My Cart - Television has had a major resurgence in the past few years, with budgets as big – and bigger – than a lot of movies, all-star casts and some seriously stellar writing. But what about all those TV series’ that ended well before their time? In part one of this series, we’ll take a look at 4 of the best TV shows to ever get canned.
Deadwood
This western swear-a-thon, starring Timothy Olyphant and British actor Ian McShane, ran for just 3 seasons before HBO decided not to renew the actors’ contracts. However the real reason for its cancellation is shrouded in mystery, with some claiming creator David Milch got bored while others state HBO thought the period-piece show too expensive to produce. A shame, because Deadwood was outstanding TV, mixing fictional folk with real-life Old West icons like Wild Bill Hickok.
Futurama
In some ways Matt Groening’s sci-fi comedy Futurama was arguably better than his more famous creation, The Simpsons – certainly compared to the latter’s latest seasons. But that didn’t stop them cancelling the series. Twice. Fox originally pulled the plug on Futurama due to poor ratings – in part because Fox shunted the show around the schedules, but strong DVD sales convinced Comedy Central to pick the series up. Four years later in 2010, while not technically cancelled, the show wasn’t renewed for an 8th season.
Freaks and Geeks
The cancellation of Freaks and Geeks is still a sore point for many involved. Producer Judd Apatow has stated that every movie he’s made since, like Knocked Up, is a two-fingered jab in the eye for those who canned his 70’s-set high school comedy drama. Starring the then fresh faces of Seth Rogen, James Franco, Linda Cardinelli and Jason Segel, Freaks and Geeks was described as the anti-Dawson’s Creek. But where that show outstayed its welcome by about series 2, Freaks and Geeks was callously pulled from the screens after one amazing series.
Enlightened
If you’ve never seen Enlightened, you’re not the only one. The phenomenally good comedy-drama may have been a critical success, but, as ever, it was the ratings that killed it. The show stars Laura Dern – who you’ll definitely recognise from Jurassic Park – as an anti-heroine turned corporate whistle-blower whose life is pulled sharply into focus after a nervous breakdown. The show is set in a realistic world with real, recognisable and seriously flawed individuals. A bit like life itself really.
Whether you’re hooked on the latest television shows, or catching up on some of these cancelled classics on DVD, make sure you’re watching in style. Here at Electronic World we offer cheap TVs so you won’t miss a thing. Contact us now on 0121 327 3273 or browse our site to see our latest stock.
