Top five shows that deserve a second chance

Photo courtesy of Schpadoinkle.co.uk

This week, Comedy Central announced that they will be reviving “Futurama” for another 26 episodes starting in 2010. This short-lived cartoon, from “the Simpson’s” creator Matt Groening, hit its popularity after being released on DVD and Comedy Central bought the syndication rights from Cartoon Network in 2008.

In television, there’re always a few shows that fall through the cracks before they get a fair chance to shine. They are taken off the air due to lack of ratings, lack of funds or a mixture of both. These programs below deserve to get a second chance with American audiences.

5. Drive (2007)

This action series was set up like “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World” meets “Taken”, where strangers are forced into a Nation-wide race in order to save their families. This short-lived series broke down in six episodes, which was not long enough to establish a true following.

4. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006)

Studio 60 was a dramatic look at late-night comedy shows. Using real events as inspiration, this program was set up to be the “West Wing” of the TV industry. Studio 60 was cancelled in 2007 after the run of its first season, since it was unable to find a big enough audience.

3. Wonderfalls (2004)

Wonderfalls, another Fox show, was Bryan Fuller’s first original creation. This dramedy followed Jaye Tyler(Caroline Dhavernas), an “overeducated, unemployable” twenty-four year old that talks to inanimate objects. This show bit the big one when its first four episodes were shown out of order and it failed to attract big numbers midseason.

2. Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)

Another Fuller creation, Pushing Daisies revolves around Ned (Lee Pace), who revives murder victims for a minute- so he can ask them how they were killed and collect the reward. After getting a raw deal during the writer’s strike, the ratings fell asunder during the second season when it failed to reclaim most of their viewers after its nine-month hiatus.

1. Arrested Development (2003-2006)

Everyone knows the story of Arrested Development. Emmy-winning ensemble… smartest comedy (maybe even program) on television, Mitch Hurwitz’s Arrested Development was ahead of its time. With jokes that required multiple viewings, this comedic masterpiece starred Jason Bateman (Silver Spoons) as the son of an imprisoned entrepreneur who is trying to keep his family together. The show had such an impact on society that towards the end of its three-season run, they hinted at a possible film adaptation, which is now in the works.