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Not every great TV show gets the audience it deserves. Some tv shows flop because they were too expensive, poorly marketed, or simply ahead of their time. The shows discussed here had impressive ideas, amazing casts, and unique stories, yet they do not appeal to many people. We are discussing TV shows that didn’t get the attention they deserved for their quality.
It seems that many of these shows were not as popular as they should have been due to a lack of marketing, inadequate planning, and mistakes made by TV networks. The following TV series were all flops, but they deserved much more recognition.
Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Here is the list of the 10 underrated TV show flops that were better than you remember:
10. The Comeback (2005, HBO)
The Comeback is an HBO comedy TV show from 2005 about Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish, a former sitcom star trying to make a comeback. It revealed her struggles and embarrassment. Although many viewers didn’t like it, the producers’ use of an awkward, mockumentary-style format helped change the way viewers felt.
This TV show flopped because its ratings and audience quickly declined. HBO canceled the show after 13 episodes, though it later received Emmy nominations. The show was ahead in spoofing the reality TV and celebrity world. As it gained popularity among viewers, HBO revived it for a second season in 2014.
The majority of people did not enjoy the show's distinct sense of humor when it first aired. The presentation was difficult to see because it was so embarrassing, but fans praised Lisa Kudrow’s performance for making it appear genuine and incredible.
9. Undeclared (2001-2002, Fox)
Judd Apatow's collegiate sitcom Undeclared premiered in September 2001 and ended in March 2002. The story follows freshmen as they deal with lectures, social events, and friendships. The show included future stars Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, and Charlie Hunnam. Its single-camera approach made the show visually distinct and ahead of its time.
Strong writing and a devoted fan base weren’t enough for Fox to handle it well. The episodes were sometimes aired in a different order, and the series’ time slot was changed three times.
Moreover, the attack on September 11 had a bad effect on the show’s opening, and this TV show flopped. As a result, the public couldn't follow the plot, and the series' ratings dropped. Despite drawing over 7.3 million people per week, the show only ran for one season. Over time, Undeclared has garnered a sizable fan base.
8. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009, ABC)
Pushing Daisies is a clever and strange drama about a pie maker named Ned who can bring the dead back to life. As a result of his skill, he solves murder cases as a private investigator and develops feelings for a woman. TV show viewers complimented the show for its distinctive visual effects, warm atmosphere, and enjoyable storyline.
However, this TV show flopped due to bad timing and network issues. The writers' strike in 2007-2008 prevented the show from completing its usual episodes for the first season. Many viewers stopped watching due to the break. The show's distinctive aesthetic, quirky tone, and stylized plots didn’t appeal to a broad audience. Fans of the show were outraged when ABC decided to cancel it after only two seasons.
7. Better Off Ted (2009-2010, ABC)
Better Off Ted reveals how creative lab employees in a company encounter moral conundrums. Jay Harrington played Ted, Portia de Rossi acted as the tough boss, and a bunch of eccentric scientists appeared in the show. The show had witty words and well-thought-out comments on the corporate environment. On the other hand, the show's ratings were poor. ABC did not adequately promote what they had.
When Scrubs ended, the audience plummeted. The show initially attracted around 5 million viewers, but now it only reaches about 2 to 3 million. Despite receiving a lot of love and praise from fans and critics, it never really gained a huge audience.
ABC canceled it after only two seasons and did not show the next two episodes. Nevertheless, it grew popular among fans but wasn’t treated properly by TV networks. Due to all these reasons, this TV show flopped.
6. The OA (2016-2019, Netflix)
The OA is a science fiction drama that differs from any other shows on Netflix. Prairie Johnson, who lost her sight, is the main character, and she returns many years later with her vision back. The drama focuses on exploring alternate worlds, mysterious reasons, and weird customs. The TV show lovers enjoyed the show due to the presence of big ideas and it attempted to push the genre. Still, the show was not successful, and it failed.
Just two seasons were enough for Netflix to decide to cancel it. The series was expensive and did not draw enough viewers. It also made the show strange and pointless for most viewers. The show's reach suffered due to minimal marketing and long gaps between episodes. The story was left unfinished due to the suspenseful ending. Despite the show's popularity, Netflix decided the price was unjustified.
5. Terriers (2010, FX)
An FX series called Terriers aired as a crime-comedy in 2010. Hank and Britt, who are not trained professionals, solve various cases in San Diego. Strong humor, amazing writing, and good chemistry between the main characters made Terriers a standout for those who watched it. Many music lovers praised the album, naming it one of the finest of the year. But the show Terriers was a major failure. There was little promotion, and the show’s name was hard to grasp.
The producer didn’t spend much on marketing the title. Due to the large number of other shows airing at the same time, it was difficult for the show to gain attention. Throughout its 13-episode season, ratings remained quite low. The show was only permitted to run for one season before being cancelled by FX. Many TV show fans now regard it as a sophisticated but underappreciated film. Nonetheless, the show was not widely viewed at the time.
4. Halt and Catch Fire (2014-2017, AMC)
Halt and Catch Fire was set during the 1980s, and this show tells the story of engineers as they attempt to produce a new personal computer. People initially made analogies between Mad Men and this series. The show was not particularly popular among AMC viewers. In its first season, The Walking Dead had 1.2 million viewers, which was the least viewed drama for AMC.
As time went on, the number of viewers decreased, and some shows now have fewer than 400,000 viewers. The show's style evolved in the second season, and it garnered more recognition than before. Even after multiple adjustments, the show continued to perform poorly in TV ratings.
AMC was able to sustain it due to the favorable evaluations. The series ended with the conclusion of its fourth season. Although it was a remarkable series, its lack of popularity caused the network to question its decision.
3. Carnivàle (2003-2005, HBO)
Carnivàle started airing on HBO in 2003. It tells a dark story about the Great Depression era. Magical events, ancient myths, and a traveling carnival are all part of this story. People appreciated the show's large themes and detailed art.
Many people also thought the show was difficult to understand. Furthermore, making the show was expensive. HBO decided to cancel the show after two seasons due to low viewership and high costs. Even though Carnivàle pushed the limits of television, it did not do well and gained a following only after being praised by many fans.
2. FlashForward (2009-2010, ABC)
The sci-fi drama FlashForward was introduced in 2009. It portrays a worldwide blackout that gives everyone a quick look into their future. The first season of the show was powerful because of its mystery and the way it was filmed. Still, there were too many characters and slow subplots that made the plot difficult to keep track of.
People watching the series didn’t connect with the main characters. The season's planning and the lengthy intervals between episodes made it difficult to follow along. At the end of the series, ratings dropped to just 4 million viewers from an initial audience of more than 12 million.
The show was canceled after just one season. People thought that the incomplete ending was unsatisfying. This show had potential, but it failed on the network because it quickly lost viewers' interest.
1. The Black Donnellys (2007, NBC)
NBC launched The Black Donnellys in 2007 at the start of the year. The show focuses on four brothers with Irish-American backgrounds who break the law in New York City. The show was well-styled, told a rough story, and involved talented actors.
The show's colorful flair and cinematic approach impressed many critics. Nevertheless, the show had its issues telling the story. NBC did not show the episodes in the correct order when they were first aired. People became confused during the scene. At the same time, it had to contend with some of the most popular television programs.
Viewers desired more episodes, but the season received mostly poor reviews. The show only ran for one season before NBC decided to cancel it. It ended abruptly, with seven episodes unaired during its original run. The cult following it built doesn’t alter the fact that The Black Donnellys was an example of a series that did not receive the recognition it deserved.
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We conclude that many of these TV shows did not perform well when they first aired, but over time, viewers came to like and appreciate them. These series were full of original ideas and often pushed creative boundaries for their time. Though they struggled during their original runs, later audiences came to see them as something special. Despite dismal ratings, some shows had a significant impact.
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