Every now and again, networks make a huge mistake, cancelling a brilliant show after only one season. For a quality viewing experience (albeit a short-lived one), consider chasing up some of the following from the small screen vault.*
*While a number of these programs were universally lauded by critics, others make the list for personal reasons, or because they seemed to contribute to the growth of a certain television genre at that point in scripted history.
There's a good chance I've probably forgotten a handful of single season tv gems. Keep in mind, others were ignored because they indisputably deserved their summary execution. Sorry, I mean cancellation (here's looking at you Stargate: Universe!).
IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
1. Firefly
This Joss Whedon series has become an iconic example of quality programming mismanaged by the network. Upside for the cast? Firefly alumni now pop up regularly across the scripted spectrum.
2. Terriers
Tim Minnear's latest series was a sort-of procedural about two private detectives without a licence. The show ran with the tagline "just when you thought crime dramas were safe". Kind of weird, definitely addictive, and of course, now cancelled.
3. Drive
For a while there, Tim Minnear just couldn't catch a break. This was another Nathan Fillion vehicle (cast-wise, Emma Stone was also in the mix). Follows contestants in an illegal road race. A great program that bit the dust six episodes in.
4. The Black Donnellys
Not for the faint of heart, this show follows Irish-American brothers in New York mixed up in crime. Fans of The Sopranos seem to warm to Black Donnelly's. Kate Mulgrew (aka Captain Kathryn Janeway from ST: Voyager) is brilliant as the multi-faceted mother figure.
5. Freaks and Geeks
One of the most blunt teen shows ever made (in terms of portraying adolescent suffering) this soon became a cult hit. The program strove to capture the uncomfortable cruelty of high school, ie a maelstrom of social horror and emotional torture.
6. Space: Above and Beyond
One of the standout scripted science fiction programs of the nineties and nominated for two Emmys, the story follows a Marine Corp in Earth's first intergalactic war. The writing was excellent, the cinematography dark and atmospheric. Definitely a memorable scifi gem lost far too soon.
7. Huge
From the creator of My So-Called Life (also on the list), this show follows the life and loves of a group of teenagers, the difference being the cast are overweight and the story's set at fat camp. Western culture has a lot of complex reactions to overweight individuals, which seemed to inhibit audience numbers.
8. Kindred: The Embraced
While some of you may shake your heads in mock horror, I think Aaron Spelling's supernatural soapie was ahead of its time; one of the first really commercial efforts to marry modern vampire mythos and popular scripted television. Plans to revive the series fell through when the lead actor died.
9. Rubicon
This one's a thinker. Debuting in 2010, the program is more about subtlety than out and out action, which is probably the main reason behind Rubicon's cancellation. To summarise, an intelligence analyst begins to suspect a secret society is manipulating governments around the world.
10. The Powers of Matthew Star
Follows a teenage protagonist (the title's self-explanatory). An early eighties sci-fi show that probably wouldn't stand up to scrutiny now, but makes the list for introducing me to the idea of paranormal television.
11. Wonderfalls
A strange little show where the female protagonist, a retail assistant with a philosophy degree, has random conversations with animal figurines/ornaments that generally lead her to help people in trouble (however unwillingly). Definitely worth checking out.
12. Nowhere Man
His memory stolen, a photojournalist tries to figure out why his identity has been erased while being chased by mysterious government types. This show came out around The X-Files period, and has a similar conspiracy feel (minus the alien factor).
13. My So-Called Life
A young Claire Danes won a Golden Globe for her efforts in this gritty teen-focused mid-nineties program that never sidestepped the hard issues. Modern tv writers have been known to cite the show in their list of inspirations.
14. American Gothic
A mid-nineties horror series that put the spooky and the kooky into television. The cop is the bad guy, rather than the hero here, with supernatural abilities to boot. Definitely chill-inducing, and one for horror classicists.
15. The Good Guys
I'll admit, I'm a fan of Colin Hanks, which may be swinging my decision here. Recently cancelled, this odd couple pairing procedural deserved a chance at another season, especially since cop shows often find a following later in life.
16. Threshold
A first contact series written by Brannon Braga. I enjoyed the premise, but apparently not many others did, hence the early cancellation. Cast included Brent Spiner, who played Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
17. The Lone Gunmen
A spin-off from The X-Files, following the very clever, socially-challenged characters who occasionally helped Mulder and Scully. Turns out viewers like their investigators a little more suave and pretty, which was a shame.
18. 10 Things I Hate About You
Sometimes, in the midst of appreciating gritty, well-written programs, a dose of fairy floss television can be relaxing. A teen spin-off with Ethan Peck, grandson of Gregory Peck, offering the prerequisite eye candy.
19. Commander In Chief
I could never understand why this show was so summarily dropped. Yes, 'ratings', is the obvious answer, but after such a strong debut wouldn't a second season have made sense? Geena Davis was great as the first female American president.
20. Caprica
It's hard when you're a spin-off of a show that didn't hold its own audience. Battlestar Galactica was gritty science fiction, dark and intense. This quality follow-up British effort (actually a prequel), was different in tone, but still didn't manage to win new viewers, which was a pity.
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