19 TV Shows That Don’t Get the Love They Deserve but Should
The golden age of television may be over, but that doesn’t mean we should run out of shows to watch. With more than 500 TV shows released globally each year, it can be impossible to keep track of all the content, let alone have time to watch it!
It’s easy to understand how some great programming can slip through the cracks and go unnoticed. To fix this, we’ve curated a list of 19 great TV shows that fell into obscurity despite their fanbase’s love. Hopefully, you’ll find some shows to add to your must-watch list!
1. Wellington Paranormal
What We Do in the Shadows is one of the best horror comedies ever televised. So, it’s surprising that its spin-off show, Wellington Paranormal, flew under the radar. The series follows the slightly oblivious police officers from the original film as they try to deal with their daily police work.
In a similar fashion to the film, our characters never seem to realize that maybe the crimes they are dealing with aren’t exactly ordinary. This setup allows for some fantastic comedic acting and has gained a small but devoted fan base.
2. Russian Doll
There was a small window in the late 2010s when time-loop media became very popular. One of the best media to come out of this craze is Netflix’s original show Russian Doll. The series follows Nadia as she tries to escape the death loop that keeps her trapped on her 36th birthday.
Fans praise the series’ concise writing and dry humor. The show’s frontrunner, Natasha Lyonne, brings this character to life in a way that few others could. Russian Doll has two seasons on Netflix, and fans eagerly await confirmation on season three.
3. Reaper
With such a unique premise, Reaper should have gathered a larger audience than it did. The series attempted to capitalize on the “Monster-of-the-Week” format, which was made famous by shows such as Supernatural.
Reaper follows Sam Oliver after he learns that his parents sold his soul to the devil and must become a bounty hunter for Satan himself. The show was canceled after two seasons, but still maintains a fanbase online.
4. Fringe
Fringe is what would have happened if the FBI backed Mulder and Scully in The X-Files. The series follows an FBI team tasked with investigating unusual events. Audiences loved Fringe’s injection of time travel and alternate realities into the crime procedural format.
Ultimately, Fringe couldn’t compete with other “Monster-of-the-Week” shows and got canceled after five seasons. Still, Fringe retains an avid fan base and streams on Max.
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5. Party Down
Adam Scott was involved in the workplace comedy Party Down before gaining fame in Parks and Recreation. The series was labeled The Office for Hospitality Staff. Unfortunately, the show’s two main stars were attached to more promising options at the time, and the project fell apart after two seasons.
Party Down retained a cult following on the internet and recently came back for a third season. Many original cast members, like Adam Scott and Jane Lynch, returned for the continuation. The series has gained a new fanbase and deserves more attention and discussion.
6. Frontier
Following his performance as Drogo in Game of Thrones, Jason Momoa headlined a dramatic action series following the events of the Canadian fur trade. The creators expected Frontier to follow in the success of similar shows like Deadwood or Hell on Wheels.
Combining a unique setting for an established niche with fantastic acting talent should have paved the way for greatness. However, the series never gained a loyal following and was canceled after three seasons.
7. MXC
MXC walked so that shows like Wipeout could run. Takeshi’s Castle is a popular Japanese game show where contestants participate in an obstacle course to win a cash prize of 1 million yen. The show is filmed and edited to include an American voiceover, giving it a humorous twist, before being released to American audiences as MXC.
Before YouTube made these types of parodies commonplace, MXC provided audiences with a unique and wacky game show that still enjoys a healthy fanbase. The series was canceled after five seasons, but fans still watch it regularly via compilation videos online.
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8. Eureka
After years of making some of the worst direct-to-TV films, Syfy tried its hand at original TV programming. Most of these attempts failed, but the experiment did produce a few hidden gems. One of the more successful projects is the sci-fi mystery Eureka.
The series follows a U.S. Marshal who discovers a small town filled with mad scientists whose inventions could destroy the world. Critics nominated Eureka for an Emmy for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Series and the series won the Leo Award for Best Visual Effects in a Dramatic Series.
9. The Venture Bros.
This series holds the record for the fewest seasons produced per year. The Venture Bros. released seven seasons over 15 years, during which time it cultivated a loyal fanbase who enjoyed the show’s meta humor.
At its heart, The Venture Bros. is a show about the adult lives of famous child adventures from the 1960s. The show riffs on characters like Johnny Quest and Scooby Doo, portraying them as mentally ill adults who can’t face the trauma caused by their adventuring days.
10. 11.22.63
A Stephen King adaptation starring James Franco should have been a recipe for success. While the show did receive some praise after its release in 2016, it didn’t receive the recognition that many other King adaptations have received.
11.22.63 follows Jake Epping after he learns the secrets of time travel. He uses this knowledge to try stopping JFK’s assassination. Franco performs fantastically as a time-traveling high school English teacher who struggles with the implications of changing the past.
11. Kim’s Convenience
This Canadian sitcom has earned an online following for its progressive themes and heartfelt family dynamic. Kim’s Convenience follows the Kim family after immigrating from Korea to Canada. While not the most original premise, the family’s organic feel grants the show a dedicated viewer base.
Each week, the family dealt with culture clash, drama, and the struggles of owning a small business. These themes resonated with families worldwide. Kim’s Convenience ended after five seasons when the show’s creators departed the series.
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12. Game Changer
Dropout, formerly known as Collegehumor, is a small streaming platform focusing on nerd culture. The platform features live DND, trivia contests, and sketch comedy, but its most well-received show is Game Changer.
This series acts like an unscripted comedy in which contestants compete on a weekly game show. Contestants receive information about the rules after their participation. Each week, contestants must figure out the game’s rules as they go along. This unique format has led to a rapidly growing fanbase for the platform.
13. Love, Death & Robots
Fans praise this animated anthology for its comprehensive use of themes and genres. Love, Death & Robots covers so many topics that it has something for everyone. It also showcases almost every artistic style imaginable.
The series has won over 20 awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation. Netflix has greenlit Love, Death & Robots for a third season and is now available for streaming.
14. Creepshow
This Shudder original cashes in on the cheesiness of 1980s horror. Creepshow has a long history in the world of horror. Master filmmakers Stephen King and George A. Romera created the first Creepshow film in 1982.
It has since spawned several sequels and comic book adaptations and is now an anthology series on Shudder. The film promotes stories from up-and-coming talent and some of the best people working in horror. But even with its history and star power, Creepshow still needs to gain the recognition it deserves.
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15. Good Omens
Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are two of the biggest names in modern literature. When they released their co-written book, Good Omens, it was an immediate hit and has become a longtime bestseller. But the same can’t be said for the book’s TV adaptation.
Good Omens tells the story of an unlikely alliance between an angel and a demon, who ally to prevent the biblical apocalypse and save humanity. What ensues is a hilarious story filled with heart and compassion.
16. Ghosts
Like many successful UK shows, producers recently remade Ghosts for American audiences. Although the U.S. reboot has its merits, the 2019 version of the show is superior in many ways.
Ghosts follow a young woman after she inherits a house filled with ghosts. Although the plot has “been done about a million times,” Ghosts turns the premise on its head and makes the show a comedy. Instead of a haunted house, Ghosts is about a home filled with needy spirits from various time periods in the UK.
17. Spartacus
After successful films like 300, STARZ tried creating a historical action series. The result was three seasons of the show Spartacus. This series follows the exploits of real-life gladiator Spartacus, although it takes many liberties with historical events.
STARZ focused on blood and gore in its historical retelling, and the action-packed series gained a sizable audience. However, show creator Steven S. DeKnight abruptly ended Spartacus at the height of its popularity. Much to the dismay of the show’s fans, he thought it would be best to end the series on a high note.
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18. Wilfred
Based on the Australian series of the same name, Wilfred follows a depressed man who believes his neighbor’s dog is a grown man in a dog costume. This series is as wacky as the description makes it sound.
Brilliant performances from Elijah Wood and Jason Gann marvelously execute this ridiculous premise. Unfortunately, this surreal comedy never found its footing and was canceled after just four seasons.
19. Channel Zero
A few platforms have tried turning creepypasta stories into TV entertainment. Still, Channel Zero has yet to be as successful. Each season focuses on a famous internet horror story, such as Candle Cove or Butcher’s Block.
Despite its positive reviews, Channel Zero never received a high enough viewer base to justify creating a fifth season. However, the series still receives rave reviews from critics and fans alike for its haunting themes and imagery. Although many have tried, few pieces of horror media are as unsettling as Channel Zero.
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