The best TV shows that lasted only one series

Some television shows will see a decent shelf life, while others will disappear before getting to the first commercial. As we concentrate on the latter, here are our picks (in chronological order) for the top TV shows, whether sitcoms or dramas, that lasted one season — or in some cases even less.

1 of 20. “Battlestar Galactica” (1978-79) …
This was the one that got the whole “Galactica” ball rolling, even though it lasted just one season for ABC. Starring Lorne Greene and Dirk Benedict, this space sci-fi show pitting the Galactica against those evil but cool-looking Cylons, was a ratings hit off the bat. However, those ratings became inconsistent, and ABC ultimately pulled the plug in April 1979. Die-hard fans were not happy and outrage ensued. A spinoff (Galactica) surfaced in 1980, and the 2003 mini-series based on the original opened the door for the hugely popular series of the same name that kicked off in 2004.

2 of 20. “Police Squad!” (1982) …
Trying to capture the same success they enjoyed with the hit film Airplane!, brothers David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams took to television. That same type of farcical, spoof comedy apparently did not work with the American TV audience of the time. However, star Leslie Nielsen’s Detective Frank Drebin eventually got his due from the hilarious Naked Gun franchise of films that spawned from this underrated gem.

3 of 20. “The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.” (1993-94) …
Like many shows on this list, consistent viewership is a central theme. That was the case with this Bruce Campbell vehicle which was often praised by critics and had a nice little following. While the show has an Old West premise, it regularly mixed elements of comedy, science-fiction and fantasy, which allowed for some crossover appeal. It’s a good bet that if this show debuted 20 years later, it would still be on the air.

4 of 20. “My So-Called Life” (1994-95) …
Remember when the world was introduced to the moody, insecure Angela Chase (Claire Danes) and brooding rebel Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto)? Life was a critical hit because of its realistic portrayal of teenagers and their struggles to fit in, conform and please their parents. While it’s long been reported that Danes did not want to return for a second season, low ratings in later episodes and other behind-the-scenes factors are also factored in the show’s short existence. But we still miss Rayanne and Rickie, Brian Krakow, the Buffalo Tom cameo and the mysterious Tino.

5 of 20. “Freaks and Geeks” (1999-2000) …
Is it fair to call a TV show that lasted only one season one of the best of all time? That might not be a stretch with this one — if only for the future star power associated (Seth Rogen, James Franco to name just two) with this one-season wonder. Created by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) and featuring Judd Apatow as an executive producer, it’s been reported that the creative minds behind the show and the execs at NBC were not on the same page when it came to the future travails of Lindsey (Linda Cardellini), her slacker friends and geeky brother and his crew.

6 of 20. “Undeclared” (2001-02) …
Judd Apatow was at it again (and bringing along Seth Rogan as a regular with several other “Freaks and Geeks” alums as guest stars). However, the result was the same, as this look into the life of a group of college freshmen suffered the same one-season fate. However, it generated a cult following that remains part of Apatow’s ongoing legacy.

7 of 20. “The Tick” (2001-02) …
While Patrick Warburton was not as funny and entertaining as he was while portraying “Seinfeld’s” David Puddy, he delivered an above-average comedic performance as this spoof of a superhero. However, as Warburton has suggested over the years, Fox never really gave the show, which lasted only nine episodes, a real chance.

8 of 20. “Firefly” (2002-03)
Regarded in many circles as the best one-season show in television history, “Firefly” still has a devoted following to this day, and cast members remain regulars on the pop culture and sci-fi convention circuit. This Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) space-western theme show never got the ratings worthy of the ambition of the project but built quite the impressive legacy.

9 of 20 “Clone High” (2002-03)
Originally a Canadian animated hit, “Clone High” is one of the few shows on this list that received lukewarm reviews and even cooler ratings while on MTV in the United States. The premise is kooky enough (a high school of historical figure clones like Abraham Lincoln and Gandhi, the latter, whose portrayal was rather controversial), but its cult following did not take off until well after the fact.

10 of 10 “Invasion” (2005-06)
If there was one knock on “Invasion,” it was that there was a lot going on, making it confusing at times. However, this somewhat modern-day, 2.0-version of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers was worth the time. Quality performances from the sinister William Fichtner and conflicted Kari Matchett helped the effort. However, a big part of the show’s premise revolved around a hurricane, and since it debuted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, perhaps interest was not as high.

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Dan Dunn

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Editor and Admin at MarkMeets since Nov 2012. Columnist, reviewer and entertainment writer and oversees all of the section's news, features and interviews. During his career, he has written for numerous magazines.

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