# Good TV shows that deserved a better fate **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 2, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999 "2001-10-02T17:21:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fouccalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fouccalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fouccalt)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/21 "2001-10-02T18:54:46Z")
I deeply miss The Critic and Duckman. Now I’m doomed to watch reruns on Comedy Central. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/22 "2001-10-02T19:00:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\ ***Wish You Were Here** – produced by Robert Altman, about a guy traveling around Europe with a video camera and sending the tapes home. Each episode had someone recieving the tape and watching. The stories were quite well done, funny and often touching. > \*\* I’d never even heard of this show before, I just wanted to share the odd fact that _at the exact moment_ that I read the title, the song “Wish You Were Here” came up on my Winamp playlist. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![Caracticus\_Potts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bcef8e/32.png) [@Caracticus\_Potts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caracticus_Potts)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/23 "2001-10-02T19:04:04Z")
More votes for Freaks and Geeks, and Twin Peaks. I’m sure there are others over the years but they were on for such a short time I’ve forgotten them. Even if I like a show I’m not good at following it around if they bump its timeslot a lot. ---
**Author:** ![frock75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/24 "2001-10-02T19:06:07Z")
There was a show about a twenty-something Catholic priest, who questions his own beliefs while trying to councle his inner city parish. I can’t remember what it was called, but I found it fascinating. Unfortunatly, one day it was cancled. No ceremony. No fanfair. ---
**Author:** ![skripek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7bcc69/32.png) [@skripek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skripek)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/25 "2001-10-02T19:09:46Z")
Atom Films started producing new critic episodes look here: [http://search.shockwave.com/search/?sp-k=AtomFilms&sp-a=sp100190fc&sp-p=all&sp-q=the+critic](http://search.shockwave.com/search/?sp-k=AtomFilms&sp-a=sp100190fc&sp-p=all&sp-q=the+critic) (Sorry about that, I have yet to figure out how the URL thingy works) ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/26 "2001-10-02T19:26:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by watsonwil \* > \*\*The John Laroquette Show. It lasted a while due only to the network’s gratitude to JL. He did win four consecutive emmys… \*\* I loved the first season of this show. It was so dark and moody, yet funny. Once they took John out of his squalid little apartment and moved him into a nicer place across the way from Alison LaPlaca, things just went downhill. I still have this weird crush on Gigi Rice, who played Carly the hooker. And I never really thought much about Mayim Bialik (yes, Blossom) until I saw her on this show. What a hottie. My favorite episode of this show was when Dexter was telling John that Thomas Pynchon was a friend of his who gave him clogs. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/27 "2001-10-02T20:21:36Z")
I don’t remember the name of this show, as they only showed a few episodes, but I remember a couple of episodes: I think the show was about two brothers. In one episode the mother goes to Mexico and buys a Mexican Basket. She comes home to find a little Mexican boy in the basket. I remember whenever they referred to this basket, a little harmony sing-song voice said, “Mexican Basket…!” Another episode (hell, might have been the same one) had one of the main characters driving his car and he sees a fly in the car. The fly is flying along side of the guy, and he gets all excited because he thinks the fly is flying the same speed as the car is going (60 or 80 MPH) to keep up. And another show that I liked (only aired two episodes I believe maybe sometime after the 2000 Super Bowl) was called **Mind Your Own Buisness** I believe. About the girl who ends up on her aunt’s doorstep because her mom died, or something. ---
**Author:** ![pezwookiee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@pezwookiee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pezwookiee)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/28 "2001-10-02T20:34:47Z")
**Gadarene** , I completely agree with you and not just because I’m from Baltimore and took it personally when Andre Braugher got an Emmy and thanked the people of Baltimore. Only watched maybe two episodes of _Gideon’s Crossing_, but I really enjoyed it. Problem was, they put it on at the same time as _Law & Order_. What’s a _Homicide_ fan to do?? Go with Andre or go with a show that takes palce in the same fictional universe? Tough call. I guess I ended up going with _L&O_. Here’s hoping Andre has more luck on his next series or movie! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/29 "2001-10-02T20:47:28Z")
Another vote for “Brimstone.” ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/30 "2001-10-02T21:00:05Z")
I’ll add another vote for **Freaks and Geeks** and **Sports Night**. Also, anyone remember a show called **Boston Common**? About a redneck and his sister moving to Boston (her to attend university, and him to work). Pretty funny show IIRC. Also, remember the first season of **Hyperion Bay** starring saved by the beller Mark Paul Gosselar? It was actually a pretty good show until they “Melrose Placed” it up when the ratings started slipping. Oh, and I just have to say - **The Critic** is one of the dumbest shows (formerly) on TV. And don’t get me started on **Family Guy**. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/31 "2001-10-02T21:03:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bean\_shadow \* > \*\*And another show that I liked (only aired two episodes I believe maybe sometime after the 2000 Super Bowl) was called **Mind Your Own Buisness** I believe. About the girl who ends up on her aunt’s doorstep because her mom died, or something. \*\* Woo-hoo Akron! For some reason my hometown is always portrayed as this hotbed of juvenile delinquency, see also Ordinary People. (“Bad” girl on why she was wild: “My mom thought it was Akron. But it wasn’t Akron, it was me.” Me in my high school English class: “No, it wasn’t Akron.”) I agree with **Twin Peaks** (although I actually loved the last episode); everything else I’ve been happy enough to do without. Of course, if you want to talk about comic books, I still sometimes weep over **Hourman**. –Cliffy P.S. to frock75: **Helltown** , maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Diane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2acd7d/32.png) [@Diane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diane)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/32 "2001-10-02T21:22:56Z")
Northern Exposure (before Dr. Joel left) Get A Life (the one with Chris Elliot - funny as all HELL!) Don’t hurt me for this one, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY miss Melrose Place! ---
**Author:** ![Another\_Primate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Another\_Primate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_Primate)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/33 "2001-10-02T21:30:04Z")
Another vote for “My So-Called Life”. I used to watch it with my then-adolescent daughter, Casey Primate, and my son, Zachary. I don’t recall a bad episode, ever. Sure, there was some unpleasant stuff, but it was real stuff. I wouldn’t reply just to say “another vote” (even if my first name is Another), so here’s why I’m jumping in: Does anyone know if it has re-runs showing somewhere? Sue ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/34 "2001-10-02T21:30:08Z")
I’m still surprised that UPN cancelled “Seven Days,” their second-highest-rated drama, and hasn’t picked up “The Lone Gunmen,” with higher ratings than any drama they had last season. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/35 "2001-10-02T21:30:41Z")
“Due South” about the Canadian mountie in Chicago. And one more vote for “Homicide: Life on the Street” and for “Northern Exposure.” ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/36 "2001-10-02T23:01:54Z")
[Probe](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0094529) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/37 "2001-10-02T23:18:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frock75 \* > \*\*There was a show about a twenty-something Catholic priest, who questions his own beliefs while trying to councle his inner city parish. I can’t remember what it was called, but I found it fascinating. Unfortunatly, one day it was > cancled. No ceremony. No fanfair. \*\* Wasn’t that “Helltown”? A tough, fisticuff using preacher beating up drug pushers before they get a chacne to settle in. ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/38 "2001-10-02T23:46:45Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t remember the name of this show, as they only showed a few episodes, but I remember a couple of episodes: > > I think the show was about two brothers. In one episode the mother goes to Mexico and buys a Mexican Basket. She comes home to find a little Mexican boy in the basket. I remember whenever they referred to this basket, a little harmony sing-song voice said, “Mexican Basket…!” I remeber that, it was funny. It also had some joke about racing a fly or something. I can’t remeber the title, though. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/39 "2001-10-02T23:49:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Slacker \* > \*\*And don’t get me started on **Family Guy**. 🙂 \*\* WHAT?! How could you NOT like **Family Guy**?! The humor was crude, racist, sexist…but not really offensive. It was exactly the wrongness of the show that made it great. My friend has every episode on tape and we constantly watch them. Excellent stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999/40 "2001-10-02T23:56:23Z")
**Clerks: The Animated Series Family Guy The Critic** Funny, all three of mine are animated ones. Oh, also Brisco County, I love you Bruce Campbell! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-tv-shows-that-deserved-a-better-fate/84999.md?page=3)