Top Cancelled TV Shows
by frdprod | created - 14 Jan 2012 | updated - 05 Jul 2012 | PublicThese are shows that were cancelled within two seasons, although they were all very high quality. Great TV often doesn't get it's due.
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1. Jericho (2006–2008)
TV-14 | 45 min | Action, Drama, Mystery
A small town in Kansas is literally left in the dark after seeing a mushroom cloud over nearby Denver, Colorado. The townspeople struggle to find answers about the blast and solutions on how to survive.
Stars: Skeet Ulrich, Lennie James, Ashley Scott, Kenneth Mitchell
Votes: 58,735
Like many great shows that were cancelled, it required you to be a faithful viewer or you'd never catch up with the plot. DEFINITELY worth checking out. Viewers raised such a fuss that 6 extra episodes were filmed and aired just to bring the plot to a conclusion.
2. The Riches (2007–2008)
TV-MA | 45 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
A family of crooks assume the identity of an upper-middle-class suburban clan in the Deep South.
Stars: Eddie Izzard, Minnie Driver, Shannon Woodward, Noel Fisher
Votes: 8,699
One of the best ensemble casts ever. The show was able to be funny, poignant, dark, action packed, and smart all at the same time. Unfortunately it ended on a cliffhanger.
3. Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy, Drama
A high school mathlete starts hanging out with a group of burnouts while her younger brother navigates his freshman year.
Stars: Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Samm Levine
Votes: 153,226
Mere words cannot do this show justice. A must see.
4. Life (I) (2007–2009)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Detective Charlie Crews was framed, convicted and cleared for a crime he didn't commit. Twelve years of hard time have given him a unique philosophy on life and criminal investigation. Now he's readjusting to a world that's moved on.
Stars: Damian Lewis, Sarah Shahi, Adam Arkin, Brent Sexton
Votes: 35,279
Damian Lewis may be the most original actor of our time. Very subtle.
5. Terriers (2010)
TV-MA | 45 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Ex-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth partners with his best friend, former criminal Britt Pollack, in an unlicensed private investigation business.
Stars: Donal Logue, Michael Raymond-James, Laura Allen, Kimberly Quinn
Votes: 11,253
The show got better as it went along. Unfortunately FX yanked the plug.
6. Rubicon (2010)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Will Travers is an analyst at a New York City-based federal intelligence agency who is thrown into a story where nothing is as it appears to be.
Stars: James Badge Dale, Jessica Ann Collins, Lauren Hodges, Dallas Roberts
Votes: 11,090
TV does not get smarter than this. A masterful storyline.
7. Journeyman (2007)
45 min | Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
A San Francisco journalist mysteriously travels to the past and alters the path of people's lives. When his travels reunite him with his long-lost fiancée Livia, life with his present-day wife gets very interesting.
Stars: Kevin McKidd, Gretchen Egolf, Moon Bloodgood, Reed Diamond
Votes: 9,617
This show had the ability to last forever. They could have done anything with it.
8. The Fixer (2008–2009)
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Ex-special forces operative and convicted murderer John Mercer is awarded an early release from prison on the condition that he becomes an assassin for the government.
Stars: Andrew Buchan, Jody Latham, Tamzin Outhwaite, Peter Mullan
Votes: 1,161
The only show I ever contacted a network to enquire about its status. How dare they leave it hanging!
9. This Is Not My Life (2010)
44 min | Sci-Fi, Thriller
Alec Ross awakes one morning to find that he doesn't know who or where he is and doesn't recognize his wife or children.
Stars: Charles Mesure, Tania Nolan, Miriama McDowell, Tom Cameron
Votes: 621
This show was a pretty big hit in it's home of New Zealand, which makes me wonder why it never returned after season 1.
10. Arrested Development (2003–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett
Votes: 324,120
It got better as it went along. I wasn't that thrilled with the first few episodes, but by the end I loved it.
11. The Black Donnellys (2007)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama
Four young Irish brothers are caught up in New York's underworld of organized crime.
Stars: Jonathan Tucker, Tom Guiry, Olivia Wilde, Billy Lush
Votes: 14,370
This show proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that high quality does not necessarily translate into success. Phenomenal show. The pilot may very well be the best series starter ever.
12. Lights Out (2011)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Sport
A former heavyweight boxing champion struggles to find his identity after retiring from the ring.
Stars: Holt McCallany, Stacy Keach, Catherine McCormack, Pablo Schreiber
Votes: 3,322
A realistic look at an ex-boxer's life.
13. The Chicago Code (2011)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Detective Jarek Wysocki, one of Chicago's toughest cops, struggles to clean up the town's violence and corruption.
Stars: Jason Clarke, Jennifer Beals, Matt Lauria, Devin Kelley
Votes: 8,481
It's practically impossible to think the chick from Flashdance could handle a meaty drama role, but Jennifer Beals did a fine job...a very credible ensemble cast.
14. My Own Worst Enemy (2008)
60 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Henry Spivey, an efficiency expert, lives a typical suburban life, right down to the wife, two kids, dog, and minivan. In contrast, Edward Albright is a lethal, multilingual operative. It ... See full summary »
Stars: Christian Slater, Mike O'Malley, Saffron Burrows, Mädchen Amick
Votes: 3,455
Superb action show. Very original. I was genuinely surprised to see this cut.
15. Detroit 1-8-7 (2010–2011)
TV-14 | 42 min | Action, Crime, Drama
The everyday trials and tribulations of Detroit's homicide unit.
Stars: Michael Imperioli, James McDaniel, Aisha Hinds, Jon Michael Hill
Votes: 3,474
Not one star, but a whole cast full of talent.
16. Mr. Sunshine (2011–2012)
TV-PG | 293 min | Comedy
Ben Donovan manages The Sunshine Centre, a second-rate sports arena in San Diego.
Stars: Matthew Perry, Andrea Anders, James Lesure, Nate Torrence
Votes: 7,291
Laugh out loud hilarious. 10 episodes wasn't much of a trial.
17. Free Agents (2011–2012)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
Alex is recently divorced, and Helen lost her fiance a year ago. Obviously, these two are definitely not ready to be dating again. So naturally, they end up in bed together one night. Oops.... See full summary »
Stars: Hank Azaria, Kathryn Hahn, Mo Mandel, Natasha Leggero
Votes: 1,471
A comedy unlike others. FOUR episodes before cancellation? Seriously?
18. Lie to Me (2009–2011)
TV-14 | 43 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
About Cal Lightman, the world's leading deception expert who studies facial expressions and involuntary body language to expose the truth behind the lies.
Stars: Tim Roth, Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines, Monica Raymund
Votes: 127,827
Tim Roth portrays a confrontational prick who's too smart and stubborn for his own good.
19. Human Target (2010–2011)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A unique bodyguard protects his clients by secretly infiltrating their lives in order to draw out and eliminate threats.
Stars: Mark Valley, Chi McBride, Jackie Earle Haley, Indira Varma
Votes: 18,774
At first glance, just another shoot 'em up action show. But in the last season they were just developing some depth. Too bad they didn't think of it earlier.
20. Dead Like Me (2003–2004)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
After being hit on the head by a toilet seat that fell from Mir space station, a young temp clerk becomes a grim reaper in death.
Stars: Ellen Muth, Callum Blue, Jasmine Guy, Mandy Patinkin
Votes: 43,893
Turns out death can make you snicker sometimes. :)
21. Better Off Ted (2009–2010)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
In an amoral science-based company, a manager tries to keep control of his scientists while being pressured by his shrewd boss.
Stars: Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi, Andrea Anders, Jonathan Slavin
Votes: 27,343
Laugh out loud hilarious. Veronica may have been one of the most well written characters I've ever seen.
22. Lone Star (2010)
60 min | Drama
A FOX series that was cancelled after the second episode that involves a con man who lives a double life. He's married to two different women in two different Texas towns.
Stars: James Wolk, Adrianne Palicki, Eloise Mumford, David Keith
Votes: 904
This show had real potential. They set it up nicely. Then pulled the plug after two episodes. Why bother even airing it?
23. Flashforward (2009–2010)
TV-14 | 42 min | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A special task force in the FBI investigates after every person on Earth simultaneously blacks out and awakens with a short vision of their future.
Stars: Courtney B. Vance, Joseph Fiennes, Jack Davenport, Zachary Knighton
Votes: 62,095
Sure...develop a premise and then don't finish the story. Bah!
24. Day Break (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Today Detective Brett Hopper will be accused of shooting state attorney Alberto Garza. He will offer his rock solid alibi. He will realize he's been framed. And he will run. Then he will wake up and start the day over again.
Stars: Taye Diggs, Moon Bloodgood, Victoria Pratt, Meta Golding
Votes: 8,443
Moon Bloodgood may be a series killer. Journeyman, Day Break, Terminator Salvation...if it wasn't for Falling Skies I'd think she was cursed.
25. Kidnapped (2006–2007)
TV-14 | Crime, Drama
Complex overtones surround the kidnapping of a wealthy New York family's 15-year-old son, leading a specialist and a retiring FBI agent to figure it out.
Stars: Jeremy Sisto, Carmen Ejogo, Delroy Lindo, Linus Roache
Votes: 2,978
Had to quicken up the storyline to conclude it before it was taken off the air, but still worth checking out.
26. Man Up! (2011–2012)
22 min | Comedy
Three 21st century men attempt to channel their inner toughness and redefine what it means to be a "real man."
Stars: Mather Zickel, Dan Fogler, Christopher Moynihan, Teri Polo
Votes: 2,689
My wife and I might be the only people who loved this show. We found it laugh-out-loud hilarious. Most people I talked to hated the characters' shallowness. That's what made it so funny for me.
27. Pushing Daisies (2007–2009)
TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A pastry chef with the power to bring dead people back to life solves murder mysteries with his resurrected childhood sweetheart, a cynical private investigator, and a lovesick waitress.
Stars: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Jim Dale
Votes: 59,555
Quirky to say the least, but in a good way.
28. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006–2007)
TV-14 | 44 min | Comedy, Drama
A behind-the-scenes look at a fictional sketch-comedy television show.
Stars: Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford, Steven Weber
Votes: 25,214
29. Harper's Island (2009)
TV-14 | 40 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
Harper's Island was once the scene of a gruesome series of murders. Seven years later, family and friends gather on the island for a wedding, but one by one they begin to die.
Stars: Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Gorham, Matt Barr, Gina Holden
Votes: 27,452
30. Missing (2012)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Drama, Thriller
When a woman's son goes missing under suspicious circumstances, she will do anything it takes to find him.
Stars: Ashley Judd, Cliff Curtis, Adriano Giannini, Nick Eversman
Votes: 9,660
31. Sports Night (1998–2000)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport
Casey McCall and Dan Rydell are sports anchors and best friends on "Sports Night", a nightly cable program.
Stars: Josh Charles, Peter Krause, Felicity Huffman, Joshua Malina
Votes: 8,616
32. Carpoolers (2007–2008)
Comedy
A group of guys who carpool to work together from their suburban homes.
Stars: Fred Goss, Faith Ford, Jerry Minor, Tim Peper
Votes: 1,800
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