I’m sure you’ve had one of your favorite tv shows canceled before, and I’m sure you’ve told everyone how upset you were about it. Sometimes you got closure, sometimes you didn’t. Some shows just don’t get enough time to finish their story or hit their true potential. It may have not been the best move for the network to keep these on, who wouldn’t have liked to see where they went?
10. Miracles
Miracles starred Skeet Ulrich as Paul Callan an investigator of miracles who had once been a priest. It was kind of an X-Files like show where people went to weird places and investigated so called miracles. There was a lot of good mystery to the show, and surprisingly some pretty good acting among the cast.
What Happened? Miracles actually opened to decent ratings and a positive response from critics. However, ABC pre-empted it’s viewing for a little while which is not a good thing to do to a relatively new show. Due to mismanagement Miracles continued to drop in the ratings. After three more episodes ABC canceled the show. All 13 episodes are now available on DVD.
Set in an SNL like show for a network called NBS, Studio 60 was Aaron Sorkin’s highly anticipated Studio 60. Including an all-star cast of Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, and Amanda Pete. It’s pilot episode had great ratings, largely due to a huge pre-season buzz. It all starts when Judd Hirsch’s character which is a Lorne Michael’s type goes all Network on live television. He, of course, gets canned, and they bring in his two proteges who were kicked off the show years earlier. The show largely follows these two characters, Danny Tripp and Matt Albie, around. Although slammed by many industry people as largely unrealistic in the writing of comedy, it was still a fun concept. Judd Hirsch’s speech in the pilot episode still rank as one of my favorite scenes in a pilot ever.
What Happened? Well , this one we can’t blame the network on. In fact NBC stood by the show all season long even after it’s ratings had dropped a massive 43% by the fifth episode. Luckily the reason NBC was willing to stick with this one is it rated high in key demographics. Basically if you make decent money and had a college education, you were more likely to watch the show according to the demographics. Luckily Sorkin and staff were given plenty of time to wrap up all loose ends at the end of the season making for an almost too neat package.
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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.