1. Farscape: One of my all-time favorite shows, cut down before it's time. After getting a contract for a fourth and fifth seasons, they get abruptly dropped after the fourth. Hopefully the mini series will breathe new life into it.
2. Dark Angel: Not the greatest show, but an interesting futuristic sci-fi/action series with Jessica Alba, created by James Cameron. Stopped after two short seasons, with no resolution to the Cameron directed finale.
3. Firefly: Fox really dropped the ball with this one. Airing the episodes out of order, and frequently pre-empting it, this series was dropped before all of the episodes had aired. DVD brought it new life and a movie deal. The show was a good cross between sci-fi and western. It never got going, I even wasn't too sure about it after seeing the premiere (which was actually the 2nd or 3rd episode). The real premiere would have been the better place to start. More on this another time.
4. Titus: This ran 2 or 3 years, an oddball sitcom starring Christopher Titus. Not great, but it was goofy and original, and hilarious. Guess Fox couldn't have that.
5. Angel: It did have a good 5 year run, which recently ended. This Buffy spinoff had it's own tone that set it apart from other shows. I'd love to see more.
6. Family Guy: What can be said that hasn't already been? Hilarious show sat in the shadows of The Simpsons and South Park. Fox bounced it around the schedule til eventual cancellation. Phenomenal DVD sales have actually got this back in production with new episodes to air in 2005.
7. Boston Public: Nighttime drama about a public high school. It was so over the top and outlandish at times, I loved it. It was not always great, but it had a good revolving ensemble, and some good writing. Went on hiatus this past year and then cancelled by Fox.
8. Wonderfalls: Lasted only three episodes, Fox didn't even give it a chance. 10 or so episodes were completed and are going to get a life in DVD.
9. Roswell: The Roswell crash was real and the aliens have been living among us, now they are angsty teens trying to find themselves. I didn't discover this until it's 3rd, and final, season. Fun show, good concept, should have lasted longer.
10. 3 WAY TIE: Dilbert, The Critic, Clerks: 3 animated series that were funny and under appreciated. Dilbert captured the dry office humor of the strip, a must see for anyone, especially those who work in a cubicle. The Critic gave us a fun way to spoof movies and critics alike, featuring the funny in itself voice of Jon Lovitz. Clerks got the slacker humor of the feature film. All three of these did not last long, although they should have.
As you can see, most of these are recent, there are other shows I miss, like Star Trek and The Twilight Zone, but I wasn't even around for their initial runs. But these shows for one reason or another couldn't find an audience, weren't given the chance, or had the rug pulled out from under them. I urge you to look for re-runs or DVD's of these shows as I feel they are all worth your time. And did you notice how often Fox figured into this list? They have dropped the ball so many times, it's a wonder they ever have a hit.
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