TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Freaks and Geeks (1999)
Somehow, Freaks and Geeks was only given one season. The show, from Judd Apatow and Paul Feig, starred Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel. Whoever decided to can this series is probably kicking themselves to this day.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Smash (2012-2013)
Okay, saying Smash getting cancelled was a bad is an unpopular opinion, but you have to admit you wanted to see where this bonkers show was going with its TWO broadway productions. The cult hit ended with like, everyone getting Tony awards, Jimmy going to jail, Kyle dying, and Ivy pregnant with her director’s baby. Bombshell got an actual one-night Broadway production. Bring it back!
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
Pushing Daisies was a sweet and bizarre sitcom about a pie maker (Lee Pace) who magically brings his crush back from the dead. One problem: his powers mean that he can never touch her again, or it’s back to the cemetery. Sadly, it was cancelled 13 episodes into the 2nd season. Boo!
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
My So-Called Life (1994-1995)
Before Claire Danes was ugly-crying on Homeland, she was Angeles Chase, a teenage girl who just wanted to be popular, survive high school, and win the love of Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto). The worst part of the cancellation is that showrunners thought they were getting a second season, so they ended the first on a cliffhanger!
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Firefly (2002-2003)
Firefly ended in 2003 but fans are still distraught whenever they hear the name. The space western from Joss Whedon starred Nathan Fillion, and fortunately got a movie, at least — Serenity.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Bunheads (2012-2013)
Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Gilmore Girls followup was a lovely sitcom about a showgirl (Sutton Foster) who moves to a smalltown with the husband she barely knows — who promptly dies. She runs a ballet studio with his mom! It was awesome, but ill-lived.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Happy Endings (2011-2013)
Happy Endings had a terrible ending (sorry). This touching and funny story about a group of friends in Chicago was cut short before any of the six stories could have proper endings. Ugh.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Sense8 (2015-2008)
When Netflix cancelled Sense8, fans were so outraged that they gave in and brought it back for a one-off series finale! The fate of the sci-fi masterpiece is up in the air, but at least fans are getting some closure.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
At least we got Kristen Bell out of the deal! Kristen starred as a teen who became a low-key PI after her best friend’s murder. It was fun and campy, but after the 3rd season didn’t deliver, it was canned. Fans did bring it back for a fan-funded movie in 2014!
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (2009-2010)
Maybe the most controversial entry on the list. In 2009, Conan O’Brien was selected to take over for Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Suddenly, Leno decided he wanted to take it back over. And NBC agreed with him. Conan was booted, much to his fans disgust. Now, Jimmy Fallon’s taken over.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Futurama (1999-2003, 2006-2013)
Futurama has actually been cancelled twice. The Fox animated comedy from the creators of The Simpsons found new life on Comedy Central, until it was axed again. Fans are still hoping it’ll find a new life. Futurama was great, a comedy about a pizza delivery man who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen on Y2K and wakes up in the year 3000. It was smart, hilarious, and absurd.
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009)
Flight of the Conchords ended on its own volition after two seasons on HBO, but we still think it should’ve kept going. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement still tour as the Conchords, but the series was so damn funny!
TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon
Hannibal (2013-2015)
My personal favorite on the list. It’s frankly a miracle that NBC even let Hannibal last as long as it did, considering the nauseating amount of gore and violence. Madds Mikkelson starred as the famed cannibal doctor who created elaborate feasts out of his victims, opposite an FBI agent (Hugh Dancy) who tried to understand his mind.
