When Community's recent Christmas episode ended, it suddenly dawned on me that this was going to be the last episode of the show before NBC benches it until who knows when—if they ever bring it back. The idea that yet another amazing, ahead-of-its-time show may never return reminded me of several previous shows that were canceled way too soon. Here I have put together a list of six of my favorites, all of which lasted between one and three seasons, and all of which are still watched religiously by their fans, who surely secretly hope that one day they will return. I only hope that Community will not join this list anytime soon.
6. Undeclared (2001–2003)
Undeclared, from producer Judd Apatow, follows its protagonist, Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel), as he starts a new chapter in his life: college. The show chronicles Steven and his friends as they confront new responsibilities, freedom from their parents, and new and exciting adventures and experiences. Unfortunately, Undeclared, which naturally could have last four seasons (the length of most college educations), was canceled after only seventeen episodes. Fans of Apatow's Freaks and Geeks can see Seth Rogen and Jason Segel, and the cast also included such talented performers as Carla Gallo (I Love You, Man), Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Monica Keena (Entourage), and Timm Sharp (‘Til Death).
5. Dead Like Me (2003–2004)
After Georgina "George" Lass (Ellen Muth), an unhappy college dropout, is killed by a toilet seat that falls from the MIR space station, she finds herself a part of a group of grim reapers led by Rube (Mandy Patinkin). Each day Rube hands every member of the group a note with a name, location, and time of death, and it's up to each reaper to identify the victim and remove that person's soul before they can feel any pain from their death. George and her fellow reapers are all very different, colorful characters who learn to depend on one another in their lives after death. The show, full of dark, cynical humor, was canceled after two seasons and twenty-nine episodes. In 2009, a feature-length version was released, but did not live up to fans' expectations. Rube was gone, and Laura Harris, who had played one of my favorite characters, the southern belle Daisy Adair, was dreadfully replaced by Sarah Wynter.
4. Party Down (2009–2010)
This Starz show follows an L.A. catering team comprising aspiring actors and writers who get into trouble each episode as they try, inappropriately and unprofessionally, to advance their own careers. Party Down was created by Veronica Mars veterans John Enbom, Dan Etheridge, and Rob Thomas, plus actor/writer/producer Paul Rudd, and featured an endlessly talented cast—Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), Jane Lynch (Glee), Ken Marino (Children's Hospital), Ryan Hansen (Veronica Mars), Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks), Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls, Cloverfield), and many more—yet was canceled after only twenty episodes.
3. Veronica Mars (2004–2007)
If any character had a chance to replace Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy Summers in my heart, it was Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), the sharp, cynical, and witty teen detective. The first season follows Veronica as she tries to solve the murder of her best friend, Lilly Kane (Amanda Seyfried), whose death leads not only to Veronica being ostracized by her friends, but also to her father (Enrico Colantoni) losing his job as town sheriff, after he accuses Lilly's powerful father of being involved. Even though many fans tried to save the show from cancellation, the newly formed super channel CW, which had picked up the show from UPN, refused to budge. In a last-ditch attempt to save the show, creator Rob Thomas made a season-four promo, which can be found on YouTube, and takes place years later, with Veronica working for the FBI. Unfortunately, it was not enough to save the show.
2. Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)
A cult classic, Freaks and Geeks, created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, will always be one of the great examples of a show canceled way before its time, to the huge disappointment of its ardent fan base. Eighteen episodes were made but NBC cancelled the show after only twelve episodes. It was because of F&G's fans that NBC released three more episodes in July of 2000. The last three were finally seen on Fox in September of that year when the FOX Family Channel aired F&G in syndication. The show depicts high school life in the eighties for two very different groups of students, as delineated in the title. Although these two groups are very different, the show illustrates how everyone in high school struggles with at least some of the multitude of problems confronted by adolescents. The extremely gifted cast included such stars-in-the-making as James Franco, Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel.
1. My So-Called Life (1994–1995)
My So-Called Life was a drama series that captured, with unprecedented realism, the turmoil teenagers face as they struggle to understand themselves and the people and events that are a part of their world. Protagonist Angela Chase was brought to life brilliantly by Claire Danes, in a star-making role. The show lasted just nineteen episodes before it was canceled. What was most difficult about the show's cancellation was that it was due to Danes's decision to concentrate on her film career, which, as a Claire Danes fan, I am thankful for, but at the same time I am sad that My So-Called Life never went beyond one season.