After the culling of shows on HBO Max, seeing the word ‘cancelled’ by your favorite show in a Google News feed is alas more common than ever. Likewise with a streaming world that increasingly feels like new cable, it’s a paradoxical world where we’re getting more incredible tv shows than ever but they’re getting less of a chance to find an audience and thus reaching fewer viewers. Though this could be an entire article lamenting the nature of TV and streaming today (and there have been many written as such and we’ll likely still write one more), we wanted to take the topic of cancellation and highlight many of those lesser known shows that were cancelled in their first season. Do we claim these are shows that deserve the love and fandom of a Freaks & Geeks and Firefly, both notoriously cancelled despite their present cultural status? Probably not. However these are shows that in a different world perhaps could’ve seen their audiences grow and had at least a somewhat longer life than they had.
Lockwood & Co. (2023)
Lockwood & Co. is the most recent addition to our list, and though unlikely it potentially could be the first casualty of the 2023 writers’ strike to be on this list? (Though it’s not referenced in the cancellation announcement, it’s hard to say for sure with any shows cancelled at this time.) Lockwood & Co. may though just not have garnered quite the viewership Netflix had hoped for, despite author Jonathan Stroud, creator of the original series, citing its broad success worldwide and on Netflix itself as a top-streaming show for a time. What is certainly a loss for fans of the series, for those such as ourselves, who were aware of Stroud’s series but had not delved in yet, it was at least a delightful introduction to a world we can at least revisit in books. We also still, even if you’ve missed it, highly recommend checking out the one and only season of Lockwood & Co., as we did in our own review of the series, as it provides an entrancing world that is both familiar and delightfully ghoulish in the best of ways.
Almost Human (2013)
Before Karl Urban found The Boys, he was standing out in titles that, despite sequel potential, were also (as of this writing) one and done vehicles: Priest & Dredd in particular. Dredd especially I thought was an incredible vehicle for Urban’s acting chops, and seriously one epic re-telling of the beloved comic. Upon seeing the teaser for Almost Human and its buddy copy human/android premise, with JJ Abrams name attached at the height of his powers, I thought surely this would be a success for Urban and the tv show as a whole.
Alas I forgot that after ‘never start a land war in Asia’, there follows the axiom ‘never trust a sci-fi tv show on Fox’. Despite in my mind living up to and succeeding the premise’s promises, the average viewership of 5.5 – 6 million couldn’t save the show from Fox’s cudgel. (Firefly fans who loved Almost Human felt the familiar pain especially hard.) It’s hard to know if a show like Almost Human could’ve succeeded in today’s TV environment, considering the audience mirrors present epsiodes of the Masked Singer (though undoubtedly with a larger budget). Sadly we’ll never get to know. At least for Urban fans, there’s always the Boys to turn to – if you’re into that sort of thing.
The Kettering Incident (2016)
Often shows that are considered ‘prestige TV’ get the chance to live on for multiple seasons even without any viewership (looking at you The Leftovers) thanks to the network’s willingness to wait for an audience or perhaps pay to simply say they have a critically lauded, if perhaps underseen show (again, The Leftovers). What makes this case unique is not only is it an arguably Prestige TV show that was cancelled, but it was also critically recognized and watched by a healthy viewership, at least in its home country of Australia.
The Kettering Incident begins as a strange, twisting procedural, where even before a body is discovered, we are already asking so many questions about why Doctor Anna Macy, played by Elizabeth Debicki, feels called back to her home in Tasmania, and what are these strange blackouts she keeps experiencing? Like one of the many insular crime dramas, we are introduced to the strangeness of small town life, and its many characters, but there’s something more here, and it’s all uniquely Tasmanian and Australian, in a manner that adds to the mystery as well as a delightfully unique POV that for American audiences in particular we are absolutely unfamiliar with. Regretfully before it plombs its mysteries to its fullest extents, the show ends with an incredible reveal, thus leading to more mysteries, chief among them for me is why was this show cancelled?
I’m still unsure as to this last question, but lead writer Victoria Madden regretfully announced back shortly after the season ended that indeed it was not being picked up for another season, despite it winning many awards including Best Telefeature or Mini Series in the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards. The show even held the distinction as being the first featured TV drama to be shot exclusively in Tasmania, and perhaps despite its viewership and critically recognition, it simply costs too much? Either way this is the loss that hurts the most, on this list for sure, and yet I’d still implore you to seek it out. Likely schedules and aging might make it too hard to revisit this show already; however, if there’s anything that can lead to a second season or even a novelization that continues the story, I’d be here for that.
Go On (2013)
If you told me there was a show with Matthew Perry, Lauren Benanti, John Cho, Brett Gelman, Tyler James Williams, along with many other incredible actors, and it was cancelled after one season I would’ve said why?!? Turns out the audience said “why keep watching” as the precipitous drop-off of viewers from 16 million in the pilot to 9 million quickly to 6 million and ultimately just eking out 3 million ultimately sealed the show’s fate. To be fair, centering a show on Matthew Perry, playing a familiar version albeit somewhat more mature version of his sarcastic character, was even in 2013 not as winning a strategy as it was in the 90s. Still what pulled me into this show, and keeps me a champion of its intentions at least, was the incredible secondary characters, in particular Brett Gelman.
It’s hard to imagine Brett Gelman, now the celebrated if unlikely action star from Stranger Things Season 4 (and beloved every season since his introduction), had a time when he wasn’t the star he is today. He’s certainly put the work in for the past two decades, and thankfully it’s not only paid off but been recognized. However perhaps his star power, and truly again the supporting cast – again Benanti, Cho, and Williams! – wasn’t enough to pull people in. Though maybe the concerns were the story? Yet even the story, one of a quirky, loveable, therapy group, had its charms and spoke frankly, and comically, about real issues in a way that hit home more than one might expect from a network show. One might imagine Apple TV, alongside Ted Lasso, could have found a way (perhaps with Ted Lasso’s writers as well) to make this show a hit, but alas it’s felt like a forgotten missed opportunity for a show to find its fandom.
The Muppets (2015)
Now you may not be a regular visitor of ToughPigs.com, a community for fellow Muppet enthusiasts, but for those who are there was great anticipation on the announcement by Disney of a new Muppets show in 2015. Disney’s treatment of the Muppets has certainly varied over the years, from questionable projects to a seeming abandonment of Muppets as a property. This paired with the announcement that The Muppets would be an Office style mockumentary setup some concern by fans. Concern that played out for many as rightful when the show aired, Kermit and Miss Piggy were split up (a major issue for many fans), the focus on classic sketches was diminished and classic skits and sketches from the original Muppet Show were non-existing. Recognizing the rejection by stalwart fans, Disney tried to do an about face by replacing showrunner Bob Kushell with Kristen Newman, but it was too little too late for many and the show was cancelled after only one season.
At the time I bristled at the “why can we not have the old Muppets back” critiques, and went in with as open a mind as possible and was pleasantly surprised. Yes the formula of mockumentary was a bit worn out, but the classic Muppets show always had a focus on the behind-the-scenes action as much as the “show” itself. And yes perhaps the behind-the-scenes to sketch ratio was off, but was it that off? Likewise there was an attempt at meta-narratives that was a bit too much —- really the 2nd half introduction of Utkarsh Ambudkar as Pizza the branding guru was eye-rollingly bad. Also bringing in Robin to witness Kermit and Miss Piggy’s relationship disputes was—-ok I think I’m getting it. Still with all its faults, perhaps more than I realized, I loved how the show highlighted lesser known Muppets, added pairings that were new and fresh – Sam the Eagle’s love of Janice oddly worked for me, and really I just loved having more Muppets period. I know that’s a low bar, and coming after one of the best Muppets films ever 2011’s The Muppets, itself a love letter to the classic Muppets, maybe I didn’t need it that badly, but I felt like I did and I still hope Disney figures out the Muppets so we can get more, quality Muppets for years to come.
Outsourced (2010)
I’ll say right off Outsourced is quite easily the kind of show that even 12 years later may not have aged as well in reality as it has in my head (having not rewatched the show since it came out.) What I do recall though from that watch was that Outsourced did a great job balancing humor about work and culture clashes, the former in a way that was relatable especially to me at the time when I myself was working in a customer service role similar. I also loved so many of the actors, including Diedrich Bader, who played to type, along with Sacha Dhawan and Rizwan Manji, both of whom I’ve come to love in so many roles.
Likewise I enjoyed in 2010 in particular how diverse the cast was for this show. Thankfully nowadays we have more stories and storytellers of all walks of life; however, in 2010 we weren’t as far along as we’d like to think and this was refreshing in and of itself.
Life on Mars (2008)
Someone could write a whole list of American adaptations of British TV shows that failed, and while they may include Life on Mars due to its cancellation after one season I think that’d honestly be unfair. Critically and commercially the show started off strong here, with viewership in the upper 8-10 millions; however, after a 2 month hiatus mid-run that viewership dropped precipitously ultimately leading to the show’s demise. Unlike many of the other shows on this list however, and as much as I loved the characters, I think one and done may have ultimately been the best way for this show to go out.
In the U.K. Life on Mars had two series (what we call seasons) consisting of a total of 16 episodes. In America, Life on Mars had 17 episodes over 1 season. This meant the story paced rather well across the pond and here. British TV shows, aside from the Midsomer Murders of the world, are also often so perfectly positioned for shorter runs and are intended as such. I’ve always wished American script writers could take that to heart. So to see this wrap up, and so nicely and uniquely from the British show, meant I got all I could ask for from this show. If I were to ask for anything, I think it’d just be for more people see this adaptation period.
Galavant (2015)
Galavant walked so Schmigadoon! could run would be the thesis of a college paper of mine should I still be in college. Perhaps that’s not accurate enough, as both would owe homage to many musicals, and Christopher Guests films, before them. However I still feel like when I see the love Schmigadoon! has now I just wish ABC had stood behind Galavant in the same way, especially as Galavant may have had the larger fandom. Alas though this fantasy musical helmed by Dan Fogleman was perhaps always destined for a cult following, ensure even further by its early cancellation.
What’s perhaps most tragic for me is that this show so perfectly allowed the actors to shine in ways they had not always had the opportunity to. Timothy Omundson, an incredible talent known by Psych-o’s everywhere from his star as Lassie in Psych, found a star stealing role as King Richard. Joshua Seymour Sasse, who played the titular Sir Galavant, was fantastic but hasn’t been given a star vehicle to match quite yet. Fortunately Karen David and Mallory Jansen, Princess Isabella and Queen Madalena respectively, have found other outlets for their talents to shine, but when paired with the rest of the ensemble, including my favorite Vinnie Jones – an incredible choice of casing – and the delightful Luke Youngblood, the cast just seemed to – pun intended – sing!
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006)
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is the first show on this list that I can say personally I found truly middling. Due to the success of West Wing, and my then love (still existent, but well below peak) of writer/director Aaron Sorkin, I thought a concept like this may make me ask questions I’d never asked like “What is it really like behind a show like SNL?”. Turns out though it didn’t, and really it always felt to me like for so many of us it provided answers to questions we genuinely were not curious about.
Ultimately this show may be remembered (if it’s remembered at all) for it’s comedically poor timing. Not the timing of the jokes but the fact that 30 Rock aired just a month later, which succeeded where Studio 60 didn’t. Of course 30 Rock is a show about what it’s like to be at a Network over a comedy show like SNL written by and starring actual SNL alumni, which now seems like an inevitable shoe in considering the specificity of its jokes. Perhaps what is of note is that this would be one of, but certainly not the last, of Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry’s fading star shows cancelled with only one season, so you’ll see them elsewhere on this list for sure.
The Cape (2011)
Shows like The Cape are why I started writing this list to begin with. My friends know I’m a sucker for many strange (and probably poor shows), which is why I fall in love with an inordinate amount of shows that have been cancelled after (or even before completing) their first season. I can admit though when a show is not great but just fun for its ridiculousness, and I think it’s more then fair to say that’s exactly what The Cape is. After all if Marvel attempted a show with the following premise, no matter how devoted to the MCU you were you’d probably say ‘I’ll pass’. However you might also think what if I got a bunch of friends together, and some drinks, and just had fun at the absurdity.
“Vince Faraday is a police detective who leaves the department after witnessing the death of the new police chief by a villain known as Chess. Faraday then partners with a mysterious investigative blogger known as Orwell. In the process of working together, Faraday is abducted by a ring of carnival criminals, known – of course – as The Carnival of Crime, who eventually train Faraday in the use of a special cape. Faraday then dons the cape, and the titular title becomes his alter ego, as he works to expose Chess and the private corrupt police force that is trying to take over the city’s police operations.” Surprised now that they changed the season length from 13 to 10 and after low ratings put the finale online? Yeah, I shouldn’t have been either.
Andy Barker P.I. (2007)
A great many of you will know of Andy Richter as Conan’s side kick on one of Conan’s many late-night endeavors, or perhaps you know him from one of his varied TV or film roles. Truth be told till Andy Barker P.I. I did not know of him at all, and perhaps that’s why I fell so hard for Andy Barker P.I. because I was able to discover the unique talents of Andy in this made-for-him starring role. Andy plays a classic straight man, in the form of an accountant, to many, many strange hilarious secondary characters, including Tony Hale as Andy’s eccentric business neighbor and video rental store owner as well as Marshall Manesh as Wally an Afghan restaurant owner whose gone overly patriotic for America post-9/11. (Truthfully the latter seems quite dark in hindsight and perhaps should have at the time.) Andy’s wife (the character’s name is Andy by the way, which makes things simple) is also played fantastically, and hilariously, by Clea Lewis. Lastly the late Harve Presnell plays the tenant who resided in Andy’s office prior, and whose fear of chickens leads to a visual Vonnegut reference that given the right mood will have you rolling on the floor laughing.
The absurdism of the cast is matched by the zaniness of the cases, and though a few of the moments may be more cringe inducing with hindsight, at the time I can say I truthfully watched this show with tears in my eyes from laughter. I still hype this show up, though I feel the number of takers diminishes each year. Alas perhaps Andy Barker P.I. was always fated to be a six-episode series, that only dozens of us will remember with love, but for those few of us that do it’s a love that will continue on.
