This show launched the careers of many Hollywood elites, such as Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel. After being on a show this good, they all deserve the success they have had. Centered around a brother and sister in a Detroit high school in the 80s, Freaks and Geeks showed teenagers just trying to fit it. It sounds boring when you put it like that, but it was so well executed that you can’t help but love it. The characters feel real and fully developed, and the growth that occurs in the first season is great. It is a show that was definitely canceled before it reached it’s full potential.
What Happened? Once again, it’s feeling pretty familiar by now, ratings due to mismanagement by the network. Critical praise was off the chart with this one, but it didn’t translate into audience due to scheduling changes. Much of the same stuff happened to Apatow’s next project, Undeclared. Undeclared brought over a lot of the same staff from Freaks and Geeks but it ultimately failed too. Luckily, Apatow and crew found fame with 40 Year Old Virgin a few years later and have been riding a wave of sucess ever since then.
2. Arrested Development
Following the arrest of his father George Bluth, Michael Bluth is put in charge of running the family business and the family. Everything about this series was great. It is a show that you can watch multiple times and still laugh every time. The cast has to be one of the most perfect comedic casts of all time. There isn’t a single weak link in the series. Not your normal sitcom, it used a single camera variant with no laughtrack to great effect. Instead of a laughtrack we get Ron Howard narrating the story for us.
What Happened? Once again, poor ratings. FOX actually stuck with it longer than anticipated probably due to such great critical reception and loyal fan base. Many critics thought the show was not properly marketed and was doomed to failure because of it. Since it’s season 3 cancellation it has done very well on DVD. In fact, just recently, a movie was greenlit so we can continue to enjoy the Bluth charcters for another hour or two.
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I LOVED *MIRACLES*. It was a tremendous show and the chemistry between Angus McFadyen (Robert the Bruce in Braveheart) and Skeet Ulrich was amazing. Hector Elizondro was fantastic as well although his role was limited. I wish they would do a 3 part mini-series and wrap this one up -- I'm still left wondering --- is Paul good or bad? Is GOD NOW HERE, or is GOD NOWHERE?
I disagree about Sunset though, I found it pretentious and somewhat condescending. The acting was forced and was too full of itself. Like everthing was due or die in every moment and the characters were unsympathetic. When you don't care about even one character on a show, it is tough to connect.
I agree with most of your choices. Particular favorites of mine are Firefly, Angel, Freaks and Geeks, and Studio 60. One not on your list was the ridiculously short lived Fox show Kitchen Confidential which it also killed with mismanagement. Why you would ever put on 2 episodes of a brand new show then preempt it for a month with a sporting event is beyond me, yet they kill at least 1 show every year that way.
Very glad to see Firefly at #1. I didn't know about the show until it had already been long canceled. I didn't know FOX aired it out of sequence until now. That upsets me.
I didn't watch Firefly when it originally aired. I happened to buy Serenity on a whim after it was released on DVD. It was fantastic. The movie did enough to characterize for this newcomer, but still feel like the extension of a Series. I lvoed it. And the Agent was just frightening. So I bought the Series on DVD and I loved that too. I loved Buffy. I could never get into Angel, until the fifth season. You are dead on regarding that. The Fifth Season was great and it was so disappointing to see it get the ax.
All I can say is thank god for DVDs of these series. I own 4 of these shows on your list and faithfully watched 2 others. I have the bad luck of getting into TV shows that are great but that don't last as long as they should. This year is no exception with the end of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Life. Can I pick'em or what?!?!
I have a toss up between Firefly and Freaks & Geeks as my favorite. Who'd thought Seth Rogen from F&G would become such a major Hollywood player?
Freaks and Geeks, Firefly, and Dead Like Me are definitely great picks. I still believe Deadwood could have gotten two more seasons but I also understand the 3 seasons it did got wrapped up somewhat. One choice though not mentioned that I would for sure is The Class. it was such a sweet show that people just never flocked to.
1) Firefly
2) The Dresden Files
3) Blood Ties
4) The Lone Gunmen
5) Dark Angel
6) Studio 60
7) Veronica Mars
I agree on all of these! they where some of the best TV shows on television! Ive seen all of them named here except miracles...
too bad they didin't continue..
You have great taste that's for sure!
Miracles was my fav. show.. I am a big movie buff from Carry Grant to Hugh Grant but always get the shows i like shuch as Firefly,Angle and Miracles Cancled
Actually agree with Angel aqnd Dead Like Me. The rest - not on my TV.