The Short Lived TV Shows That I Miss the Most

Last week I wrote up a tribute to many of the guest stars on the sci-fi series Dark Angel, which ran on FOX for two seasons from 2000 to 2002. Because of that trip down memory lane, it got me to thinking about other short-lived shows that I have loved and lost over the last 20 years.

As all TV viewers know, TV shows come and TV shows go; some stay around for only one season while others can last for over 10 years; but it’s those shows that only get one season or maybe two seasons that can really leave a gaping hole in your heart – wishing for “what could have been” if their home network had only taken a chance on them. The list that follows are the short-lived TV dramas (all of which – except one – had a sci-fi or fantasy base), lasting one or two seasons, that I miss the most. They appear in no particular order:

1. Firefly – This 14-episode FOX drama aired for one season in 2002-2003. The series, as pretty much everyone knows at this point, was set in 2517, following the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a Firefly-class spaceship that starred Nathan Fillion (Castle), Morena Baccarin (Homeland), Gina Torres (Suits), Adam Baldwin (Chuck), Alan Tudyk (Suburgatory), Jewel Staite (Stargate Atlantis), Ron Glass (Barney Miller), Summer Glau (Arrow) and Sean Maher (Make It or Break It). Not only did the network air the episodes out of their intended order, but they also didn’t even air three whole episodes; sadly, the show was basically given the shaft before it even really got started.

2. Nowhere Man – This one-season, 25-episode UPN network drama starred Bruce Greenwood as a photojournalist, who discovered that his life had been abruptly “erased” – with his family and friends claiming they don’t know him – all because of a photograph he took a year earlier. It aired on the then UPN network from 1995 to 1996.

3. Moonlight – This CBS series aired in 2007-2008 right before the vampire craze really took hold of the world, airing 16 episodes. It focused on Mick St. John, a Los Angeles private investigator (Alex O’Loughlin from Hawaii Five-0) – who also happens to be a vampire – and online reporter Beth Turner (Sophia Myles from MI-5).

4. Almost Human – This one-season, 13 episode FOX series aired from 2013-2014. It was set in 2048, focusing on Detective John Kennex (Star Trek’s Karl Urban), who woke up after a 17-month coma and is teamed, according to a new police department policy, with an android known as Dorian (Think Like a Man’s Michael Ealy).

5. Cupid (the original series) – This ABC series aired in 1998-1999 for one season, consisting of 15 episodes (one episode went unaired). It starred Jeremy Piven (Entourage and Mr. Selfridge) as Trevor Hale, who believed he was Cupid, the god of love, stripped of his powers by Zeus. He is, of course, put into a mental hospital where he meets psychologist Claire Allen (Paula Marshal from Gary Unmarried).

6. Prey – This was another ABC drama that aired throughout 1998, consisting of 13 episodes: 8 episodes that aired during mid-season (in a time when mid-season meant it was a place where bad shows supposedly went to die) and the 5 remaining episodes burned off during the summer. It followed Dr. Sloan Parker (Debra Messing from Will & Grace and The Mysteries of Laura), a bio-anthropologist who, after the death of her mentor, discovered there was a new species of humans that were stronger, smarter and faster than us and bent on our destruction.

7. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – Based on the popular movie franchise, this FOX drama was also a mid-season series – in a time when mid-season shows were more accepted by viewers and the networks alike – airing 9 episodes in its first season and had a full 22-episode season for its second. It starred Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) in the title role, with Thomas Dekker as the future warrior John Connor. It featured Summer Glau as the latest robot set out to protect John and, in season two, Brian Austin Green (Beverly Hills, 90210) as Derek Reese, brother to Kyle Reese.

8. Pushing Daisies – This acclaimed drama aired for two seasons on ABC, first with 9 episodes in 2007 and then with 13 episodes throughout the 2008-2009 TV season. It starred Lee Pace (Halt & Catch Fire and The Hobbit franchise) as Ned, a pie-maker with the mysterious “gift” to bring the dead back to life with one touch. If the reanimated remained alive beyond exactly one minute, another had to die in its place; and the reanimated could never be touched again by Ned without dying for good. The cast include Chi McBride (Hawaii Five-0), Anna Friel (from the upcoming Odyssey) and Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth).

9. Popular – This WB series consisted of 43 episodes: 22 episodes from 1999-200o and 21 episodes from 2000-2001. It focused on Brooke McQueen (Leslie Bibb from GCB and About a Boy) and Sam McPherson (Carly Pope from The Tomorrow People and 24), polar opposite students at Jacqueline Kennedy High School, who are forced together when Brooke’s father and Sam’s mother get engaged. The cast included Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs), Bryce Johnson (Pretty Little Liars) and Sara Rue (Less Than Perfect).

10. Legend of the Seeker – This syndicated fantasy-based drama, based on the popular series of books by author Terry Goodkind, focused on Richard Cypher (Craig Horner from Hindsight), a young man prophesized as the “Seeker”, the only person in the realm who can defeat Darken Rahl (Craig Parker from Spartacus and Reign), an evil oppressive, ruler. The cast included Bridget Regan (Agent Carter, White Collar and Jane the Virgin). The show consisted of 22 episodes in season one, airing from 2008-2009 and 22 episodes, airing from 2009-2010.

That is my list. Now, it’s your turn. Please share which short-lived shows you miss the most in our comments section below.