There have been many TV shows canceled over the years, some of them far before their time. Some of them have run their course and are finished, but that is better than going on and on without any sign of an end for shows that no longer hold much appeal for viewers. If you’ve missed any of these shows, here’s your chance to catch up.
Firefly
Joss Whedon’s sci-fi show about cowboys in space is famous for its
tragically short run. This program had stellar writing and some of the most intriguing mysteries on television. The characters were iconic and are still quoted today. This program was a combination of Western and space opera with some adventure thrown in alongside. The actors were well cast and many fans continue to agitate for the show to be picked up again. Whether or not you agree with the continuation, Firefly is still a gem to watch if you haven’t yet experienced life on Serenity under Captain Mal’s command.
MacGyver
This incredibly cheesy American television show was also a sleeper hit for its time. MacGyver used scientific knowledge and quick thinking to defeat his enemies. He was known for his distaste for firearms. An American adventure favorite from the 90’s, MacGyver’s Minnesotan everyman solving mysteries and working in security for the U.S. government made for a great evening’s watch. The show was eventually canceled because, according to Richard Dean Anderson, everyone was exhausted and it was time to move on. They still gave us one of the most memorable shows on TV and an iconic name that still means cleverness today.
Person of Interest
This fast-paced sci-fi thriller is an intense ride. The writing is impeccable and for a while, the only two characters in the show will have you glued to your seat. There are few shows that are almost flawless in acting, design, story and writing, but Person of Interest is one of them. The dynamic relationship between Mr. Finch and Mr. Reese is one of the best duos on television, and later supporting characters make for an entertaining watch. However, do not expect
season 6 to be streaming anytime soon.
Being Human (UK)
A ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf all share a flat in Bristol…sounds like the start of a joke. Being Human was funny, but it also dealt with the human condition and the questions that arise when everyone is a monster. This poignant and sometimes hilarious show was one of the better programs on the air using the concept of the supernatural to point out the flaws in human nature. The actors had great chemistry and made the unbelievable plot a believable one. If you missed the original UK version of Being Human, this is your chance to check it out.
Forever Knight
This odd Canadian show has mostly been forgotten by viewers. The program is about Nick Knight, a cop on the permanent night shift with his Greek partner, Schanke. The only problem is that Nick is an 800-year-old vampire looking to atone for his crimes and become human again. The cast of characters includes LaCroix, his creepy sire; Janette, his vampire sister and owner of the goth club The Raven; and Natalie, his human coroner friend who is working to find Nick a cure. Forever Knight was very feminist and inclusive for its time and did not go the usual route with its vampire stories. It is mostly a police procedural with a twist. Everything starts to fall apart in the third season and it was ultimately canceled, but until then the chemistry of the actors and the great writing still set it apart from the rest.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Another Joss Whedon offering, this show shaped an entire generation of people. Despite its ridiculous name and skepticism at the concept, Buffy won the hearts of millions. Based on the idea of the blonde girl in the horror movies who always gets murdered somehow turning out to be exactly the person to fear, the story of Buffy is an interesting one. Buffy is a high school teenager in California who discovers that she is the chosen one and is meant to fight vampires when all she wants to do is go to the mall and hang out with her friends. The seven seasons of Buffy’s run were fun, heart-wrenching, and endearing. If you’ve never sat down to watch Buffy you are missing one of the cultural touchstones of the United States.
Quantum Leap
This sci-fi time travel drama about Dr. Sam Beckett, a brilliant physicist who built a time machine and then was foolish enough to get into it himself, was a hit around the same time as MacGyver. Sam’s voyage through time, helping other people and ‘putting right what once went wrong’, can seem a little preachy by today’s standards. Still, you don’t often see women’s rights, race relations, the rights of the disabled, and other serious fare dealt with as kindly as Quantum Leap handled them. Sam’s holographic buddy, Al, travels with him throughout time and helps him figure out his mission. These mini-mysteries within a show with an overall sci-fi plot hold up well all these years later.