10 Amazing TV Shows That Were Terminated Prematurely

      Simon Thompson presents ten remarkable TV shows that were terminated prematurely...

      Throughout my extensive experience watching television, I've observed that the lifespan of TV shows is quite the opposite of that of boxers. While outstanding boxers often prolong their careers long after their prime, a significant number of exceptional television shows face cancellation after just one or two seasons, only to find renewed life through word of mouth and lists like this one. Without further delay, here’s my list of 10 TV shows that ended too early...

      10. Clone High (2002-2003)

      The writing and filmmaking duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller has consistently thrived throughout their time in the industry. While many may cite The LEGO Movie or the SpiderVerse series as their peak achievements, it’s their early 2000s cult classic animated sitcom Clone High that stands as my personal favorite among all their works.

      Styled as a parody of teen dramas like Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill, Clone High revolves around replicas of famous historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Joan of Arc, Gandhi, JFK, and Cleopatra as they navigate a typical American high school. Unbeknownst to the clones, they are creations of a clandestine government project designed to benefit the military. This dynamic complicates the school principal Cinnamon J. Scudworth’s aim to utilize the clones to construct his own amusement park, called Cloney Island.

      Rather than simply being another imitation of shows like The Simpsons or South Park—as many animated sitcoms tend to be—Clone High was an astute, clever, and utterly unique series, supported by contributions from Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence, a soundtrack by Abandoned Pools, and a talented voice cast featuring Will Forte, Nicole Sullivan, and Christa Miller.

      The cancellation of Clone High stemmed from two unfortunate issues. First, its ratings fell drastically short of what MTV expected, and second, it sparked controversy for portraying Gandhi as a party enthusiast, leading over a hundred individuals in India to participate in a hunger strike against it. This dual setback ultimately provided MTV the justification needed to cancel Clone High after just one season. However, thanks to the internet, MTV airing the final episodes 13 years later, and a DVD release, the show has received significant critical reevaluation and amassed a loyal fan base since its termination in 2003.

      This fan response was substantial enough for a poorly received revival on HBO Max, where it ironically became the very type of content it once lampooned, yet it doesn’t diminish the brilliance and creativity of the original 13 episodes of Clone High.

      9. Garth Marenghi's Dark Place (2004)

      Comedian Matthew Holness's satire of Clive Barker and Stephen King, Garth Marenghi has been among the funniest acts in British comedy for over two decades. Stemming from a late 90s stage play titled Garth Marenghi’s Fright Knight, Holness transitioned Garth Marenghi to television in the early 2000s as Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place.

      Dark Place presents a show within a show, where Garth in the present time shares footage from a canceled 1980s TV series named Dark Place. This series takes place in a hospital adjacent to a portal to hell and chronicles the exploits of Dr. Rick Dagless MD, a Vietnam and Falklands war veteran consistently armed with a pistol, contending with supernatural forces. The fictional show's footage is framed by interviews with Garth and the supporting cast, including Richard Ayoade as Garth’s manager and atrociously bad actor Dean Lerner, alongside Matt Berry as Todd Rivers, a character reminiscent of Lee Majors or Patrick Duffy.

      A remarkably sophisticated and meta show, Dark Place was crafted with genuine admiration for the low-budget genre TV of the 70s and 80s it parodied, and it functioned as a sitcom that was a good 5-10 years ahead of its time. Coupled with Channel 4 airing it late at night and its distinctive humor, Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place unfortunately had to fend for itself upon its initial release.

      Had Dark Place premiered today, in a landscape influenced by surreal meta comedies and internet memes, it might've fared significantly better, as audiences would have readily grasped the show's intent.

      Nonetheless, many cast members, such as Richard Ayoade and Matt Berry, have since become household names, the DVD having consistent sales, Holness reviving the character for the stage, and the show being made available on streaming platforms; consequently, Dark Place, contrary to the fictional show it represents, has rightfully been reevaluated as one of the finest British sitcoms of the 2000s.

      8. Bakersfield PD (1993-94)

      If there were a shrine to cancelled TV shows, Bakersfield PD would stand as one of its most lamented figures. This classic fish-out-of-water