I'm no stranger to them myself. This blog used to have a feature called Top 10 Ways. Consider this the test run of its second season. Or maybe I'm just trying to get Buzzfeed's attention. More than one thing can be true, you know.
I'm not saying I'm the king of hipster viewing choices, but all of my friends get upset with me for introducing them to television shows that are cancelled before their time. Allow me to tell you about some of my favorites.
Freaks and Geeks
How Many Seasons: 1
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: FOX
Premise:
Two siblings try to navigate high school in the early 1980s in the Midwest.
Why Should You Binge It:
Freaks and Geeks is proof that just because a show is ahead of its time doesn't mean it'll never be appreciated. Though it failed, this show introduced us to the mind of Judd Apatow as well as the talents of James Franco, Seth Rogen, Busy Phillips, Jason Segel, and many more. The plot still holds up as well, especially a party episode that features the placebo effect.
Sirens
How Many Seasons: 2
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: USA
Premise:
Three paramedics trade jokes inside of an ambulance while answering bizarre 911 calls around Chicago.
Why Should You Binge It:
Besides the main character slightly reminding me of a friend, the show features a gay black paramedic in the second billed role and a Hispanic cop with some of the best simple-minded one liners. Much of the comedy of the show is delivered through conversations that pass the time or non-sequiturs. Though these conversations occasionally go on longer than they should - and is probably one of the reasons for its cancellation - they give the show charm and stays true to real life.
Community
How Many Seasons: 6
Where to Binge It: Hulu/Yahoo
Original Network: NBC
Premise:
Seven students of varying ages and backgrounds become a study group in one of the most off-kilter community schools in the country.
Why Should You Binge It:
Granted Community eventually reached the six seasons of their ever popular mantra, they did so only through the grace of internet petitions and devoted fandoms. NBC cancelled the show three times, fired creator and showrunner Dan Harmon, and treated the show like a redheaded stepchild in terms of scheduling. But through that, Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Yvette Nicole Brown, and the rest of the cast continued to deliver hilarious performances. The show itself is self-aware thanks to the character Abed Nadir, a skinny nerd with possible Aspergers. With 7-8 main characters and a whole campus of B- and C-characters, Community is always willing to explore different relationships while parodying anything from Doctor Who to SVU.
Young Justice
How Many Seasons: 2
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: Cartoon Network
Premise:
Set in a DC Animated Universe that doesn't feature the Teen Titans, three sidekicks come together to form a new young superhero team.
Why Should You Binge It:
If you loved Teen Titans but wished there was a darker, more Batman the Animated Series version, this is the show for you. Even if your unfamiliar with a few of the characters, you'll fall in love with them soon enough. The episodes have more of a story arc to them, so you'll be engrossed. Like many cancelled cartoons, though, season 2 ends on a cliffhanger. Luckily, if the shows streams well on Netflix, it may be picked up for a third season. Help me make that happen!
United States of Tara
How Many Seasons: 3
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: Showtime
Premise:
A woman suffering from multiple personality disorder must navigate life as her family puts up with her "alters."
Why Should You Binge It:
Brie Larson play Tara's teenage daughter and at one point becomes involved in the world of online fetishism. Tara herself is the most interesting character, obviously, starting out with hyper-active teenager, 50's housewife, and trucker personalities or "alters." Slowly but surely, something traumatic happens to her to force another alter to emerge and make her life more complicated. Luckily, the show knew it could be cancelled at anytime and wrapped up each season with a satisfying-enough outcome.
Happy Endings
How Many Seasons: 3
Where to Binge It: Hulu
Original Network: ABC
Premise:
A woman leaves her husband-to-be at the alter, leaving their friends figuring out a way to keep the gang together.
Why Should You Binge It:
Let's breakdown the cast of the otherwise typical Friends-esque sitcom: Dave, the Ross-character and therefore the worst in every way, but you put up with him anyway; Alex, the runaway bride that loses IQ points as the seasons develop, similar to Eric of Boy Meets World; Jane, Alex's order Type-A, control freak sister who needs to assert her dominance; Brad, Jane's husband, businessman, and coolest black man you'll ever meet because he gives no fucks and isn't afraid to twirl; Penny, the ever-single and ever-dating friend who's more relatable than you care to admit; and Max, the stereotype-defying gay guy who's ever-unemployed but somehow still manages to live in Chicago.
The dynamic these six share is unlike anything you'd find on television. The banter and jokes are out of this world. They aren't afraid to overuse references or take all episode to setup an epic line. If you're not laughing out loud while watching this show, you're probably a New Girl fan and the reason why this wonderful show was cancelled. Shame on you! Hopefully, the talks of a reunion come true so that this bitterness in my heart fades away.
What are some of your favorite cancelled television shows? Let me know in the comments below.
Word
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: FOX
Premise:
Two siblings try to navigate high school in the early 1980s in the Midwest.
Why Should You Binge It:
Freaks and Geeks is proof that just because a show is ahead of its time doesn't mean it'll never be appreciated. Though it failed, this show introduced us to the mind of Judd Apatow as well as the talents of James Franco, Seth Rogen, Busy Phillips, Jason Segel, and many more. The plot still holds up as well, especially a party episode that features the placebo effect.
Sirens
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: USA
Premise:
Three paramedics trade jokes inside of an ambulance while answering bizarre 911 calls around Chicago.
Why Should You Binge It:
Besides the main character slightly reminding me of a friend, the show features a gay black paramedic in the second billed role and a Hispanic cop with some of the best simple-minded one liners. Much of the comedy of the show is delivered through conversations that pass the time or non-sequiturs. Though these conversations occasionally go on longer than they should - and is probably one of the reasons for its cancellation - they give the show charm and stays true to real life.
Community
How Many Seasons: 6Where to Binge It: Hulu/Yahoo
Original Network: NBC
Premise:
Seven students of varying ages and backgrounds become a study group in one of the most off-kilter community schools in the country.
Why Should You Binge It:
Granted Community eventually reached the six seasons of their ever popular mantra, they did so only through the grace of internet petitions and devoted fandoms. NBC cancelled the show three times, fired creator and showrunner Dan Harmon, and treated the show like a redheaded stepchild in terms of scheduling. But through that, Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Yvette Nicole Brown, and the rest of the cast continued to deliver hilarious performances. The show itself is self-aware thanks to the character Abed Nadir, a skinny nerd with possible Aspergers. With 7-8 main characters and a whole campus of B- and C-characters, Community is always willing to explore different relationships while parodying anything from Doctor Who to SVU.
Young Justice
How Many Seasons: 2
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: Cartoon Network
Premise:
Set in a DC Animated Universe that doesn't feature the Teen Titans, three sidekicks come together to form a new young superhero team.
Why Should You Binge It:
If you loved Teen Titans but wished there was a darker, more Batman the Animated Series version, this is the show for you. Even if your unfamiliar with a few of the characters, you'll fall in love with them soon enough. The episodes have more of a story arc to them, so you'll be engrossed. Like many cancelled cartoons, though, season 2 ends on a cliffhanger. Luckily, if the shows streams well on Netflix, it may be picked up for a third season. Help me make that happen!
United States of TaraHow Many Seasons: 3
Where to Binge It: Netflix
Original Network: Showtime
Premise:
A woman suffering from multiple personality disorder must navigate life as her family puts up with her "alters."
Why Should You Binge It:
Brie Larson play Tara's teenage daughter and at one point becomes involved in the world of online fetishism. Tara herself is the most interesting character, obviously, starting out with hyper-active teenager, 50's housewife, and trucker personalities or "alters." Slowly but surely, something traumatic happens to her to force another alter to emerge and make her life more complicated. Luckily, the show knew it could be cancelled at anytime and wrapped up each season with a satisfying-enough outcome.
How Many Seasons: 3
Where to Binge It: Hulu
Original Network: ABC
Premise:
A woman leaves her husband-to-be at the alter, leaving their friends figuring out a way to keep the gang together.
Why Should You Binge It:
Let's breakdown the cast of the otherwise typical Friends-esque sitcom: Dave, the Ross-character and therefore the worst in every way, but you put up with him anyway; Alex, the runaway bride that loses IQ points as the seasons develop, similar to Eric of Boy Meets World; Jane, Alex's order Type-A, control freak sister who needs to assert her dominance; Brad, Jane's husband, businessman, and coolest black man you'll ever meet because he gives no fucks and isn't afraid to twirl; Penny, the ever-single and ever-dating friend who's more relatable than you care to admit; and Max, the stereotype-defying gay guy who's ever-unemployed but somehow still manages to live in Chicago.
The dynamic these six share is unlike anything you'd find on television. The banter and jokes are out of this world. They aren't afraid to overuse references or take all episode to setup an epic line. If you're not laughing out loud while watching this show, you're probably a New Girl fan and the reason why this wonderful show was cancelled. Shame on you! Hopefully, the talks of a reunion come true so that this bitterness in my heart fades away.
What are some of your favorite cancelled television shows? Let me know in the comments below.
Word
I know it won't be a popular choice, but I was gutted when Smash was cancelled.
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