TV programs which 'met their maker' too early
October 27th 2008 01:29
Tuned in then turned off - or did we?
Non-rating period TV – the staple diet of the holiday season where the good, the bad and the just plain ugly raise their heads as networks engage in a commercial litmus test to see just what will and what won’t work with viewers.
It’s (in the words of Forest Gump) a bit like a box of chocolates – where we never quite know what we’re going to get.
In fact the role call of sit-coms which never really made it past 2 seasons (let alone 1) is enormous – some you might even be surprised at – given the number or re-runs their received – which in itself says something about how television execs probably mis-read the audience.
From Gomer Pyle and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis in the 60’s to Different Strokes and Nanny and the Professor and Barney Miller in the 70’s to Punky Brewster, Joanie Loves Chachi, Webster and Hangin with Mr Cooper in the 80s and beyong – there’s been a host of great (depending on your view) of sitcoms – which never really went on to greatness – despite their apparent following.
Of course – the latest victim (unless you've been under a rock) is our own Mick St. John and his cultivated fan base as a vampire P.I. on Moonlight. The uproar can still be heard – even apparently among viewers in the States – but there you go.
So – which TV series of any era met it’s demise too early?
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Comment by Damo
Blakes 7 for its constipated ending that made everyone angry.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I was a fan of Medicine Ball when it was on in the late 90's - for about 3 episodes.
Coupling is another of my all-time favourite shows that only went for 3 seasons.
I don't know how long it ran for, but Pensacola Wings of Gold definitely did NOT run for long enough!!
I'm sure there's many more, I'll have to think about it.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
The Partners - have to admit - not familar with that one old boy - as for Blake 7 - I'm sure you've have a few who'll agree wholeheartedly with you there.
Keep out of trouble.
Cheers
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Hey - love the new avatar on your missive - very nice.
Moonlighting - ahhh - loved that programme and concur absolutely with your sentiments.
Missed Medicine Ball completely I'm afraid but yep Wings lasted way too short a time.
Along similar lines was a program back in the 70's called Ba Ba Black Sheep - another fly em high - chest thumpin piece of combat tv - along similar lines to the classic 60's time capsule - 12-o'clock High - ahh the memories.
Always a pleasure.
Comment by Damo
Thanks for the concern but I do not have any trouble.
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Check this out...
In reference to the question at hand--I liked another QM production that only lasted a couple of seasons The Invaders. Although I'm not a SF junkie, I must like aliens and all that because another show I liked that never caught on was back in the mid-80's--V--The Series. I must have been the only person who watched it.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Having said that - think I said along similar lines - gives those who never saw it an idea of what pretext was all about - best they don't think it was a programme about nursery rhymes.
As for V - yep - think you and one other (perhaps two) caught up with that . . .
Prior to the advent of You Tube - the only place you could even think about catching up with these here - was a late night prog which aired each week and showed 2 x half hour episodes of everthing from Gunsmoke and the Texas Ranger to Outer LImits and The Patty Duke Show.
Why they canned it - I don't know.
Cheers buddy
Comment by May
Music Dime
I don't know any of the shows already mentioned...i wanted to watch Moonlight but never got to it before it got the chop. Wonderfalls was a show that only got 1 season...that was a bummer. Quirky and off centre....me like.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Others - I always think I am out of step with mostly everyone because lots of stuff I get hooked on runs out early. ABC's Wildside is one. Another was an extremely short-lived BBC seriies called North Square about a team of barristers in Leeds. It was earlier this decade and was axed after only one pretty short series.
Janet
Comment by AP Red
All Knowing Geek
Keen Eddie - I was entertained but when you premiere after the Super Bowl they want you to have monster numbers and this show played to niche crowd.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Wow . . . I thought everyone would've caught at least one of the shows already mentioned - you must be a new soul.
Not offay with Waterfalls though . . . what was the premise?
Cheers Quirky One
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
One of the great mysteries of our time huh!
How many episodes of it were there again - 10 or something?
A crime that more weren't produced.
Totally agree with your choice
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
As a kid in high school - a programme that was so 'uncool' that it WAS 'cool' was In the Wild with Harry Butler which screened on the ABC.
Some shows just capture the imagaination don't they?
Stay well
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
It's a constant wonderment to me - what formula TV exec's use to determine whether a programme is successful.
Sure there's those set-top box thingy's which are dispensed like Pez to selected homes - but what really determines the longevity of success of a show?
Advertising dollars? Audience Share? A combination of both I suspect - a bit like a dog chasing its tail - you get the audience - you get the dollars.
It's all a numbers game.
Cheers
Comment by May
Music Dime
Wonderfalls was an American (or Canadian, not sure which) that centred around a young, jaded, girl who starts seeing inanimate objects talking to her, telling her to do things to, or for complete strangers, like a modern day retelling of Joan of Arc....except not so intense, and quite left of the middle, especially as her family is also full of unique characters.
And yes, i guess you can say I'm a new soul....i've also spent my time not only invested in American/English speaking shows, but also Chinese (HK) and Korean shows...can't get around to all of them!
By the way...i had no idea there were only 12 eps of Fawlty Towers made...i thought it was like MASH....going forever!
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Zentertainment
Budget Centsability
I am a complete loss as to how something so bloody brilliant only ran for one season. According to the 'network', people didn't understand it. It was witty, funny and great sci-fi. Of course, it could be that I think Joss Whedon is God
You can't stop the signal...unless of course you are Fox. Damn them.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Thanks for the precis. I'm sure there'll be something on YouTube - so I'll check it out.
Cheers
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
I'm guessing the only one's who'll be enjoying this in future will be those in the stella system - as the signals fly through the cosmos.
Double damn.
Comment by Carolyn Cordon
Light Within
How do You Express Your Creativity?
Food Leaf
2 seasons, give me more!
I love watching dead people work.
It would explain some of the folk I've worked with over the years - seriously different!
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Sounds suspiciously like one I'm going to have to check out on YouTube again.
Where have I been? Most probably blinked.
Thanks for stopping by hope to see you again real soon.
Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Zentertainment
Budget Centsability
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Hubby and I were just telling the kids about Quantum Leap this morning, and how much we wished they hadnt canned it. It was the sets which caused the problem as they were too costly to create new for each episode. I think it was the same story for Time Tunnel too?
Personally I find it amazing to think that the origianl Star Trek was poo~poohed off the screen after a few episodes too ... look where that went! Roddenberry was really ahead of his time, wasnt he? In fact those original stories were re~writes as it was Next gen who really did the stuff Roddenberry wanted to do.
Luckily for fans, rewatching them never gets boring.
Lilla ...
Comment by Rhino
The show you describe sounds very much like one that aired in Australia under the title 'Joan of Arcadia'.
Not certain it's the same but sure sounds like it!
Rhino
Comment by May
Music Dime
Wonderfalls is definitely not Joan of Arcadia. I enjoyed Joan of Arcadia as well, but had trouble following it on Channel Nine. They both have the similar Joan of Arc thing, but trust me when i say that Wonderfalls is much quirkier.
Infact, for anyone interested, one the guys who helped create Wonderfalls also had a hand in creating Dead Like Me (as mentioned by others already) and Pushing Daisies...which i am yet to see.