It was awesome, so naturally, it was cancelled

Top 6 shows that were cancelled too soon
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I don’t watch television shows until they’ve been renewed for at least a fifth season. Why, you ask?
Because I am a killer of good television.

It’s a documented fact that if I love a show, it will fail to find other viewers and the network will unceremoniously ax it before its time. You can all thank me for the fact that Supernatural is still going strong in season 10; I didn’t start watching it until this year. You’re welcome.

Here are the top 6 brilliant, engaging, clever shows that were cancelled only because I liked them (I mean, what other reason could there have been, right?)

6. John Doe
A mystery man literally falls from the sky, naked, with complete amnesia…but an encyclopedic knowledge of EVERYTHING else. Who wouldn’t want to watch that show? Well, apparently, everyone but me managed to avoid it. The show was cancelled after only 22 episodes in 2002. Damn it. Twelve years later and I’m still bummed that I never found out who John Doe was or what happened to him.

5. Vengeance Unlimited
I’m dating myself with this one, but this 1998 drama starred the fabulous Michael Madsen as Mr. Church, a mystery man who offered people who were wronged by criminals revenge in exchange for one million dollars…or a favor, that he would collect at his leisure.  His elaborately-plotted revenge schemes would do Emily Thorne proud and kept me highly entertained for 16 episodes before the network pulled the plug.  Mr. Church, if you’re still out there somewhere, I’ve got an old boss I’d like to talk to you about…

4. Veronica Mars
This show about an incredibly intelligent, tough young girl who moonlighted as a private detective at her father’s agency suffered an especially cruel mid-season cancellation. I’m still too bitter to talk about it. The follow-up movie eased my pain somewhat. That’s all I have to say about that.

3. Dark Angel
James Cameron directed this 2000 sci-fi drama set in the post-apocalyptic Pacific Northwest. The show starred Jessica Alba as Max, a genetically enhanced super human who, as a child, escaped from the lab that created her, along with a group of others like her. The show was cancelled in 2002 just as a class war between broke out between the misunderstood super humans and an intolerant population of “normal people”.  So, not only was I denied a satisfying, happy ending for the characters I’d grown to love, but I was also deprived of my only source of Jensen Ackles, who I didn’t see again for several years. Talk about a slap in the face! Goes to show that even an Academy Award-winning director can’t save a show I like from cancellation.

2. Angel
This Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off had a longer run than my favorite shows typically enjoy, but its season 5 cancellation was still heart-breaking. The last episode closes at the start of an epic, against-all-odds type of battle between good and evil. Will Angel and his crew survive?  What happens next? Will the freakin’ dragon destroy LA? I have no idea. None of my questions were answered. I don’t blame Joss Whedon (he can do no wrong)…but what the hell? The network couldn’t foot the bill for ONE more episode? A follow-up movie? A note to let me know that Angel and Spike made it out of the battle in one piece?  Shame on you, network. Boo!

1. Firefly
This space-Western was well-written, wicked clever, and full of loveable, flawed, complex characters. So, clearly, the network had no choice but to cancel it after only 14 episodes (only 11 of which actually aired). The show, like its follow-up movie, was brilliant and tragic (because it ENDED).
So, I pose this question:

If we all agree to quit watching The Real Housewives of New Jersey, The Kardashians, and American Idol, do you think we could convince a network to make room in the line-up for more terrific scripted television shows like John Doe, Vengeance Unlimited, Veronica Mars, Dark Angel, and Firefly?  Is that too much to ask?
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And in return, I promise you the following: I won’t watch until your favorite shows been renewed for at least a fifth season. Don’t say I never did anything for you…