What’s that saying? “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Clearly that person was talking about television shows. The shows that we adore, and no matter how much we love them, we can not will them to stay on air any longer than the powers that be allow them to be. Here are some canceled shows that have affected me:
Pushing Daisies: This show’s unfortunate cancellation is what got me thinking about prematurely canceled shows. It’s the one show on this list that I’ve watched and loved from the very beginning. It infuriates me that this show isn’t going to get any closure either. The show got canceled after they finished filming the final ordered episode, so the writers can’t write a final episode. Even worse? The final episode ends with a cliffhanger. Not since Lois Lane ate a freaking frog has a cliffhanger ending been such a travesty. But even Lois and Clark got a fourth season. Why can’t we get some closure here? Don’t these studios know that if you give a series a proper conclusion, DVD sales would increase? Well, I don’t know that for a fact, but I think it’s a pretty valid theory. Because who wants to buy a show without an ending? Why couldn’t they give them one more damn episode to tie things up? Bastards!
Alias: I didn’t watch Alias until the fourth season when they started airing it after Lost. It was an amazing show unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I had heard the ratings weren’t so hot before that season, but due to the awesome time slot behind Lost, it was having it’s best ratings ever. But then for the fifth season they decided to move it to Thursdays at 8. Because when the network has a good show with nice ratings they feel compelled to make it die a painful death in a crowded time slot. And that’s what they did with Alias. Why not just leave it after Lost? They’re both J.J. Abrams shows with similar audiences. But apparently the lure of having a successful show on Thursday at 8 is too great to allow for reasonable thought. I didn’t have a DVR at the time and you can’t mess with my Survivor watching, so I had to give up on the show. I caught up on the entire series on DVD, and loved it. The fifth season was enjoyable, but not as good as when it was in its former glory. But at least they had some prior knowledge of its imminent cancellation, so they were able to wrap up all the storylines, even if the Irina Derevko conclusion still bothers me to this day.
Arrested Development: I didn’t start watching this show until right before season 3 began airing. Thanks to my friend Lance I caught up on the first two seasons on DVD and was hooked immediately. I started watching the third season live, and by that time, cancellation was looming over the show like the Grim Reaper at a nursing home. Luckily, being Arrested Development, they made fun of their own demise and went out with a blaze of glory, still retaining it’s awesomeness and finished with a satisfying ending. And now there’s talk of a movie! Yay!
Bionic Woman: Just kidding.
Firefly: I didn’t get into Firefly until it was already canceled. In fact, the first I saw of the Firefly universe was the follow-up movie Serenity. It was such an amazing movie, that I went back and watched the series, and researched it a bit more and read all about how Fox kept bumping it from the lineup and not playing the episodes in chronological order, which I just found so frustrating. I can’t imagine having to put up with it live. But we got an amazing movie out of the deal. Too bad the prospects of a sequel aren’t looking too hot.
Veronica Mars: I started watching this show as reruns after the first season aired, and I already knew it was on the chopping block. But the show had earned a second season and I was thrilled. At the end of the second season, the UPN and WB networks merged and it was unsure which shows would make it to the new CW network. I think Veronica Mars was the last series to be added to the CW lineup. The wait was excruciating but it actually helped me say goodbye to the show because I thought for sure it wasn’t going to make it. And then when they announced that there was a third season I was relieved and excited. But the third season was rather lackluster due to changes that the CW forced upon the producers. So when the show was finally canceled at the end of the third season it was kind of a relief because I just couldn’t stand to see the show being a shell of its once former greatness. But again, the show wasn’t canceled until after the final season was filmed, so they couldn’t bring any closure to the series. Though since the show was on the edge of cancellation since it first aired, I blame the producers for not filming a satisfactory ending to the show when they should have known better.
The Comeback: Here’s another show I didn’t watch until after it was already canceled and on DVD. Actually, since I don’t have HBO, I wouldn’t have been able to watch it live anyway. But it was such a good show! Granted you want to watch the show from the comfort of behind your couch because not only is it really good, but it’s also really excruciating to watch. I can see why people wouldn’t like watching Lisa Kudrow’s character Valerie Cherish painfully embarrass herself week after week, but I loved it. Luckily the final episode has a fitting and satisfactory ending, so the DVD set can exist on its own merit.
Which prematurely canceled shows affected you?
I’m afraid I watch very few shows regularly so for me its none. Supernatural is the only show I tune in to faithfully, otherwise I just can’t seem to get into following something regularly. Well, Torchwood but it conveniently was on after Supernatural so that worked out and its not American. I’m sorry you’ve had so much grief in your TV watching life. My condolences.
I miss so many shows. I think Dead Like Me would be one at the top of my list. Usually when I start watching something I get worried because I know it’s like the kiss of death. I mean, if i’m watching, then the general population must HATE it right? It’s doomed.
my so-called life. i’m still haunted by this.
*sigh*
And here I thought I was the kiss of death for tv shows?
The last new shows I watched regularly were Surface and Studio on NBC. Surface wasn’t fantastic, but I enjoyed it. Studio 60, I thought, was awesome, but they canceled both. That was when I gave up on tv as I thought it was best to let shows have a chance without my killing them.
Rumor mill says they are working on an Arrested Development movie.
Derek, rlly? I’d never have guessed. You know, except when Craig said “And now there’s talk of a movie! Yay!”. That could have been a hint.
I’m so sad about Daisies end. I was ready to cancel Thanksgiving because of it.
I read the shows creator say the story will continue in the form of a comic book. I’m all for a good comic and all, but I seriously hope he was joking cause that’s not my idea of good news at tall! I need the Pie man and Olive Snook in the flesh!
Oh, and Dead Like Me has a movie coming out next year, David! All the main cast is in tact, except for Daisy. (who was friggen hilarious) They had to recast because the actress was already busy doing something that couldn’t be nearly as important as a Dead Like Me movie!
Arrested Development was by far my favorite. I have them all on DVD now
Ya know, Craiggers, it should probably come as no surprise that I have never seen a single episode of any show that you listed (well, except for the Bionic Woman…and let me tell you, my 12 year old self was pretty damn upset about them canceling that too!).
I agree with jennifer about My So-Called Life. Canceling that was criminal. But I miss Freaks & Geeks and Undeclared as well. Intelligent comedies from the makers of “Superbad” and “Pinapple Express” and such. Great work.
And even though this show called Torchwood is producing another season right now, this other BBCAmerica show called ‘Skins’ is airing at this time. Just sayin….
HUGS…
I enjoyed Invasion for the 1 season it was on but started to lose interest towards the end . The producer was also told in advance of the show’s demise and managed to give some closure in the final episode.
I also loved Arrested and wish it was still on. Even though it lead a long and healthy life I still miss Friends. Ever since it ended I stopped watching the second 30 min of Survivor as well.
For me it was John From Cincinnati. The show was so weird but at the same time so compelling… was John an angel? An alien? And what about the last line of the the last episode? What did that MEAN? I was looking forward to a second season if only for the fact that some of the questions I had a chance of being answered. Guess I will never know what any of it really meant!
Pushing Daisies’ cancellation was the worst news I got in a long time. It was made even worse when the day after (day of?) its cancellation, an amazing episode aired that reminded me why I love the show so much!
And Craig, you HAVE to see Wonderfalls!!!! It is a great companion to PD in its quirkiness and it’s early and sad cancellation.
My So Called Life. I’m still waiting for closure.
(Bossy whispers) Thirtysomething.
Oh, sure, fine, go ahead, poke fun. It’s a geriatric thing, you wouldn’t understand.
None.
DEAD LIKE ME! I still hold hope for it’s return but I’m delusional like that.
Carnivale – It was canceled after two seasons of its planned six-season plot arc. Those two seasons were amazing, but the lack of resolution is frustrating at the end. I would still highly recommend it.
Invader Zim – Why Nickelodeon decided to give a show to the creator of Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, I will never know, but the result was brilliant. They cut it midway through the second season (you can find additional vocal recordings and scripts of episodes that were in production when it was canceled).
Way too many…I loved Surface, also liked Invasion and Threshold. Due South. Agree with Arrested Development (aren’t they making a movie?) and a very young Jason Bateman series It’s Your Move. Twin Peaks wasn’t as good the second season but could have gotten great again given the chance. Never had a chance to watch much of Enterprise but liked what I saw. I think Nicolle remembers Bakersfield PD…
Again TOO MANY
See? It’s people like you that make us lose these awesome shows – you started watching all of them in reruns rather than supporting them originally. Damn you, Craig.
Oh, and the 4400 was one on USA that was pretty cool and they didn’t even let them finish the storyline with a finale. Bastards.
This was a total chick show, but I loved it: Once and Again (with Sela Ward). I was so pissed when they cancelled that only to replace it with The Bachelorette (puh-lease!!!!!).
I also miss Party of Five, but the cancellation was probably not premature.
My husband gave me a scare when he said Friday Night Lights was cancelled, but luckily he was wrong.
Argh! Sucks Firefly was canceled I really enjoyed that show!
And I still miss NYPD Blue and Frazier.
I know I’m the only person who’s going to say this… but… Gilmore Girls. *sob*
WHAT?! They’re cancelling Pushing Daisies?! That show is kind of like Chicken Soup and fuzzy slippers. I don’t usually intend to watch it, but when I find it on (which I do, almost every week) it just makes me feel all warm and happy inside.
Also, Fox ruined my life when they cancelled Arrested Development. Because, hello, funniest show ever.
Michelle: My affection for you is rivaling that of my affection for Michelle M.
Okay, I know it happened in 1991 and you weren’t even born yet Craig, but I still desperately miss Homefront. They only gave it one (I think) season, but I could have watched that show forever. At least Kyle Chandler (yum!) got fame and future work from it.
I don’t mind any show getting cancelled as long as the producers have the opportunity to wrap up the storylines, whether it’s total closure such as Arrested Development or Buffy or a big HUH? like Twin Peaks. Now that most shows end up on DVD, it’s easier to watch tme over again and find things that were missed before.
I hate it when shows get cancelled without having the opportunity to close out. 20 years later and I’m still waiting to hear if Benson won the election.
Dead like me is what came to mind, but the Great Authority says that the film version is due to be released (direct to DVD) February 19, 2009! I’d forgotten about Once and Again, but I remember watching that and being disappointed when it wasn’t picked up. Same with Freaks and Geeks.
see Craig we are secret besties!!!
My top three are PD, Alias and Arrested Development (the movie has given me some glimmer of hope).
Freaks and geeks and My So Called Life follow shortly.
Another show I’ll give honorable mention to is Help me Help You (With Ted Danson) I think that’s the name of it. It didn’t make it past 5 or so episodes – the hardest I’ve ever laughed in my life (and I laugh HARD about every seven seconds) was one episode of that show (I ended up with a bloody nose – that’s how funny it was – even now, I’m laughing just at the thought of it!!)
The three saddest cancelations for me were Veronica Mars, Dead like me and POPular… none got the ending they deserved and POPular even ended in a cliffhanger… oh, how I hated they cancelled it.
Firefly is at the top of my list. I mean really, why would you kill a show with good acting, fun characters, and far better writing than most of the drivel on TV today? I still cry myself to sleep over it, although I did get a margin of closure with Serenity.
Oh, an Ryan R. I have to agree with Invader Zim, I still have a hard time making it through the day without at least one reference to the greatness of Zim.
“Homefront,” which ran on ABC from 1991-1993 and was set in a small Ohio town after WWII. It was the perfect blend of character drama, character comedy, social issues and music.
Nico: I have the Doom Song techno remix on my iPod.
Hmmm – I haven’t seen a lot of the shows you mentioned, Craig (except Bionic Woman – what a disappointment that was – the show, not the cancellation). I do have Veronica Mars on Netflix, as well as The Comeback. Lisa Kudrow is brilliant. I’m looking forward to having some pajama marathons with those shows.
bernd: I miss Friends, too. I wish they would have a spinoff “The Bings” with Monica and Chandler. That would be totally awesome. (The Joey spinoff was a disappointment).
john: How can we put me in the lead? There can only be one…
(Although, I agree with Michelle on Jason Batemen – anyone remember him on Valerie?)
Bossy: Thirtysomething! So sad about Gary : (. Guess that means I’m geriatric, too. Better get some tennis balls and a walker.
Fdot: Buffy. Waaah. I loved that show. At least it had closure.
I’m sure there are shows I liked that ended prematurely (which I can’t recall at the moment). One show I liked was Malibu Shores (with Keri Russell). I should probably be embarrassed about that.
Oh! Oh! Newsradio! Dave Foley, Andy Dick, Phil Hartman. I loved that show!
It wasn’t as good after Phil Hartman died, though.
I still adhere to the Darwinistic theory of letting a show go on for three seasons before I even think about watching it. So much crap is thrown on the air that I wait for natural selection to weed it all out. In the end, I win!
And I thought i was the only veronica mars fan out there. I have all 3 seasons on DVD, and if you watch the third season it was actually really well put together with some stylistic changes (which changed the show for the worse). On the 3rd season set they have the pitch they made for the 4th season and I’m glad it never aired, it would have been BAD, and i mean BAD BAD not good bad. trust me.
I have to say I am going to miss Pushing Daisies. Poor Allan Ball shows about death just don’t seem to make it. Well except for Six Feet Under. I will say that if you have not caught his show Dead Like Me it is totally worth the rental. It is only two seasons long but it was a great show.
I actually liked JERICHO, and was sad to see it end before we got closure on the story. I’m really going to miss PUSHING DAISIES…it wasn’t a brilliant show, but it was better than most.
Tracy: I liked Jericho, too. I would have liked to see one more season.
Forever Knight ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_Knight ) was a show I was quite fond of that got canceled. It was about a Canadian vampire who was trying to overcome his blood lust and seeking moral redemption by working as a police detective. It has some depth to it and explored moral dilemmas.
It is fun. The only shows that I ever mourned the end is Whedon’s shows. Although I am in peace with Buffy… Angel left a big hole in my heart.
… I know… it’s been five years almost, but still… I just can’t avoid to think of at least a season six… Illyria was such a powerful character, I would like to know more about her… her adjustment to our world… maybe Fred’d be back.
But, at least I have the Angel’s comics, which are… just… wow!
I like to watch Veronica Mars episodes as well Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Like to watch Stargate Atlantis episodes and also Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.