The all-time too short-lived TV shows
02-28-15, 04:24 PM
#101
Senior Member
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Agree with many of the shows but my two are:
http://www.tv.com/shows/cupid-1998/
http://www.tv.com/shows/the-black-donnellys/
http://www.tv.com/shows/cupid-1998/
http://www.tv.com/shows/the-black-donnellys/
02-28-15, 04:35 PM
#102
Inane Thread Master, 2018 TOTY
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Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Oh yeah, a lot of brilliance, with a lot more potential, but cancelled because &^%$ 90210 was going from high school to college and Fox didn't want two "College" shows on their schedule.
I had some eps. still on VHS, but years ago picked up almost the complete series burned on DVD. It holds up so well. Jason Gedrick, Lisa Dean Ryan, Kari Wuhrer and so much great acting.
I had some eps. still on VHS, but years ago picked up almost the complete series burned on DVD. It holds up so well. Jason Gedrick, Lisa Dean Ryan, Kari Wuhrer and so much great acting.
02-28-15, 05:57 PM
#103
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
I went to the Murder One Q & A at the Museum of Television & Radio in 1995 (during the show's second season). Somebody asked Bochco why Benzali was replaced (in front of LaPaglia, no less). He gave a terse answer that basically was that they were extremely lucky to be renewed at all with their low ratings and that the network had made suggestions. So I think the post above was pretty close to what happened.
I've posted before about my personal experience during this Q & A. I'll see if it's searchable. Let's say it wasn't a great exchange.
edit: Here's my original post from like a year and a half ago. I've just copied it since it's late and I'm tired and lazy.
Funny story here about Murder One:
As the second (and final) season was winding down, the Museum of Televison and Radio in LA held their annual festival. As you may know, they pick a few current and former TV shows and assemble the cast and creative talents for a Q & A. My (future) wife and I went to the Murder One event since I was such a fan. After a bunch of softball questions, lots of moaning and groaning about the poor ratings and one notable stonewall (about the ousting of Benzali), I felt I had a good question. I stood up and asked my TV hero, Steven Bochco, creator of Hill Street Blues, LA Law and NYPD Blues, a living legend about the criticism that his show took after the end of the first season with its conclusion. Now I had read article after article saying that people were disappointed and let down and I merely asked if that criticism had spawned a change in the show's focus from "whodunnit" to more clearly focus on the case. Well, Mr Bochco's eyes got real wide and he basically ripped me a new one as he angrily lectured about how he thought the S1 ending was right on target and well set up and he didn't think there was any problem with it at all. There were a few gasps and murmers after his response. A nice little lady sitting on the other side of me whispered "I was dissapointed too". What really upset me was that I didn't criticise him, I only asked about other people's criticsm. That really bit and needless to say, I'll probably never get a job in the TV biz now.
I've posted before about my personal experience during this Q & A. I'll see if it's searchable. Let's say it wasn't a great exchange.
edit: Here's my original post from like a year and a half ago. I've just copied it since it's late and I'm tired and lazy.
Funny story here about Murder One:
As the second (and final) season was winding down, the Museum of Televison and Radio in LA held their annual festival. As you may know, they pick a few current and former TV shows and assemble the cast and creative talents for a Q & A. My (future) wife and I went to the Murder One event since I was such a fan. After a bunch of softball questions, lots of moaning and groaning about the poor ratings and one notable stonewall (about the ousting of Benzali), I felt I had a good question. I stood up and asked my TV hero, Steven Bochco, creator of Hill Street Blues, LA Law and NYPD Blues, a living legend about the criticism that his show took after the end of the first season with its conclusion. Now I had read article after article saying that people were disappointed and let down and I merely asked if that criticism had spawned a change in the show's focus from "whodunnit" to more clearly focus on the case. Well, Mr Bochco's eyes got real wide and he basically ripped me a new one as he angrily lectured about how he thought the S1 ending was right on target and well set up and he didn't think there was any problem with it at all. There were a few gasps and murmers after his response. A nice little lady sitting on the other side of me whispered "I was dissapointed too". What really upset me was that I didn't criticise him, I only asked about other people's criticsm. That really bit and needless to say, I'll probably never get a job in the TV biz now.
03-01-15, 10:32 AM
#105
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Gideon's Crossing. Outstanding medical drama that came along just as E.R. was starting to suck. Featured Andre Braugher and Reuben Blades in the lead. Cancelled in the middle of its first season. Boo.
03-01-15, 11:10 AM
#106
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Jericho, if it would have been more like the second season than the first, would have been nice to have around for another couple of seasons. The first season wasn't very good, so it's no wonder it got cancelled.
03-02-15, 02:25 PM
#108
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Firefly will always be in the "good but not THAT great" category, for me.
Anyone remember Space: Above and Beyond? There's one that mostly hit (with a few clunkers) but the ratings couldn't justify the budget. Shame...
Anyone remember Space: Above and Beyond? There's one that mostly hit (with a few clunkers) but the ratings couldn't justify the budget. Shame...
03-02-15, 02:34 PM
#109
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Sledge Hammer and Get a Life are the two shows that come to mind that I wish had a third season.
Last edited by Sweet Baby James; 03-02-15 at 02:41 PM.
03-02-15, 02:44 PM
#111
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
If we can venture into cartoons, there's a whole lot of licensed stuff that CN basically hung out to dry:
Justice League Unlimited: I can't believe the Timmverse didn't continue in some shape or form
Thundercats
Young Justice
Transformers Animated
Sym-Bionic Titan (though this one there just may not have been enough of an audience for)
Justice League Unlimited: I can't believe the Timmverse didn't continue in some shape or form
Thundercats
Young Justice
Transformers Animated
Sym-Bionic Titan (though this one there just may not have been enough of an audience for)
03-02-15, 02:57 PM
#112
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
I would add Life as well, I really enjoyed that show.
Even though it lasted forever, Law and Order .. they re-tooled the show and ended on a real high note
Even though it lasted forever, Law and Order .. they re-tooled the show and ended on a real high note
03-02-15, 04:03 PM
#114
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
The premise ensured a short life, but I enjoyed Grosse Pointe, the straight-up parody of the cast of Beverly Hills 90210. The main character was a young actress with a reputation for being bitchy off-screen, clearly intended to be Shannen Doherty.
My favorite bit was when Lindsay Sloane, who was the Tori Spelling character, decided to re-embrace her Jewish heritage. She goes to temple and other activities, and meets a guy. At the end of the episode, they're making out in her mansion, and she turns off the lights. You hear them going at it in the dark for a bit, when she suddenly screams out "Oh my god, you're not Jewish!!"
Nearly had to get a new couch, since I almost pissed myself laughing.
My favorite bit was when Lindsay Sloane, who was the Tori Spelling character, decided to re-embrace her Jewish heritage. She goes to temple and other activities, and meets a guy. At the end of the episode, they're making out in her mansion, and she turns off the lights. You hear them going at it in the dark for a bit, when she suddenly screams out "Oh my god, you're not Jewish!!"
Nearly had to get a new couch, since I almost pissed myself laughing.
03-02-15, 08:54 PM
#117
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
A lot of mine have already been mentioned but deserve to be mentioned again.
-Human Target-still don't get why Fox canned this. They moved it around constantly and the ratings were actually going up
-M.A.N.T.I.S-Goof first half goody second half. Another victim of Fox Friday Night
-Perversions of Science-Tales from the Crypt spinoff
-Werewolf-One of Fox's original shows that didn't survive.
The Flash(90)
-Night Man: Cheesy but fun Glenn Larson series.
-Keen Eddie
-Jack of All Trades-Bruce Campbell. Got cancelled with Cleopatra
-Sledge Hammer: Seriously this show was brilliant.
-The Critic
-The Good Guys
-Human Target-still don't get why Fox canned this. They moved it around constantly and the ratings were actually going up
-M.A.N.T.I.S-Goof first half goody second half. Another victim of Fox Friday Night
-Perversions of Science-Tales from the Crypt spinoff
-Werewolf-One of Fox's original shows that didn't survive.
The Flash(90)
-Night Man: Cheesy but fun Glenn Larson series.
-Keen Eddie
-Jack of All Trades-Bruce Campbell. Got cancelled with Cleopatra
-Sledge Hammer: Seriously this show was brilliant.
-The Critic
-The Good Guys
03-02-15, 10:53 PM
#120
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
If memory serves me, that scene was a big FU to the networks when the creator thought his show was being canceled. It got renewed for one more season, and now they were like oh crap, how do we write ourselves out of this situation? haha
Great show. The humor holds up well today.
My picks:
Young Riders - fun cast that offered up a lot of interesting storylines. Brolin was great as Hickcock.
The Flash - this was at a time after Michael Keaton's Batman so it was really cool to see a live action superhero tv show. The effects and costume were great for the time, and add some interesting villians. Still a fun watch.
Great show. The humor holds up well today.
My picks:
Young Riders - fun cast that offered up a lot of interesting storylines. Brolin was great as Hickcock.
The Flash - this was at a time after Michael Keaton's Batman so it was really cool to see a live action superhero tv show. The effects and costume were great for the time, and add some interesting villians. Still a fun watch.
03-03-15, 12:02 AM
#122
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Some of my favorites, which are mostly all one season wonders...
Firefly
Crusade
Odyssey 5 (surprised I'm the first one to mention this excellent Showtime Sci-Fi series)
Leap Years
Freaks And Geeks
Undeclared
Brimstone
Tru Calling
Drive
Carnivale
Dark Skies
Clone High
The Class (which was, and still is funnier than most of the longer running sitcoms that have been on CBS. I'm also surprised that even in this day and age, it never got a DVD release)
The Crazy Ones (but understandable with Robin Williams passing)
And in guilty pleasure mode...
Malibu Shores
I know I'm forgetting some, too.
Firefly
Crusade
Odyssey 5 (surprised I'm the first one to mention this excellent Showtime Sci-Fi series)
Leap Years
Freaks And Geeks
Undeclared
Brimstone
Tru Calling
Drive
Carnivale
Dark Skies
Clone High
The Class (which was, and still is funnier than most of the longer running sitcoms that have been on CBS. I'm also surprised that even in this day and age, it never got a DVD release)
The Crazy Ones (but understandable with Robin Williams passing)
And in guilty pleasure mode...
Malibu Shores
I know I'm forgetting some, too.
Last edited by Rocketdog2000; 03-03-15 at 12:08 AM.
03-03-15, 12:45 AM
#123
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
Yet another Nathan Fillion show that got the axe too early was Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place (later shortened to just Two Guys and a Girl). The dumb title probably did it in, but was damn funny. Ryan Reynolds starred as one of the "Two Guys".
Tiffani-Amber Thiessen was on for a few episodes, and used a line that became part of my repertoire. She was correcting something another character did and said, "Here, let me add another cheek to your half-assed job."
Tiffani-Amber Thiessen was on for a few episodes, and used a line that became part of my repertoire. She was correcting something another character did and said, "Here, let me add another cheek to your half-assed job."
03-03-15, 02:54 AM
#125
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The all-time too short-lived TV shows
This was so good that I bought the first season on DVD. Great family drama with Sela Ward, Billy Campbell & a very young Evan Rachel Wood.
Only got 3 seasons, or more like 2 and a half. ABC tried everything, and it was even on the cover of TV Guide as the "Best Show You're Not Watching."
Only got 3 seasons, or more like 2 and a half. ABC tried everything, and it was even on the cover of TV Guide as the "Best Show You're Not Watching."