They Canceled My Favorite TV Show!

The State (MTV)

Before Stella Comedy, Reno 911, or even Wet Hot American Summer, there was one of the greatest sketch comedy shows ever. That sketch comedy show was the state and it was canceled. The members have moved on and most of them are doing quite well in the industry. MTV and the State worked together to finally compile a DVD of the series but, now that it has been finished, MTV refuses to release it for some reason.

The Ben Stiller Show (FOX)

Another sketch comedy show from the 90’s was the Ben Stiller show. It starred Janeane Garofalo, Andy Dick, Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show), and, of course, Ben Stiller.

FOX had a way to let you know when a show was about to be cancelled. They would eventually move the program into the Sunday 9:30 time slot, after “Married With Children” and then slowly push it right off of the air. The Ben Stiller Show was no exception.

The Norm Show

Norm McDonald actually had two shows but neither of them worked out in the long term.

I wouldn’t say this was my “favorite” show but I like Norm McDonald and the fact that it featured him made it better than most shows around that time.

Get A Life (FOX)

The canceled Chris Eliot sit-com was arguably the best program ever made about a 30 year old paper boy that lived with his parents.

The Winner

This FOX show, starring Rob Corddry, formerly of the Daily Show, was totally funny. Maybe it wasn’t that great, but the way the show was set up, Corddry narrated from the future and was telling the story about how he went from a total loser who was living with his parents in Buffalo to being filthy rich and awesome. But they canceled the show after like 4 episodes, so WE’LL NEVER KNOW HOW. And that will bother me forever.

Moral Orel

I’ve learned a lot from this show…. what will I do when it’s actually over?

The Jon Stewart Show (MTV/CBS)

Jon Stewart’s original talk show was on MTV and later moved to CBS in a short lived late night time slot, when Arsenio Hall was canceled. There has always been talk in the industry and speculation about Stewart taking over for Letterman when he retires.

Mr. Show (HBO)

Bod Odenkirk and David Cross’ skit comedy show featured Jack Black and had a great following but it was still canceled by HBO. I’ve met these guys and attended a Q & A where they explained their constant struggles from the network that never really ever “understood” their comedy or where they were coming from.

The Norm show disappeared from the air-waves rather suddenly after co-star and former Alf star Max Wright was featured in Enquirer magazine puffing rock and making out with other men in a crack house.

Hip Hop producers and “Get A Life” fans, Dan the Automator and Prince Paul created a group named “Handsome Boy Modeling School” as a tribute which features audio clips to the program.

Lucky Louie

Lucky Louie was a completely hilarious HBO sitcom starring comic genius Louis C.K. (writer/director of Pootie Tang!) I think the problem was that this show was just too smart for its own good. People couldn’t understand a show that juxtaposed the classic sitcom bare sets and laugh tracks with really raunchy humor. I got it, though, and I miss it. I literally would pay for HBO if it were the only way for me to see Lucky Louie.

I loved Futurama and was very sad when it went away. At least I can watch reruns…