Shows that never reached their full potential

0neDisturbedSOB · 05-02-2005, 03:23 PM

Wanted to start a thread dedicated to shows that you feel were cancelled before they reached their full potential. Since we've now seen history made with Family Guy being the first show to be cancelled and then renewed by the same network maybe there's the potential that other networks might take a second look at shows they cancelled prematurely.

If you could bring back shows that were cancelled before you think they got the chance to reall shine which ones would you pick? These are just a few of my personal choices...

X-Men Evolution - Had a TON of great stories left to tell and it seems like it was cancelled before all of the loose ends could be finished off. The show was great, the animation was solid, the voice acting was great and the stories were original yet still stuck to the source material.

MTV Spider-Man - Same type of deal. It felt like it wasn't meant to end...especially since the last episode showed Peter Parker throwing his Spider-Man costume away, I'm REALLY surprised they let it end like that, almost like now that he's given up being Spider-Man there's nothing left to do.

Masters of The Universe (new) - Was cut shorter than the original series back in the 80's. Again I feel like this one was cancelled before they could really get into some good stories. I read an article that said had this show continued it would've been about Hordak coming to take over Eternia which forces He-Man and the MOTU to become renegades in their own land....sounds like an awesome idea, and I'm bummed we really only got to see Hordak in one episode.

Those are just a few I could think of right away. I'm really bummed those shows were cancelled because I really feel like all of them had the potential to be great if given the chance.

3dman27 · 05-02-2005, 03:31 PM

[QUOTE=0neDisturbedSOB]

Masters of The Universe (new) - Was cut shorter than the original series back in the 80's. Again I feel like this one was cancelled before they could really get into some good stories. I read an article that said had this show continued it would've been about Hordak coming to take over Eternia which forces He-Man and the MOTU to become renegades in their own land....sounds like an awesome idea, and I'm bummed we really only got to see Hordak in one episode.

[QUOTE] i wish the had made more motu episodes or at least repeat the ones they have

0neDisturbedSOB · 05-02-2005, 03:35 PM

There's a strong possibility that the new MOTU show will get an eventual DVD release. Check the front page at He-Man.org for the news.

Strange · 05-02-2005, 05:08 PM

I miss the show "Now and Again", it was cheesey in some parts but it could have been a great show if they had some better writers. The main character and plot was cool.

Swordmaster · 05-02-2005, 05:13 PM

Futurama. Bring it back Fox!

Pink Ranger · 05-02-2005, 05:29 PM

I agree 100% with the new MOTU. Also:

Max Headroom
EZ Streets
Gideon's Crossing

X-Ray · 05-02-2005, 05:40 PM

Brimstone ... all 122 escaped demons shuld've had a single episode surrounding their story

Darth Rockwell · 05-02-2005, 08:50 PM

Highlander: The Raven

0neDisturbedSOB · 05-03-2005, 12:56 AM

I'd also have to say that Thundercats still had some awesome stories to tell before it got canceled. There's a rumor that we'll see a season 1 DVD release sometime this year.

3dman27 · 05-03-2005, 03:42 AM

raven
martial law

GLfan · 05-03-2005, 04:56 AM

I'd pick Birds Of Prey. If they would've done the costumes like the comic, I'm sure the series would have lasted longer especially if they used more Batman villains. Also, an appearance of Batman himself and Nightwing could've helped too.

Spider-man live action from the 70's. If there were spidey villains the show would've lasted longer.
The Flash
The Ropers They had the wrong supporting cast.
Tabitha spinoff Bewitched series. They should have had Adam a warlock with powers that would come and go, make him the center of goof ups with Tabitha bailing him out.

Carter · 05-03-2005, 05:20 AM

The Handler
w/ Joe Pantliano

Darth Rockwell · 05-03-2005, 12:05 PM

Martial Law rocked. I loved that show. I hope it gets a dvd treatment.

KenK · 05-03-2005, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-Ray

Brimstone ... all 122 escaped demons shuld've had a single episode surrounding their story

Not to mention episodes where he would have been thwarting Ashe's schemes, since she was set up to be Stone's major heavy(the Devil, played masterfully by John Glover, was merely a whisper in Zeke's ear).

Basically any show that was on Fox on a Friday can go into this list.

Brimstone, Fastlane, MANTIS, VR5, Wonderfalls, Firefly, Brisco County, John Doe, and on and on and on!!

3dman27 · 05-03-2005, 01:36 PM

brisco county jr.

hippie_hunter · 05-03-2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0neDisturbedSOB

MTV Spider-Man - Same type of deal. It felt like it wasn't meant to end...especially since the last episode showed Peter Parker throwing his Spider-Man costume away, I'm REALLY surprised they let it end like that, almost like now that he's given up being Spider-Man there's nothing left to do.

I liked the show at first but then after watching it again, it started to get rather crappy IMO. However the last episode was freakin' awesome

Dorian Gray · 05-03-2005, 04:40 PM

Futurama
MOTU: New Series
Brimstone
X-Men Evolution
Forever Knight
Martial Law

3dman27 · 05-03-2005, 04:51 PM

thundarr the barbarian

The Question · 05-03-2005, 06:22 PM

xmen evoulution

avengers:the animated series:they didn't even finish the zodiac storyline. they still had room for count nefaria, thanos, hydra, the hulk, the beyonder, the red skull, zemo, the masters of evil, hank pym's psychological breakdown, scarlet witch's psychological problems, the continuation of the wonderman/scarlet witch/vision love triangle, quicksilver, the whole queen's vengance storyline, more cap, iron man, thor, the black panther, scott lang, apearences by sheild and nick fury, etc.

john doe:never even found out what that guy was

gregg the bunny:damn, that show was funny.

batman beyond:that show was good, but we saw, like, 3 original bat rouges! bring back ra's! bring back joker! have two face as an ageing psycho killer vigilante. have ridler as one of gotham's mob bosses. have selina show up as an older(but still pretty easy on the eyes) about town buisness woman, who does all sorts of charity stuff like orfanages and urban renewall.

futerama:bite my shiny metal ass, fox!

CTCurry99 · 05-03-2005, 07:10 PM

I always loved...
Fastlane
Viper
Threat Matrix

X-Ray · 05-03-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lupus27

xmen evoulution

avengers:the animated series:they didn't even finish the zodiac storyline. they still had room for count nefaria, thanos, hydra, the hulk, the beyonder, the red skull, zemo, the masters of evil, hank pym's psychological breakdown, scarlet witch's psychological problems, the continuation of the wonderman/scarlet witch/vision love triangle, quicksilver, the whole queen's vengance storyline, more cap, iron man, thor, the black panther, scott lang, apearences by sheild and nick fury, etc.

john doe:never even found out what that guy was

gregg the bunny:damn, that show was funny.

batman beyond:that show was good, but we saw, like, 3 original bat rouges! bring back ra's! bring back joker! have two face as an ageing psycho killer vigilante. have ridler as one of gotham's mob bosses. have selina show up as an older(but still pretty easy on the eyes) about town buisness woman, who does all sorts of charity stuff like orfanages and urban renewall.

futerama:bite my shiny metal ass, fox!

damn ! how'd i forget both futurama and batman beyond ... stupid me!

Prophecy Girl · 05-04-2005, 01:08 PM

Tru Calling

KenK · 05-04-2005, 01:48 PM

"Viper"

See, I'd say Viper ended on a pretty strong note. Four seasons between the NBC version and the syndicated one, plus, they brought back Joe Astor, and addressed what would happen if his personality chip ever malfuctioned, which resorted in him becoming the criminal Michael Payton again. A bit of soul searching and Payton realized he'd rather be Joe Astor. To say nothing of the fact that they actually brought back the other cast members from the NBC incarnation(since they just picked up where that one left off with Joe Nipote returning as Franky Waters). There was only so much more they could do with the defender, besides making it fly, and that probably would have been a bit too hokey(the hovercraft mode was already pushing it, although actual vehicles of that nature do exist).

"Forever Knight"

I think it had a decent enough run. I think having it end on a downer was the only way to go.

[Faustinas] · 05-04-2005, 02:09 PM

Witchblade..One word always came to mind when I watched an episode of this show: beautiful...it was just shot so well and the story was very compelling..so much mythos and history...they could have put their own spin on all sorts of histories and mythologies like Stargate has done.

Dread · 05-04-2005, 03:12 PM

The Superman:TAS show, IMO, was canceled in it's prime and I often wonder what could have happened with it had it continued from, say, "Legacy" (when Superman fought off Darkseid's mind control, but now faced a world that hated him). It'd only ran for 3 seasons, and the last season didn't have many episodes, as Timm & Co. were more focused on Batman Beyond.

The 90's Fantastic Four cartoon is also constantly underrated and had gotten quite good in it's second season; improving GREATLY from their first in terms of plot, animation, and action.

X-Men Evolution still had enough potential for at least another season.

I own the complete MTV Spider-Man series, and while I didn't like that the show felt the need to CREATE their own lame enemies when Spidey has the best rogues gallery of any Marvel hero, the series did have it's charm. I especially liked how it was mature at times and allowed Spider-Man to actually FIGHT PEOPLE. As in actually punch/kick them out. And it did end on a note almost as dark as the "Conker's Bad Fury Day" game for N64.

05-02-2005, 03:23 PM	#1
0neDisturbedSOB Side-Kick Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ca Posts: 7,743	Shows that never reached their full potential Wanted to start a thread dedicated to shows that you feel were cancelled before they reached their full potential. Since we've now seen history made with Family Guy being the first show to be cancelled and then renewed by the same network maybe there's the potential that other networks might take a second look at shows they cancelled prematurely. If you could bring back shows that were cancelled before you think they got the chance to reall shine which ones would you pick? These are just a few of my personal choices... X-Men Evolution - Had a TON of great stories left to tell and it seems like it was cancelled before all of the loose ends could be finished off. The show was great, the animation was solid, the voice acting was great and the stories were original yet still stuck to the source material. MTV Spider-Man - Same type of deal. It felt like it wasn't meant to end...especially since the last episode showed Peter Parker throwing his Spider-Man costume away, I'm REALLY surprised they let it end like that, almost like now that he's given up being Spider-Man there's nothing left to do. Masters of The Universe (new) - Was cut shorter than the original series back in the 80's. Again I feel like this one was cancelled before they could really get into some good stories. I read an article that said had this show continued it would've been about Hordak coming to take over Eternia which forces He-Man and the MOTU to become renegades in their own land....sounds like an awesome idea, and I'm bummed we really only got to see Hordak in one episode. Those are just a few I could think of right away. I'm really bummed those shows were cancelled because I really feel like all of them had the potential to be great if given the chance.

05-02-2005, 03:31 PM	#2
3dman27 super-hero wannabe Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: in the middle of a superhero adventure Posts: 34,340	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential [QUOTE=0neDisturbedSOB] Masters of The Universe (new) - Was cut shorter than the original series back in the 80's. Again I feel like this one was cancelled before they could really get into some good stories. I read an article that said had this show continued it would've been about Hordak coming to take over Eternia which forces He-Man and the MOTU to become renegades in their own land....sounds like an awesome idea, and I'm bummed we really only got to see Hordak in one episode. [QUOTE] i wish the had made more motu episodes or at least repeat the ones they have __________________ to me superheroes are to americans what the myths of the greeks and romans are to them[deemar 325] avatar by philly phanboy and drakon i believe in chris evans for captain america

05-02-2005, 03:35 PM	#3
0neDisturbedSOB Side-Kick Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ca Posts: 7,743	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential There's a strong possibility that the new MOTU show will get an eventual DVD release. Check the front page at He-Man.org for the news.

05-02-2005, 05:08 PM	#4
Strange Side-Kick Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Returning videotapes Posts: 6,023	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential I miss the show "Now and Again", it was cheesey in some parts but it could have been a great show if they had some better writers. The main character and plot was cool. __________________ Let's get down to brass tacks. How much for the ape?

05-02-2005, 05:13 PM	#5
Swordmaster Big Damn Hero Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Outer Haven Posts: 12,342	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential Futurama. Bring it back Fox! __________________ The dark is generous, and it is patient, and it always wins. But in the heart of its strength lies weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back. Love is more than a candle. Love can ignite the stars.

05-02-2005, 05:29 PM	#6
Pink Ranger Smooth Operator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 14,270	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential I agree 100% with the new MOTU. Also: Max Headroom EZ Streets Gideon's Crossing

05-02-2005, 05:40 PM	#7
X-Ray Ippiki-ookami Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: California Posts: 5,402	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential Brimstone ... all 122 escaped demons shuld've had a single episode surrounding their story __________________ ... Blacky, my cat ... 1999-2012 Miss you little buddy Last edited by X-Ray; 05-02-2005 at 09:02 PM.

05-03-2005, 12:56 AM	#9
0neDisturbedSOB Side-Kick Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ca Posts: 7,743	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential I'd also have to say that Thundercats still had some awesome stories to tell before it got canceled. There's a rumor that we'll see a season 1 DVD release sometime this year.

05-03-2005, 03:42 AM	#10
3dman27 super-hero wannabe Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: in the middle of a superhero adventure Posts: 34,340	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential raven martial law __________________ to me superheroes are to americans what the myths of the greeks and romans are to them[deemar 325] avatar by philly phanboy and drakon i believe in chris evans for captain america

05-03-2005, 04:56 AM	#11
GLfan Side-Kick Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Calif. Posts: 1,375	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential I'd pick Birds Of Prey. If they would've done the costumes like the comic, I'm sure the series would have lasted longer especially if they used more Batman villains. Also, an appearance of Batman himself and Nightwing could've helped too. Spider-man live action from the 70's. If there were spidey villains the show would've lasted longer. The Flash The Ropers They had the wrong supporting cast. Tabitha spinoff Bewitched series. They should have had Adam a warlock with powers that would come and go, make him the center of goof ups with Tabitha bailing him out. __________________ "What's up wit dat"

05-03-2005, 05:20 AM	#12
Carter Banned User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Not staring at it, eating it. Posts: 13,805	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential The Handler w/ Joe Pantliano

05-03-2005, 01:36 PM	#15
3dman27 super-hero wannabe Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: in the middle of a superhero adventure Posts: 34,340	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential brisco county jr. __________________ to me superheroes are to americans what the myths of the greeks and romans are to them[deemar 325] avatar by philly phanboy and drakon i believe in chris evans for captain america

05-03-2005, 04:40 PM	#17
Dorian Gray Side-Kick Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 10,185	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential Futurama MOTU: New Series Brimstone X-Men Evolution Forever Knight Martial Law __________________ “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not you go out and look for a successfull personality an duplicate it.”

05-03-2005, 04:51 PM	#18
3dman27 super-hero wannabe Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: in the middle of a superhero adventure Posts: 34,340	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential thundarr the barbarian __________________ to me superheroes are to americans what the myths of the greeks and romans are to them[deemar 325] avatar by philly phanboy and drakon i believe in chris evans for captain america

05-03-2005, 06:22 PM	#19
The Question Side-Kick Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hub City Posts: 36,015	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential xmen evoulution avengers:the animated series:they didn't even finish the zodiac storyline. they still had room for count nefaria, thanos, hydra, the hulk, the beyonder, the red skull, zemo, the masters of evil, hank pym's psychological breakdown, scarlet witch's psychological problems, the continuation of the wonderman/scarlet witch/vision love triangle, quicksilver, the whole queen's vengance storyline, more cap, iron man, thor, the black panther, scott lang, apearences by sheild and nick fury, etc. john doe:never even found out what that guy was gregg the bunny:damn, that show was funny. batman beyond:that show was good, but we saw, like, 3 original bat rouges! bring back ra's! bring back joker! have two face as an ageing psycho killer vigilante. have ridler as one of gotham's mob bosses. have selina show up as an older(but still pretty easy on the eyes) about town buisness woman, who does all sorts of charity stuff like orfanages and urban renewall. futerama:bite my shiny metal ass, fox!

05-03-2005, 07:10 PM	#20
CTCurry99 AGG2K Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 159	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential I always loved... Fastlane Viper Threat Matrix

05-04-2005, 01:08 PM	#22
Prophecy Girl Head Wall Bang Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: England Posts: 238	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential Tru Calling __________________ A long time ago, on a distant planet, I was a high priest of an evil cult. Now, as payment for past sins, what remains of what I was must manifest itself as this sig. Perhaps on a different plane of reality, we could have been friends.

05-04-2005, 01:48 PM	#23
KenK Side-Kick Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The Tenth Circle of Hell(aka Oxon Hill, MD) Posts: 10,292	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential "Viper" See, I'd say Viper ended on a pretty strong note. Four seasons between the NBC version and the syndicated one, plus, they brought back Joe Astor, and addressed what would happen if his personality chip ever malfuctioned, which resorted in him becoming the criminal Michael Payton again. A bit of soul searching and Payton realized he'd rather be Joe Astor. To say nothing of the fact that they actually brought back the other cast members from the NBC incarnation(since they just picked up where that one left off with Joe Nipote returning as Franky Waters). There was only so much more they could do with the defender, besides making it fly, and that probably would have been a bit too hokey(the hovercraft mode was already pushing it, although actual vehicles of that nature do exist). "Forever Knight" I think it had a decent enough run. I think having it end on a downer was the only way to go.

05-04-2005, 02:09 PM	#24
[Faustinas] Side-Kick Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mount Olympus Posts: 2,318	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential Witchblade..One word always came to mind when I watched an episode of this show: beautiful...it was just shot so well and the story was very compelling..so much mythos and history...they could have put their own spin on all sorts of histories and mythologies like Stargate has done. __________________ "The plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces are called aglets; their true purpose is sinister." The [?]

05-04-2005, 03:12 PM	#25
Dread TMNT 1984-2009 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Brooklyn, NY, US of A Posts: 21,584	Re: Shows that never reached their full potential The Superman:TAS show, IMO, was canceled in it's prime and I often wonder what could have happened with it had it continued from, say, "Legacy" (when Superman fought off Darkseid's mind control, but now faced a world that hated him). It'd only ran for 3 seasons, and the last season didn't have many episodes, as Timm & Co. were more focused on Batman Beyond. The 90's Fantastic Four cartoon is also constantly underrated and had gotten quite good in it's second season; improving GREATLY from their first in terms of plot, animation, and action. X-Men Evolution still had enough potential for at least another season. I own the complete MTV Spider-Man series, and while I didn't like that the show felt the need to CREATE their own lame enemies when Spidey has the best rogues gallery of any Marvel hero, the series did have it's charm. I especially liked how it was mature at times and allowed Spider-Man to actually FIGHT PEOPLE. As in actually punch/kick them out. And it did end on a note almost as dark as the "Conker's Bad Fury Day" game for N64.

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