TV Shows / Series that were cancelled too early (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

Memphis Beat is another one With Jason Lee that I really liked that was cancelled too early.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

"Lucky"

I don't get the love for "Firefly". Pretty mediocre if you ask me.

Don't worry. Not your thing. I dont think theres a sci-fi show you do like.

On TV? You're probably right (unless you count Twilight Zone). But I didn't dislike Firefly because it was Sci-Fi. It was just kinda hokey.

 

[Insein]

"Lucky"

I don't get the love for "Firefly". Pretty mediocre if you ask me.

Don't worry. Not your thing. I dont think theres a sci-fi show you do like.

On TV? You're probably right (unless you count Twilight Zone). But I didn't dislike Firefly because it was Sci-Fi. It was just kinda hokey.

Most Sci-Fi is hokey. You have to suspend belief a little bit. The show had a decent idea that was never fleshed out.

 

[pollardsvision]

Here's why I think Firefly got canceled...it was the prostitute character. People were looking for a great adventure show that they could watch with their kids like the old Star Trek. Having to explain prostitution to kids was a tough barrier to entry for a lot of family people and may have cost the show some audience.

JMHO

I dont think it was targeted towards kids. I remember it being on at 9 I thought.

I think it was the odd order the decided to show it in. They aired the train job which was the 3rd or 4th episode before the pilot that sets up characters and background.

making a swashbuckling space adventure show and excluding kids and families at the outset kind starts you off in not a great spot....

Here's why I think Firefly got canceled...it was the prostitute character. People were looking for a great adventure show that they could watch with their kids like the old Star Trek. Having to explain prostitution to kids was a tough barrier to entry for a lot of family people and may have cost the show some audience.

JMHO

I dont think it was targeted towards kids. I remember it being on at 9 I thought.

I think it was the odd order the decided to show it in. They aired the train job which was the 3rd or 4th episode before the pilot that sets up characters and background.

making a swashbuckling space adventure show and excluding kids and families at the outset kind starts you off in not a great spot....

I doubt it would've helped, but more importantly, it just never would've worked as a kid appropriate show.

Also funny you mention the prostitute as being tough to explain to kids, but not kicking the dude into a fiery jet propeller. Not specific to you (I agree with you about what most Americans would find disturbing) but odd about general attitudes regarding sex vs. violence in TV.

 

[Josie Maran]

"Lucky"

I don't get the love for "Firefly". Pretty mediocre if you ask me.

Lucky was awesome.

I still remember the scene where his fat buddy was jumping in front of cars and shaking down the drivers after they ran him over. "The first couple times are tough, but after that it's all muscle-memory."

 

[Insein]

Here's why I think Firefly got canceled...it was the prostitute character. People were looking for a great adventure show that they could watch with their kids like the old Star Trek. Having to explain prostitution to kids was a tough barrier to entry for a lot of family people and may have cost the show some audience.

JMHO

I dont think it was targeted towards kids. I remember it being on at 9 I thought.I think it was the odd order the decided to show it in. They aired the train job which was the 3rd or 4th episode before the pilot that sets up characters and background.

making a swashbuckling space adventure show and excluding kids and families at the outset kind starts you off in not a great spot....

Here's why I think Firefly got canceled...it was the prostitute character. People were looking for a great adventure show that they could watch with their kids like the old Star Trek. Having to explain prostitution to kids was a tough barrier to entry for a lot of family people and may have cost the show some audience.

JMHO

I dont think it was targeted towards kids. I remember it being on at 9 I thought.I think it was the odd order the decided to show it in. They aired the train job which was the 3rd or 4th episode before the pilot that sets up characters and background.

making a swashbuckling space adventure show and excluding kids and families at the outset kind starts you off in not a great spot....

I doubt it would've helped, but more importantly, it just never would've worked as a kid appropriate show.

Also funny you mention the prostitute as being tough to explain to kids, but not kicking the dude into a fiery jet propeller. Not specific to you (I agree with you about what most Americans would find disturbing) but odd about general attitudes regarding sex vs. violence in TV.

Or the pilot where he just shoots the guy holding a hostage because he was delaying his take off.

 

[FlapJacks]

Here's why I think Firefly got canceled...it was the prostitute character. People were looking for a great adventure show that they could watch with their kids like the old Star Trek. Having to explain prostitution to kids was a tough barrier to entry for a lot of family people and may have cost the show some audience.

JMHO

I dont think it was targeted towards kids. I remember it being on at 9 I thought.

I think it was the odd order the decided to show it in. They aired the train job which was the 3rd or 4th episode before the pilot that sets up characters and background.

making a swashbuckling space adventure show and excluding kids and families at the outset kind starts you off in not a great spot....

Here's why I think Firefly got canceled...it was the prostitute character. People were looking for a great adventure show that they could watch with their kids like the old Star Trek. Having to explain prostitution to kids was a tough barrier to entry for a lot of family people and may have cost the show some audience.

JMHO

I dont think it was targeted towards kids. I remember it being on at 9 I thought.

I think it was the odd order the decided to show it in. They aired the train job which was the 3rd or 4th episode before the pilot that sets up characters and background.

making a swashbuckling space adventure show and excluding kids and families at the outset kind starts you off in not a great spot....

I doubt it would've helped, but more importantly, it just never would've worked as a kid appropriate show.

Also funny you mention the prostitute as being tough to explain to kids, but not kicking the dude into a fiery jet propeller. Not specific to you but odd about general attitudes regarding sex vs. violence in TV.

It doesn't matter what I think about the sex or violence. It matters what the American audiences and families think.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

"Lucky"

I don't get the love for "Firefly". Pretty mediocre if you ask me.

Lucky was awesome.

I still remember the scene where his fat buddy was jumping in front of cars and shaking down the drivers after they ran him over. "The first couple times are tough, but after that it's all muscle-memory."

Scene

Billy Gardell from that "Mike and Molly are Fat" or whatever. And Craig from "The Office" and "Hot Tub Time Machine"

 

[Josie Maran]

"Lucky"

I don't get the love for "Firefly". Pretty mediocre if you ask me.

Lucky was awesome.

I still remember the scene where his fat buddy was jumping in front of cars and shaking down the drivers after they ran him over. "The first couple times are tough, but after that it's all muscle-memory."

Scene

Billy Gardell from that "Mike and Molly are Fat" or whatever. And Craig from "The Office" and "Hot Tub Time Machine"

Nice find.

 

[mr roboto]

Friday Night Lights, cause of the hotties.

 

[peaces]

it's your move

 

[JohnnyU]

Friday Night Lights, cause of the hotties.

Wasn't that show on for many years?

 

[HughHoney]

Freaks and Geeks. Watched it for the first time on IFC recently, really good show. Coulda been great with Aptow running the show.

Blue Mountain State.

 

[eoMMan]

The Jeselnick Offensive

 

[JohnnyU]

How long was Brotherhood on? Showtime?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

"Lucky"

I don't get the love for "Firefly". Pretty mediocre if you ask me.

Lucky was awesome.

I still remember the scene where his fat buddy was jumping in front of cars and shaking down the drivers after they ran him over. "The first couple times are tough, but after that it's all muscle-memory."

Scene

Billy Gardell from that "Mike and Molly are Fat" or whatever. And Craig from "The Office" and "Hot Tub Time Machine"

Nice find.

Sadly it seems like the only one out there. Another great scene is when Lucky takes the job as the meat supplier. Craig as the health inspector kills it.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

How long was Brotherhood on? Showtime?

3 seasons i think. good, not great.

 

[The General]

It makes me cry that FX cancelled Terriers.

Came into post this one. Really good show that I never heard about until after it was already cancelled.

Happy Endings was a good comedy that got canned.

 

[John Bender]

Quantum Leap should still be on today

 

[Aerial Assault]

The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Its cancellation was criminal.

 

[GTBilly]

I liked Terra Nova, Breaking In and Human Target.

 

[Don Quixote]

Party Down

 

[igbomb]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

 

[FlapJacks]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

it was the network's lowest-rated show.

 

[igbomb]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

I think I read somewhere that their first episode, which focused on the special needs kid, was not received well by viewers and was viewed by some as a bit offensive. It never had a chance after that.

 

[Josie Maran]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

it was the network's lowest-rated show.

That's 100% on the network.

 

[Insein]

Another one is Flashforward. Great premise. Decent cast. Got messed up with random time moves and long periods off. Could have been the next Lost.

 

[Insein]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

it was the network's lowest-rated show.

That's 100% on the network.

Yea never watched an episode but I remember posting in the Terriers thread that it was listed as a comedy in the Directv channel guide. Very poor management.

 

[Josie Maran]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

it was the network's lowest-rated show.

That's 100% on the network.

Yea never watched an episode but I remember posting in the Terriers thread that it was listed as a comedy in the Directv channel guide. Very poor management.

We're talking Freaks & Geeks here, but the marketing for Terriers was pretty bad too.

 

[Insein]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

it was the network's lowest-rated show.

That's 100% on the network.

Yea never watched an episode but I remember posting in the Terriers thread that it was listed as a comedy in the Directv channel guide. Very poor management.

We're talking Freaks & Geeks here, but the marketing for Terriers was pretty bad too.

Whoops. Replied on the phone. Mustve hit the wrong post.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Sports Night.

 

[Buckfast 1]

Police Squad

Deadwood

Rome

Hello Ladies

Firefly

I recently watched Hello Ladies and thought it was quite good. It was tough watching a promising, funny show knowing that it had already been cancelled.

 

[FlapJacks]

Freaks and Geeks #1 by a long shot. What a terrific show.

Terriers is another.

when you look at the talent that F&G had and how a lot of those folks went on to become famous, it's hard to believe some network exec made the decision to cancel...

it was the network's lowest-rated show.

That's 100% on the network.

Yea never watched an episode but I remember posting in the Terriers thread that it was listed as a comedy in the Directv channel guide. Very poor management.

We're talking Freaks & Geeks here, but the marketing for Terriers was pretty bad too.

Terriers baffles me

The show had good buzz and FX usually gives there shows more slack in catching an audience

maybe they started that policy after Terriers...

 

[FlapJacks]

Men of a Certain Age

 

[whoknew]

Party Down

That show was awesome.

 

[daddo39]

How long was Brotherhood on? Showtime?

Was going to post this show, one of my all time favorites and it lasted 3 seasons. Was also a big fan of Max Headroom

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Band of Brothers

 

[PatsWillWin]

Deadwood easily #1 on this list.

 

[Frostillicus]

Freaks and Geeks

Undeclared

Wasteland

The Inside

 

[The General]

Men of a Certain Age

Another good one.

 

[jonessed]

copper my wife and i loved that one but then bam they cancel it and now sunday nights are crummy brohans i wrote them an e-mail but hey it is me so now they are probably just passing it around and laughing at how dumb i am take that to the bank brohans

i don't think Copper has been cancelled. Like many series, there is a long layoff between seasons end and the start of the next season. Did I miss its cancellation?edited - bam - http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bbc-america-cancels-copper-two-631830

perfect example for this thread. My wife and I also liked that show and we didn't even know it was cancelled.

That sucks. I really liked that one.The first two to pop to mind are Firefly and Rome. Carnivale and Deadwood are also good calls. Deadwood got three seasons though, which isn't too bad.

I will add Jericho and The Dresden Files. Not as good as some of the others here, but I liked them.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

Firefly

Deadwood

Terriers

Black Donnellys

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Herman's Head.

Police Squad is a good one, too.

 

[Insein]

Add Almost Human to the list of casualties. Cool premise, great cast. ####ed again by Fox airing them out of order and taking long breaks in between episodes.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

copper my wife and i loved that one but then bam they cancel it and now sunday nights are crummy brohans i wrote them an e-mail but hey it is me so now they are probably just passing it around and laughing at how dumb i am take that to the bank brohans

i don't think Copper has been cancelled. Like many series, there is a long layoff between seasons end and the start of the next season. Did I miss its cancellation?edited - bam - http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bbc-america-cancels-copper-two-631830

perfect example for this thread. My wife and I also liked that show and we didn't even know it was cancelled.

That sucks. I really liked that one.The first two to pop to mind are Firefly and Rome. Carnivale and Deadwood are also good calls. Deadwood got three seasons though, which isn't too bad.

I will add Jericho and The Dresden Files. Not as good as some of the others here, but I liked them.

Jericho is a good one. At least it got a second chance though and had some more good episodes in there.

 

[dkp993]

Deadwood with out question. Swearengen is one of the best all time characters.

 

[Daywalker]

In Treatment, 106 episodes in three seasons, not exactly a short run episode-wise but felt like this show could have gone on a long time. Amazing casting over and over each season.

Was such a unique show in so many respects. IIRC they would release five new episodes a week during it's run. Paul's weekly visit with five of his patients. Kind of a forerunner for the netflix binge watching model.

Remember getting HBO and season one had just aired. HBO OnDemand had like 40 episodes locked and loaded. Was awesome.

 

[Max Power]

Testees - a Canadian comedy. So much potential, and didn't get renewed for a second season.

 

[Daywalker]

My So-Called Life

Singlehandedly killed by Claire Danes after the first season ended. ABC was wavering/undecided on whether to renew it, but then she announced she was considering leaving the series for a movie career and since her lead part would have to be recast they quickly decided the series would not be renewed.

We've done this a ton, but:

Sons and Daughters - it was really funny.

Plus Gillian Vigman is hot.

The TV commercial queen. She is really someone that could have had a "big" career but it never came together series-wise. She easily could have had Debra Messing's career.

Sons and Daughter could have been a hit given time.