Some of the best shows ever didn't stay on TV for as long as they should have.
That's just how it is in the cutthroat TV industry, in which impatient network executives are focused only on last night's ratings. And things have only gotten more brutal with a saturation of TV content, including from streaming services.
Great series like HBO's "Deadwood" and Judd Apatow's teen dramedy "Freaks and Geeks" are among the many that have been cut off too soon.
As new series continue to make their way to the small screen this fall, we're looking over the best shows that were canceled before their time, ranked in order of increasing greatness.
Brett Arnold contributed to an earlier version of this article.
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19. CBS: "Jericho" fans pulled an incredible stunt that got the show back on the air for one final season.
Seasons: 2 (2006-2008)
What it's about: CBS' sci-fi actioner centers around the small town of Jericho, Kansas, in the aftermath of nuclear attacks on the country.
Why it shouldn't have been canceled: The show was so beloved after only one season that when news of its cancellation went public, fans sent more than 40,000 pounds of peanuts to the CBS offices in an effort to change executives' minds. The nuts were an ode to the final scene of season one in which Jake Green exclaims "nuts" when a neighboring community takes over the town and demands he surrender. The stunt worked, and the show was given one more season before taking the ax yet again after ratings didn't improve. "Jericho" ranks No. 11 on TV Guide's list of "Top Cult Shows Ever."
18. ABC: "Pushing Daisies" suffered from the writers strike.
Seasons: 2 (2007-2009)
What it's about: Bryan Fuller's quirky fantasy/comedy series stars Lee Pace ("Guardians of the Galaxy") as Ned, a piemaker with the ability to bring dead things back to life with a simple touch.
Why it shouldn't have been canceled: "Pushing Daises" was unlike any other show on television, and that ultimately led to its downfall. The show was simply too out there for general audiences, and while critics and fans adored the series, it never gained a large enough audience to sustain life. "Daisies" also suffered from poor timing, as the infamous writers strike took place during production. The series won seven Emmys and a DGA award and received three Golden Globe nominations in just two years.
17. HBO: "Hung" received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations but lasted just three seasons.
Seasons: 3 (2009-2011)
What it's about: The controversial comedy series stars Thomas Jane ("The Mist") as a family man who resorts to male prostitution to make ends meet.
Why it shouldn't have been canceled: "Hung" is way smarter and more thoughtful than its title and subject matter would suggest. The series functions more as a satirical look at the great lengths Americans have had to go through since the recession than a sex-filled romp, yet it has its fair share of sex and comedy as well. The show was quite well-received and received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations before ending its short run.
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