LIST
LOVED AND LOST
5 CONTROVERSIALLY CANCELLED TV SHOWS
FIREFLY
Fox / 2002-2003 "Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal" The cancellation of the TV show FIREFLY after just one season is widely held up as one of the biggest misfortunes to happen in sci-fi television history. FIREFLY unified outer space and the Wild West and presented a scruffy yet quirky ensemble aboard a small spaceship who set off to travel unknown parts of space, evading trouble where possible. Although the show only lasted one season, it was well loved by critics and built up a hardcore loyal following that were devastated when it came to an abrupt end for an inconclusive reason. There are many theories, however FOX’s only comment was that "having to cancel it was very difficult". Whatever the reason, this show was truly loved and is looked back on with fond memories. 
DON'T TRUST THE B IN APARTMENT 23
ABC / 2012-2013 "You know what's fun? Alcohol" DON’T TRUST THE B IN APARTMENT 23 was a misfit comedy and on a precarious ledge from the start. With its naughty name and psychopath protagonist, ABC only signed on to half a season, eventually commissioning the rest once it gained viewership. However, the ratings appeared to sag in the second season and the show was cut mid series. Lucky ABC decided to release the unaired eight episodes left of season two on their website so fans could at least gain some much needed closure. 
PUSHING DAISIES
ABC / 2007-2009 "Pie is home. People always come home" Another gem from ABC sadly cancelled too early due to the Writers Guild of America strike, after just two seasons. PUSHING DAISIES' unique premise was led by Ned (Lee Pace), a pie maker with the ability to reanimate the dead with one touch and send them back to the underworld with another. However, if the recently undead remain alive for over one minute, another must take their place. Ned teams up with a detective and the two become a crime fighting duo of sorts. As fans know the finale of season two was not the original intended ending and was somewhat hurried, all one can speculate is what would have happened to these characters had it not been for the industrial factors. 
HEROES
NBC / 2006-2010 "I don't feel mortal. I feel invincible." The first season of HEROES appeared to have everything needed for a long-lasting TV show: an engrossing plot, powerful villain with a plan, comic relief and a hero with good intentions. Unfortunately, after season one, things appeared to go steadily downhill and this was reflected in the ratings. Similar to PUSHING DASIES, HEROES season two coincided with the Writers Guild of America strike reducing the show’s writers from 24 to a miserable 11 and the repercussions were evident in plot, character development and narrative direction. This is another show that was once great but fell short due to factors out if its control and although there was an attempt at a revival of the premise with miniseries HEROES REBORN (NBC 2015-2016), this was struck down after one series bringing with it the thought that maybe it is best to keep HEROES eternally cancelled. 
FREAKS AND GEEKS
NBC / 1999-2000 "Not all good looking people are cool." After just eighteen episodes, FREAKS AND GEEKS, a show portraying 80s era high school was cancelled by NBC due to having the lowest ratings of all their shows at the time. Looking back at this cult classic we can see what a star cast it unknowingly had, featuring the likes of Seth Rogan, Dave Franco and Jason Segel, who all went on to make big names for themselves in both the film and television industry. Fortunately, for fans looking for a dose of nostalgia of the 1980s and for fresh-faced Rogan, Franco and Segel, all the episodes are available on Netflix. More short reads about FRESH STARTS AND FINALES >>> |
