Some TV series are so good that they last for several seasons. However, there are a number of shows that only lasted for one single season but are still great. Just because they were scheduled for the wrong times, networks aired episodes out of order, or they took longer to gain an audience, they ended far too soon. Despite them only being a season long, each of these series are worth checking out.

Freaks and Geeks

Freaks and Geeks was a comedy-drama that followed the lives of two groups of teens in 1980. Sam Weir and his friends are the geeks of the school who love sci-fi and Dungeons & Dragons and are the unfortunate victims of any bully. Sam’s older sister, Lindsay, begins hanging out with the “freaks” who are the more rebellious crowd in the school. The series was hilarious and featured relatable and captivating drama. It was probably one of the more relatable coming of age stories out there. Plus, it served as the start for outstanding actors like Seth Rogen, Jason Segul, and Linda Cardellini. Unfortunately, the erratic episode schedule hurt the show a little too much.

Firefly

As an action-packed space Western, Firefly was extremely fun to watch. It followed the riveting adventures of Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds and his ragtag crew as they smuggle goods to make a living and stick it to the Alliance. Each character had depth and the world building was phenomenal. The series was filled with big heart and brilliant sci-fi ideas. It may have been canceled far too soon, but there was eventually a movie made called Serenity which is just as fantastic.

The Muppets

The Muppets, which aired on ABC in 2015, was somewhat of a parody of The Office but with Muppets. The beloved Muppets characters now run a late night talk show. Miss Piggy is the show’s host and star, Kermit is the producer, Gonzo, Rizzo, and Pepe are the writers, and so on. The comedy and drama that happened between the characters backstage was always a treat and seeing them scramble to get everything ready in time for the show was a rush. Tying it all together was the will-they won’t-they between Kermit and Miss Piggy and whether or not they’d get back together. Great heartfelt moments, terrific comedy, and seeing the iconic Muppets in a new and unique setting was somehow not enough to get this show a Season 2. 

Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire

Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire was a comedy-adventure series that took place in a medieval fantasy realm. It had many similarities to the likes of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It followed the quest of a reluctant hero known as Krod Mandoon and his wacky party of allies as they battled against the evil Chancellor Dongalor. Some of the humor didn’t quite age well, but most of it still works quite well and the action was a lot of fun. It was essentially a raunchy and irreverent D&D adventure. A second season could have potentially fixed anything that didn’t age well, but we’ll unfortunately never know.

Powerless

It’s quite shocking that Powerless was canceled so soon in a world where comic book adaptations are ruling theaters and TV screens. Powerless was set in the universe of DC Comics. However, instead of focusing on Batman or Wonder Woman, it centered on a group of coworkers at a security company that makes products to help everyday citizens avoid becoming collateral damage in superhero fights. It was a clever idea for a workplace comedy and starred big names like Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Tudyk, and Danny Pudi. It was a lot of laughs and offered something for comic fans and casual audiences alike.

El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera

El Tigre was a short-lived Nicktoon with a unique premise. Manny was a 13-year-old-boy with superpowers. His father was a superhero and his grandfather was a supervillain. It’s up to Manny to choose which path he would take. It was an entertaining spin on a superhero cartoon with important representation. Nickelodeon allowed viewers to choose between the hero or villain ending for the plucky protagonist for its finale, in which they voted for the heroic conclusion. It’s unfortunately become forgotten compared to some more well-known Nicktoons.

The Middleman

The Middleman is what you’d get by taking The X-Files and mixing it with the camp of classic comic books. Wendy was a struggling artist when she was recruited by the Middleman, a “fixer of exotic problems.” Together, they protect the world in secret from aliens, mad scientists, monsters, and other supernatural threats. It was a blast to watch and did well critically, but didn’t quite gain the intended audience until it was too late. If this series released nowadays, it would probably do much better

Outsourced

Based on the movie of the same name, Outsourced was a workplace comedy about an American who is forced to relocate to India to manage a call center. As he teaches his new coworkers and friends about American pop culture, they teach him about Indian culture. It was a delightful sitcom that showcased the good that comes from opening up one’s worldview while having wacky shenanigans in the process. There was a campaign to get the series picked up for a Season 2, but NBC still canceled it despite the cult following it had obtained.

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