In the age of peak TV, we’ve gotten to see many series which are constructed to be satisfying after just one season of storytelling.
But it’s important to remember that this is a relatively new phenomenon, that all too often, potentially great shows will get cancelled before getting the chance to reach their full potential.
The list below focuses on scripted series, reaching back over two decades to cover some of television history’s most disappointing ends.
The aim is to remember some of network and cable’s most audacious experiments, for better and for worse.
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25. “Almost Human” (2013-2014)
In many ways, “Almost Human” was deeply flawed to a degree that made its cancellation understandable — it struggled to balance too many plot threads with an over-reliance on recycled world-building, ultimately failing to coalesce despite some ambitious twists introduced near the end of the first season.
However, creating a good buddy cop team is an art form, and the pairing of Karl Urban as a cranky haunted officer and the eager and optimistic Michael Ealy as his robot partner was an unforgettable mix. The duo had a chemistry that could have led to an enduring franchise, given the chance. At the very least, fans live in hope that they might be paired together again.
24. “Cupid” (1998)
Years before creating the cult favorite “Veronica Mars,” writer Rob Thomas brought ABC a charming romantic-comedy concept: A guy claiming to be the god-like figure of Cupid is running around Chicago, and assigned to monitor his behavior is a psychologist and relationship expert who thinks he’s crazy.
Jeremy Piven’s natural brusqueness is actually a delightful counterpoint to the show’s inherent romanticism, Paula Marshall is a painfully under-appreciated talent, and the fun concept doesn’t lack emotional subtlety. There was a follow-up attempt to make this show about 10 years later, with Bobby Cannavale and Sarah Paulson, which once again failed to launch. But honestly, that doesn’t mean this idea didn’t have merit.
23. “Kings” (2009)
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An alternate universe tale set in a modern day “kingdom” inspired by the tale of David and Goliath, this show theoretically should never have worked. But it was rich with interesting ideas, not to mention an incredible cast (OH HI Ian McShane, Dylan Baker, and Sebastian Shaw) — “Kings” was perhaps too ambitious for its own good, but that same ambition made it addictive as hell.
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