Agree? Disagree?
Did we miss out your favorite hidden TV gem, that was taken from us before it had the chance to find its audience? Or did we want to send a show you love off to the Sarlacc pit that is TV hell? If you have strong thoughts on this topic let us know what they are in the comments below.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
44 responses to “5 TV shows that died too soon (and 5 that should be killed)”
I disagree with the big bang theory. I also watch silicon valley but I laugh a lot with big bang
disagree with big bang theory…it is still very much amusing..
seriously two and a half men and big bang theory are two of the funniest shows in the past 15 years
I still think it is weird that there is a TV post on CoM, or why Luke is supposed to be a reputable source on TV quality.. That said, I agree with most of the Good, but not many of the Bad. Simpsons is still great for those that watch (which is a lot). Sure there were great episodes in the 90’s but I still watch weekly and it is by far “lurches around”. And comparing to South Park isn’t fair. I love south park, but they have done merely 247 episodes. Half of the Simpsons, and they aren’t always great either. And Shield also has been great at the end of the season. Started great, plummeted, then got really good towards the end. There are SO many worse TV shows out there right now. And not even the reality ones. Almost any comedy on CBS (all have “laugh tracks”) would fit better.
I agree about the Simpsons and South Park. And even South Park follows the same “formula” every week – something happens, usually relate to current events, the adults exaggerate it to stupid levels, usually led by Randy, Stan and Kyle are the voice of reason and Cartman tries to take advantage of the situation. I still love watching the show, but its not any better or worse than the Simpsons or a bunch of other shows.
I thought about the South Park analogy, but I’d say it’s perfectly fair because South Park now is leagues better than The Simpsons was in, say, 2005, when it was of a comparable age.
I think there have been quite a few really bad South Park episodes lately. And several really good Simpsons ones. Like the Lego episode was great. I think Simpsons is like SNL. Every 5-10 years, everyone always says it was better 5-10 years ago. Yet objectively compared to what else is on at the time, it is still better than the average.
I think you might have published this to the wrong blog.
I disagree with posting this to the CoM blog :) Also disagree with Marvel: AoS. It may not have quite the writing talent that the big movies have, but I find it an interesting look at what’s going on during the shakeup at SHIELD, with Hydra etc. I like the characters too.
Also, Big Bang Theory = Penny… ’nuff said.
I watch Big Bang just for the hot blond.. I thought that was why most guys watched it.. lol
I think its just become the “in” thing to bash the Simpsons. Maybe its not what it used to be, but its still better than 95 percent of the crap on TV.
I definitely think the amount of Simpsons bashers have increased, but I think it is fair to hold some shows/movies/companies etc. to a higher standard than others. Would you expect more from a new Apple product than you would from a Kickstarter project? Sure. If you’re a film fan, do you have higher expectations when you walk into a Martin Scorsese movie than you do when you watch a random action flick on Netflix with a beer and some pizza? I’d say so. The reason The Simpsons is notable is because it could once hold a very real claim to being the funniest thing on television. Now it’s not even close. I was a massive fan of the show, which is why it may hurt that much more.
Firefly, ah yes. Such a great show caught in a bad situation. I still go back and watch episodes from time to time.
Props for mentioning Pushing Daisies, don’t think I ever hear anyone talking about that one.
And yes, HBO’s Silicon Valley is roughly a billion times better, ha.
Props for putting up another stupid post that has nothing to do with Apple. 2nd TV Post in a day. Wtf?
I’m wondering what this article has to do with Apple/Macs. I see no relevance.
I don’t disagree with The Big Bang Theory, but believe they should end it for different reasons. I think they’re running out of material. The earlier seasons were much better. Now, all the guys except Raj have girlfriends and they’re just running out of good situations to put the characters in. This last season reminded me a lot of the last couple seasons of Friends – just no where left to go.
That’s a large part of a lot of the shows that have declined significantly, and one of the main reasons we look on shows like Breaking Bad and The Wire so fondly. Does anyone think Breaking Bad season 25 would have been as good as season 3 or 4? Almost certainly not. Shows need to know when to quit.
+ on Firefly and Pushing Up Daisies. Might I add another obscure series: Wonderfalls. Though luckily the original run has a good closure to it.
I’m on the fence about Mixology, though :-)
YES! I was going to recommend Wonderfalls as well. Loved it, Pushing Daisies, and Firefly. Also was into Dollhouse too. (and Dark Angel!)
I still enjoy Simpsons and Big Bang Theory plenty as well. (but yes, please lose the laugh tracks!)
Considering the comparison of Star Trek with two and a half men and the Big Bang theory, this is the most amusing and idiotic review I have seen since my birth. Please fire this reviewer right away for good!!
A slightly unnecessarily angry response, perhaps? In what sense was I comparing Star Trek and Two and a Half Men? Other than saying that one was good and taken off the air, while the other was bad and remains on it.
Two and a half men and Big Bang theory are comic stuff and when you say they should be taken out of air, I doubt your sense of humour and I am shocked by your mixture of genre.. For example, I will not put James Cameroon movies in a list with rio series and say the former is best and latter should be thrown out..
you think big bang theory and two and a half men are great comedies? they both use the same jokes over and over that sitcoms have been using since their inception. stuff that a lot of shows clearly mock. any show with a laugh track (‘live’ or recorded) is a sign that its not very good. i’d say he probably has better taste in comedies than you do simply because he discredits those shows & sees them for what they are
What is a good comedy show according to you ? Name one pls
Agree. Also, cancel all reality, dating, talent and other shows while we’re at it. Its embarrassing for the US. (except for Top Chef. Thats a keeper)
I’d give my right nut to get Firefly back. Left one for Deadwood.
Ahh pushing daisies was so good! All live comedies are terrible (big bang theory and two and half men), pumped up fake laugh tracks must go away!!
How many times do I have to tell people, the Big Bang Theory is filmed in front of a live audience. I know because I’ve been in the audience. You’ve been on Reddit too much if this is what you’re complaining about.
Deadwood, hell yes. One of HBO’s best series ever, but it didn’t live as long as True Blood, wtf?
Not sure about keeping Dollhouse and Pushing Daisies but I wish Two and a half men died mid-season 2 and the world would be a better place without Big Bang Theory.
What is this, Mushfeedable?
Ok, I’m finally sympathizing with the haters. Why is this pointless listacle on cult of mac?
Man do I disagree about Big Bang Theory! I love that show, it’s not true to life in any scenario, but has quirky fun characters that I have grown to love. Silicon Valley is great too, and my husband who is a certified nerd loves both as well. As far as shows that should have stayed around “My Name is Earl” that show was freaking hilarious. Makes me angry it’s not on still.
I actually enjoyed Two and a Half Men when Charlie Sheen was on it. I know it’s a dumb show but he was entertaining. The show should have been killed when he was fired, though. It’s almost like they are simply continuing out of spite. The Big Bang Theory is also funny. I hate the laugh track and it’s not exactly an accurate portrayal of nerd culture, but sometimes it’s downright hilarious! Oh and Firefly was over-rated. It wasn’t really that good, sorry.
The Big Bang Theory isn’t a laugh track, it is a live audience, and it is still witty and engaging. Agents of Shield had a rocky patch, but is awesome. Dollhouse didn’t know what it wanted to be. Two and a Half Men should have just had a final season after Charlie left, but it isn’t the worse show on Television, for that you simply need to look at ABC and NBC, which can’t seem to find quality, even if it bites them in the ass.
The author pans “Two and a Half Men” and, perhaps, deservedly so but he offers no explanation. I agree with his assessment of “The Simpsions.” I ditched that show in ’05.
If anything Big Bang Theory has gotten better over the years
The author mentions Joss Wheadon at every turn. That’s suspicious.
And that was CBS, not the CBC. Somebody must be catching up on their Canadian TV again. ‘Nuff said …
Disagree with the Big Bang Theory, I think it is the funniest show on television now
Go …. yourself for putting Two and a Half Men (w/ Charlie Sheen) up here.
Surviving Jack should have been on the WTF why did you cancel this list. I threw away all of my Fox made videos, and blocked the channel … I am still pissed.
you should of added Heroes into the show they should not have canned!
Bring “My name is Earl” back!
I agree re: Simpsons. Ruining its own legacy, should have been canned years ago when the jokes were witty and side splittingly funny… Would have gone down as an all-time classic, instead it’s now long in the tooth and dull.