We’ve all has beloved shows that we wish would have lasted longer. Shows that bring back some lovely memories. There have been a fair share of shows gone that we bid “good riddance” to. But there have also been a number of great shows that were canceled before their time.
Here’s my top five:
5. Hidden Palms
“Hidden Palms” is a classic who-done-it story. After the witnessing the suicide of his father Johnny and his newly married mother move to Palm Springs California. Once arrived Johnny is thrown into a tangled web of lies surrounding another suicide, the one of the boy who previously lived in Johnny’s room. Through a series of mysterious emails sent from the deceased boys Johnny learns that there may be more to the death than meets the eye. The show only lasted one season and the season consist of eight episodes and ends with questions still lingering. Although the short streak of the show the creators (Kevin Williamson, “Dawson’s Creek”) did an excellent job of developing the characters and engaging audiences to keep watching. The show stars Taylor Handley, Sharon Lawrence, Tessa Thompson, Amber Heard and Valerie Cruz along with others. All eight episodes are available on Netflix.
4. Jake 2.0
“Jake 2.0” starring Christopher Gorham as Jake Foley, a computer technician, working for the NSA, that in a freak accident becomes a “super soldier.” When tiny computer chips become imbedded in Jake’s mind he turns into the proto-type of the newest government technology. Literally over night Jake’s life changes. Each episode Jake finds himself in a new predicament that tests his new abilities. This show also only lasted one season (a total of 16 episodes) but is well formed and has a little bit more of the technology side than most. The cast also includes Phillip Anthony-Rodriguez, Judith Scott, and Keegan Connor Tracy. This show is available for tracking on sidereel.com.
3. Tru Calling
“Tru Calling” is the story about a recent university graduate determined to attend medical school who finds herself working at the city morgue in the meantime. While working she discovers that she has the ability to help those who have already passed. Every episode a new corpse asks for Tru’s (Eliza Dushku, Bring It On, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) help. Tru’s day then rewinds and she must prevent their death. This show mixes all the love of the traditional crime show with a touch of “girl power” that is so popular. The characters are memorable, from Tru’s boss Davis (Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover, Due Date, Up In the Air) to her brother, Harrison (Shawn Reaves) and Tru’s sister Lindsey (A.J. Cook, Criminal Minds). The show also has a returning guest star of Matthew Bomer (White Collar). The show lasted two seasons, a total of 26 episodes. Season two brings in Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz) as Jack Harper, Tru’s opposite. This show is available for tracking on sidereel.com or on Netflix (discs only).
2. Firefly
The science fiction series “Firefly”, created by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) only lasted a season, but a follow up move, “Serenity” officially ended the story. Staring Nathan Fillion (ABC’s Castle) as Captain Malcolm ‘Mal’ Reynolds. Mal leads his crew of misfit smugglers on adventures and “jobs” in the ship “Serenity”(hence the name of the movie). When Reynold’s crew picks up Dr. Simon Tam (Sean Maher) and his sister River (Summer Glau) they find themselves on the run from the Alliance (a government set up on the “central planets”). The Alliance wants River for experimentation and Simon gave up a promising career to rescue her. While Reynold’s debates the risk of harboring River and her brother they have adventures along the way. Also staring as the crew are Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, and Ron Glass. The show lasted a total of 14 episodes, but anyone who wants to watch the show don’t forget to watch “Serenity” once through. Both “Firefly” and “Serenity” are available for streaming on Netflix.
And my number one show cancelled before its time is…
Veronica Mars:
“Veronica Mars” is a story following a High School junior with a “screw the world” attitude. Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell, You Again, Burlesque) used to have it all, she was popular, dating the school stud, a perfect house and family. But all that was taken the day her best friend, also the daughter of one of the richest families in Neptune California and Veronica’s boyfriend’s sister, was brutally murdered. The local sheriff, Veronica’s father, accuses Lily’s father of committing the crime and was relieved of office shortly after. Veronica’s mother left not soon after. Now, in the aftermath of Lily Kane’s death Veronica finds herself isolated and bullied by those she once called friends and her father is now a local private investigator. Needless to say Veronica picked up some tips from her fathers and goes about solving mysteries for her fellow schoolmates to pay for future college expenses all the while working to find Lily’s true killer.
This show lasted a total of 3 seasons, each season has a different major mystery to solve. Veronica’s personality makes the show a joy to watch for any girl who has a strong “don’t mess with me” attitude. The mystery angle makes it hard to stop watching once you’ve starting and the dynamics between the characters opens it up to some humor and enjoyable time spent. The juicy love triangles and struggles make it more relatable and intriguing. The show ended on a less than climatic note and left all fans wanting more. Unfortunately this show didn’t come back for a fourth season despite a pitch made for the network. Funds were revoked and Veronica Mars was no more. It totaled 64 episodes, but for devote fans that wasn’t enough. All three seasons are available for streaming on Netflix.