As I was randomly hopping around the internet, I came across this article, in which a bunch of people I don't know lay down their picks for the top five cancelled TV series. Well, I figure I'm just as qualified to compile such as list as anyone, so here are my picks, in reverse order:
5. Probe (ABC, 1988) — 10 bucks says you've never even heard of this series, which only aired 7 episodes. This show was the brainchild of Isaac Asimov, in which a scientific genius and his secretary go around solving seemingly paranormal crimes--all of which turn out to have rational, scientifc explanations. Think The X-Files, but with no conspiracies, aliens, or supernatural beings.
4. Nowhere Man (UPN, 1995-1996) — Greatest conspiracy show ever. The first season featured Thomas Vail, whose life has been seemingly "erased" after he displays a disturbing photograph. The series chronicled his attempts to get his life back, while simultaneously helping the people who come across his way. Think The Prisoner combined with The Incredible Hulk--only with no psychedelic effects or green-skinned monsters. Also, it may have had the most mind-blowing season ending moment of all time. And we never got another episode.
3. The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (Fox, 1993-1994) — Bruce Campbell in the Old West as a bounty hunter, with John Astin as his nutty scientist friend. What's not to love?
2. The John Larroquette Show (NBC, 1993-1996) — The first season of The John Larroquette Show was one of the best sitcoms ever. It was dark, cynical, intelligent, witty, and hysterical. Although the show spanned four seasons, it was essentially cancelled after the first when network execs took out everything that made the show unique.
1. Firefly (Fox, 2002) — The best gorram space opera. Ever. Gone, but not dead yet--it's currently #6 in DVD sales on Amazon, and the movie based on the show hits theaters on September 30. Mark your calendars, browncoats!
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Quantum Leap, Angel, Crusade, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Get a Life, Clerks: The Animated Series, and no doubt a host of others. What would you put on the list?
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Tim Gebhart
Any top five has to include Freaks and Geeks, the only cancelled series that could conceivably push "Firefly" from the top position.
Honorable mention: "The Lone Gunmen" and "Brimstone"
2 - visualsimplicity
I always remembered Kindred: The Embrace for some reason. It only lasted 8 episodes, but I loved it.
And I thought I was the only one who seemed to like "Nowhere Man".
Oh, and does "Futurama" count? It ran for 5 seasons but I still think it was canceled prematurely.
3 - Rodney Welch
Ever heard of Get a Life, starring Chris Elliot? Hilarious sitcom on Fox, axed by their head asshole Barry Diller, who hated it. One of the funniest shows ever.
4 - Rodney Welch
Oops -- just noticed the Honorable Mention. Well, that's better than nothing.
5 - visualsimplicity
Oh, I just remembered a few more:
"Phenom" (1993) - it was a sitcom about a tennis phenom. Hilarity ensues.
"The Ben Stiller Show" (1992-1993) - It only lasted 12 episodes.
"My So-Called Life" (1994) - It was a show that a lot of teenagers could relate to I think. Perhaps it was just ahead of it's time.
6 - Tan The Man
Ed!
7 - Mark Sahm
Anyone remember Manimal?
It had that guy that was the shark hunter in Jaws 3-D. Actually, I don't remember much about it... other than I thought it was extremely cool as a kid.
8 - visualsimplicity
Back again with a few more:
"Sports Night" (1998-2000) - This show had a lot of heart. Loved every episode.
"The Job" (2001-2002) - I was never much of a fan of Dennis Leary but I realized the brilliance of this show.
"Popular" (1999-2001) - Maybe it was teenage hormones coupled with Leslie Bibb and Carly Pope, but I enjoyed this show. It was sort of dark and satirical.
9 - Natalie Davis
"Nothing Sacred " (1997-1998) - This show was the best publicity the good side of the Roman Catholic Church had had in ages. Too bad the Catholic League couldn't grok that and viewers didn't catch on. Among my favorite TV dramas ever.
10 - Mark Saleski
i remember being severely bummed out when they cancelled The Paper Chase.
but when was that? the late 70's?
11 - LegendaryMonkey
Oh, Firefly... I recently got turned on to this and spent two hours last night tracking down the DVD here in Little Rock. Finally found it at a Hastings. I'm so happy to see this here today!
12 - Natalie Davis
"The Paper Chase" was another superb show; based on the 1973 film (which won John Houseman an Oscar), the TV series ran from 1978-1979. I was sad to see it go, and the Showtime re-do that ran from 1983-1989 wasn't nearly as good as the original.
Does anyone remember an NBC hour-long dramedy called "Tattinger's" that ran in 1988 (the show had great writing and hunor, boasted fine performances, and projected a real sense of NY flavor, but after it didn't catch fire with viewers, NBC turned it into a quite clever and witty half-hour show called "Nick and Hillary" that was really quite good, but at that point, the public just didn't care. Too bad; I really enjoyed that one). It starred Stephen Collins and Blythe Danner.
13 - Mark Saleski
the thing about the paper chase was that, because i had no experience i such matters, i thought that ALL college professors were going to be like that.
i was worried sick on my first day of classes.
then i found out, hey, they don't give a crapola if i'm here or not!
i vaguely remember tattingers. i used to have a thing for blythe danner.
14 - Natalie Davis
Heh, I still do. Gwyneth is gorgeous, but she has nothing on her mom, who glowed like the stars in her dewy youth and still radiates incredible beauty today.
15 - Eric Berlin
I think any fan of good TV who takes a look at the first several episodes of Firefly (which were never broadcast in the correct order during its run on Fox!) will agree that Firefly is "best cancelled" show of all time.
Damn, is it September 30th yet?
16 - Chris Beaumont
Farscape is the best canceled show of all time.
17 - Nick Jones
Brimstone, starring Peter Horton as a detective released from Hell to be the Devil's bounty hunter, chasing down damned souls who have escaped. With John Glover as the sometimes goofy, sometimes menacing Devil, the scripts took unexpected twists and turns, and threw the audience curveballs out of nowhere, like the Dutch Nazi who wants to be sent back to Hell, because he hasn't paid enough for his sins. Also costarring the ever-yummy Teri Polo.
18 - Silas Kain
Among my picks are Brimstone, The Job and The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire. The best show, however, has to be Farscape. That was so interesting on so many levels. Honorable mention goes to Twin Peaks. There were more tales to tell in that fascinating little Northwestern town.
19 - andy marsh
I say the funniest show I ever saw was Hermans' Head on Fox...
20 - NancyGail
Are you referring to Roy Scheider when you spoke of Manimal? One small snafu. The star was Simon McCorkindale. That one role, however, was not one for the record books as a launch into viewing memory megahit.
21 - Joe Battista
We're forgetting the greatness of Hello Larry! The show featured my first crush, Kim Richards, who is better known as Tia from Escape to Witch Mountain.
22 - Natalie Davis
Well, I had been trying to forget. Thanks a lot, Mr. Battista.
23 - El Bicho
Glad to see Sports Night and The Job get a mention
Undeclared, freshman at college by Apatow
Bakersfield PD, very funny, can be seen often on Trio
Gideon's Crossing, too smart for TV medical show, starring Andre Braugher
Did Thirtysomething get cancelled?
24 - billy
in living color
25 - Temple Stark
remind me of firefly please someone?
for about half the thread i was horrifically thinking you guys were pining for what i finally remembered as The Tick