Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki star in Supernatural (Photo: CW)
Can't find anything to watch on television? Well, no need to fear, Underdog TV is here.
What is Underdog TV you might ask? Simply put, Underdog TV is a list of shows at a disadvantage from some of the other big name shows with all the buzz. Underdog shows don't always get all the marketing and press their big brothers and sisters do. Sometimes they struggle in the numbers game, are frequently in danger of cancellation, at times are on weaker networks, but they almost always have a loyal fan base willing and ready to put up a fight to save their favorite show.
If you haven't heard about these five shows, it's about time you have, because in the end, the underdog does sometimes come out on top. If at least in the eyes of the fans. And isn't it fun to root for the underdog from time to time? After all, it's usually the underdogs we relate to.
Here are 5 Underdog TV shows worth checking out!
5. Most Potential: Three Rivers
You want this show to do well, you do. It has an awesome, charismatic cast you can root for with Moonlight's Alex O'Loughlin in the lead, a promising premise (a unique medical drama from three different perspectives: the organ donors, the patients and the Doctors), and a talented show-runner (Jericho's Carol Barbee). The show premiered this October to a rough beginning with negative reviews and mediocre numbers. But the show is improving (despite the slip in ratings), and with so much potential, it can only continue to get better. There are rumors of a possible cancellation, but maybe with an upcoming guest appearance by Mandy Patinkin, the show still has a chance. If it can dig a little deeper into the psyches of the recurring characters, add in a little romance and a little more conflict, Three Rivers will be well on its way to creating a memorable, uplifting series. Sometimes it takes an underdog a while to reach its full potential. You can watch Three Rivers on CBS on Sundays at 9/8c.
4. Best New Joss Whedon Vehicle: Dollhouse
Joss Whedon shows have a tendency to be underdogs. They struggle, they fight, sometimes they win (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), sometimes they push through, fighting the good fight (Angel), and sometimes they have an early demise (Firefly). Dollhouse is Whedon's latest, but with a continuous decline in ratings in the Friday night death slot, getting dropped from November sweeps and pushed to December, the survival of Dollhouse isn't looking great. If the show doesn't find an audience soon, no doubt it will be canceled. Starring Eliza Dushku (a Joss Whedon TV show alum) as Echo (one of the "dolls"), this original and ground-breaking show tells the story of a secret facility which wipes people's memories, and then implants them with false ones instead, sending them out on different engagements as Dollhouse agents. Agent Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) is on a mission to bring the Dollhouse down, while also trying to find and save Echo. By season two, Ballard leaves his days as an agent behind, infiltrates the Dollhouse and becomes Echo's handler (her protector). But can Ballard and Echo bring the Dollhouse down before it's too late? And should they? You can become part of the audience to save Dollhouse and watch the series on Friday nights on FOX at 9/8c.
3. Worst Time Slot: Fringe
Sometimes shows don't start out as underdogs; they can start off strong, and then lose their status along the way. Fringe for instance premiered to decent ratings last year and did particularly well in the demos. This season, in a brave move, the network decided to move it to Thursday nights. In an already overcrowded time slot (competing against powerhouse shows such as Grey's Anatomy and CSI), this underdog has struggled ever since. With so much else to choose from, Fringe is getting the viewer's boot. The series is about young FBI Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) who is recruited to work with a subdivision of the FBI dealing with strange phenomena. To solve her cases, she has to work with the mad scientist Walter Bishop and his sarcastic son Peter (one of the most entertaining duos on television right now). With twists as crazy and entertaining as Lost, stories as strange, if not stranger, than X-Files, and Star Trek's J.J. Abrams at the creative head, it's surprising this show hasn't retained a larger audience. If Fringe moved back to its original time slot, it would have a good chance of going back up in the ratings again. For now, you can watch Fringe on Thursdays on FOX at 9/8c.
2. Most Surprising: Eastwick
Who would think that an adaptation of John Updike's novel, The Witches of Eastwick, mixed with a remake of the 1987 film would turn out to be good as a TV series? Well, surprisingly it is. Maybe you sat back and thought, "It's just a rip off the movie, right?" Wrong. The trailers for the show can be outright confusing, misleading and uninteresting. Surprisingly, Eastwick is clever, witty, outrageous and funny. Its had very little marketing and press from ABC, so its no surprise that the show is struggling to find an audience, but if more people gave the show a chance, they might just find themselves with a guilty pleasure. Eastwick is about three woman who come together at a wishing fountain in the middle of town, where they unleash their supernatural powers along with...could it be the devil? If the Desperate Housewives had magical powers, it might look something like this show. Perhaps pairing it up with Desperate Housewives on Sundays would give the show a fighting chance. You can watch Eastwick on Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
1. The Little Engine that Could: Supernatural
Simply put, this show just rocks. It only averages between 2 and 3 million viewers each week, but it always manages to squeeze by. Now in its fifth season, this is the ultimate underdog show which has found a way to survive and keep going, despite the odds of changing networks, lack of press and mediocre numbers. If you can say one thing about this series, the fans are rabid, loyal and willing to put up a fight, and it has paid off. Supernatural is about the Winchester brothers, Sam and Dean who are hunters (they "hunt" supernatural creatures) though at times they often wonder if they're the real monsters themselves. The show can go from frighteningly scary one minute and uproariously funny the next. Supernatural might just be the best show on television, and chances are you've never seen an episode. Supernatural is on the CW on Thursday nights at 9/8 c (yes, the same time as Fringe; Why do networks pair up similar shows against each other? They just split the audience).
Sound off: Being an underdog means overcoming great odds. Do you think these five shows have a chance to beat the odds and stay on the air? Any other underdog shows you want to mention?
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Comments
I thought this was a great article about 5 shows I really didn't know much about and they all sound interesting.
I love all five shows and hope more people watch them so they can all stick around. Eastwick really is the most surprising of the bunch. I thought it was going to be awful, but I gave it a chance and love it!
I couldn't agree more about Supernatural. It airs here in South Africa as well and is my all-time favourite show. But beware, once you're hooked, it's for life!
Thanks for mentioning Three Rivers! I lost a family member to complications following a liver transplant last summer. There is just so much I didn't know about organ donation and I appreciate their efforts to tell people about it.
Three Rivers did have a rocky start and is still struggling against Sunday night sports but I hope CBS gives them a chance to find their feet. It's a different kind of doctor show (not soap opera-ish) but I think it could grow into a really good show.
Oh I love Three Rivers and Supernatural. I highly recommend them both. I do hope more people discover them. And I really must check out Eastwick. Excellent article.
I watch three of the five. Three Rivers, Eastwick and Supernatural. All are fantastic in their own way. Three Rivers is an uplifting, emotional show with some funny moments. Alex O'
Loughlin, Kate Moenning, Daniel Henney, Alfre Woodard...all great actors. Eastwick is sexy and super fun to watch! Paul Gross plus a plethora of other eye-candy...yes please! Supernatural works because of the chemistry between Jared and Jensen. It's UNREAL. From investigating urban legends to The Freakin' Apocolypse, the show has evolved nicely.
I love Three Rivers. It's an amazing show!!! It has an excelent cast and this show is incredible because IS DIFFERENT!!!
It's a medical drama focuses in organ transplants, a really important theme.
It shows us medicine, they aren't crazy doctors who challenge their patients or are only flirting with each other.
This is an important show that deserves an oportunity and each week is more interesting.
THANK YOU for this sweet comment about TR!!!
Excellent analysis of 5 wonderful shows! Three Rivers and Supernatural are both must-sees at our house (and, we DVR Fringe!) Thanks so much for showcasing all of these "underdogs"..you have great taste in quality television!
I really love Three Rivers! We have watched every episode and I cannot even imagine why anyone would not love it. It is the most uplifting show I have seen in a long time. It is quality TV at it's best.
Interesting article, and there's a solid case for each of those shows (particularly Dollhouse, Fringe, and Supernatural. Though I had to double-check this article's year when I read "Agent Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) is on a mission to bring the Dollhouse down, while also trying to find and save Echo." You do realize that this plotline ended last season? Ballard found Echo. He's no longer an agent. And he's working for the Dollhouse as Echo's handler. You should consider watching it one day, it's a real underdog.
@Max He is still trying to bring the Dollhouse down and save Echo, even in Season 2.
Joanie, you're welcome! And I'm sorry about your family member. I think the show puts out a really important message, so I hope Three Rivers makes it!
Max, I have been watching every episode. The latest episode about Sierra was one of the better ones I think! I was just giving some basic introductory information which includes the first season. Most people like to watch from the beginning! But, if it will make you feel better, I will add in the handler.
Thanks everyone for the comments! I truly enjoy and recommend all five of these shows.
I watch two of the 5 shows mentioned. I enjoy Supernatural, and Dollhouse is turning out to be one of the best shows I have ever watched. It is a true shame that more people haven't been watching it. At turns it is both funny and heartbreaking and features some of the best acting I've ever seen! Seriously, Enver Gjokaj will knock your socks off. I will be giving the other three shows mentioned a try.
I completely love Supernatural. I just started watching it last year and have since watched all of the seasons and it consistently is fantastic. I also like Fringe and Eastwick a lot too.
Dollhouse is amazing. :)
Definitely an underdog show. Nobody seems to be rooting for it. :(
Well, if not nobody, very few people.
The last two episodes were amazing, and could be the turn around for such a shaky show... Between them and Epitaph one we see how much potential it has... But it got pulled off for sweeps and now we have to wait a month for Summer Glau. :(
Great article. People need to know about underdog shows! Sometimes they are so amazing, more often than not I enjoy them more than mainstream television. Keep them alive!
Dollhouse is an amazing show that doesn't get enough attention. I love Fringe and Eastwick too, but I think Dollhouse has been the most unfairly treated out of all of them. More people need to get behind it and get vocal about being behind it!
I'm sorry but both Worst Timeslot & Most potential also belong to Dollhouse, you could also add most intelligent show to that list as well. Dollhouse is only struggling because FOX have completely marketed it wrong with constant images of the worst thing about the show, that being Eliza Dushku. If they focused on the ensemble cast and the longer story arc a bit more they probably would have hooked in alot more people.
Supernatural is surprisingly good given its Monster Of The Week start, Dean's had a stunning character arc, and Castiel and Bobby are really cool.
However Dollhouse would work a lot better if someone else had been cast as Ballard. Tahmoh Penikett is terrible, but the rest of the cast are really good, although the writing's been uneven to say the least (really, college professors can afford seven figures? Adele doesn't have a problem with her star Active being hired out for several years as a sub mummy? A FBI agent can't find the Dollhouse, yet all these clients can?). However it's worth watching for the performances alone.
Fringe, sorry Anna Torv is a black hole of chrasima, gave up on that show when she got kidnapped and I kinda hoped they were taking her back to acting school.
I LOVE Supernatural (as my favorite show currently still running-- Buffy and Veronica Mars beat it if you consider ended shows). I also love Dollhouse (which is really coming along now), and one of the most intelligent shows on television. :)
wait, what? paul gross is in eastwick? (thanks btw to whatever commenter mentioned that!)
now I know what show I'm tracking down next. I loved him in slings&arrows. and he was so much fun as the mountie in due south. hopefully this new show is good too.
I love supernatural - a friend of mine nagged me until I started watching. which, lucky for me, wasn't until the end of s2 (so I didn't have to suffer through that huge cliffhanger at the end of s1.) we're in s5 now and I'm still just as excited for the new episodes as I was when I first started watching.
hmmm. in terms of favorite shows ever, I'd have to rate it a very close second behind xfiles.
I LOVE Dollhouse. And I'm getting real sick of people jumping on this sudden "let's hate eliza dushku's acting" bandwagon. It's getting really annoying. The woman has proved she can break out in her roles. especially a couple of weeks ago when she played a Mother. That one near broke my heart.
But, anyway, about Three rivers, why did no one tell me about this!!! My gosh! Katherine Moennig from the L Word is in it! I'll definetly give it a shot! I'm going to look up a episode right now. I really think the main problem with all these underdog shows is that they don't get advertised. Fox has plenty of oppurtunity to advertise Dollhouse. During Glee, House, NFL Monday, Saturday, during Baseball, and countless other times. they just don't want to because they don't give a crap about it. Ugh! I hate FOX!!If Dollhouse gets cancelled I am not even goinng to bother with that channel anymore! They cancel so many shows it's ridiculous.
Supernatural is the best thing on TV right now, and possibly ever; Sam and Dean are both great! I just with they'd get rid of that awful Castiel. Dollhouse had a weak first season, but season 2's been fantastic so far. And I really love Fringe! John Noble makes that show.
Supernatural is seriously, without a doubt, the best show on television.
The fans are totally insane, but we love the cast and crew, esp. the boys (we're very protective of them if you havent noticed)
I've gotten many friends into the show, and now even got my mom into it.
I've been watching since the beginning, back in 2005, and the show has undoubtly only gotten better throughout the seasons.
The two main leads are outrageously underrated, their acting is phenominal, and the show's storyline is always amazing.
this show deserves so much more recognition then it's been given by the CW, and I'm sure I can speak for the fans that it's about damn time the show's being given the credit and recognition it deserves.
I really hope that Dollhouse pulls through. Check out whyiwatch.com if you get a chance. I know a ton of People that love Fringe, so for their sakes I hope it stays around. As far as the others go I can't say much about them cause I haven't seen them yet.
I can certainly relate to Joanie, I lost my father five years ago Oct. 20th to complications following a liver transplant.
Thus "Three Rivers" has special significance to me. Each episode I see gets better and better, so please CBS, give it the opportunity to finds its niche. And I just have to add, if one's surgeon looks like Alex O'Loughlin, I don't doubt it's good for the heart! The whole cast is wonderful.
Hi there,
As I mentioned in one of your earlier posts, it's so refreshing to encounter an SPN fan in the Bay Area. I've been trying to get my family to watch this series but it's akin (hahaha, pun?) to pulling teeth.
You're right on -- Supernatural is the best show on television today, and thank you for pointing this out.
It's funny and kind of ironic that three of my absolute favorite shows on tv right now are on this list. Fringe is amazing, and I love the interaction between Walter and just about everyone else on the show. Supernatural is awesome. Dean is my hero. And Dollhouse. I think one reason why people don't watch it is because it's a really intelligent show that tackles real issues. There's no 'good guys' just like there's no 'bad guys.' It's just people, and they're all morally grey. I love it! Watch Dollhouse! www.whyiwatch.com
I love the comments about Supernatural, I'm happy you put it in #1. For me its the best show nowadays, it's the one that I don't miss for anything.
Good choices ;)
Dollhouse was fairly awesome (the second half) season 1. It is absolutely fantastic this season. It's a shame people shun it for Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs or solely on a dislike for Dushku's acting. Dushku's proven in several episodes she is an asset to the Dollhouse team and note to all: there are other AMAZING actors on the show to watch for. The latest episode "Belonging" makes that abundantly clear.
Also, I wouldn't go so far as to call Eastwick clever, witty, or outrageously funny. Addictive, yes. Notably derivative, no.
There is not one single show on network television that I have watched, or wanna watch except for Supernatural. I'm only sorry I didn't discover the show until Season 4. You're right on about the fans and a true testament to what the power of the internet and word of mouth CAN do for a tvshow. CW spends so much of their advertising dollars on the crap they have on the rest of the week and none of them come close to the numbers, or the fanbase that Supernatural has.
Supernatural is wonderful, my favorite series and Fringe of course secondly.
Supernatural forever.<3
Dollhouse deserves the titles for 3 and 5 as well. How is Fringe's timeslot worse than Dollhouse's?
#1 Supernatural.
I completely agree. When I first got into it, I admit I was astonished at the enthusiasm of its fans. Your comment about "loyal" and "rabid" fans was totally on-spot. We are quite protective of our show. Thanks for the mention!
Figures I watch all of these shows! I've loves Supernatural since it premiered way back in September of 05, and for me it has never faltered. It's been my #1 show continuously year after year. Last year I started watching Fringe and it's grown to be in my top shows currently airing on network tv. It's sci-fi, first of all, which is my favorite genre, but it's unlike any other show on the air. It isn't exclusively a 'crime drama' or a 'sci-fi'. It's a great mixture of both with an unraveling mytharc worthy of your time. Dollhouse, yes, I started watching as a Whedonite and I will continue to watch it until it ends but it is much better than the ratings would tell you. You must watch every week and watch closely, but the result is rewarding. Truly underrated. As for Eastwick, I've been quite surprised at the wit, and I'm enjoying it. Three Rivers is struggling but I do believe it will get better. CBS doesn't have many failed shows, but I guess only time will tell. I'm sticking with it.
I enjoy Eastwick but do believe that Dollhouse is currently the most underrated show on TV. It has everything you'd want out of smart entertainment - good writing, phenomenal casting, sets that transport you to another world, and every week it's something new. Someone mentioned it above, but check out whyiwatch.com - tons of people there speak out about why they watch this show. It rocks!
Supernatural is my favorite show. It has everything - good story, drama, comedy, family, a cool car, cool music (when they can afford it), movie quality production values on a shoestring budget and a super charismatic cast. Supernatural goes from two brothers pranking each other to two heroes saving the world from the apocolypse without missing a beat. I wish more people would find this gem on Thursday nights.
My friend got me hooked on FRINGE this year, and now it is a must-see, even though I already watch the CBS and NBC shows airing at 9pm on Thursdays. The Bishop boys are simply the best father-son tandem currently on television. Plus, I love that Olivia is one smart, kick-ass female. I do hope that THREE RIVERS survives, because more people need to learn about the importance of organ donation. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone.
DOLLHOUSE has to be the top underdog. It's an amazing show with a talented cast and a superb team of writers. If it gets cancelled I may just kill myself. Supernatural? Are you still considered an underdog if you're over 100 episodes?
Peter, to answer your question, yes, a show can still be considered an underdog after 100 episodes in my opinion. Sometimes, the underdogs win, which is why I put Supernatural at number one. That, and the show is AWESOME! But, I agree, Dollhouse is a wonderful show and certainly has the most to overcome to get picked up after the second season 13 episode run.
Andrew, when I gave Fringe the worst time slot, it's because Thursday nights are so overcrowded. In a different time slot, Fringe excelled, in this one it hasn't. So, it seems the time slot is the major issue. With Dollhouse, the problem is more than the time slot, though yes it doesn't have a great time slot. As awesome as Dollhouse is, it has always struggled to find an audience.
I'm really enjoying reading all of the comments! And I'll have to check out that website everyone's been recommending (whyIwatch.com).
Fringe had a perfectly good timeslot last year on Tuesdays where it was up against no other sci-fi/horror shows so why, oh why did Fox move it to Thursdays and the most cutthroat hour on television?! Not only is it now up against CSI and Greys, but also the well-established (and my favorite) Supernatural with it's apocalyptic end game. Were the executives at FOX smoking something or what?
I guess us poor souls without DVRs will just have to wait for the season to come out on Netflix.
I am so glad someone has finally given Supernatural the exposure it deserves. It is the best story arc I've ever seen and just keeps getting better. Supernatural is not afraid to reference something that happened in season 1 even this late in the game, it respects its fans enough to believe they can keep up with what's been going on. Even the MoTW episodes further the storyline in a satisfying way. The acting is superb, the writing is tight, and the story is excellent. Three cheers for Supernatural!
I watch all the shows you have listed, what did I ever do before DVRs. The only one I don't like is Three Rivers, CBS has a dog on it hands and should put Alex back in Moonlight. In one of CBSs "bright" moves they canceled a great vampire series just when vamps were getting hot. ML was a People's Choice Award winner and Alex and Jason made me believe vamps walked among us. He is very boring in Three Rivers, this is not the best series for him, he is an action actor. Thursday nights have both my DVRs going as there are 3 shows at 7 and 3 at 8 that I love.
Well, how about that? I am watching all five of these shows! Supernatural is my passion. I don't even miss CSI and I never cared for Grey's Anybedwilldo anyway. Supernatural is a class act all the way around. What I love about it the most--aside from the boys, of course!--is its fearlessness. It takes risk and makes them pay off. I usually catch Fringe the day after by streaming it on the Fox website. I hope Fox pays attention to that in the numbers. I liked Fringe last year, but I really think it has gotten a lot better this year. Dollhouse is...uneven. But when it's good, it's very good. And it's Whedon. I surprised myself with Eastwick. Watched it out of curiosity and keep coming back. Roxie rocks. Three Rivers has a lot of potential and characters I want to get to know better. The episode this past Sunday was the best so far. I hope it gets a chance to find its feet. Clearly, we both have good taste!
I love Three Rivers! Finally a medical drama that respects the intelligence of its audience. Plus having the gorgeous and extremely talented Alex O' Loughlin as the lead is a bonus! He shines as Dr. Andy Yablonski. I hope CBS shows patience and lets the show grow to its full potential
I love both Fringe and Supernatural, and I watch them both too! I DVR them and usually watch on Friday or Saturday night with my husband. Not sure what that does to the ratings, but I go to bed early so it's my only option to watch the shows I love.
and Dollhouse rocks!! Watch Epitaph one before you see the rest of the season and you will know why we all love Joss and his work.
Love Three Rivers, it's a great show. It's time slot was interrupted by football games, so it didn't start on time. It's smart tv and worth watching. Alex O'Loughlin is wonderful in it as the Doctor with a Heart of Gold. Everyone should tune in.
SUPERNATURAL caught my eye from the very first episode, and from then on captured my brain and heart, too! I love the Winchester brothers as if they were real people, and watch the show with an intensity that has my family considering commitment to an asylum. SUPERNATURAL has it all--scares, humor, pathos, love, sex, excitement, depth of character, beautiful photography, amazing writing, surprising twists, unexpected ideas for episodes--it boggles the mind, senses, attitude, viscera! When I see the paltry ratings for this incredible show every week, then see how many people are watching the boilerplate GREY'S ANATOMY, I want to cry! They are missing the best show on television in favor of cookie cutter TV!
I have the immense pleasure of being the editor of SUPERNATURAL on moogi.com, a web site on which I synopsize, in great detail, every episode of the show. I'm working on the current season right now, and backtracking on seasons 3 and 4 as well. Please come check it out!
I don't consider Fringe an underdog. Sure it got a tough timeslot this season, but last season FOX coddled it so much, putting it on after House which gave it a huge boost in the advertiser-favored young demos. After half a season, most shows would then have been asked to stand on their own two feet, but FOX decided to pamper Fringe further by placing it after American Idol which gets monstrous demo ratings. Fringe was one of the best-prepared shows on FOX to handle such a tough timeslot so you can't blame them for putting it there, and it really should be doing better considering how much effort FOX put in last year to get it lots of exposure.
Thanks for making Supernatural #1! My favorite show! It's such a shame its ratings do not measure up to the loyalty of its fans. Here in Brazil we can only hope you guys keep watching, so we can watch it too. I wish other countries' numbers could count as well.
Like others have said, the Winchester brothers gain your heart from the first episode on. Sometimes I could smack one of them in the back of the head and other times I want to hold them and say everything will be ok.
GO Supernatural, GO!
Thank you very much for this article! Supernatural really deserve this credibility for being one of the best show of all time. And to prove how great it is, imagine a show like gossip girl at 9/8 c to compete with big series like Grey's Anatomy... They probably wouldn't survive for five seasons like Supernatural did... They deserve it!
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