Having a favorite show canceled feels a bit like getting the rug pulled from underneath, or having a movie cut off half an hour before the end. Just as the characters become familiar, and just as the story starts to get more layered and interesting, they’re unceremoniously taken away. It stings even more if theTV show endson a cliffhanger, or a promising future setup.
Nowadays,if a show on a streaming service doesn’t get the desired streaming numbers in the first week,it’s likely it won’t get a second season;Netflix is a particular scourge of shows canceled too soon. Official social media accounts get flooded by fans pleading for their series to get picked back up, and petitions are promptly written up.My Lady JaneandKaosare some of the more recent casualties of this brutal trend, leading toinfuriating cliffhangers. There have been shows that were given a second chance by another network or blossomed when they moved to a different streaming platform. Still,other shows weren’t quite as lucky.
Don’t Trust The B—- in Apartment 23
Cast
Don’t Trust The B—- in Apartment 23 is a sitcom that follows June, a naive small-town girl who moves to New York City, and her unpredictable, party-loving roommate Chloe. Featuring Krysten Ritter as Chloe and Dreama Walker as June, the series explores their tumultuous relationship and the challenges they face while navigating life in the city. James Van Der Beek stars as a fictionalized version of himself.
This criminally underrated comedy had plenty of laughs and showcased Krysten Ritter’s comedic skills perfectly.The unlikely friendship between her party-loving character and straight-laced new roommate, June (Dreama Walker), served as a very promising premise, and the side characters provided a lot of great comedic relief, too. James van der Beek’s fictionalized version of himself offered so many hilarious set-ups, making fun of all his past achievements in the best possible way.
The way some episodes were aired out of sequence also makes it seem like the network didn’t necessarily have the most faith in it.
The cancelation was influenced by low ratings.The critics' reviews had been favorable, and it even won a Critics' Choice Award for Most Exciting New Series. Still, the way some episodes were aired out of sequence also makes it seem like the network didn’t necessarily have the most faith in it. Many petitions were signed to revive this show, but sadly, audiences never got what they so passionately asked for.
The Society
One day in West Ham, Connecticut, the students of the local high school return from a field trip to find the rest of the town’s population gone. With a dense forest surrounding the town and no way to contact the outside world via phone or internet, the teenagers must formulate their own rules to maintain their own society and survival.
With a very solid premise and a cast of charismatic up-and-comers, this dystopian teen drama had it all.When a school bus full of kids suddenly ends up in a completely empty version of their hometown, they must rally to set up a functioning society in order to survive without any adult supervision. It set up some interesting concepts, very juicy relationship drama, and had plenty of potential plotlines to explore in future seasons. The fact that it ended on a cliffhanger was an extra blow.
The show did rather well with Netflix viewers and was even renewed for a second season, but was sadly a casualty of the pandemic.When production was halted on so many shows, only the surefire, established hits were brought back.There are so many viewers left in limbo who would love to find out how, and why the teenagers ended up in that alternate reality, but will likely never know.
Zoë Kravitz led this fresh take on the cult John Cusak film that featured her mother, Lisa Bonet. Kravitz was totally unapologetic and had a magnetic edge that made audiences gravitate to her. It was a type of show that was missing from the TV line-up, addressing modern-day relationships in a fresh and nuanced way.There was romance, good dialogue, and questionable decisions that many viewers could properly relate to.There was definitely more to be explored, but unfortunately,Zoe Kravitz’sHigh Fidelityscreen life was cut short.
High Fidelity Producers Thought Zoe Kravitz’s Character Was Too Toxic
High Fidelity producers had some harsh thoughts on Zoe Kravitz’s central character, feeling she was too toxic and angry instead of likable.
It would be curious to see how this show would fare in a post-Nobody Wants ThisWorld, where a slow-burn romantic comedy can be more appreciated in a TV format.The ingredients were all there at the time, but the audiences, perhaps, weren’t quite ready. The stars of the show went on to bigger and better things, but this witty gem still resonates with fans of music and “Top Five” lists.
FlashForward
FlashForward is a Primetime Emmy award-winning show that aired on ABC for a single season. The series centers on a special FBI unit that struggles to understand what happened when the entire world blacks out and has a vision of their futures. FlashForward starred Courtney B. Vance, Joseph Fiennes, and Jack Davenport.
Based on a fascinating idea devised in the 1999 novel by Robert J. Sawyer, this sci-fi drama follows a group of people who get a glimpse into the future after a mysterious worldwide blackout event.The series built its world very well, with complex characters and many questions that drew viewers in. Sadly, not enough viewers. With a stellar cast that included Joseph Fiennes and Courtney B. Vance, the show had really great potential for more mysteries to be explored.
Originally,FlashForwardwas pitched to HBO before being taken on by ABC, which meant a higher episode count.It could be argued that a shorter season could have kept more viewers onboard with more action crammed into each episode, but there’s no way of knowing without being able to predict the future. The show even set up a whole new storyline to be the focus of season 2 and beyond, butFlashForwardgot canceled before the season 1 finale even aired.
Freaks and Geeks
Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks is a comedy-drama series centered around several now-popular stars in their first-ever appearances as outcast teenagers dealing with the “hilarious unfairness of teen life.” The friend groups are split into “freaks” and “geeks,” each with their own quirks that resonate with teens today as they attempt to find their place in the socially complex world of high school.
WithFreaks & Geeks' cast of future superstarsand a creator who would become one of the most influential names in comedy, this cult show was arguably too much before its time. Legendary casting director Alison Jones said the goal was to find actors who were the opposite of the picture-perfect-looking “teens” that featured in most shows at the time.Their adventures were also meant to be slightly more edgy and realistic, as opposed to the soapy romances that ruled the airways.It seems that formula was not what the majority of viewers were ready for.
Freaks & Geeks: Seth Rogen Reflects On Cancelled Show’s Legacy After 25 Years
Seth Rogen reflects on the long-lasting legacy of his short-lived cult comedy show Freaks and Geeks, which only ran for one 18-episode season.
The poor ratings and disagreements between the network and creators were what ultimately led to the show getting the ax, but even after all these years, it’s still regarded as one of the best comedy shows of the era.Seth Rogen and Jason Segel continued working with Judd Apatow, and gave audiences the gifts ofKnocked UpandThis is 40,to name but a few. The show has also influenced how young adult shows are made, with its blueprint still felt to this day.
Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is a drama mystery series that stars Kristen Bell as the titular teen detective who learns the ropes from her father, a California police sheriff. Following a “crime-of-the-week” episode format, each episode sees Veronica tackling new cases while carrying on her High School life, with a more significant, overarching plot carrying between episodes. Veronica’s side career begins following the death of her best friend, which sets off a chain of events leading to several smaller cases.
This teen detective drama could be described as “the little engine that could”.The ratings were never stellar, and the reception was never overwhelmingly impactful, but it had something special. It could have been Kristen Bell’s leading lady charisma or her undeniable chemistry with Jason Dohring, but those who chose to stick with this highly entertaining show weren’t disappointed. Every season focused on a new mystery, yet every season had the potential of being its last, with the threat of cancelation hanging over each finale.
The end finally came after season three and fans were disappointed, to say the least.The show had such a devoted following that they even crowdfunded a feature film that brought back a lot of the cast for another crime to solve. A fourth season was commissioned and aired in 2019 and, despite the positive reception to the story arc, many viewers were disappointed with the ending. This was the show’s last outing to date.
Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones is a Netflix-based Superhero television show based in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series was created by Melissa Rosenberg and stars Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, and Mike Colter. It follows the life of Jessica Jones as she is forced to give up being a superhero and instead decides to use her powers to aid in being a private investigator.
Part of Marvel’s Netflix collaboration,Jessica Joneswas a member of theDefendersgroup of heroes that consisted ofDaredevil, Luke CageandIron Fist.It was a departure from the more family-oriented feel of the movies, with grittier violence, a darker feel, and deeply flawed main characters. Played by Krysten Ritter, Jones punched and kicked her way onto the screen to good reviews and a positive reception. Her murky backstory was really entertaining to explore, and her anti-hero attitude made her one of the more layered protagonists in the MCU.
While lasting longer than two of her counterparts,Jessica Joneshad a slightly more satisfying send-off but, unlike Daredevil and the Punisher, doesn’t seem to be getting the Disney treatment.The cancellation wasn’t well received by the show’s core audiences, with many still hoping to see her back on their screens at some point.
Pushing Daisies
Created by Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies stars Lee Pace as Ned, a baker who can inexplicably bring people back from the dead with just one touch. With the help of a private investigator and his previously deceased childhood girlfriend who he has rescued from death, Ned uses his ability to help solve murders. Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Chi McBride also star.
For those who loved this show, this cancelation really hurt. An incredibly charming and romantic zombie comedy-drama with an endlessly watchable cast,Pushing Daisies’best episodesstruck a chord with audiences straight away. Lee Pace and Anna Friel’s doomed love story was beautiful, and the quirky visuals were so different to anything shown on TV at the time.A critics' darling, the show won seven Emmys, and was nominated for multiple other awards.
When the news of the show’s ending was announced, there was an outcry from fans around the world.There were so many stories left to tell, and many plot points that needed to be tied up.There were rumblings about a comic book continuation, miniseries or even a movie, but ultimately none of that happened. Viewers had to be content with the short but beautiful time they got to spend with this delightful show.
My So-Called Life
My So-Called Life is a TV drama series that aired in 1994-1995, centered on teenager Angela Chase, played by Claire Danes, as she navigates the complexities of high school life, friendships, and family relationships. The show explores themes of identity, peer pressure, and adolescence, featuring a strong ensemble cast including Jared Leto as Jordan Catalano and Bess Armstrong as Angela’s mother, Patty Chase.
What this classic ’90s show was able to have, was a rare self-contained story that can live all on its own.Yes, it had the potential for more character exploration, and a lot more relationship drama to deliver, but the way it ended was able to satisfy a vast majority of its viewers. The show’s appeal was considered quite niche at the time. Aimed directly at teenagers, it explored many taboo subjects like sexuality, drugs, and bullying with a sense of realism rarely seen before. Its original network didn’t know how to properly handle the promotion, and the ratings weren’t as strong as they could have been.
My So-Called Lifewas so influential in a very specific period of time that the Xennial microgeneration is also sometimes referred to as the Jordan Catalano Generation.
Claire Danes received universal praise for her performance, and Jared Leto’s Jordan Catalano became one of the seminal crushes of the decade.The show continues to live on as one of the best teen dramas of all time and its nostalgic appeal has drawn in new viewers over the years.
Firefly
Firefly is a science fiction television series set in the year 2517, focusing on the crew of the spaceship Serenity. As humans inhabit a new star system, the renegade crew, led by Captain Malcolm Reynolds, navigates conflicts and alliances while pursuing their own interests across lawless territories.
Fireflyhad so much potential, even with a shortened single season.A cast of interesting characters, an exciting world just waiting to be explored, and Joss Whedon’s special brand of wit emanating from every word in the script. Having had massive hits withBuffy the Vampire Slayerand its spin-offAngel,Whedon had free rein to create something new. He opted for this quirky space opera meets Western, starring Nathan Fillion. It was said to be designed to last up to seven seasons, but due to poor ratings, it didn’t even last a full year.
Fireflycontinues to live on as a cult show, and many homages were paid to this much-missed sci-fi gem in subsequent Whedon/Fillion projects.
Fans of the show had rallied for renewal, and were eventually rewarded with a feature film,Serenity, which was able to wrap up some of the outstanding storylines.Firefly continues to live on as a cult show, and many homages were paid to this much-missed sci-fi gem in subsequent Whedon/Fillion projects, as well as many references in pop culture.
