1. Emily’s Reasons Why Not (2006)
This show had all the ingredients for success, a charming lead in Heather Graham, a quirky premise about a woman ditching unsuitable men, and the prime post-Desperate Housewives time slot. But ABC pulled the plug after just one episode aired. Yep, just one. It was hyped as the next big thing, only to vanish before viewers could even form an opinion says SlashFilm.
Behind the scenes, it seemed the network lost confidence fast. Critics didn’t love it, and neither did test audiences. There were also rumors that production issues made things chaotic from the start. Today, even big TV fans can’t always remember this one existed adds Screen Rant.
2. Manimal (1983)
Even the name sounds like a punchline, but Manimal was a real show about a man who could morph into animals to fight crime. As wild as that sounds, it only lasted eight episodes on NBC. It was meant to be a sci-fi sensation, but viewers were more confused than captivated says Wikipedia.
The special effects were ambitious for the time, but the plot didn’t hold up week to week. Critics weren’t kind, and audiences just didn’t tune in. It aired during a tough time slot, competing against Dallas, which didn’t help either. In the end, Manimal became a cult curiosity more than a remembered hit adds IMDb.
3. Cavemen (2007)
Remember those Geico commercials with the cavemen? ABC thought they’d make for a full-on sitcom. Spoiler alert, it did not go well. Cavemen made it just six episodes before getting yanked, though thirteen were produced in total.
The show tried to be clever and satirical, but it came across as awkward and clunky. Critics panned it from the beginning, calling it tone-deaf and cringeworthy. Even the original ad creators distanced themselves. It quickly became a cautionary tale about stretching a joke too far.
4. The Paul Reiser Show (2011)
After his success with Mad About You, Paul Reiser returned to TV with this semi-autobiographical sitcom. But NBC canceled it after just two episodes, making it one of the shortest-lived comebacks in recent memory. The show followed Reiser navigating post-fame life, but it didn’t land with viewers.
It was supposed to be a fresh, meta take on aging in Hollywood, but the humor didn’t click. Reiser himself later admitted the network didn’t promote it well. It also aired in a tough Thursday night slot. Blink and you definitely missed it.
5. My So-Called Life (1994)
This one actually had a strong cult following, but it still got the axe after just nineteen episodes. Starring a young Claire Danes as angsty teen Angela Chase, the show hit an emotional nerve with its raw take on adolescence. Sadly, that wasn’t enough to keep it on ABC’s lineup.
The network wanted better ratings, and Danes wasn’t keen on continuing either. Still, fans were heartbroken, especially since it ended on a major cliffhanger. Over the years, it’s become a symbol of shows that were canceled too soon. But despite the love, it’s still one many forget ever aired.
6. The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer (1998)
This UPN sitcom stirred up controversy before it even aired, thanks to its bizarre premise, a Black British manservant to Abraham Lincoln. The idea alone had critics and viewers cringing. Only four episodes made it to air before it was swiftly canceled.
Protests and outrage overshadowed any chance the show had. Even if you could ignore the premise, the humor fell completely flat. It was meant to be irreverent, but it came across as offensive. Today, it’s mostly remembered as a massive misstep.
7. Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)
Though it launched the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Linda Cardellini, Freaks and Geeks only lasted one season. NBC didn’t quite know what to do with the show’s slow pace and subtle humor. Only twelve episodes aired during the original run, with six more shown later.
Viewers didn’t immediately latch on, but critics praised its realistic take on high school life. It’s since become a cult classic, but at the time, it flew under the radar. Bad scheduling and limited promotion didn’t help either. Now it’s more famous for being canceled than for its brief time on air.
8. Work It (2012)
ABC gave this cross-dressing comedy a shot, but it bombed hard after just two episodes. The plot involved two men dressing as women to land jobs, which was outdated and tone-deaf even then. Critics tore it apart, and audiences weren’t impressed either.
It was trying to tap into the spirit of Bosom Buddies, but it lacked charm and insight. The jokes didn’t land, and the premise rubbed many the wrong way. ABC quietly pulled it before more damage could be done. It disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared.
9. Quarterlife (2008)
Originally a web series, Quarterlife was picked up by NBC during the writers’ strike as a fresh take on millennial angst. But it set a record for one of the lowest-rated debuts in primetime history. After just one episode, it was canceled and shuffled off to Bravo.
It followed 20-somethings trying to figure out life, love, and careers, but it didn’t resonate with a wide audience. Some found it whiny, while others thought it was trying too hard to be deep. NBC hoped to cash in on its internet success, but it didn’t translate. It’s mostly forgotten now, even by those who watched the original online version.
10. Do No Harm (2013)
NBC had high hopes for this Jekyll-and-Hyde-inspired medical drama. But after two episodes, it was history. It followed a brilliant neurosurgeon with an evil alter ego, but the execution just didn’t work.
Viewers found it too over-the-top to take seriously. Ratings were dismal, with the premiere pulling in historically low numbers. NBC quickly pulled the plug, making it one of the shortest dramas ever aired. Today, even die-hard medical drama fans rarely remember it existed.
11. Lone Star (2010)
This slick con man drama was supposed to be Fox’s answer to Mad Men. It had great reviews and a promising cast, but barely anyone tuned in. After just two episodes, it was gone.
Critics loved its style and complex storytelling, but it was probably too smart for its own good. The network couldn’t justify keeping it with such low ratings. It’s one of those shows that may have thrived on cable instead. Sadly, it never got the chance to grow.
12. The Grinder (2015–2016)
Starring Rob Lowe and Fred Savage, The Grinder had a fun premise: a TV lawyer (Lowe) returns home thinking he can practice real law after playing one on screen. It was smart, self-aware, and had a lot of charm. Despite solid reviews and a strong cast, it was canceled after just one season on Fox.
The humor was a little offbeat, which may have been too niche for mainstream audiences. It struggled to find its footing in the ratings even though critics praised it. Lowe was clearly having a blast, and Savage brought heart, but that wasn’t enough to save it. It’s one of those shows people still talk about fondly, even if most never gave it a shot.
13. The Beautiful Life: TBL (2009)
This CW drama about high-fashion models starred Mischa Barton and was produced by Ashton Kutcher. But even star power couldn’t save it. After just two episodes, it was canceled, making it one of the shortest CW shows ever.
The writing didn’t resonate, and viewers weren’t buying the glossy world it tried to sell. It lacked depth and struggled to compete with other teen dramas airing at the time. Critics weren’t kind, and the ratings were worse. Now it’s mostly remembered as a footnote in Barton’s career.