One-Season Wonders: The 10 Best Shows That Didn’t Make It To Season Two

If you think the mainstream cancellation of a show that embraced the otherness of high school has a note of irony to it, you’re not alone. Freaks and Geeks’ portrayal of high school from an outsider’s perspective was as compelling as it was entertaining, but this show would be notable if only for the star power behind it. Created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow, the series starred James Franco, Seth Rogan, and Jason Segel. It’s not hard to see why it consistently ranks as one of the most devastating TV cancellations in recent history. [Where to stream Freaks and Geeks]

I think we can all agree being a teenager was hard, but this ABC show was the first teen drama that didn’t feel like an after-school special. Angela (Claire Danes) was a complicated and relatable protagonist — conflicted, rebellious at times, but ultimately confused about who she was. The show is also credited for maturely incorporating several social issues into the series’ overarching plot line, rather than just giving each issue its own “very special episode.” Basically, this show is the reason teen dramas are so addictive today. [Where to stream My So-Called Life]

What if life on Earth was so unlivable that our only option was to travel to a parallel time stream and start over? That’s the situation explored in this Steven Spielberg-produced Fox show. Sure, the environmental message was a little heavy-handed, but the special effects more than made up for it. The show experienced a mid-season drop in viewership which led to its cancellation. If it had been given another chance to explore its voice, however, who knows what fun forms of sci-fi it would have given mainstream viewers. [You can stream Terra Nova on Netflix]

One of Judd Apatow’s first big projects in the world of producing was also ahead of its time. Starring now-household names Ben Stiller (duh), Janeane Garofalo, David Cross, Andy Dick, and Bob Odenkirk, this comedy variety show traded in the traditional live studio audience for a sketch-centric lineup and is credited for shaping modern sketch comedy. You may need to Wikipedia ’90s trends to get all the jokes, but it’s more than worth it to see modern-day masters of comedy at their television beginnings. [Where to stream The Ben Stiller Show]

If you think that American Horror Story defined the horror TV drama, then you need to watch American Gothic. This CBS show had a slew of genre-defining staples — corrupt cops, supernatural powers, dead girls, hauntings, and suicides — all set in a small and creepy Southern town. The series even starred AHS regular Sarah Paulson. Sure, the special effects scream “1990s,” but this one-season gem can hold its own with its Ryan Murphy successor in terms of creepiness. [You can stream American Gothic on Hulu]

This 2013 show had the potential to be a warmer and less snarky Modern Family, but between its borderline-offensive title and poor marketing efforts, it was written off by mainstream viewers before it even aired. The series follows wife Number 3 (Malin Åkerman) as she juggles life with her husband’s three kids and two ex-wives. If this show is starting to sound dumb and predictable to you, that’s the point. Trophy Wife very intelligently turned the tired tropes of its three female leads on their heads, giving us the optimistic and believably flawed Kate as our short-lived guide into this crazy family. [You can rent or buy Trophy Wife on Amazon or iTunes]

As this list proves, Apatow does not have a good track record with shows that stay on air, but he can create one hell of a cult classic. This early-2000s sitcom was the contemporary follow-up to Freaks and Geeks, focusing on the McKinley High graduates’ journey into college. The show starred several members of the Freaks and Geeks cast and maintained a lot of the warmth and relatable emotion that made its predecessor so great, marking its cancellation as a second tragic blow for the series’ fans. Sorry, guys. [Where to stream Undeclared]

On paper, FX’s Terriers should have been a slam dunk. It was about a beloved TV profession (private investigation), featured a lot of crime, and was smart and funny enough to generate an overwhelming amount of critical praise. The name Terriers and a confusing dog-centric promotional campaign, however, confused most audiences, transforming what should have been an instant classic into one of the greatest shows you’ve never heard of. Repeat after me: What you name your show matters. [Where to stream Terriers]

If you finish the phrase “Hand job, hand job” with “I don’t understand, job,” then you know the comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates. Riki Londhome’s (Another Period) and Kate Micucci’s (Raising Hope) musical talents, however, weren’t just limited to YouTube. The pair had a short-lived IFC show where they explored how to handle sexist fans, the pros of being blonde in Hollywood, and how long you could be in a relationship with a man without talking. The show was quirky, fun, filled with hysterical musical numbers, and pulled from the IFC schedule right as it found its voice. Oh well. At least we still have the best sports anthem for non-sports fans. [You can stream Garfunkel and Oates on Netflix]

Judging by the series’ passionate fans, this Joss Whedon masterpiece is the ultimate prematurely cancelled show. Best described as a space western, Firefly’s underdog crew had to face several obstacles in its quest to connect with a mainstream audience, including promotional efforts that poorly represented the show and episodes that were aired out of order. These failings, coupled with how traditionally hard it is to sell mainstream audiences on westerns and sci-fi, set the Serenity crew so far down the path of cancellation that not even Nathan Fillion’s smoldering looks could save them. [Where to stream Firefly]

Kayla Cobb is a proud graduate of Clemson University and loves her cat and TV shows more than some people love their kids. You should really follow her on Twitter at @KaylCobb.

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