So many quality shows get cut by the networks (for a various assortment of reasons) before they really hit their stride, which leaves us fans hanging and wondering what happened to our favorite characters and shows. There's not much worse in the TV universe than an unresolved cliffhanger. We look back at the dramas that really touched our hearts, or minds, before the networks saw fit to pull their plugs. Don't worry all you Dead Like Me and Freaks and Geeks fanatics, those dramedies will be featured along with comedies in our forthcoming gallery. And for all you sci-fi/supernatural junkies who are upset that Firefly isn't on the list, have patience, there were so many great series that fit the bill that they are getting their own separate list. So stay tuned.
In the meantime, check out our list of the dramas, and let us know your thoughts.
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So glad to see that you included Once and Again. As I flipped through your selections, I kept hoping the next picture would be of Sela and Billy.
The really awful part, of course, is that s3 has not been and probably will not be released on DVD. I can only relive the first 2 seasons...and some of Patrick Dempsey's most breathtaking work (forget McDreamy, he was pitch-perfect as Aaron) is in s3!
Veronica Mars is just one of the best tv serie ever (same category in term of quality with six feet under and the soprano) why HBO did not pick up this beautiful art work, why it was in such crap tv network like CW ???? I don't understand, really !
Pau I totally agree, I love veronica mars! did you hear they have the green light for a movie?
What about Pushing Dasies???
How do you have a list like this without Sports Night, when it trumped Studio 60 in every conceivable way?
What about "Action" on Fox that lasted only 5 episodes? Don't eat the Cobb Salad! Great show that should have been on HBO for the language.
Once and Again was my all-time favorite television show too! I am also frustrated that the last season has never been released on DVD.
Add to your list:
Firefly
Wolf Lake - great premise, but only 9 episodes.
I actually think Wolf Lake might work now that a book/movie like Twilight has such popularity.
Veronica Mars is probably the most painful cancellation. It was way too smart to survive. :(
I have to agree with you on that one. Pushing Daises was such an interesting and different show.
I really liked Swingtown. Doubt it will ever come back.
Calling shows like Drive and Reunion "brilliant" is really stretching it.
Veronica Mars was such a waste. The show provided a smart, empowered lead female character. Veronica made a role model for young girls. Then the CW decided replace her as the role model with the Pussycat Dolls. Nice going CW. If it wasn't for Supernatural, I wouldn't watch your network at all.
Pushing Daisies is considered a comedy/dramady.
I loved 4400...
I loved 4400...
You missed one of the first tragedies of the decade... Freaks and Geeks. All of the players, writers, directors have finally gotten their dues, no thanks to stupid tv executives. I remember seeing Linda Cardellini on Letterman first finding out they were cancelled from Dave. A sad day indeed...
Studio 60 and 30 Rock weren't on competing networks. They were both NBC shows.
I loved many shows on your list.
But Studio 60 and 30 Rock were not on competing networks.
Once and Again (Can I give a shoutout to the girl that played Grace. She was really good)
Everwood,Veronica Mars, Eli Stone (so cute. I didn't give a chance until its second season and now it is snatched.)
I also LOVED Drive and Traveler. My sister and I still want to know who is Wil Traveler.
And Studio 60 left us way too soon. Such beautiful writing and acting. I still cry over "and now. New Orleans."
I have to add Showtime's Huff to this list. I loved Oliver Platt and Blythe Danner in that show.
What happened to pushing daisies? that show had the vibrant colors and corky pleasentville humor that tv needed. Not saying that the plot line was strong enough to go past 3 seasons, but i wouldn't of minded being able to watch a second and third!
Maybe I'm in the minority but I hated Studio 60 and I like Sorkin. The stupid plots and just a bit too self-consciously "clever" dialogue just grated on me, not to mention many of the characters and/or actors themselves.
I miss - The Guardian with Simon Baker as a Lawyer.
Thanks for including Eyes on the list of dramas. It was a fun ensemble show.
What about Men In Trees? It was never given a chance by the network, constantly moved around, we never knew what night (or time) it would air. Definitely one of my favorites that I miss.
I remember Family Law (Dixie Carter, Tony Danza). I forget how long it was on though.
I am still mourning Everwood AND waiting for seasons 2-4 on DVD! Eli Stone was never even allowed to grow. Darn these Fabulous Berlanti shows! I never got a chance to see Jack & Bobby.
I'm still ticked off over the cancellation of Joan of Arcadia. And they replaced it with Ghost Whisperer. Gah!
I'm still ticked off over the cancellation of Joan of Arcadia. And they replaced it with Ghost Whisperer. Gah!
Please add this to your list. The Riches!!!!! Awesome show, but it won't be back.
I was so disappointed when they canceled The Black Donnellys. I thought it was such a great show that the network never gave a chance.
V Mars was the best show ever! I am very excited to see the movie when it comes out...however, I was hoping for them to bring back the show with season 4!!!!!
Day Break should be on this list. It was such an exciting thriller.
Commander in Chief also needs to be added.
Still miss Arrested Development, Veronica Mars was a great show as well
I agree. Men in Trees - great cast, great location, good story lines. Just enough "quirk" to keep it interesting.
How can you leave off "Vengence Unlimited."
I love the line:"Are you Satan?"
I've never seen most of the shows on this list, but I absolutely agree with the inclusion of Eli Stone. I loved this show! It was different, the cast and writing were excellent, and it was very real and emotional. I often laughed and cried both during the same episode. I'm really going to miss this show. I just hope us fans get to see the last four episodes that haven't aired.
Oh my gosh...I've lost so many! Everwood, Carnivale (brilliant!), My So Called Life, Joan of Arcadia, American Dreams...all shows I wish were still showing. Thanks for the mention!
Not Exactly in order but I really miss: V Mars, Blood Ties, Moonlight, New Amsterdam and Joan Of Arcadia. How is it possible Smallville survived and V mars got cut? Also if the Vampire shows like True Blood are go popular why get rid og MoonLight and Blood Ties? They were so good!
Here are two from way back: T.H.E. Cat with Robert Loggia moving with the grace of a panther and with all the jazz you could want and The Trials of O'Brian with Peter Falk before he did Columbo. He was much less patronizing, and the plots were interesting rather than set pieces for cameos.
C-16 with Eric Roberts, D.B. Sweeney, Angie Harmon, and a slew of other top actors should be on the list, as should American Gothic in which Gary Cole played a really interesting and menacing supernatural sheriff.
"413 Hope St" written by Damon Wayans. Great show wasn't given a chance
I miss The Guardian with Simon Baker. 3 seasons wasn't enough and why hasn't this been released on DVD? New Amsterdam didn't get a fair shot.
I Love This show!!! I was totally sad when it went off. So now i'm in college and every chance i get i go home and watch the old ones on demand. it's totally great. This show rocks its awesome..... Black girl/White girl SWAGG :-p
I could not believe when Veronica Mars left the air. Unbelievable. To see such crap on TV today. Amazing!!!..V Mars was innovative and a great pleasure to watch. BRING IT BACK "IT IS NOT TO LATE"!!!!!!
I'm still searching for any life or signs of "Cane". I thought this was a fantastic show with an outstanding cast. I guess too many Hispanics without headrags & tattoos isn't realistic enough for the network. Too bad - our loss.
I too loved Once and Again, but my all time favorite that got cancelled after 5 or 6 episodes was HEIST. Brilliant drama with a comedy edge, great acting and should NEVER have been cancelled.
You totally missed What About Brian. I loved that show!
I agree about Men In Trees, it was an excellent show and didn't have the chance it deserved. Also The Women's Murder Club with Angie Harmon. This was based on the books by James Patterson. They moved it, or shunted it aside for other programs that weren't half as good.
TV exec blame that no one is watching tv, ratings are falling etc etc etc. As a viewer I am tired of getting sucked into a great show just to be disappointed that it gets cancelled before it even had a shot. Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone, Deadwood, and many more great shows gone...
Freaks and Geeks...
Freaks and Geeks...
Anyone remember "Three Pounds"? I think that was the name of it, about brain surgeons in NY. That was amazing, kept you on the edge of your seat. I also miss: Swingtown, Pushing Daisies, Black Donnellys, and Boomtown. I love the show "Life" but it's on at the same time as "Lost", so it's screwed - I hope they move it. Oh and that reminds me of another great show called "Saved" about ambulance drivers - loved it, really cool show cut short.
You totally forgot Picket Fences. What an untimely and undeserved cancellation!
I will miss Swingtown. It was like living thru the 70's all over.
I still miss Boomtown. It was such an awesome cast and the concept of showing it from different perspectives was great. They just totally ruined it the second season.
yeahh Joan of Arcadia was great, adn Ghost Whisperer just sucks..
boomtown was amazing.
I loved Swingtown because I wasn't born in the 70's and got a chance to see what they were like. I loved the clothes, music, parties. I wanted to know even more about these characters. This is one show that was truly a great show that never got a chance.
Life maybe the worst cancellation to come about in recent memory. A show with solid writing and outstanding acting left to fall due to a few schedule changes, lack of promotion, and honestly a viewing public that is more interested in the laughable world of reality television than a series that aspires to showcase great story telling.
What about "The Nine" another show starring Tim Daly. It was well written and brilliantly acted.