It’s such a tragedy when I think about TV shows that were canceled way before their time. A show could have the funniest storyline but if it doesn’t capture a wide audience, it’s gone. There are so many TV shows that were canceled way before their time but, for this list, I’m narrowing it down to just nine! Thankfully, we have Netflix: where canceled TV shows go to live! I love discovering new series but I always get so disappointed if I find out they were already canceled.
1 Veronica Mars
This show was definitely cut short. It was canceled in 2007, after only three seasons. Sure, the show solved the mystery but it could’ve done so much more. I really feel like, with time, this series could have gone to a really cool place. But hey, fans loved it so much that, with donations, a VM movie was funded! I’m definitely excited for that! This show tops my list for TV shows that were canceled way before their time.
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2 Freaks and Geeks
I mean, must I explain why this show should’ve lived? The show starred James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, Seth Rogen and Busy Phillips. All those huge names in just one show together! It was epic. The show was really funny and it’s so cool to watch these big names before they really made it! It was canceled after one season in 2000.
3 Arrested Development
This was an epic mistake. Arrested Development was hilarious! Granted though, they did bring the show back after cancellation for a special season which premiered on Netflix. It really is a fantastic show, the acting is great! Plus, you got to watch Michael Cera before he was really Michael Cera. This show should’ve never been canceled!
4 Go on
This show was really starting to become one of my favorites! It starred Matthew Perry (the lovable Chandler from Friends). He was great in the show, and Courtney Cox even made a guest appearance! The cast was really lovable and it was just a feel-good show even though they dealt with some big issues. I feel like, with time, this show could’ve gone to bigger places. It’s a shame that it was canceled!
5 Ghost Whisperer
I’m pretty sure I’ve seen every episode of this show and I still catch the re-runs when it’s on. Jennifer Love Hewitt is fantastic in it! The good thing about the show’s abrupt cancellation is that the series didn’t end with a cliff-hanger. However, five seasons in, the show still had a bunch of story lines that fans would’ve liked to see. I wish they would’ve shown more of Aiden, the supernaturally gifted child of Jim and Melinda!
6 Undeclared
This show was hilarious. It centered on a group of college freshman who were embarking on an exciting adventure in their lives. The sitcom aired on Fox in 2001 but was canceled after just one season. It’s still worth watching though, if you never have! Charlie Hunnam (Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy) is in the show and he looks too cute! Fun fact: this show was Judd Apatow’s follow-up to his an earlier TV series he worked on, Freaks and Geeks!
7 Pushing Daisies
This show is proof that critical acclaim isn’t enough to save a series. The show received 17 Emmy nominations and Kristin Chenoweth scored a win. The show was canceled six episodes into its second season. The quirky show centered around a pie-maker who had the power to bring dead people back to life. He solves murder mysteries with his alive-again sweetheart! It had such a devoted following but was still canceled. Sigh.
8 Heroes
We all remember Heroes. It was a sci-fi TV drama that aired on NBC for four seasons. It told the story of ordinary people who discover that they have superhuman powers. The show revolved around the effect that these powers had on the character’s lives. It had four complete seasons but I still wish it had more! I never got tired of seeing Milo Ventimiglia and Hayden Panettiere on screen together!
9 Lie to Me
This show was so good! It was a crime drama series and originally ran on the FOX network from 2009 to 2011. It centered around Dr. Cal Lightman and his team who assist in investigations, reaching the truth through applied psychology. This show was great to watch because you could learn so much! They talked about all the ways you can tell if someone is lying to you. I definitely tried to pick a few tips from this show! It’s a shame it was canceled so soon.
This sums up my list for TV shows that were canceled way before their time. Don’t get me wrong, there are SO many more out there! However, these are some shows I actually watched. Which ones do you think should make the next list?
