Many of the current comedies without a laugh track owe a nod to (the second season of) Sports Night.

[larrymcg421]

Undeclared.

[Big Fo]

Undeclared.

That was another good one. Fox canceled their only two non-sports shows I watched this decade. Bastards.

[samifan24]

They're doing "season 3" In a comic book miniseries. We'll see if that's any good, but it's not the same.

Showrunner Bryan Fuller is doing the same thing with the Pushing Daisies franchise. I haven't purchased a comic book in years but I am interested to see what he does with the characters and how he wraps up the story.

[sterlingice]

Didn't we already do this thread?

SI

Hey! I was right! (mostly)
Best TV Shows Never Given a Chance - Front Office Football Central (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=31638)

And, even better :D
Front Office Football Central - View Single Post - Best TV Shows Never Given a Chance (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=610230&postcount=95)

EDIT: And, it keeps getting better:
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=610643&postcount=115

SI

[Kodos]

Still say Veronica Mars.

Very good show, and they need to go back to the original intro music. Love K-Bell!

[PurdueBrad]

There are several that people have mentioned that I will second, third, fourth, etc.

Sportsnite- I love this show, bought all the episodes and am impressed at how well it has held up.

Deadwood- Terrific show but too much a niche with the western concept I guess. I'm a big Timothy Olyphant fan and this definitely makes my list.

The Sopranos- I would've liked to see either the eventual fall of Tony Soprano (although I love the character) be it through a gang war or if he were put through trial. I think that a season of 'The Trial of Tony Soprano' could've been great.

News Radio- Another one that I've bought the set of, and it was so underrated/underappreciated. Of course, I am a bit saddened when I see the brilliance that is Phil Hartman.

Firefly- Never saw it but the reputation it has here and among my co-workers is enough for me to say, bring it back. One day I'll have to pick up the series on DVD or Blu-Ray and then I'll share the love.

Playmakers- I think had the show had a firmer footing from the beginning, they could have spaced out the melodrama a bit more. I felt like they were rushing the storylines because they thought the axe could fall all along. I think given the right channel and a two year commitment, this could've been a great show.

Life on Mars and Southland (I know that it is sort of around but...)- Both were great cop shows that I think expanded the genre in new ways. The time-travel dynamic of Life on Mars and the contrast between modern police work and that of the 70's was terrific television. There best episodes were the ones with little to no mention of his 'real' life. Southland reminds me a lot of The Wire, but does a slightly better job IMO of hashing out the life, challenges, and routines of the police across the spectrum of beat walker to detective and up the chain of command.

[sterlingice]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sports_Night_title_card.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/25/Sports_Night_title_card.jpg

FYI: It's Sports Night ;)

SI

[RomaGoth]

Farscape

Star Trek DS9

Reaper (cancelled right?)

That 70's Show (with original cast members)

[RomaGoth]

This one's easy - Frasier.

Sorry...that show had long run it's course. It had a few funny moments here and there but that show simply ran out of steam.

I disagree, but that's cool. I loved right until the end in 2004. The best thing about the show was it's dialogue, and that never suffered, imo. It was one of the last "smart" sitcoms.

Frasier is one of the best sitcoms of all time imo. I actually was hoping they would run a spinoff with Frasier moving to Chicago to be with his new girlfriend (Laura Linney?). It did seem to lose some steam at the end, but the dialogue was incredible and the characters were very easy to relate to.

Now all we get is garbage like Two and Half Men.

I actually think this show is pretty funny. There are some laugh out loud moments, but I like the older episodes more than the newer ones. The kid turned into an asshat, typical teenager I guess. Jon Cryer plays a really good neurotic bachelor.

[lerriuqs]

Space Above and Beyond

Crusade

Those would be my choices...

[stevew]

Newsradio. But only if it would mean Phil Hartman was still alive.

[Glengoyne]

My newest entry to this list is "Life"

This was a clever cop show that would have taken hold if they had ever run it in a time slot where it would garner attention. It ran against Lost, Grey's anatomy, and Criminal Minds...I'm sure others as well. It was also shuffled around to multiple nights. I kept hoping they'd throw it up on Tuesday's at 10:00...The Law and Order slot. It languished, and ended after two seasons.

If you didn't catch it, do yourself a favor and get the DVDs.

[tarcone]

I really miss Flying Blind.

[tarcone]

And Arrested Development is playing on IFC right now

[CamEdwards]

I'd like to see if Parker Lewis ever lost. How hard could it be to reunite that cast? I don't think any of them are working regularly these days.

[samifan24]

My newest entry to this list is "Life"

This was a clever cop show that would have taken hold if they had ever run it in a time slot where it would garner attention. It ran against Lost, Grey's anatomy, and Criminal Minds...I'm sure others as well. It was also shuffled around to multiple nights. I kept hoping they'd throw it up on Tuesday's at 10:00...The Law and Order slot. It languished, and ended after two seasons.

If you didn't catch it, do yourself a favor and get the DVDs.

I loved "Life." Damien Lewis and Sarah Shahi were great as the leads. I wasn't a big fan of the addition of Donal Logue in season two but otherwise thought it was a good show.

[Pumpy Tudors]

The correct answer is still Woops!

Woops!

[larrymcg421]

<object width="425" height="344">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HskyyIGElGs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></object><object width="425" height="344">

[Terps]

Mr. Belvedere.

[Glengoyne]

I loved "Life." Damien Lewis and Sarah Shahi were great as the leads. I wasn't a big fan of the addition of Donal Logue in season two but otherwise thought it was a good show.

It really is up there with Firefly as the series I wish hadn't been canceled. Life is actually one I'm happy to say that I caught from the first episode, as I liked Damian Lewis from Band of Brothers. Firefly, I enjoyed while it was on air, but didn't follow close enough to catch more than about four episodes. It was pretty hard to keep up with. So I really "discovered" Firefly from the full season DVDs.

[Qrusher14242]

Strange Luck
Early Edition - One of my favorite uplifting shows. Watching the 2nd season right now heh
Sports Night
Max Headroom
Ed
Andy Richter Controls the Universe
Eli Stone
Once and Again
Space: Above and Beyond
The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. - a fun scifi/comedy/western way ahead of its time
John Doe
Nowhere Man - Sucks this show had to be on UPN, or else it would have probably gone on longer
Quantum Leap
Titus - This show so hilarous, shame it only got 3 seasons
American Dreams
Newsradio - My favorite sitcom of all time. Phil Hartman was amazing as Bill McNeil
Everwood
Men in Trees - Although the 2nd season wasnt nearly as good, i still wanted more :(

[Blade6119]

Reaper (cancelled right?)

Sadly, yes...got 1 season of awesomeness and nothing more :(

[Kodos]

It's Your Move. :)

[BreizhManu]

Not completely related but interesting read :

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-tv-series-of-the-00s,35256/1/

[RomaGoth]

Sadly, yes...got 1 season of awesomeness and nothing more :(

Thought so. That show was pretty damn funny though. The guy who played the devil was very good, and the chick was hot.

[RomaGoth]

No. We still have things like "The Office", "30 Rock" and "How I Met Your Mother." I think the balance of "smart" sitcoms versus "garbage" is probably pretty similar to what it always has been, especially considering the decline in the overall number of sitcoms on the air.

The difference now is that very few shows are "filmed before a live studio audience", so to speak. The Office, 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, and others are all filmed without an audience and/or laugh track. I wonder if Scrubs started that trend or if a prior show was responsible?

[RomaGoth]

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. - a fun scifi/comedy/western way ahead of its time
Titus - This show so hilarous, shame it only got 3 seasons


Two shows I forgot about. Bruce Campbell is a very underrated/underappreciated actor imo.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

The difference now is that very few shows are "filmed before a live studio audience", so to speak. The Office, 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, and others are all filmed without an audience and/or laugh track. I wonder if Scrubs started that trend or if a prior show was responsible?

I really think The Larry Sanders Show was the show that influenced the way much of TV comedy is done today. Although it didn't have the audience of the shows that followed, the lack of a laugh-track and the turn towards smart, somewhat mean humor was really ahead of its time.

[RomaGoth]

I really think The Larry Sanders Show was the show that influenced the way much of TV comedy is done today. Although it didn't have the audience of the shows that followed, the lack of a laugh-track and the turn towards smart, somewhat mean humor was really ahead of its time.

Ah, I forgot about that show. Pretty funny stuff that was.

[sterlingice]

Not completely related but interesting read :

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-tv-series-of-the-00s,35256/1/


Ugh- what a horrible list. You have a couple of perennial Emmy winners and then a bunch of cult classics, many of which just aren't that good.

SI

[Edward64]

Highlander - have to bring back the writers from the early seasons.
Battlestar Galactica - one more season on the new earth would have been perfect
X-Files - but do away with the conspiracy episodes
HBO Rome

and, of course ...

Kung Fu

[Karlifornia]

Ugh- what a horrible list. You have a couple of perennial Emmy winners and then a bunch of cult classics, many of which just aren't that good.

SI

I think that list was actually pretty damn good. It left off most of the network tripe, because it's precisely that: Tripe.

[Grammaticus]

Definately Deadwood and Rome. I'll add Tour of Duty to the list.

[sterlingice]

Highlander - have to bring back the writers from the early seasons.

The last two seasons were awful but I loved everything before that. Ok, correction- the last season and a half. The previous season finale/premiere with the watchmen/immortal war was great and they had the excellent four horsemen two-parter in season 5, too. It's just the whole demon/Richie thing was stupid and they were just mailing it in for season 6.

SI

[EagleFan]

Sportsnight - loved that show during it's very brief existence

[-apoc-]

Pushing Daisies cause it just made me smile.

[Samdari]

Sports Night is just the cream of the crop here. I think more people have purchased the DVD's than watched the show during its run.

I'd add Robbery Homicide Division, but that cannot even get the originals out on DVD.

[DaddyTorgo]

The last two seasons were awful but I loved everything before that. Ok, correction- the last season and a half. The previous season finale/premiere with the watchmen/immortal war was great and they had the excellent four horsemen two-parter in season 5, too. It's just the whole demon/Richie thing was stupid and they were just mailing it in for season 6.

SI


i agree. have the show on DVD and season 6 is just painful.

[sterlingice]

Sports Night is just the cream of the crop here. I think more people have purchased the DVD's than watched the show during its run.

I have nothing to back this up, but I think more people watched it on Comedy Central than on ABC. By which I mean more people were introduced to it there. It ran a single time on ABC, maybe with some reruns. Comedy Central ran it nightly for a couple of years so there were more chances to start watching it, even if the number watching each time was much smaller.

SI

[RomaGoth]

The Chapelle Show

[judicial clerk]

Tales of the Gold Monkey

[Pumpy Tudors]

You Can't Do That on Television, Becker, and Woops!

[the_meanstrosity]

+1. I heard that the Wonderfalls producers had some interesting story lines planned for the second season. Fun show that introduced me to the term mouth breather.



3. Wonderfalls - It never got much of a chance.

[Malificent]

After Firefly, anything by Bryan Fuller (Wonderfalls, Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies).

[Senator]

White Shadow