Cool Shows Gone Too Soon
TV Squad recalls some favorite TV shows that will never see the light of day via a DVD release. Here’s my list of short-lived shows that were cool, great, or unique (although at least one of them is indeed available on DVD):
- “Spy Game” lasted only a few episodes, but they were cool. It was 1997, and the end of the Cold War left quite a few secret agents looking for new challenges; this series focused on two of them, and had a really cool theme tune (anyone know where to find it?).
- “The Destroyer” lasted only one episode, sadly; it was based on the pulp-like long-running series of “Destroyer” books, and was launched a few years after the cult hit (and fave of mine) “Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins.”
- “The Flash” was a one-season wonder that did a great job with special effects; it was done following the incredible success of the 1989 “Batman” movie, and was just as slick, colorful, and stylized. Bonus: theme music by Danny Elfman!
- “Buddy Faro” featured Dennis Farina in his pre-Law & Order (but post-Get Shorty) days as a swinging P.I. in the 1990s who pretty much never left behind the “Rat Pack” lifestyle and attitude.
So. What short-lived TV shows do you miss? Which ones would you be willing to pay for via a DVD release?
Then Came Bronson. Loved that show.
SportsNight. I know it is one that comes up often, and it did make it to a second season… just, but it is one I always think of when I think of good shows cut short.
Do British shows count? Fawlty Towers comes to mind.
I started watching “Dark Skies” when it came on, and because of frequent pre-emptions, I neve quite figured out if it was any good or not.
Then there were both incarnations of “Night Stalker,” the one in the 1970s with Darren McGavin that went one season, and the remake that only got through five episodes last year.
Sledge Hammer.
Oh, man…Police Squad!
I have two series. One I have on DVD and the other I will get sooner rather than later.
Nero Wolfe and Crime Story. I have Nero Wolfe on DVD and I’m looking into getting Crime Story pretty soon.
I like Nero Wolfe because of the great acting combined with excellent writing and some great period sets.
I’m still lamenting the day Crime Story was cancelled. How could you not like a series that had great writing and a stable of outstanding actors such as Dennis Farina, Gary Sinese, Pam Grier, Ted Levine, Bill Smitrovich, Michael Madsen and the president himself, Dennis Haysbert. There were a few episodes which featured Andrew Dice Clay and David Caruso but they’re like Rocky IV. They never happened, right?
Crime Story…I never watched it, but when Dave mentioned Dennis Farina, I thought of it, but couldn’t remember the name. I think that was produced by Michael Mann, when he was at the peak of his success with Miami Vice, right?
My question is this: Is Dennis Farina a jinx?
Yes, Crime Story was a Michael Mann vehicle back in the Miami Vice days.
Is Dennis Farina a jinx? I don’t know I never thought about it before. I suppose someone could make an argument for that but he is for the most part a character actor and not usually asked to carry the script.