TV Shows that died a (too) early death...

[TarHeelMark]

The discussion on the AMA thread about America, got me thinking about TV shows that were cancelled way too soon. A couple that come to mind for me...

Bakersfield PD - a quirky, well-written comedy that came out in the early 90's on Fox (IIRC), but since it didn't have a laugh track (oh, the humanity), it wasn't able to retain good enough ratings to last into a second season. I would bet that if a show like this came out today, it would likely get traction and last awhile, but was probably ahead of its time in regards to its style of humor and the non-laugh track. Unfortunately it's never been on Netflix or Amazon to my knowledge.

The Unusuals - a more recent show, this was an hour long detective comedy-drama that starred Jeremy Renner (before he became a bigger movie star), Adam Goldberg, Amber Tamblyn. It had a great cast, and was written by one of the writers for Fargo, but again... it was a quirky show that only lasted one season; actually about 10 episodes. It's on Amazon, but not on Prime.

 

[coryfly]

Jericho and Invasion were two I liked a lot that eventually were cancelled. I've also watched about 4 episodes of Carnivale and really enjoy it. I'm not sure how many seasons it lasted.

 

[UNC '92]

Jericho and Invasion were two I liked a lot that eventually were cancelled. I've also watched about 4 episodes of Carnivale and really enjoy it. I'm not sure how many seasons it lasted.

Carnivale went 2 seasons. I really liked it. Maybe could have gone for one more but much longer and it would have lost its appeal.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Pushing Daisies

 

[heelmanwilm]

The show about the alpha team and their wives. Starred the black guy in the state farm commercials. I read it was the only show ever cxld while top 20 in ratings. There was some fight over licensing rights or something and everyone said "fk it" evidently. But i liked it.

 

[UNC '92]

The show about the alpha team and their wives. Starred the black guy in the state farm commercials. I read it was the only show ever cxld while top 20 in ratings. There was some fight over licensing rights or something and everyone said "fk it" evidently. But i liked it.

The Unit?

 

[Blue2010]

Chappelle Show

Drops mic...

 

[coryfly]

Chappelle Show

Drops mic...

He just kind of went off the deep end, right? I think they sort of had to can it because he was MIA for a while or something.

 

[Blue2010]

If I remember right, Dave Chappelle walked off the set and just basically burnt out. I think he moved to South Africa or something and got psychiatric help. I used to watch a lot of his stand up gigs even before he went mainstream b/c he was hilarious in cameos for a few Eddie Murphy movies...but his personality was always way "out there," which is probably why he was so great.

 

[ElizabethtownHeel]

The Unit ! My God why cancel this great show ! Battlestar Galatica !!! Why no more spin offs of these great show ? One that broke my heart was Harsh Realm ! Fox will screw u ! Another from about 20 years D.B. Sweeny in a show called Strange Luck !

 

[gunslingerdick]

Moonlighting

 

[UNC71-00]

Shazam

 

[UNC71-00]

He just kind of went off the deep end, right? I think they sort of had to can it because he was MIA for a while or something.

Chapelle is a farmer in Ohio these days.

 

[coryfly]

Chapelle is a farmer in Ohio these days.

That's interesting. I have a buddy who hit it pretty big as a greenskeeper. Worked at one of the big courses, think it was Pinehurst actually. Then he moved to Dubai for a few years and worked at a course there. He made enough money that now he just has this big organic farm that he delivers food from.

 

[JuleZ '02 HEEL]

Firefly

 

[gteeitup]

deadwood

 

[heelz2345]

Well, I'm not sure what qualifies as "too early" but the first thing that came to mind was Arrested Development. I know it eventually got the 4th season on Netflix, but this show was/is a treasure. One of the smartest comedies I've ever seen on tv, and with an all-star cast. I've said it a million times, but if you haven't watched this, give it a shot.

I certainly agree with the previously mentioned Firefly, Deadwood and Chappelle's Show as great shows that ended too soon. On the bright side with Firefly, we at least got a movie follow up for some sort of closure, and I think Deadwood is supposed to get one soon as well if I remember correctly. But all of these are great shows.

Here are a few others I'd like to toss in:

Lucky Louie: Almost an alternate reality version of Louie, this show aired on HBO and was filmed in front of a live studio audience, so there is live laughter in it. Here is a scene that you should watch to decide whether you would like it or not (possibly NSFW audio). I thought this show was very funny.

Da Ali G Show: The show that spawned Sacha Baron Cohen's most famous characters, Ali G, Borat and Bruno. If you liked any of their three movies, I'd recommend watching the show as well. Bruno is much funnier on the show than his movie, and here is Borat's most famous clip from the show. It's a scene with Borat so it's not really appropriate for kids/people who are easily offended.

Freaks & Geeks: This show lasted one season on NBC, but with a talented cast of actors (Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel all started on it, among others) this show really has some funny stuff. It's on Netflix, I'd recommend a binge watch.

The Dana Carvey Show: This sketch comedy lasted six episodes, but had a wealth of funny people involved. Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert were in the cast, and the writers included Louis C.K., Bob Odenkirk, and Robert Smigel. This show actually was the debut of the "Ambiguously Gay Duo" that you would later see on SNL, in addition to this skit that they also aired on SNL.

 

[UNC '92]

The IT Crowd

 

[UNC71-00]

The 2016 NCAA championship game

 

[tarheel0910]

Alf?

 

[WhatTheHeel?]

Rome
Eureka
Arrested Development

 

[duckfook]

Airwolf

 

[duckfook]

The 2016 NCAA championship game

Ain't that the truth

 

[duckfook]

Chapelle is a farmer in Ohio these days.

Lol

 

[DeanFor President]

Twilight Zone. Believe it or not, it only ran for four seasons.

 

[prlyles]

deadwood

+1 Best TV series of all time...

 

[coolwaterunc]

Twilight Zone. Believe it or not, it only ran for four seasons.

Seriously? Did each season consist of 80 episodes?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

+1 Best TV series of all time...

It's second best to another series with Timothy Olyphant.

Justified.

 

[gteeitup]

+1 Best TV series of all time...

they are making a movie now...can't wait