Say It Ain't So...

Some TV shows are worthless...okay, most TV shows are worthless. Every once in a while a good show comes around and gets cancelled way too soon. Here is my assessment of shows that didn't air long enough.

Deadwood

I would say I am not a Westerns kinda girl. So when my husband came home with all of Season One on DVD I was dreading the hours it would take to plow through the series. Fast forward half an hour and midway through the first episode I was hooked. It soon became "just one more episode..." and the addiction was apparent. Another indication of addiction was whe we came home from work and started watching Deadwood until going to bed, barely breaking for food. The end of Season One came quickly and it seemed like waiting for Season Two to be released on DVD would be torture. We finished that season as quickly and then actually ordered HBO just for Deadwood Season Three (and cancelled our subscription after it ended because nothing else was, well, Deadwood.) Reportedly due to financial reason, Deadwood was cancelled after Season Three and it was a low blow. Rumors flew that a movie would tie up the open storylines, but recent reports claim a movie is a no go.


Reason for cancellation: Financial consideration
Number of seasons: 3

Firefly

I came late to the game on this show, too. Unfortunately only one season and a movie was created and it is far too little. Based in the future, it follows a captain (Nathan Fillion) and his transporting crew aboard a small "Firefly" vessel. Sometimes legitimate, but often illegitimate runs around the Universe, they encounter different people and problems - but always manage to come out ahead. The plot was good and the casting was great, the only complaint I have is the small number of episodes made.

Reason for cancellation: Financial considerations and not enough viewers, more complex answer given is poor advertisement, episodes aired out of ordered and the show was pre-empted 3 times during the season.
Number of seasons: 1 and a movie

Arrested Development

Okay, everyone knows the premise to this show - and if you don't then I'm not telling you. The announcement that this show was being cancelled was surprising to critics and fans alike. I was most impressed when I read an article by a TV critic encouraging people to contact FOX to request the show stay on the air. Now that is critical acclaim.

Reason for cancellation: Technically not cancelled but the show was not renewed due to low ratings

Nmber of seasons: 3, with the 3rd season cut short

Restaurant Makeover

Okay, so this show isn't cancelled - but no new episodes have aired in the U.S. for at least a year now - so it seems like it is. This Canadian show takes a top designer and a top chef into a flailing restaurant and give the place a going over (hence the title). The owners aren't allowed any input in the decor or food changes until it is complete - and the owners put up as much as $15,000 which is matched by the show. The show is well paced, features a good rotation of different designers and chefs and includes wide variety of eateries. Unfortunately only Season One and Two makes the Food Network Channel's lineup, so if anyone knows the programming guru at Food Network, please ask them to buy and air more seasons. Thanks.