9 Underrated TV Shows That Deserved More Than One Season

It’s a hard industry truth, but sadly, some TV shows just don’t get a fair shot, while other, arguably less deserving series drag on for 15+ seasons doing the same thing over and over. Fresh new shows with killer potential, awesome characters, and smart writing somehow still end up canceled after just one season.

Whether it was bad marketing, extremely poor timing, or high production costs, these one-season wonders left fans heartbroken and begging for more.

1. Firefly

Might just get the big one out of the way first, right? Firefly is basically the poster child of unjust cancellation. This show had all the makings of a sci-fi hit: funny cowboys in space, signature Joss Whedon dialogue, and a stacked cast led by Nathan Fillion. However, Fox completely mishandled the show’s rollout by airing episodes out of order and using a strange promotional campaign featuring Smash Mouth, which made the series appear to be a comedy.

Low ratings and high production costs doomed the series. It only aired for a few months in 2002, but fan love never died. DVD sales were so strong that we at least got a full-featured movie, Serenity, for a smidgen of closure. Still, fans have spent over 20 years wondering what more time in the ‘verse could’ve given us. Thankfully, Whedon gave us the next chapters of the story in a comic book format.

2. Freaks and Geeks

This teen dramedy perfectly captured the awkwardness of high school, complete with a cast of future stars like Seth Rogen, James Franco, and more. Created by Paul Feig and backed by Judd Apatow, it was quirky, honest, and way ahead of its time.

Since cancellation was likely, the crew filmed a finale early as a precaution, and it turned out to be a good decision. The show wrapped with Lindsay heading off on a Grateful Dead tour, giving fans at least a little closure. Freaks and Geeks may have been short-lived, but its legacy lives on in Hollywood and fans’ hearts.

3. Police Squad!

Only Police Squad! could turn deadpan comedy into pure gold. Starring the hilarious Leslie Nielsen, this parody of police dramas was packed with physical gags, running jokes, and puns for days!

Critics loved it, but regular viewers were lost when they didn’t hear any Friends-style laughter behind the scenes, so they didn’t understand which parts were funny and which were serious. At least, that’s my headcanon. To exacerbate the situation, ABC canceled the show after only four episodes, sabotaging the two final episodes before they even aired.