Best TV Shows Never Given a Chance

[DeToxRox]

I hate to post another topic tonight but this one is one I wanna' get everyones feelings on.

Are their any shows that weren't given much of a chance or taken off the air you thought were great?

For me, it all goes back to the George Carlin show, which I thought was brilliant. It was incredibly funny. Obviously it wasn't very PC but that was in the mid 90s. Try it now and I think it'd be a hit.

But thats mine. Anyone else have any?

PS: No one is allowed to say the Single Guy or Boston Common

[Peregrine]

Firefly, no question. Amazing show, everyone I've convinced to watch the DVD set has come away raving about what could have been. Now that there will be a movie, there's some slim hope the show could come back on.

[sabotai]

Nightstand

[mckerney]

Andy Richter Controls the Universe

[lighthousekeeper]

Sifl & Olly


...also

Get a Life (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098802) with Chris Elliot

[DeToxRox]

Andy Richter Controls the Universe

Good call.

[Tigercat]

Second Firefly, everyone I know who has seen the DVDs(with the episodes in order) has loved it, even people like me that were skeptical after catching one or two episodes out of order(good job FOX) on the first time around.

Firefly only lasted 13 shows on air, yet it sold enough DVDs that they gave it a 50 million dollar budgeted movie. Thats just amazing.

Family Guy had similiar sucess on DVD which gave it a second life.

Andy Richter Controls the Universe was also an excellent show.

[Vince]

I was a big fan of Inside Schwarz -- but I seem to normally be alone in that regard :)

[jbmagic]

Bj and the Bear
Shirrif lobo
Harcastle and McCormick

[klayman]

Greg the bunny

[stevew]

I think that ABC acted way to quickly to cancel Hammerman, one of my alltime faves.

[mckerney]

So pretty much this thread could be summarized by saying, "FOX sucks."

Whenever they have a new show, it never has a consistent time slot, and because of this it has low ratings so it's canceled. If The Simpsons were a new show today it wouldn't last two seasons.

[kingnebwsu]

The Critic
Sports Night
Andy Richter Controls the Universe

[Sharpieman]

The Critic was a great show, good thing they still show reruns late at night on comedy central.

[Antmeister]

Get A Life (with Chris Elliot, comedian)
The Ben Stiller Show

[TroyF]

Andy Richter Controls the Universe


Great, great show.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Second Firefly, everyone I know who has seen the DVDs(with the episodes in order) has loved it, even people like me that were skeptical after catching one or two episodes out of order(good job FOX) on the first time around.

Firefly only lasted 13 shows on air, yet it sold enough DVDs that they gave it a 50 million dollar budgeted movie. Thats just amazing.

Family Guy had similiar sucess on DVD which gave it a second life.

Andy Richter Controls the Universe was also an excellent show.

Firefly is an amazing show. Genius. Definitely looking forward to the movie.

The other show that I rank up there was "Freaks & Geeks." An amazing show. Great writing. Great cast. Top marks all around. I couldn't recommend the DVDs for this one enough.

Television sucks right now. It's a complete f*cking wasteland of warmed-over, copy-cat reality TV and 37 different versions of CSI.

As Joss Whedon recently said : "I have a bitter taste in my mouth with where TV has gone in the past five years," he told Variety, labeling the reality TV craze "loathsome."

Amen, brother. A-f*cking-men.

[Simms]

Twin Peaks

[Suicane75]

Sports Night, no doubt.
The scene from the final episode where the new owner say to Dana "Any company that can't make money off of a show like Sports Night doesn't deserve to be in the buisness of making money" Is still one of my favorite lines from a TV show ever.

Duckman, USA really dicked around with it's timeslot and while it ran for a long time I never felt like it was ever given a chance to stay on one creative path and run with it, maybe thats more the fault of the writers than the network though.

Hardball, Richard Tyson was supposed to be a star damnit!!

[gi]

Another for Firefly. Watched all the episodes fox showed on TV. Purchased the DVD"s as soon as they came out. What a great show. Looking forward to the movie coming out soon.

[Raiders Army]

/agree with Firefly. Also liked Mind of the Married Man on HBO as well as John Doe on Fox.

[gi]

/agree with Firefly. Also liked Mind of the Married Man on HBO as well as John Doe on Fox.

Firefly and then Joe Doe on Fridays made for great TV. :)

[Cringer]

i can't think of any right this moment, but what keeps popping into my head is how my wife is pissed that FOX has suspended (for an unknown amount of time, so good chance it is not coming back) the new season of Tru Calling. She loved that show.

[lcjjdnh]

Freaks and Geeks

I second HB's nomination. I suggest everyone pick this up on DVD as not only is it a great show but the DVD has a ton of extras which add extra insight. I'm pretty sure there's at least one commentary for each show, usually with the director, producer, writer and maybe some actors. The second commentary which many episodes have is sometimes fans of the show, a seperate commentary from actors or writers or actual characters in the show playing their role in character and commentating.

[Lathum]

I really enjoyed Lucky on FX with John Corbet. Great characters and writing, it actually received an Emmy nomination for writing.

Another guilty pleasure of mine was Playmakers. As silly as the show could be at times it was still enjoyable. I would have liked a few more seasons so they could develop more characters, bring in rookies, etc...But since the NFL controls ESPN the show got the axe.

[moriarty]

Sports Night was killed way too early. I still love watching the old episodes on DVD.

[portnoise]

Count me in on Sports Night and Firefly... what do these things have in common? They're run by writers--individual guys with a voice and a style, not the bland committee of people who write Desperate Housewives.

Lemmie also throw My So-Called Life and Wonderfalls onto the pile.

[sachmo71]

Wonder Falls


Paradise Hotel

[cuervo72]

Hooperman! (ok, I liked it for Debrah Farentino and Sydney Walsh)

I'll agree with Freaks & Geeks, and throw in It's Your Move, Max Headroom (though that had a little bit of a run).

[Warhammer]

What was the show with the guy that had characters in his brain arguing back and forth was late 80s early 90s.

The Critic and Family Guy are two others.

I gotta agree with the guy who mentioned Duckman, I loved that show, but it seemed they changed the time slot every week!

[gi]

What was the show with the guy that had characters in his brain arguing back and forth was late 80s early 90s.


I believe Hermans Head ... or What's inside Hermans Head...something like that I think.

[MikeVic]

I agree with some of the picks here. However, someone also said something about bland writing on Desperate Housewives?? This is the only show I watch on TV regularly. I find it extremely interesting. Am I the only one?

[Radii]

Greg the bunny

I love Sarah Silverman, but, even with her in it, this is the single worst show in the history of TV I believe.

[sachmo71]

I agree with some of the picks here. However, someone also said something about bland writing on Desperate Housewives?? This is the only show I watch on TV regularly. I find it extremely interesting. Am I the only one?

I don't think the writing is bland at all. For network TV, it's a wonderful show.

[cubboyroy1826]

I second Sportsnight and will add Harsh Realm.

[Fidatelo]

I'll vote for Greg the Bunny and Andy Richter, those are always the 2 that immediately jump to mind for me. Freaks and Geeks was great too.

As for The Critic, I never really enjoyed that show at all. Same with Futurama. I don't know why, but I've never understood the appeal of those 2 shows at all.

[MikeVic]

I'll vote for Greg the Bunny and Andy Richter, those are always the 2 that immediately jump to mind for me. Freaks and Geeks was great too.

As for The Critic, I never really enjoyed that show at all. Same with Futurama. I don't know why, but I've never understood the appeal of those 2 shows at all.

Greg the Bunny I'll agree with. Didn't watch Andy Richter. I'll also add Undeclared to the list I guess.

And Futurama is one of my favourite shows. Watch the episode where Bender turns into a human/Fry wishes for the world to be like a video game, and the episode where Fry and Leela get super powers... and tell me the show isn't great. :D

[Fonzie]

Andy Richter Controls the Universe was a fabulous show. If only stupid Fox would've kept it in one stupid time slot instead of stupidly moving it around all the time it might've gained a following. Same could be said for Futurama.

Stupid Fox.

In fact, I'm so pissed at Fox for cancelling those shows that I promise never to watch it again, just as soon as the Simpsons end their run and the NFL contract expires and NBC (or somebody else) picks it up. I swear. As soon as those two things happen, I'm done with Fox.

Unless, of course, they wise up and finally decide to quit wasting our time by showing us nearly naked women and start broadcasting hardcore pornography. Then they'll win me back. But, I swear, I will watch no more Fox until all of the above conditions are satisfied. Do you hear me, Rupert Murdoch!?

[terpkristin]

I second Sports Night and Wonderfalls.
Both died way too early for my liking.

~tk

[Fonzie]

Greg the Bunny I'll agree with. Didn't watch Andy Richter. I'll also add Undeclared to the list I guess.

And Futurama is one of my favourite shows. Watch the episode where Bender turns into a human/Fry wishes for the world to be like a video game, and the episode where Fry and Leela get super powers... and tell me the show isn't great. :D

And let's not forget the Star Trek episode. Pure genius.

[oykib]

I'd swear we had a thread about this a while back.

"Cupid" - A great show with Jeremy Piven.

I second (or third or whatever) "Twin Peaks."

I also really loved "Good vs. Evil." Deacon Jones cracked me up.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Jake 2.0 deserved more than the 12 episodes it got, IMHO.

[MikeVick7]

Class of 96.

Anyone? How could a show featuring Kari Wuhrer be bad?

[Senator]

Night Stalker
White Shadow

I haven't watched TV since I was 6.

[Cuckoo]

Anyone remember Nightingales? A bunch of hot nurses that lived in a house together. Who knows what happened on the show, but I remember they walked around in their underwear quite a bit. :)

[FrogMan]

to me, Sports Night, hands down. I used to collect quotes from that show, had even designed a website dedicated to quotes from the show... Joshua Malina had even sent me an autographed hat and I had exchanged emails with one or two others from the cast... RIP Sports Night...

FM

[Warhammer]

And Futurama is one of my favourite shows. Watch the episode where Bender turns into a human/Fry wishes for the world to be like a video game, and the episode where Fry and Leela get super powers... and tell me the show isn't great.

Don't forget the one where Bender picks up a lilliputian civilization and becomes their god!

[JPhillips]

The Dana Carvey Show. How can you not like songs about being a whore for Taco Bell. Also, the Skinheads of Maine skit still makes me laugh.

Skinhead 1: What cha doing?

Skinhead 2: Whittlin.

Skinhead 1: What cha whittlin?

Skinhead 2: Whittlin on my hate stick.

[SunDancer]

I don't think the writing is bland at all. For network TV, it's a wonderful show.

Agree. Great show, and the women are pretty nice to look at. I just hope it doesn't overhype itself, and doesn't go extreme in writing.

I think this show and Nip-Tuck are the two best shows on TV right now.

[SunDancer]

Also, Reno 911 is funny. Didn't that get cancelled?

[KevinNU7]

#1 Andy Richter Controls the Universe
#2 Undeclared

[tategter]

I'm going to go outside of the typical 'guy' show and say 'What about Joan' with Joan Cusack. My wife and I loved that show and it fizzled after about 10 episodes a few years back.

Agreed about Fox. They are definately going for the attention span challenged audience these days.

[Franklinnoble]

Class of 96.

Anyone? How could a show featuring Kari Wuhrer be bad?


I remember that show. I was bummed when it got cancelled, because I was in college at the time, and I was meant to be in the Class of 96, so I sort of felt like it was "my" show.

It did not bode well for me when it got cancelled. I ended up dropping out of school.

Anyhow, I think "The Flash" should have gotten a better shot.

[bbor]

Freaky links.....I heart that show

[cuervo72]

Ohhhhhhh....Cuervo like Kari Wuhrer.

[Easy Mac]

I second Sifl and Olly. I used to have all the episodes burned to Cd's, but I let a friend borrow them and never got them back.

I also think Keen Edide should have gotten a longer run.

And I agree with Undeclared.

[BucDawg40]

Also, Reno 911 is funny. Didn't that get cancelled?

It's a great show, and I don't think it was cancelled.

[Huckleberry]

Philly with Kim Delaney

[Bonegavel]

Firefly is number 1 without a doubt. In the last 4+ years I have relied on rentals and DVD purchases to view my movies but I am going to see the Firefly movie in the big Theatre to lend my support. I hope this turns studio heads around and let Whedon continue with the tv franchise. As long as the actors contracts don't screw things up (which, sadly, I think may be the case :()

[gi]

Firefly is number 1 without a doubt. In the last 4+ years I have relied on rentals and DVD purchases to view my movies but I am going to see the Firefly movie in the big Theatre to lend my support. I hope this turns studio heads around and let Whedon continue with the tv franchise. As long as the actors contracts don't screw things up (which, sadly, I think may be the case :()

Luckily the actors have openly said they will make sacrifices for Firefly.

<Crossing my fingers>

[Samdari]

Second Sports Night and Greg the Bunny.

I'd add Robbery Homicide Division.

[Bonegavel]

How could a show featuring Kari Wuhrer be bad?
She is so hot I will even subject myself to one of the most horrible shows ever -Sliders- just to see her. I was smitten with her since the very first episode of Remote Control.

[Bonegavel]

Luckily the actors have openly said they will make sacrifices for Firefly.

<CROSSING fingers my>
Best 'Firefly' news I heard since the movie. This is the only show in the history of tv where I would gladly send in donations to keep it going. Wild West, space ships, and great characters: does it get any better?

Answer: no.

[DeToxRox]

anyone remember Stark Raving Mad with Tony Shaloud and Neil Patrick Harris? That was solid. Then again I was like 12 when it was on so maybe it was just me.

[Cringer]

Ohhhhhhh....Cuervo like Kari Wuhrer.

i didn't know who she was, so I had to google her....

this is enough to make me a fan
(NSFW?) hxxp://www.kariwuhrer.net/wallpapers/kari4wallpaper.jpg

[DeToxRox]

This is just a show that was really bad but I had to throw out: USA High. Ha, what a bad, bad show.

[Peregrine]

Luckily the actors have openly said they will make sacrifices for Firefly.

And honestly its not like any of them have really amazing post-Firefly careers going, I think they'd be glad to go back to being part of a regular TV show. I did see Summer Glau in a small role in a recent CSI, but that's about it. Most of them seem to have been doing TV miniseries with the occasional tiny movie role.

[Bonegavel]

And honestly its not like any of them have really amazing post-Firefly careers going, I think they'd be glad to go back to being part of a regular TV show. I did see Summer Glau in a small role in a recent CSI, but that's about it. Most of them seem to have been doing TV miniseries with the occasional tiny movie role.
Indeed. But, I read (in the aftermath of the cancellation) that most of them had signed studio contracts for x years and that it would be hard to get the cast back together even if it were to be picked up because of contracts.

Having said that, I'm sure the "sacrifice" wouldn't be so altruistic as you suggest for exactly your reasoning.

[Raiders Army]

Best 'Firefly' news I heard since the movie. This is the only show in the history of tv where I would gladly send in donations to keep it going. Wild West, space ships, and great characters: does it get any better?

Answer: no.

Well...technically, you could only watch episodes of your favorite shows, including Firefly, so many times without being tired of it.

Good porn, on the other hand, you can watch over and over.

[Franklinnoble]

How about "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr."?

[cuervo72]

i didn't know who she was, so I had to google her....

this is enough to make me a fan
(NSFW?) hxxp://www.kariwuhrer.net/wallpapers/kari4wallpaper.jpg

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144669/

[Suicane75]

How about "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr."?

Brisco was the bomb. If I remember correctly there was 1 season where Brisco came on at 8, X-Files came on at 9, and then American Gothic (A show that surely belongs in this thread) came on at 10 on CBS. What a 3 hour block of TV.

[Cringer]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144669/

uhm, i actually found the pics from that movie. full frontal is nice. i just figured I would go with the more "covered" pics of her... :D

[MJ4H]

cop rock

[cuervo72]

uhm, i actually found the pics from that movie. full frontal is nice. i just figured I would go with the more "covered" pics of her... :D

Ah, carry on then! :)

[bbor]

Yes...American gothic does belong in this thread.

[MJ4H]

SERIOUS CONTRIBUTION:

trigger happy tv

[Swaggs]

Anyone remember Kindred: The Embraced? It was a Fox show set in a big city with different factions of vampires fighting against each other.

[QuikSand]

I'm not so sure I buy Twin Peaks for this list.

Sure, it only made it through a season and a half, but nearly all loyal viewers would agree -- this show was d-o-n-e when it ended. Once Laura's murder was solved, the many remaining "loose ends" were simply not enough to keep the show's focus. I watched it to its end, but they were never going to recapture the riveting feel of the last five or six episodes of season one.

I think it got its chance, was more successful than they had any right to expect, and was mercifully ended before an even more disappointing denouement.

[Mr. Wednesday]

So pretty much this thread could be summarized by saying, "FOX sucks."

Whenever they have a new show, it never has a consistent time slot, and because of this it has low ratings so it's canceled. If The Simpsons were a new show today it wouldn't last two seasons.That can be a chicken and egg problem -- AFAIK, Firefly got moved around because its ratings sucked, not vice versa. The crime isn't so much that Fox rightfully canned it, the crime is that people weren't watching it.

[Bubba Wheels]

Beat the Geeks. Jeopardy-like game show with 3 regular Geeks (Movies, Music, TV) and one 'guest Geek' of any particular subject (Star Wars, Star Trek, ect...) Challenge the Geek and if you win you take his medallion (and self-esteem, the Music Geek got replaced after the first couple of shows due to getting beat too many times).

[Simms]

I'm not so sure I buy Twin Peaks for this list.

Sure, it only made it through a season and a half, but nearly all loyal viewers would agree -- this show was d-o-n-e when it ended. Once Laura's murder was solved, the many remaining "loose ends" were simply not enough to keep the show's focus. I watched it to its end, but they were never going to recapture the riveting feel of the last five or six episodes of season one.

I think it got its chance, was more successful than they had any right to expect, and was mercifully ended before an even more disappointing denouement.
While understanding I'm probably firmly in the minority, I enjoyed the 2nd half of TP's run a LOT more than the whole Laura Palmer angle. Windom Earle, I thought, was an exceptionally interesting character, and while I agree that Lynch went a bit off the Black Lodge deep end toward the conclusion of the series, I loved the premise of the storyline.

That said, if the subsequent feature film Fire, Walk with Me was an indication of Lynch's mental state at the time, I would agree that it was better to put a nail in the show's coffin when they did. I'm not sure I've ever been more disappointed in a movie.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Anyone remember Kindred: The Embraced? It was a Fox show set in a big city with different factions of vampires fighting against each other.

Yes. I remember this show. It was awful this show. Wasn't C. Thomas Howel the star? Playing a human detective investigating the world of vampires? It was based on the White Wolf RPG. Horrible...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yes...American gothic does belong in this thread.

Great show. My man Gary Cole rocks.

[Suicane75]

Along the same veign of Beat The Geeks, there was a short lived CC game show, I believe they pitted 2 groups against each other like Steelworkers vs Carpenters etc in a trivia contest, that was the first time I ever saw Aimee Sweet when they had Playmates vs Hustler Honeys or whatever they're called, so I have to add that show to the list, even if I don't remember the name.

[Chief Rum]

Don't forget the one where Bender picks up a lilliputian civilization and becomes their god!

Or the one where they travel back in time and Fry does it with his (then young) grandma? :)

Favroite line ever...""Ohhh, now look who's concerned about time paradox, Mr. "I'm My Own Grandpa".

CR

[Breeze]

Strange Luck

[VPI97]

I miss Phil Hartman on NewsRadio

[Crapshoot]

This discussion begins and ends with Futurama- althogh Family Guy, SportsNight and co have legit beefs. Essentialy, Fox comes up with some amazing innovative stuff- then blows it.

[DeToxRox]

I miss Phil Hartman on NewsRadio

that was one of the best shows when hartman was on it. he is forever one of the funniest people ever to have graced hollywood.

[John Galt]

I'm not so sure I buy Twin Peaks for this list.

Sure, it only made it through a season and a half, but nearly all loyal viewers would agree -- this show was d-o-n-e when it ended. Once Laura's murder was solved, the many remaining "loose ends" were simply not enough to keep the show's focus. I watched it to its end, but they were never going to recapture the riveting feel of the last five or six episodes of season one.

I think it got its chance, was more successful than they had any right to expect, and was mercifully ended before an even more disappointing denouement.

I was going to post that I didn't think Twin Peaks belonged in this thread for a different reason - it was given several chances, but it just didn't catch on. With all the media coverage and the resurrection after the first cancellation, I think it was given lots of opportunities. Tragically, it didn't survive.

I would echo Simm's comment that I think the show was far from finished (although I enjoyed the first season more). After all, it ended on a pretty big cliffhanger and I found lots of the supernatural themes and stories to be pretty riveting.

[ntndeacon]

I will second Lucky on FX. My roommate and I never missed an episode, and were very sorry that show was canned.

[Raiders Army]

Yet such "reality" copycat drivel such as Trading Spouses (Wife Swap on ABC), The Swan (Extreme Makeover on ABC), The Rebel Billionaire (The Apprentice on NBC), and My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss (The Apprentice again mixed with Fox's My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance) make it on.

The Simple Life wasn't bad. Nanny 911 isn't bad, but too long for an hour show. American Idol is decent. And Cops is always an entertaining show.

Fox is like the reality TV whore of networks.

[DanGarion]

Firefly
Fastlane
John Doe
Jake 2.0
Sports Night
Andy Rictcher Controls the Universe
Angel (should have stayed on)
Threat Matrix
Undeclared
Freaks and Geeks
Ed
do I need to continue?

[sterlingice]

Strange Luck
I figured I was the only one who remembered this show still existed. Yet another show cut down by the FOX Friday buzzsaw with the X-Files along with Brisco County Jr, Mantis, etc.

Um... I'm pretty sure we've had this thread before, guys. And I'm guessing most of us have said the same thing in all of them.

SI

[Suicane75]

I miss Phil Hartman on NewsRadio

NewsRadio was an awesome show until the really bizzare final season which was just all over the place and quite frankly not really funny.
I read someplace where the creator wanted to send all the characters to New Hampshire or Vermont (wherever it was) with Jimmy and start a new Radio Station and basicly get back to the roots of the show, however of course it was canceled and he never got the chance.

[Bonegavel]

Firefly
Fastlane
John Doe
Jake 2.0
Sports Night
Andy Rictcher Controls the Universe
Angel (should have stayed on)
Threat Matrix
Undeclared
Freaks and Geeks
Ed
do I need to continue?
Yes, that is the point of the thread.

[rkmsuf]

Never given a chance? They got on the air and nobody watched.

[Cringer]

Along the same veign of Beat The Geeks, there was a short lived CC game show, I believe they pitted 2 groups against each other like Steelworkers vs Carpenters etc in a trivia contest, that was the first time I ever saw Aimee Sweet when they had Playmates vs Hustler Honeys or whatever they're called, so I have to add that show to the list, even if I don't remember the name.

everything comes back to Aimee Sweet doesn't it? :rolleyes: :D

[lcjjdnh]

Undeclared is another one I forgot which a few people have mentioned. This was actually by the same guys who created Freaks and Geeks.

[Tom E]

ER

[Franklinnoble]

Chicago Hope

[Walrus]

I miss Futurama too.


Gerhardt Reinke was hilarious.

[Coop]

That's My Bush!

George: Maggie, don't you have laundry to do?
Maggie: Oh that's right, I can do what your father did and separate the whites from the colors.

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif

[finkenst]

Class of 96.

Anyone? How could a show featuring Kari Wuhrer be bad?

i'm guessing class of 96 could be why.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

The Job (Denis Leary) ABC
Bakersfield P.D. (Giancarlo Esposito, Ron Ellard, Brian Doyle Murray) FOX
Dragnet (Ed O'Neal) ABC
Lateline (Al Franken) NBC
Gideon's Crossing (Andre Braugher) ABC

[jbmagic]

Greatest American Hero
BJ and the Bear
Sheriff Lobo
Hardcastle & McCormick

[Franklinnoble]

Beavis and Butt-Head

I'm surprised this took 108 posts...

[KJDelaney]

A show from way back........

Cop Rock.


Just kidding. I also agree on Sports Night. It kind of lost something when Oberman (sp) was "let go" from ESPN

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

FOX canned ''Space Above & Beyond'' to the shock of millions of fans. Replacing it with LA FireFighters which lasted 3 episodes.

[DeToxRox]

Oooh, The Job, I did like that show. Hopefully they don't axe Rescue Me. That's a damn good show in my opinion.

[JeffNights]

omg space: above and beyond was kick ass man.

i imagine budget problems did it in.

[Glengoyne]

I enjoyed Firefly while it was on. Perhaps I need to buy the DVDs as I did miss some episodes.

I'll jump on the Sports Night bandwagon as well. I wasn't sure if this one was cancelled or if it was abandoned by it's producer Aaron Sorkin for "The West Wing". He was pretty key in script development as I understand it.

Brisco County was another one I enjoyed, but it lasted a few seasons at least.

I'm surprised no one has put forth "The Tick" The animated series. This was by far the best thing on TV when it came out. Very few things will get me out of bed early on a Saturday morning, but I was a faithful Tick viewer.

[ahbrady]

cop rock
I am disappointed that I didn't see this thread sooner. That was my first thought as well.

[sterlingice]

Beavis and Butt-Head

I'm surprised this took 108 posts...
That lasted more than 5 seasons. I don't think you can say it didn't have a chance.

I enjoyed Firefly while it was on. Perhaps I need to buy the DVDs as I did miss some episodes.

I'll jump on the Sports Night bandwagon as well. I wasn't sure if this one was cancelled or if it was abandoned by it's producer Aaron Sorkin for "The West Wing". He was pretty key in script development as I understand it.

Brisco County was another one I enjoyed, but it lasted a few seasons at least.

I'm surprised no one has put forth "The Tick" The animated series. This was by far the best thing on TV when it came out. Very few things will get me out of bed early on a Saturday morning, but I was a faithful Tick viewer.
The Tick lasted 3 years which is basically average for a cartoon. Stiil, should have gone longer.

I never bought into the Joss Whedon fan club but I'll second those other ones.

Also, I'll reiterate we've done this before:
http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=9777
http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=5686

SI

[Craptacular]

It lasted four seasons, but Mr. Show with Bob and David was definitely gone from HBO too quickly. I agree with Futurama, Undeclared, Family Guy, and Get a Life.

edit: Add Brisco County Jr as well. Any anyone remember that show with Hulk Hogan and the boat? It was like Knight Rider on the water.

[Craptacular]

Damn it, forgot about Northern Exposure too. Great show! I think it lasted four or five years, but it seemed like its run ended far too soon.

[kingfc22]

Off the top of my head I would say Fastlane, John Doe and Firefly

[mckerney]

Ed

I don't think Ed belongs in the category of 'never given a chance', if I remember correctly it did fairly well in the ratings. Perhaps it should have had more than four seasons, but I think the problem was that the whole plot of the show was Ed going after the girl of his dreams, and then when they got engaged there wasn't a whole lot left. It's like if The Centre had caught Jared in the middle of the second season of The Pretender, there would have been a whole lot left as far as plot lines.

[bbor]

Boomtown......even with Wahlberg

[TazFTW]

edit: Add Brisco County Jr as well. Any anyone remember that show with Hulk Hogan and the boat? It was like Knight Rider on the water.


Thunder in Paradise


I agree with Sports Night, Brisco County Jr, and Space Above and Beyond

[ISiddiqui]

Andy Richter Controls the Universe
SportsNight
Brisco County, Jr.
Futurama
Family Guy
Wonderfalls
(Add 15 other Fox shows here)

Oh, and if "Arrested Development" didn't win an Emmy, it would definetly shown up on this list, because FOX was ready to drop the hammer... after the Emmy, even THEY couldn't do it.

[bbor]

Off the top of my head I would say Fastlane, John Doe and Firefly

I 2nd John Doe.

[Glengoyne]

The Tick lasted 3 years which is basically average for a cartoon. Stiil, should have gone longer.
SI
Yeah, the problem I had with the demise of the Tick was that it wasn't related to ratings. The series was really doing well. It came down to a pissing match over money between I believe the writer/creator, the producer, and Fox. In my book, the Tick is the one cartoon that might even have been better than the Simpsons.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, the problem I had with the demise of the Tick was that it wasn't related to ratings. The series was really doing well. It came down to a pissing match over money between I believe the writer/creator, the producer, and Fox. In my book, the Tick is the one cartoon that might even have been better than the Simpsons. Let's not say things we can't take back here. Have you seen an episode of The Tick lately (i.e. in the sense of things grow fonder in our memories over time)? There's a set floating around (tho they have, I believe Danish, subtitles) the net, for instance. They're funny and they even have tons of jokes that are funny on repeated viewings but the show is nowhere near as deep as the Simpsons was during its best years.

SI

[Chief Rum]

Boomtown......even with Wahlberg

I was debating whether to mention this show. I really enjoyed it, too, but, apparently, it was just you and me, bbor. :(

CR

[Z²+]

An NBC mid-season show two years ago, Mr. Sterling. I was shocked it wasn't picked up for a second season. I thought the writing was excellent, William Russ was an outstanding supporting actor, and the subject matter was inherently interesting (or maybe that was just because I was a political science major at the time and always enjoyed Russ from Boy Meets World). But I was quite disappointed when the network didn't renew it for another year, I always thought it was getting good ratings and reviews (although it was moved to about 3 different nights in the course of month - the kiss of death to any new show).

[Ragone]

Sledge Hammer..

Alf got canned way to quickly..it just kinda went away with a cliffhanger ending that wasn't resolved.

Mystery science theater 3000

[Bonegavel]

Mystery science theater 3000
hope this was a joke because this show ran for muchos anos. One of the top shows ever to grace the tube.

[B & B]

Get a life

(Im thirding it)

[Breeze]

Doctor Doctor

[BucDawg40]

Cleopatra 2525
Jack Of All Trades

[KevinNU7]

Andy Richter Controls the Universe was a fabulous show. If only stupid Fox would've kept it in one stupid time slot instead of stupidly moving it around all the time it might've gained a following. Same could be said for Futurama.

Stupid Fox.

In fact, I'm so pissed at Fox for cancelling those shows that I promise never to watch it again, just as soon as the Simpsons end their run and the NFL contract expires and NBC (or somebody else) picks it up. I swear. As soon as those two things happen, I'm done with Fox.

Unless, of course, they wise up and finally decide to quit wasting our time by showing us nearly naked women and start broadcasting hardcore pornography. Then they'll win me back. But, I swear, I will watch no more Fox until all of the above conditions are satisfied. Do you hear me, Rupert Murdoch!?
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2004/11/09/nfl_extends_contracts_with_cbs_fox_for_8b/

[KevinNU7]

Jack Of All Trades
OH MY GOD!!! I FORGOT ABOUT THSI SHOW! GREAT SHOW!!!

[judicial clerk]

Millenium (when it was about solving creepy murders and not about conspiracy theories)

Tales of the Gold Moneky

[Glengoyne]

Let's not say things we can't take back here. Have you seen an episode of The Tick lately (i.e. in the sense of things grow fonder in our memories over time)? There's a set floating around (tho they have, I believe Danish, subtitles) the net, for instance. They're funny and they even have tons of jokes that are funny on repeated viewings but the show is nowhere near as deep as the Simpsons was during its best years.

SI
I don't know. I like the Simpsons and all, but really the Tick was incredible. There was just SO much stuff in it. I think the best of the Tick measures up very well with the best of the Simpsons. I don't have any problem with that statement, and I am fan of the Simpsons as well. If you need any sort of qualification to the statement, I did say might have been better. I think it was simply that good.

[DeToxRox]

another one .. Salute Your Shorts

TWO SEASONS WAS NOT ENOUGH!

That was edgey Nick programming, and I loved it.

[Joe]

Homeboys In Outer Space

[vtbub]

Dragnet
Sports Night
WKRP

[Pyser]

didnt futurama run for like 6 years? i liked it, but it was on a while.

[sterlingice]

didnt futurama run for like 6 years? i liked it, but it was on a while.
Technically 4 seasons spread out across 5 years.

SI

[bbor]

Remembered another one...Unsub

[Suicane75]

They Came From Outer Space starring the great Dean Cameron only ran a year or 2 in syndication, not nearly long enough for one of the greatest shows in TV history.
And I 2nd Bakersfield P.D., how could I forget about that? The episode with the cow milking is still engrained in my brain over 10 years later.

[Glengoyne]

Remembered another one...Unsub
I nearly mentioned this one, but figured no one would remember. I loved it, and honestly couldn't believe it was cancelled. It was ahead of it's time. I remember watching 'the Profiler', thinking that Unsub, had done the same thing, SO much better.

[tategter]

[QUOTE=Tales of the Gold Monkey[/QUOTE]

Wasn't this show on like 25 years ago? It was one of my favs but I cannot remember how long it lasted. Seemed like a good run though.

[Breeze]

[QUOTE=Tales of the Gold Monkey

Wasn't this show on like 25 years ago? It was one of my favs but I cannot remember how long it lasted. Seemed like a good run though.[/QUOTE]


Was this the show with the one eyed dog, and it's owner that couldn't ever remember when the dog barked 1 time if that was yes or 2 barks was yes?

[TazFTW]

i can't think of any right this moment, but what keeps popping into my head is how my wife is pissed that FOX has suspended (for an unknown amount of time, so good chance it is not coming back) the new season of Tru Calling. She loved that show.
Bumping this topic because after having just watched the 3rd episode of the last 6 they shot, Tru Calling deserved to be kept alive. The show was okay in the beginning but it has improved immensely when they added Jason Preistley's character. Damn you Fox! Damn you!

I'd also like to add Dead Like Me to the list. Showtime cancelled this because they didn't want to continue paying MGM and instead wanted to put their own shows on. I hope DLM finds a new network.

[davidlando1]

American Gothic (A show that surely belongs in this thread) came on at 10 on CBS. What a 3 hour block of TV.

I was waiting for someone to remember American Gothic, that was a very cool show. I also loved The Lone Gunmen and Action with Jay Mohr.

[Young Drachma]

Hooperman! (ok, I liked it for Debrah Farentino and Sydney Walsh)

I'll agree with Freaks & Geeks, and throw in It's Your Move, Max Headroom (though that had a little bit of a run).

I liked Hooperman, too.

[larrymcg421]

Running in to this thread late, but I definitely have a few comments:

I agree with those who love Firefly. I never caught it during it's network run, but recently picked up the DVD's. Great stuff, especially since I got to see the original pilot first. It must've been very confusing the way FOX did it. They also rearranged several episodes of Undeclared, another prematurely cancelled quality series.

I wouldn't my hopes up about a new Firefly series, though. I really doubt a character based sci fi show would work on network television. It could possibly work on cable, like Sci-Fi, but they would have to severely slash the budget and I think some of the quality would be lost. I think the best to hope for is that the movie does really well and they turn it into a trilogy and maybe more.

By the way, since Whedon is confirmed for Wonder Woman, what do you guys think of Morena Baccarin in the role? I think she'd be a great choice.

[cthomer5000]

didnt futurama run for like 6 years? i liked it, but it was on a while.
4 seasons.

But the fact that it's dead and buried while the zombie corpse of the Simpsons staggers on is a crime.

[TLK]

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/7827/getarrested13ee.gif (http://getarrested.com/)

[Airhog]

Personally, I think Futurama getting canned sucked balls. But it was fox's own fault. You cannot have 3 cartoons all show in the same night right after one another and expect them to all do really well.

[Logan]

I loved Andy Richter Controls the Universe. One scene that I will always remember:

Andy walks into work, and sees his dream girl, Wendy. He starts thinking of scenarios of what to say to her (Hi, How are you, etc), but when he finally goes up and talks to her, it comes out as "Hi are you?"

Truely amazing, and a line I quote with a buddy of mine all the time.

[Bearcat729]

I'd also like to add Dead Like Me to the list. Showtime cancelled this because they didn't want to continue paying MGM and instead wanted to put their own shows on. I hope DLM finds a new network.


I wasn't sure why Showtime cancelled the show, but I think it should be given a shot on another channel. I had heard rumors of Sci-Fi picking it up.

[jbmagic]

Freeks and Geeks

[timmynausea]

Freaks and Geeks is probably the best show cut short, in my opinion.
I did watch Brisco County, Jr. every week when I was a kid, though, and if Arrested Development gets cancelled (looks likely) it will definitely be in the mix. It's one of the best sit-coms ever.

[Joe]

taxicab confessions

[Abe Sargent]

I love Sports Night, it was a great show, and I own it on DVD. That said, however, the topic is "shows never given a chance," not "shows canceled too early.' I think two seasons certainly qualifies as a chance.

My personal choice for an show never given a chance - Crusade.

-Anxety

[jbmagic]

Bj and the Bear

Hardcastle & Mccormick

Sheriff Lobo

[FrogMan]

I love Sports Night, it was a great show, and I own it on DVD. That said, however, the topic is "shows never given a chance," not "shows canceled too early.' I think two seasons certainly qualifies as a chance.

do you rememeber the first season it was on? They pulled it on big ratings weeks, not once, but at least twice, showing some other shows. Moves like that killed it early on... I loved Sports Night, the beginning of Aaron Sorkin on TV...

FM

[kcchief19]

ABC did a service to SportsNight by at least not moving it around, keeping it plugged in on Tuesday nights. But, they did do a disservice to the show by pulling it during sweeps and not rerunning it to build an audience. Also, NBC was flying high on Tuesdays with Fraiser at the time, so sending SportsNight to a slaughter with no protection wasn't giving it much of a chance.

Freaks and Geeks definitely heads the most recent list of shows not given a chance. NBC buried the show on Saturday nights, exactly the time that its core audience doesn't watch television. The promotion for the show was horrid as well, NBC would yank episodes off the schedule at the last minute and aired the show out-of-sequence.

Unfortunately, the two biggest strikes against these shows were that they were "too smart" for broadcast television.

[Bubba Wheels]

Beat the Geeks was the best game show I ever watched. Original host was best. Guess it did last for a little while.