1. Alien Nation (1989-1990): This series was largely a metaphor for race relations dealing with issues of prejudice and racism. By having a group of alien newcomers land on Earth and then adapt to our World was a great idea for a series. The show, based on the earlier 1988 film, would only last one season but would spawn 5 TV movies as well, most of which weren't too bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKNc1nORBz0
The List
1. Alien Nation (1989-1990)
2. Police Squad! (1982)
3. Firefly (2002)
4. Johnny Staccato (1959-1960)
5. The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993-1994)
6. When Things Were Rotten (1975)
7. Do Over (2002)
8. Second Chance (1977)
9. Andy Richter Controls the Universe (2002-2003)
10. Grosse Pointe (2000-2001)
11. Battlestar Galactica (1978-1979)
12. Danger Theatre (1993)
13. The Honeymooners (1955-1956)
14. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)
15. Mister Terrific (1967)
16. Captain Nice (1967)
17. Blade: The Series (2006)
18. Charlie Jade (2005)
19. Miracles (2003)
20. The Tick (2001-2002)
21. Photon (1984)
22. The Lone Gunmen (2001)
23. Harsh Realm (1999-2000)
24. VR.5 (1995)
25. The Silver Surfer (1998)
26. Space Rangers (1993)
27. Tate (1960)
28. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992-1993)
29. Mr. Merlin (1981-1982)
30. Cop Rock (1990)
31. The Omega Factor (1979)
32. The Dresden Files (2007)
33. Wonderfalls (2004)
34. The Others (2000)
35. Korgoth of Barbaria (2006)
36. Three's A Crowd (1984-1985)
37. Fantasy Island (1998-1999)
38. Brimstone (1998-1999)
39. The Visitor (1997-1998)
40. Vengeance Unlimited (1998-1999)
41. Andy Barker, P.I. (2007)
42. Alcatraz (2012)
43. The River (2012)
44. The Flash (1990-1991)
45. RoboCop: The Series (1994)
46. M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994-1995)
2. Police Squad!
One of the most hilarious tv series ever; it lasted a whopping 6 episodes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLXyC1cuN3M
3. Firefly
Ozzymandias speaks: Johnny Staccato (1959-60)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9N-xaaVNU8
Ozzymandias has spoken!!!
(http://images.zap2it.com/images/tv-EP00080695/the-adventures-of-brisco-county-jr-7.jpg)
This was a fun series that mixed the old west with a bit of sci-fi and a touch of Indiana Jones....I loved it.
6- WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z77/alandhopewell/cast.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Things_Were_Rotten
Much, MUCH funnier than ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS.
I used to like Do Over; It was canceled before the season was finished. :bluesad:
I used to like this gameshow, and it only lasted 3 months in 1977:
8. Second Chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WU-9UO4LA
Andy Riecter's Universe
Grosse Pointe
Both were funny but too smart.
If it counts, the original Battlestar Galatica was one season, then a year gap before it was revived as Galatica 1980, the latter of which is infamously bad!
12- The late, lamented DANGER THEATER....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danger_Theatre
13. The Honeymooners
(http://www.crazyabouttv.com/ImagesTwo/honeymooners.jpg)
Even though the characters were on the Jackie Gleason Show it only had one season as a series of its own.
Quote from: retrorussell on March 30, 2012, 01:47:58 PM
I used to like this gameshow, and it only lasted 3 months in 1977:
8. Second Chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WU-9UO4LA
This was brought back in the 80's in a slightly different format, as PRESS YOUR LUCK....
(http://wiw.org/~jess/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/press.gif)
Yes, I fondly remember PYL. That was on for 3 seasons. So I went with the original, which wasn't as good but deserved longer than 3 weeks.
14. Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000): very, very good show teen drama series that should have lasted a lot longer. Many of its stars went on to greater movie success. I love this show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IopHL3auzNQ
15 & 16- MR. TERRIFIC and CAPTAIN NICE-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llY1rvs31Ps
(http://cdn102.iofferphoto.com/img/item/115/575/293/mr-terrific-1967-entire-series-on-dvd-5371f.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF-BwHjJyKU
(http://www.crazyabouttv.com/Images/captainnice.jpg)
These shows started on the same day, ran for one season , then went off the air.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Terrific_(TV_series)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Nice
Blade: The Series
Often overlooked because of the movies and the fact that it ran on Spike TV. Well done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WKWv59zn-U
Kevin
Charlie Jade
One of the most unique TV series you will ever see.
A self contained story that plays out over 20 episodes. It's part scifi and part mystery. It expects you to pay very close attention to details. Not a lot of action here. The score and the cinematography are both a big part of the experience.
Very, very few people have ever heard of this Canadian/South African co-production because it never aired in its entirety in the US and there was never a region 1 DVD release. However, it is now available to stream on Hulu and Netflix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjRHXgJVQcA
Kevin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracles_(TV_series)
(http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq95/chronodvd/TV%20Series/Miracles.jpg)
This was an insanely good program, ran for only thirteen episodes in 2003, but most people have never even heard of it.
20) The Tick (2001-2002): This short-lived live-action version of the popular comic book hero who'd previously had a successful animated series - The Tick. This version starred Patrick Warburton, previously of Seinfeld fame, as The Tick, David Burke as Arthur, Nestor Carbonell as Batmanuel and Liz Vassey as Captain Liberty. Despite being a fun and funny show pretty close in vein to its comic and animated predecessors, this show unfortunately only lasted 9 episodes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdXtLigz2pU
21. Photon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PIMquC33X0
22) The Lone Gunmen (2001): Spin-off series from The X-Files featuring three recurring characters on the series that were part of a geeky conspiracy magazine, this show should have lasted much longer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM1Gren46LU
23) Harsh Realm (1999-2000): Another series from Chris Carter that proved too short-lived (mainly because it didn't get good ratings). It focused on the story of humans trapped in a most unpleasant virtual reality simulation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gowPOYHm9Ok
24-VR-5, a quirky FOX show that lasted one season.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VR.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fXK8LYrF2k
25) The Silver Surfer (1998): I thought this cartoon was very well written and delved into areas rarely explored on Saturday morning kids cartoons especially involving moral and ethical dilemmas. Was very disappointed when it was cancelled after just one season. Several episodes of Season Two were actually scripted but the series was cancelled due to bankruptcy at Marvel so they were never made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POgaWcvNnPY
26) Space Rangers: Six episodes in 1993
In the year 2104 the Earth colony Fort Hope on the distant planet Avalon struggles to survive. The series concentrates on Captain John Boon and his team of Rangers: a small force of police/marines that are the first, last and only line of defense for the colonists against crime and interstellar perils.
Captain John Boon (Jeff Kaake) (All hero in the Flash Gordon mode)
Doc Kreuger (Jack McGee)
Jojo Thorsen (Marjorie Monaghan) (An Amazon/Valkyrie in red leather!)
Zylyn (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) (Had a cool 'samurai' thing going)
Daniel Kincaid (Danny Quinn)
Dr Mimmer (Clint Howard) (Quirky!)
Commander Chennault (Linda Hunt) (As only Linda Hunt could play a Commander: foreshadows her current role in NCIS)
Colonel Erich Weiss (Gottfried John)
Slingships (provided some cool fast transit and battle sequences) and Banshees (formidable spacefaring predators) are just two of the reasons this one was so much good plain fun. It successfully walked a fine line between all-out realism and comic-book heroes. Left us wishing it had continued. :bluesad:
Ozzymandias speaks: Tate was a summer replacement for Perry Como's variety show. Como's production company produced it and even had his sponsor, Kraft. It is a Western about a bounty hunter with a prosthetic arm. This is the only clip I could find of the show, although it turns up on most of the Mill Creek boxes. This is a famous episode where a guy hires Tate. It turns out he wants Tate to kill his brother-in-law, played by Robert Redford. I believe the guy also wants the sister killed as well. They wander into hostile territory where settlers homes are being burned by Apaches or Commanches or (judging from this clip) Vulcans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9OmBF7qyw
Ozzymandias has spoken!!!
Gotta give some love to THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLES.
Great mash-up of history and swashbuckling!
I have to throw some cheese in here. Give it up for Mr. Merlin.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/MrMerlin.jpg)
And now for one of the most seriously WTF series that ever was:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/Cop-rock.jpg)
Yeah, a musical police drama. Lasted 11 episodes. As strange as it was to see people in a cop drama suddenly break out into song and dance, I have to say it had decent production values and you gotta give it kudos for being one of the most ambitious shows in history.
I have to give my vote to the seriously creepy BBC TV series The Omega Factor (1979) which lasted only one season but still managed to scare the #2 out of anyone that watched it. It should be mandatory viewing for any person that wants to be involved with the occult in any way: watch this series and you will never play with an Ouija board or anything like that. :buggedout: :buggedout:
32) The Dresden Files (2007) was a lot of fun for twelve episodes. A Chicago-based wizard as a private investigator. Reasonably faithful to the books: it kept the story lines and general 'feel' intact. :thumbup:
33) Wonderfalls (2004) was quirky, quick, clever, VERY funny and a lot of fun. One of the best things on TV! The trials and tribulations of Jaye: an under-achiever with oddball family and friends who has random inanimate objects talking to her, offering cryptic comments and advice that sets all sorts of hilarious action in motion. Hard to describe, but will not disappoint! Greatly missed: one season was not enough
34) The Others (2000) thirteen episodes. Follows a student who reluctantly discovers she has psychic powers and the group of variously-talented psychic misfits she becomes part of. Thoughtfully presented: had a real 'true to life' feel to it, considering the premise. Tobe Hooper directed one episode.
35. This didn't even have a series, just a pilot episode.. pretty funny though!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYJ8G_ou6Dc
I know they weren't everyone's cup of tea but I really enjoyed quite a bit of the two Three's Company spin-offs and recall them being quite funny at times while a little tougher slogging at others. One of these - Three's a Crowd only went one season.
36. Three's A Crowd (1984-1985): similar to the Robin's Nest spin-off of Man About the House, Three's a Crowd never quite caught on quite possibly because it just wasn't the same as its predecessor Three's Company
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/Tac_logo.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoNPvpomtHM
In 1998 ABC decided to remake Fantasy Island. I enjoyed it, but it only lasted 13 episodes.
Brimstone _ Peter Horton will get a reprieve from Hell if he can hunt down the 113 souls that have escaped. The devil is played deliciously by John Glover
The Visitor John Corbett returns to earth after being nabbed by aliens in the Bermuda Triangle 50 years ago. He remains young and has the power to heal.
Quote from: Newt on April 30, 2012, 07:10:15 AM
32) The Dresden Files (2007) was a lot of fun for twelve episodes. A Chicago-based wizard as a private investigator. Reasonably faithful to the books: it kept the story lines and general 'feel' intact. :thumbup:
Yeah, I liked that show too. Stupid SyFy channel.
40 (?) - VENGEANCE UNLIMITED (1998-99) The mercenary Mr. Chapel (Michael Madsen) tortures criminals with his gal pal Griffin (Kathleen York). I still miss this show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wFX1m_9u3M
41. ANDY BARKER, PI - ran for about 5 episodes. Wasn't quite as creative as Andy Richter Controls the Universe, but still really fun. Richter just can't catch a break.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIYwKkQ2OIw
Quote from: Newt on April 30, 2012, 07:14:44 AM
33) Wonderfalls (2004) was quirky, quick, clever, VERY funny and a lot of fun. One of the best things on TV! The trials and tribulations of Jaye: an under-achiever with oddball family and friends who has random inanimate objects talking to her, offering cryptic comments and advice that sets all sorts of hilarious action in motion. Hard to describe, but will not disappoint! Greatly missed: one season was not enough
that was a great, quirky show. If I remember correctly it ran for several episodes and was put on 'temporary hiatus', never to return. I believe a DVD set of the complete one season was released.
You can now officially add:
42) Alcatraz
43) The River
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzd7rymBBJ1qafjjbo1_500.gif)
THE FLASH. Cheesy, but fun. I'm not sure John Wesley Shipp was the best choice to play Barry Allen/The Flash. But he was decent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eea2wUO4z28
Quote from: Raffine on May 16, 2012, 09:59:43 AM
Quote from: Newt on April 30, 2012, 07:14:44 AM
33) Wonderfalls (2004) was quirky, quick, clever, VERY funny and a lot of fun. One of the best things on TV! The trials and tribulations of Jaye: an under-achiever with oddball family and friends who has random inanimate objects talking to her, offering cryptic comments and advice that sets all sorts of hilarious action in motion. Hard to describe, but will not disappoint! Greatly missed: one season was not enough
that was a great, quirky show. If I remember correctly it ran for several episodes and was put on 'temporary hiatus', never to return. I believe a DVD set of the complete one season was released.
Indeed it was Raffine. We bought the set (ostensibly a gift for our eldest, but we all watch it) and keep a cow creamer next to the computer. :wink: We live about an hour from the Falls: we dream of one day having our own Wax Lion! :bouncegiggle:
I loved The Flash...surprised I forgot to mention that one myself. Kinda surprising the show didn't take off like the later Lois & Clark did. I recall being surprised they went with the Barry Allen version of the Flash over the Wally West one back when the series started.
Speaking of superhero series, I recall enjoying these two:
45) RoboCop: The Series (1994): granted it was toned down quite a bit from the films but still there's a surprising amount of clever parody and satire of the corporate world. Many of the villains actually felt a bit more similar to Dick Tracy yet I thought the show was fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7h2IZQetVU
46) M.A.N.T.I.S. (1994-1995): An unusual superhero series in that it takes a wheelchair bound Carl Lumbly and turns him into a superhero via a special exoskeleton suit (not too dissimiliar from Iron Man) that also gives him enhanced abilities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n2qVBv0yi0
46) Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982-83)
Yeah, it was an Indiana Jones rip-off but I liked it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdFN6agkNnQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdFN6agkNnQ)
47) Kolchak: The Night Stalker
How did we miss this?
48) Blondie - In the 50's Hal Roach Jr. produced a show based on the long running comic strip and movie series. Funny, but only lasted one season.
Rounding out the top 50:
49. SQUARE PEGS (1982-83 season)
Great high school comedy starring Sarah Jessica Parker. Struggled in ratings against REAL PEOPLE.
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luEarr2AGOo#)
50. VOYAGERS! (1982-83 season)
Cool time-travel show with a young kid from the present along with a young man from the past (Jon-Erik Hexum, who died a couple years later in an accident with a gun on the set of his show COVER UP).
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ei5MSAuOeU#)
50) The Time Tunnel
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDowitqL1Rc#)
51) The Adventures of Sir Lancelot
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfAUnCrRdvQ#)
52) V
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQoSCEMzJYE#)
53) V :wink:
! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa2aCC-1JEs#)
54. Endgame - a Canadian series about an agoraphobic chess master who can't leave the hotel outside which his wife was murdered.
55. Minority Report: based on the novel. Not bad at all.
56) Time After Time - Meant to compete with Timeless. 12 episodes produced, 5 were shown on ABC before the series was canned. All have been shown outside the US. HG Wells follows Jack the Ripper to the present. Based on the novel, which was made into a movie in 1979.
I agree with most picks here, except firefly. That show ran one season too long.
Here are my picks.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightmare_Cafe
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO_(TV_series)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_(TV_series)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Cops
60. PLANET OF THE APES (1974)
Sure it was corny-but It sure beat junk like the MAC DAVIS SHOW or TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN.
http://youtu.be/Q-wCImOruQI (http://youtu.be/Q-wCImOruQI)
http://www.businessinsider.com/25-best-one-season-tv-shows-of-the-last-25-years-2017-8/#14-grosse-pointe-2000-2001-12 (http://www.businessinsider.com/25-best-one-season-tv-shows-of-the-last-25-years-2017-8/#14-grosse-pointe-2000-2001-12)
Here is what the Business Insiders has to say. I have only watched a few from this list.
LOVED the omega factor and nightmare cafe in particular. also loved bedlam, the strange calls and believe.
someday, maybe my next life, i'll be rich enough to own a studio and say" hey, i don't give a tinker's hot one what the ratings say, I'LL keep making this show! "
and i will re-up about a jillion miniseries, especially from the uk, like west end stories.
61
Deadly Games
I really liked this is a youngster
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadly_Games (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadly_Games)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111937/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111937/)
62
Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire.
63. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
Weirdly; I cant find the intro to this on youtube...but its brilliant xD
64. Space Above & Beyond.