TV series that should have been short-run or mini-series

Cafe Society
1

Inspired by this thread -

What US TV series would have been better off a short-run or mini-series?

TWIN PEAKS

ALIEN NATION

LOST

HEROES

All with follow-up short series or TV-movie sequels as public demand warranted.

2

Freaks and Geeks?

Starved?

3

I bought the first season Terminator: SCC DVD set on a whim, not having seen the show on TV, and felt the season was very much in the vein of short-run/“mini-series” shows… and found the whole thing to be incredibly compelling. I brought it in to work for lunchtime viwing over the course of a couple of weeks, and everyone who watched was smitten… we ended up watching two episodes a day, and a few people came in on days off to keep up. While avoiding spoilers on the second season (I don’t get to watch broadcast TV and am waiting for the season on DVD), I’ve been told that the producers abandoned the strong continuity and character-development with a season-long story arc in favor of more self-contained episodes… which has me incredibly wary. So, I’ll vote Terminator: SCC season 2 (and on if it survives), sight unseen.

Mutant X would have been better conceived as a short series, with a large season-long storyline. For a low-budget Tribune-type show, it’s pretty good, but it’s mostly self-contained, with concomitant lack of character development and other intangibles that hooks you into the “universe.” All a shame considering that the Marvel mutant comics from which they crib are continuity-crazy and driven by character development (or were when I read 'em).

4

:smack:

SHOULD, not “shoule”!

Can I haz a Mod fix pleeze?

5

I second the vote for Twin Peaks and add Prison Break.

6

I also agree on the inclusion of “Twin Peaks.” Once they got beyond the “who killed Laura Palmer?” story, a fatal case of “now what?” set in. It was almost like they didn’t expect the series to last as long as it did.

7

Holy dear God, I thought I was the only one who ever watched this show. :eek: I totally agree!

I’ll add 24, especially now that it’s getting ridiculously long and convoluted and Jack is all but superhuman. How much further can you take this guy?