A look at seven great television series ended before their prime.

1.

Arrested Development

was a wickedly intelligent show that managed to brilliantly intertwine the lives of nine family members into perpetual dysfunction.

I, for one, miss hearing that intro: “This is the story of a wealthy family who lost everything…”

 

 

2.

Jericho was cancelled by CBS

following a dip in ratings and was ultimately revived by one of the most successful examples of grassroots fan campaigning in history.

There is at least seven more episodes on the way, with the possibility of more if ratings improve.

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Surface is an unfortunate

story. Originally produced as a miniseries, it was extended into a full-length first season due to positive ratings, then cancelled after the cliffhanger season finale.

 

 

 

4.

Futurama was sadly

manhandled into cancellation; with its time slot shifted around and sporting events pre-empting its broadcast.

A direct-to-DVD feature film is slated to be released in November of 2007.

 

 

 

5.

Firefly was Buffy creator

Josh Whedon’s baby; an intelligent sci-fi series that was ended prematurely despite positive critical reviews and an Emmy award.

The show had enough fans that a feature film was produced following the cancellation of the series.

 

 

 

 

6.

Dead Like Me was a comedy that

was both thought-provoking and entertaining, a rare feat in today’s television wasteland. It was not picked up for a third season.

Apparently, in production is a direct-to-DVD feature film that ties up the loose ends left in the series.

 

 

 

 

7.

Family Guy was cancelled twice,

in 2000 and again in 2002; however, the DVD sets sold so well it was brought back in 2005. It is now a syndicated, currently-running show.

A direct-to-DVD feature, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, was released in September 2005.

 

 

 

Any others I’ve missed?