I noticed a lot of the shows I’ve loved have ended after two
seasons, a somewhat strange number that makes less sense to me than
shows that end after their first. So anyway, I present to you in no particular
order, 8 great shows that ended way before their time:
Dead Like Me (2003-2004)
Ellen Muth, Mandy Patinkin, Callum Blue, Jasmine Guy, Laura Harris
This is the show that inspired me to write this list in the
first place. ‘Dead Like Me’ focused on the ‘Daria’-sounding Georgia “George”
Lass (Ellen Muth), an 18 year old girl who becomes one of many grim reapers
after a fateful encounter with a rogue toilet seat from a Soviet space station. The
show may sound ridiculous, but ‘Dead Like Me’ was one of the most original and
funniest shows of 2003, showing that even though your life may suck, being
(un)dead is undoubtedly worse.
Networks: Showtime (US), Sky1 (UK)
Samantha Who? (2007-2009)
Christina Applegate, Melissa McCarthy, Jennifer Esposito, Kevin Dunn
One of the most surprising television hits in recent
history, 'Samantha Who?' debuted in 2007 and became the most watched sitcom on
television that year, surpassing juggernaut Two and A Half Men. Christina Applegate
starred as Samantha, a victim of a recent car accident who was suffering from
amnesia. Samantha realises that before her accident she was…well…an absolute
bitch, and therefore hated by most people. Aided by childhood friend Dena (Melissa
McCarthy) and fellow hilarious yet bitchy Andrea (Jennifer Esposito), Samantha sets out
to make amends to everyone she’s ever hurt or offended, which is a hell of a
lot of people.
Networks: ABC (US) E4 (UK)
Tru Calling (2003-2005)
Eliza Dushku, Zach Galifinakis, Jason Priestly
Wanting to disappear out of the Buffy spotlight and inevitable typecasting for years to come, Eliza
Dushku opted out of a proposed 'Faith the Vampire Slayer' spin-off of Joss Whedon’s
cult favourite 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' to
star in 'Tru Calling'. Dushku starred
in this supernatural drama as Tru, a recent medical school graduate who takes a
job at the city morgue. However, the dead start to reach out to Tru for help,
as Tru revisits the day they died to try and save their lives. The show had a
strong first season, but was cancelled by Fox after a very short 6 episode
second, and last season.
Networks: Fox (US) Sky1 (UK)
Dollhouse (2009-2010)
Eliza Dushku, Tahmoh Penikett, Fran Kranz, Olivia Williams
The second entry from Eliza Dushku saw her reunite with TV
and film mastermind Joss Whedon. This time, Dushku played Echo known as a “doll”,
a human in a complete blank state. Echo, along with many others is imprinted
with various personalities and hired out by wealthy clients for business
engagements. Ranging from the ordinary to extraordinary the show focused on
Echo’s eventual self-awareness in her blank state. With an interesting,
complicated and therefore niche premise, the show was expected by most to only
last one season, but SURPISE! Fox decided to give the show another (and final)
shot with a second season, bringing the total number of episodes to a grand 27.
Networks: Fox (UK) Syfy (UK)
Dirt (2007-2008)
Courtney Cox, Ian Hart, Josh Stewart
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Probably the most underrated and unknown show on the list is 'Dirt', which saw Courtney Cox return
to television 3 years after the end of Friends
in 2004. Hailed as “Devil Wears Prada meets Nip/Tuck”, Cox starred as the
ruthless and ice-cold Lucy Spiller, editor-in-chief of fictional tabloid DirtNow.
Each episode focused on the work that goes into making a tabloid publication
that actually…well, prints the truth, as well as the affect it has on the
subjects of Spiller’s cruel and heartless articles.
Networks: FX (US & UK)
The Office (2001-2003)
Rickey Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
The only English, and not-cancelled-but ended show on the
list is the original version of 'The
Office', created by Stephen Merchant star Ricky Gervais. 'The Office' was loved around the world as
much as it was here in the UK and spawned a number of international versions in Germany,
Sweden, France, and the U.S, where the show will enter its ninth season in autumn. The Office is often also
thought of as the show that brought the “mockumentary” style to television,
used in 'Modern Family' and 'Parks and Recreation', among others.
Networks: BBC1 (UK) BBC America (US)
Dirty Sexy Money (2007-2009)
Peter Krause, Jill Clayburgh, Natalie Zea, Donald Sutherland
When lawyer Nick George’s (Peter Krause) father is murdered,
George decides to become the lawyer to The Darlings, the richest family in New
York City. George, who has ties with the Darlings themselves, takes the job as
he believes that they are the link to his father’s mysterious death. 'Dirty, Sexy Money' seems to me more than
any other show on the list to have had the staying power to remain on the air
today. Viewership started out exceptionally strong, but dwindled towards the
end of the first season.
Networks: ABC (US) E4 (UK)
Eli Stone (2008-2009)
Johnny Lee Miller, Victor Garber, Loretta Devine
Oh, Eli. Eli Stone starred Johnny
Lee Miller as the title character, a high flying lawyer based in San Franciso.
After a near fatal brain aneurism Stone begins to hallucinate frequently at
home and at work, but soon realises that his hallucinations are closely
linked with his cases and the various people in his life. Eli Stone bared some
similarity to Ally McBeal in its content, but the show is a must if you are a
George Michael fan, as every episode features, and is named after one of his
songs…he even makes an appearance during one of Stone’s aneurisms dancing on
his coffee table…
Networks: ABC (US) 5 (UK)
