Television is one of the great pleasures of our time. TV
shows have gone beyond formulaic sitcoms to deliver complex, thought-provoking
storytelling that can be read as literature (if you’re inclined to do such a
thing, which I am.) But the industry still exists to make a profit, and many
shows with great characters, ideas and potential have been cut off after a
season or two because of low ratings, even if they've developed a devoted following. Of course, all shows get cancelled at some point, so what could be considered "Brilliant but Cancelled" might depend on who you ask.



Listed here are some of my favorite Brilliant but Cancelled
shows -- Firefly, Party Down, Arrested Development, Wonderfalls, Freaks and
Geeks
and Veronica Mars. I’m sure to have missed some great series, so please mention in the
comments if I’ve left out your favorite! 

Eleanor Brown Eleanor Brown
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Comments
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C
2011-03-14 16:47:39
Davin Harris

pushing daisies.


C
2011-03-14 17:59:43
Casandra Armour

This was REALLY tough! I would have also liked to vote for Veronica Mars, Freaks and Geeks and Wonderfalls!


E
2011-03-14 18:45:55
Eleanor Brown

Davin -- I\'m going to do another post with this theme next Friday, I\'ll include Pushing Daisies, love that show.


Casandra -- I\'m right  there with ya! I\'m a little surprised no one has voted for Wonderfalls. In terms of wanting more episodes to deliver some answers, Wonderfalls is pretty high on the list. In fact, that show had the least number of episodes, only 13. Firefly comes in next with 14, then Freaks and Geeks with 18, Party Down with 20, and Arrested Development and Veronica Mars were long lived with 53 and 64 episodes. I\'m not surprised Firefly\'s at the top right now, what with those rabid Joss Whedon fans (myself included). Although no one has suggested I feature Dollhouse as a favorite cancelled show...


C
2011-03-15 00:06:11
Avishai Micaiah

i voted for "arrested development," but in reality, it's probably for the best that the show was able to end on a high-note when it did, leaving fans rabidly wanting more, rather than ending like "alias," after awkwardly plodding along for a couple of seasons too-many.