9 Network TV Shows That Deserved More Seasons

Traditional network TV seasons usually have more episodes than streaming series, but even with a longer run, many shows didn’t last. Lots of promising series, even those with dedicated fans, were canceled too soon before they could fully develop.

With so many shows getting spin-offs or being brought back, it seems like nothing truly ends on television. However, these continuations rarely recapture the magic of the original series. Many promising shows didn’t get enough time to find their audience – even after a couple of seasons, they were still cut short.

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip

2006-2007, 1 Season

I really think Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 didn’t get the recognition it deserved. It had everything I loved about The West Wing – that fast-paced, clever dialogue and that optimistic, hopeful feeling. Plus, the cast was incredible! Seeing Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Sarah Paulson, and Amanda Peet all together, I honestly thought it would be a huge, long-running hit.

NBC canceled the show after just one season. It may have created a lot of excitement, especially following the success of The West Wing and with its impressive cast, but it couldn’t maintain that initial buzz. Aaron Sorkin has a very distinct style, so if you’ve watched one of his shows, you pretty much know what to expect from the others.

If that’s true, shows like it should have been just as popular as The West Wing. It’s too bad Studio 60 didn’t get a chance because it was constantly compared to The West Wing and ultimately cancelled.

Lie To Me

2009-2011, 3 Seasons

Before shows like Poker Face became popular, there was Lie to Me. It featured interesting characters, suspenseful storylines, and was based on actual science – specifically, the study of micro-expressions by Dr. Paul Ekman, who served as a consultant. The show centered around a quirky protagonist who could detect lies, blending elements of House and Criminal Minds, though it didn’t achieve the same level of success as either. Unfortunately, it was canceled after just three seasons.

The show’s first two seasons were consistently suspenseful, sometimes even feeling like a horror story – which was surprisingly bold for a crime show. Season three took a darker turn, and the usually careful character of Cal Lightman started acting much more recklessly. While this change in tone didn’t quite succeed, the show could have potentially benefited from exploring it further if it had continued.

Freaks And Geeks

1999-2000, 1 Season

Despite being critically acclaimed, Freaks and Geeks was canceled by NBC after just 12 episodes, even though six more had already been filmed. Those final six episodes later aired on Fox, completing the show’s 18-episode run. While it didn’t achieve mainstream success during its original broadcast, Freaks and Geeks has since gained a dedicated cult following, proving that a show’s strengths don’t always translate to immediate popularity.

Popular teen dramas at the time usually focused on attractive and popular characters. A show centered on the less popular kids of Stranger Things – without the supernatural elements – faced an uphill battle competing with hits like Dawson’s Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

It’s disappointing the show was cancelled, because what really connected with audiences about Freaks and Geeks was its portrayal of often-overlooked high school students. It showed them with honesty and respect, without talking down to them.

The Following

2013-2015, 3 Seasons

The show The Following began with a lot of promise – a cult inspired by Edgar Allan Poe is usually a good starting point. However, as the show got worse, it also became less popular. It relied heavily on unexpected plot twists, but these quickly became unbelievable, and there were simply too many of them.

I was really disappointed when The Following ended after season three, especially since they finally took out Joe Carroll. It felt like they could have done so much more! Killing him off was the perfect moment to start a whole new storyline, one that wasn’t so over-the-top and stayed a little more grounded in reality. If they’d just given it another season, I think they could have really turned things around.

Even though it wasn’t perfect, The Following stood out for its surprising level of intensity for a network television show, and Kevin Bacon delivered a captivating performance as the troubled Ryan Hardy. It’s a shame the show didn’t get another chance to recapture the initial spark that made it so gripping.

Sports Night

1998-2000, 2 Seasons

It’s a shame another Aaron Sorkin show, Sports Night, didn’t last longer. What made it special was its unique blend of comedy and drama. Like The West Wing and Studio 60, it had Sorkin’s signature fast-paced dialogue and witty humor, but it was presented as a half-hour comedy. While Sorkin is best known for drama, his shows always include funny moments—sometimes even entire episodes that feel lighthearted. Sports Night really highlighted that often-overlooked side of his writing.

Like many shows, Sports Night‘s strengths ultimately led to its end. It was a unique blend of drama and comedy at a time when networks weren’t sure how to handle such shows, which created a problem for ABC. However, the timing of its cancellation also coincided with the start of The West Wing, and Aaron Sorkin likely would have shifted his focus to that show anyway.

The New Adventures Of Old Christine

2006-2010, 5 Seasons

The show Old Christine is great because it allows Julia Louis-Dreyfus to truly showcase her comedic talent. She perfectly blends dry wit and relatable awkwardness, making the show feel honest and like she’s sharing a secret with viewers. At its heart, The New Adventures of Old Christine is all about that connection.

Five seasons felt way too short for this show – it was seriously special! I loved that Old Christine offered a really unique female point of view, something you didn’t see much of back in the mid-2000s. Apparently, the showrunner, Kari Lizer, thinks CBS cancelled it because they weren’t comfortable with a story about a woman starting over. She mentioned this in an interview with Digital Spy, and it makes a lot of sense to me – it was ahead of its time!

Firefly

2002, 1 Season

I was absolutely obsessed with Firefly, but it felt like it was fighting an uphill battle from the very beginning. Fox really messed things up by airing the episodes all out of order – they even showed the Serenity episode, which was actually meant to be the two-hour pilot that would introduce the show, after the series had already started! Sadly, Fox only let it run for 11 episodes before canceling it. Luckily, the Sci-Fi Channel in the UK eventually showed the last three episodes that were made, so at least we got the full story… almost.

Thankfully, the show Firefly didn’t leave viewers with a frustrating cliffhanger, which is remarkable given its short run. While some storylines were left open-ended, strong fan support led to a follow-up movie, Serenity, which resolved a few of them.

Despite being a high-quality show from the very beginning, Firefly was unfortunately canceled. This space western wasn’t just entertaining—it offered compelling characters and influenced both the science fiction and character-driven drama genres, all in just 14 episodes.

Mr. Sunshine

2011, 1 Season

Mr. Sunshine was full of interesting characters and could have been very funny. The show cleverly used its location – a large sports arena – to create a lively and unpredictable world, featuring everything from mascots and animals to golf carts and a wide range of events like weddings, funerals, and even a circus.

While all the fun stuff was happening, it really highlighted the unique personalities of the people who worked at the Sunshine Center. They were a quirky group, and the show felt a little strange at first – similar to the early episodes of The Office, before you get used to everyone’s oddities.

Unlike The Office, Mr. Sunshine wasn’t given enough time to find its audience. ABC canceled the show, starring Matthew Perry, after just nine episodes aired. An additional four episodes had been completed and were later released on DVD.

Designated Survivor

2016-2019, 3 Seasons

When it first began, Designated Survivor skillfully combined gripping suspense with a sincere look at politics. The show was strongest when it focused on how becoming President unexpectedly changed Tom Kirkman’s character and actions.

President Kirkman, new to the intense world of campaigning, prioritizes what’s best for the nation, without being limited by political maneuvering. The continuing investigation into the attack adds tension and drives the story forward.

The show’s direction changed when Netflix revived Designated Survivor for a final season after ABC canceled it. As a streaming series, it delved deeper into themes of deceit, backstabbing, and political corruption. This focus on the darker side of politics overshadowed the strong sense of ethics that had initially made the show stand out.

2025-12-06 20:07