Shows that were cancelled but should still be on:
Firefly
This spaghetti western space drama was everything a sci-fi lover could dream of. A Joss Whedon masterpiece, Firefly brings a new meaning to Clint Eastwood’s “Space Cowboy” circa 2000. The marriage of high-tech spaceships and dusty saloon doors makes for an intense viewing experience that was, alas, too short.
Pushing Daisies
Created by Bryan Fuller, Pushing Daisies was somehow endearing compared to its sultry crime-genre counterparts. Up-and-coming actor Lee Pace played Ned, pie maker by day and private investigator by night—and an unwilling protagonist with the power to raise the dead … with a few strings attached. Like most of Fuller’s notoriously short-lived shows, Pushing Daisies was cancelled after a measly two seasons. Five years after its cancellation, rumors of a third season, a movie and even a musical have recently arisen. At this news, we beg to the fairies of showbiz: Give Fuller a chance!
Freaks and Geeks
Set in a high school circa 1980, Freaks and Geeks was one of the most unconventional and realistic portrayals of high school. Social groups were split distinctly, but the show ultimately ended up showing that everyone shares the sense of high school dread. With early debuts of James Franco and Seth Rogers as high school freaks, it couldn’t go wrong.
Shows still on-air that should have been cancelled:
The Big Bang Theory
Tastelessly similar season after season, The Big Bang Theory started its seventh round this spring. The emphasis of nerd elitism and over-the-top quirkiness overshadows any possibility of comedy. But in case you might have missed their misogynistic humor, a blatant laugh track serves as an annoying reminder.
Glee
A vamped up High School Musical wannabe, Glee is Fox’s declared social justice show. Through the musical expression of song, the show attempts to represent almost all minority groups in a small frame, and does so tactlessly. 30-year-old actors play high school students and set unrealistic expectations for those actually in high school, as well as being overall creepy.
Survivor Let’s start out with the fact that it’s on its 28th season. It premiered in 2000, when denim skirts and windbreakers were still cool. Survivor has tried many variations to give the show some edge, like changing locations, splitting teams by gender and inviting returning players for a second try. However, there’s only so many ways a first-world TV show can make a game out of living in a third-world country, mocking the millions who live there and survive there.