MovieChat Forums > Journeyman (2007) Discussion > Shows that were cancelled too soon

Shows that were cancelled too soon

posted 15 years ago by daja_ace
19 replies | jump to latest

On the front page for the imdb, according to a website called PasteMagazine.com, the 15 best shows that were cancelled too soon are...

15. Andy Barker
14. Jericho
13. Wonderfalls
12. Love Monkey
11. Dead Like Me
10. Undeclared
9. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
8. Veronica Mars
7. Pushing Daisies
6. My So Called Life
5. Firefly
4. Sports Night
3. Twin Peaks
2. Freaks and Geeks
1. Arrested Development

What I don't understand is why Journeyman is not on this list?! This show was spectacular! One of the top three television programs I've seen in the past 10 years.

I also was looking to see Now and Again which was another great show that was cancelled too soon on that list but it was nowhere to be found. And imho, Jericho should be rated higher among these types of shows on this list.

In chronological order with their respective plot summaries, my favorite shows that were cancelled too soon would be:

Dark Justice (1991-1993): After his wife and daughter are murdered, Judge Nicholas Marshall loses faith in the judicial system. Selecting defendants from the cases appearing in his court, he presses them into a different kind of community service, as members of a vigilante group nicknamed "The Night Watchman".

Now and Again (1999-2000): When Michael Wiseman is killed in a tragic subway accident, the U.S. government covertly makes him an offer he can't refuse; they "keep his brain alive" and place it into a new, genetically bio-engineered body. The doctor in charge of the experiment has grand plans for him, but all Michael wants is to get back to his grieving wife and daughter. For security reasons, the government forbids such contact... not that Michael is going to let that stop him.

Roswell (1999-2002): Living among the citizens of the infamous New Mexico city of Roswell are some who are not there by choice. They are there to follow a destiny given to them by the members of their dying race, a race that they are someday destined to save. This is the background behind the WB series "Roswell". Max Evans, Isabel Evans and Michael Guerin are teenage humans with extraordinary gifts - gifts that are "not-of-this-earth". They are human/alien hybrids, sent here to complete their destiny. Their counterparts have already perished in a war of attrition, thus one day, they will return to their home planet and save their race. Before a fateful day in 1999, the teens hid their gifts. The event that forever changed their lives was when Max healed Liz Parker (a classmate) after she was fatally shot in the stomach in a dispute between two customers at the restaurant where she waitresses. A close relationship then develops between Max and Liz. Central to the first season were the relationships between the hybrids and their human companions. That focus has shifted during the drama's second season. "Roswell" is now distinctly a science-fiction show built on the relationships between humans and aliens.

The Invisible Man (2000-2002): Darian Fawkes is a petty thief and conman who is bailed out of jail by his brother in return for undergoing an experiment that implants a "quicksilver" gland in his head that allows him to turn invisible. When his brother is killed, he ends up working for a top-secret government organization (disguised as the Department of Fish & Game) in return for a counter-agent which keeps the gland from driving him insane.

Jericho (2006-2008): When Jake Green returns to his Kansas small-town home Jericho, where his dad Johnston is mayor, everyone is preoccupied with petty private business and family matters, but that changes drastically after a completely unexpected explosion. It soon becomes clear there has been a nuclear attack, but neither by whom nor on which scale. Suddenly life in Jericho, and as the inhabitants gradually discover all over the disintegrating USA, becomes a more primordial struggle for survival, where unexperienced dangers, primitive as well as technological, have to be weighed against pressing primal needs, such as food, fuel and self-defense against plunderers, invaders and even each-other. Jake, whose private story like that of other main characters slowly becomes disclosed to us, proves extremely resourceful and a smart hero, while his father's mayoral authority and even that of the only available medical professionals is soon challenged and undermined, criminal potentials are tapped into by circumstances and good people must rise to the daunting occasion assertively or perish. Even when contact is made with neighboring surviving towns, desperate rivalry soon cancels out solidarity. Furthermore, there is a well-equipped, hidden organization at work, which recently arrived Robert Hawkins belongs to...

Journeyman (2007-2008): A man travels back in time to help people in trouble.

Moonlight (2007-2008): A vampire lands work as a private investigator and falls for mortal woman.

Honorable mention: Due South (1994-1996)

Anyone have any other shows like these that they would like to add?

[–] wizzard2k2 15 years ago

Firefly deserves a place on that list, as does Journeyman and one other that I haven't seen listed here at all - Drive - which also had Nathan Fillion in it.
It really is sad that our networks are pushing the world toward one that was depicted in a [sorry] excuse of a movie, Idiocracy.
I personally don't watch a lot of tv, and for that exact reason. I prefer to watch shows that make me think about what's going to happen next. I don't need to watch some moron beating the crud out of some other moron (WWWhatever), and I really don't need to see what the happy hookers er housewives of atlanta or wherever are doing this week. My life is real enough for me, give me some good fiction to escape into once in a while...
Now...back to my book...

[–] daja_ace 15 years ago

Firefly deserves a place on that list, as does Journeyman and one other that I haven't seen listed here at all - Drive - which also had Nathan Fillion in it.

I liked the movie Serenity even though I've never seen the Firefly TV series before. I also never got a chance to see the TV show Drive either.

It really is sad that our networks are pushing the world toward one that was depicted in a [sorry] excuse of a movie, Idiocracy.

You've seen that movie too, huh? Well, I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying about networks and Hollywood pushing things into the Idiocracy. Yeah, Idiocracy was a really ridiculous film that I saw at the recommendation of someone but the message was seriously legitimate. In fact, I think we may be very likely already halfway there, unfortunately.

I personally don't watch a lot of tv, and for that exact reason.

Me too.

I prefer to watch shows that make me think about what's going to happen next. I don't need to watch some moron beating the crud out of some other moron (WWWhatever), and I really don't need to see what the happy hookers er housewives of atlanta or wherever are doing this week. My life is real enough for me, give me some good fiction to escape into once in a while...
Now...back to my book...

Well said.

[–] LefthandedBabe 14 years ago

If you enjoyed Serenity, you really should check out Firefly. While I liked the movie, I thought the series was much better.

What's....this....ruckus?

[–] Thrivingdead 11 years ago

In the UK, our primary channel's film reviewer (BBC, Film XX, Jonathan Ross) described Serenity as the film any of the Star Wars prequels should have been. So I went and saw it and loved it

Firefly is SO much better and should preferably be watched first because the characters have so much more time to develop

... Sanity and Happiness are an impossible combination ...

[–] awsomistmajor 15 years ago

I personally think that the Dresdan Files were canceled too soon.

[–] daja_ace 15 years ago

Yeah, that show didn't last very long at all either.

[–] catpeee 15 years ago

Add Smith to the list. Great show that wasn't given a chance.

Now try shows that SHOULD be cancelled.

Desperate Housewives
Ghost Whisperer

"I'd rather be the parking space than the car" - Sir Stewie Griffin

[–] awsomistmajor 15 years ago

I think you can add just about any reality tv show to that list. ^

[–] daja_ace 15 years ago

I agree.

[–] daja_ace 15 years ago

Now try shows that SHOULD be cancelled.

Desperate Housewives
Ghost Whisperer

And to add more to that list of shows that should be cancelled...

Family Guy
American Idol
Medium
Lost
Dancing With The Stars

[–] BigRich 12 years ago

With the exception of Journeyman (I'm on episode #11 - been on a marathon all day)
I didn't care for any of those shows listed. I thought Dead Like Me was very similar to Journeyman, minus the time-travelling.

However, I noticed no one listed Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I guess no one like it?
_
Every person that served can be called a veteran, but not every veteran can be called a Marine.

[–] Shorty-Steve 12 years ago

How about Rome & Deadwood?

[–] BigRich 12 years ago

I didn't care for those either.

_
Every person that served can be called a veteran, but not every veteran can be called a Marine.

[–] bob-402-252005 12 years ago

God, The Devil And Bob and GCB.

___________

I'd've gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids.

[–] anne-blythe 11 years ago

I still miss Odyssey 5,Sarah Connor Chronicles and Alien Nation.

[–] Mexiward 11 years ago

Anyone remember New Amsterdam? I also enjoyed Life which only lasted 2 series.

A fair few of these shows got caught up with writers strike that meant series were cut short etc.

[–] Fusion72 11 years ago

I remember it. Never watched it though but might check it out now.

[–] Crocodile (2951) 3 years ago

Also Kevin Hill! It was great.

[–] MovieKnut (184) 2 years ago

Firefly
Journeyman
Odyssey 5
The Crossing