Cancelled shows VS. shows that run for season after interminable season

[Princess Orchid]

I hate bad tv. I can't stand shows like Big Brother (just most reality shows in general - unless the contestants are there to actually do something, like on Masterchef). I can't understand why the networks let some shows run on for season after season after oh-god-kill-me season.

Some examples of this are: 7th Heavan, Dawson's Creek, 90210 + all the spinoffs, Big Brother, Ally McBeal, Felicity, California Dreams (and all the similar sort of Saturday morning craptacular shows, like Malibu something-or-other, and that one with the American high school in Europe), One Tree Hill, The Osbournes, any "celebrity" "reality" show inspired by the Osbournes...to name a few...

I'm also a little bitter as the networks cancelled my favourite show after 3 seasons, when I can't even count how many seasons 7th Heavan has been allowed back on to pollute the airwaves. There IS such a thing as bowing out gracefully (ie the OC, Sex and the City, Will and Grace...)

So, good shows that went before their time? Veronica Mars (*sniff*), Futurama, My So-called Life, Jake 2.0...

Why why why???!!! Is there a conspiracy to keep good programming off the telly or something???!!!

[Kell]

All my favourites get cancelled too:

Firefly (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/) - cancelled before the end of the first (and only) season (but released, in-full, on DVD and since run on TV)
Farscape (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0187636/) - cancelled, then given a mini-reprieve with Peacekeeper Wars (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0387736/)
Drive (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0770521/) - cancelled after 7 episodes (only 6 of which are available), despite being absolutely fantastic
Carnivale (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0319969/) - I've only just started watching this, but it's great and was cancelled after the 2nd season
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0485842/) - two wonderful seasons, then shut off in its prime
Sports Night (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0165961/) - another Aaron Sorkin masterpiece that got cut
Boomtown (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0319960/) - one of the most innovative and awesomely cast programmes ever - GONE!

And those are just a few! It's shocking how drivel like Big Brother gets season after season of wannabes taking over our television screens, when the really good stuff disappears without a trace.

I lamented the loss of The West Wing (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/), but that one had come to a natural end and left on a high that will have it fondly remembered for many years to come.

[Janet]

I don't watch much TV - I hate most reality shows (although I do love Strictly Come Dancing - it's so pwetty!). The only show that Kell's listed above that I've even heard of is 'The West Wing' and I've never seen that!

I tend to watch more factual stuff like 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Top Gear', 'What The Victorians (etc) Did For Us'.

I do feel sorry for people who watch series that are suddenly cancelled with no warning. A very good internet friend of mine has never forgiven the ITV networks for cancelling Peak Practice without tying up all the loose ends!

[Echo]

This has been happening to all of my boyfriend's favorite shows. Last year, he used to love The Black Donnelys and Jericho, and both were canceled after one season. However, CBS decided to bring back Jericho after fans protested by sending thousands of pounds of peanuts to their offices...creative, I must say. :lol:

I also loved My So-Called Life, that was one of the best shows that has been on TV. And yes, most reality TV totally sucks!

[supergran71]

I don't watch much TV - I hate most reality shows (although I do love Strictly Come Dancing - it's so pwetty!). The only show that Kell's listed above that I've even heard of is 'The West Wing' and I've never seen that!

I tend to watch more factual stuff like 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'Top Gear', 'What The Victorians (etc) Did For Us'.

I do feel sorry for people who watch series that are suddenly cancelled with no warning. A very good internet friend of mine has never forgiven the ITV networks for cancelling Peak Practice without tying up all the loose ends!
Youseem to have the same taste in tv programmes as me. I would only add wildlife programmes. However I must hold my hands up to watching The Bill, which is frequently cancelled for Football:motz:

[Kell]

I've thought of another one - Dead Like Me (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0348913/) was some of the darkest humour around and really appealed to me, but was cancelled after just two seasons.

[Mia]

American Gothic was wonderful, so of course it got cancelled. Also -

Dark Angel
Alias (was this cancelled or did the writers just decide it was time to finish things?)
Angel (though this was possibly past its sell by date by the time it got cancelled)

[Karen]

Alias (was this cancelled or did the writers just decide it was time to finish things?)
A bit of both. The good thing was, was that they at least finished things properly. I hate it when shows just stop and plotlines are left open.

[jenmck]

Oh this is a common rant of mine. If I love it, it's a death knell.

Examples? Ever heard of Dark Skies? Yeah, it only ran one season. I watched obsessively and followed it with Profiler, which was also canceled. And don't get me started on Pretender. Dark Angel was another show I watched without fail.

There was another one that only ran a few episodes on the Sci Fi channel (I can't remember the name, but I never forgot the concept) which was about a space ship full of clones who don't know they're clones.
They survived a plague that wiped out human existence. Sound familiar? Yeah. That one died too.
Good thing that "Medium" was on too late for me or it would probably be gone by now.

[Mia]

I remember Dark Skies! I watched the whole series but admit that I forgot all about it when it just disappeared.

[jenmck]

I finally found the name of that TV show about the clones. It was called Deep Water Black in 1997.

[Roland Butter]

All my favourites get cancelled too:

Firefly (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/) - cancelled before the end of the first (and only) season (but released, in-full, on DVD and since run on TV)
Farscape (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0187636/) - cancelled, then given a mini-reprieve with Peacekeeper Wars (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0387736/)
Drive (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0770521/) - cancelled after 7 episodes (only 6 of which are available), despite being absolutely fantastic
Carnivale (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0319969/) - I've only just started watching this, but it's great and was cancelled after the 2nd season
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0485842/) - two wonderful seasons, then shut off in its prime
Sports Night (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0165961/) - another Aaron Sorkin masterpiece that got cut
Boomtown (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0319960/) - one of the most innovative and awesomely cast programmes ever - GONE!

And those are just a few! It's shocking how drivel like Big Brother gets season after season of wannabes taking over our television screens, when the really good stuff disappears without a trace.

I lamented the loss of The West Wing (http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/), but that one had come to a natural end and left on a high that will have it fondly remembered for many years to come.

Kell

I loved The West Wing too! In fact, I'd say it was the best TV drama of all time, in my (admittedly biased!) opinion. In fact, I'm drinking out of my West Wing mug as I write. Without wishing to get political, if only .......:). But I agree that it had run its course, and while I was sorry to see it end, the time was right.

I awaited Studio 60 eagerly, but I have to say the series disappointed me, and I gave up on it after the first couple of episodes. Great production values and the usual cracking script from Aaron Sorkin, but perhaps it was too soon after The West Wing. I kept finding myself thinking "What's Josh doing in this?". And as for the appalling woman who played the female lead (Jordan if I recall), I thought she was totally implausible.

I think the biggest problem, though, was that it just didn't "get to me". I found that, for all the show's good qualities, at the end of the day I just didn't care very much about the fortunes of a Hollywood TV show, certainly not in the same way I cared about the fortunes of the Bartlet administration.

[Icecream]

Hey I loved Ally Mcbeal! Bring back Ally!! I miss Charmed and Friends too, and Sex in the City. I can't stand reality tv shows though.

[Nici76]

I miss Charmed and Friends too, and Sex in the City.

Yep me too. I am always watching the re-runs of Charmed and Friends.

[fireball]

Well ladies watch out for the "return" of sex in the city see this bit : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1000774/ for info.:lol:

[scottishbookworm]

I was getting into Studio 60.
:readingtwo:

[korrie]

So, good shows that went before their time? Veronica Mars (*sniff*), Futurama, My So-called Life, Jake 2.0...

Why why why???!!! Is there a conspiracy to keep good programming off the telly or something???!!!

Oh, I totally miss My So-Called Life!!! How hot was Jared Leto in that show????? Have u ever heard his band (30 seconds 2 Mars)? They have a new song out that I LOVE!!