Top 5 Science Fiction Series Cancellations
1. Star Trek: The Original Series
The show aired on NBC from 1966 to 1969. NBC actually aired a respectable 79 episodes for the show. The thing that makes it the most epic sci-fi cancellation of all time is that the show inspired an entire franchise, still going strong after all these years. The cancellation still makes many lists for biggest blunders in TV, including the 2011 show “25 Biggest TV Blunders 2” on the TV Guide Network, in which it took the #4 slot.
2. Farscape
“Farscape” was one of the best sci-fi shows ever created. You could say it was one of the reasons the Sci-Fi Channel (now SyFy) became popular with sci-fi fans. It was supposed to be funded for five years, but Sci-Fi Channel pulled funding, cancelling the show after four seasons on a cliffhanger.
3. Pushing Daisies
“Pushing Daisies” was one of the few sci-fi/fantasy shows with mass appeal. It was actually growing an audience and doing well. Then the writers’ strike happened, and everything had to be rethought. Many shows were affected. Unfortunately, “Pushing Daisies” was expensive, and, because of the strike, the first season was truncated right when it was gaining momentum. Mass market appeal of this very unique and quirky show makes it the fifth most epic sci-fi cancellation.
4. Stargate Universe
For many sci-fi fans, “Stargate Universe” was a very unique take on a space story. The show is presented on many lists of canceled shows that should be brought back or saved by Netflix. It still has a very strong showing on many Facebook groups. The cancellation put an end to the entire popular “Stargate” franchise.
5. Firefly
“Firefly” many times takes the top spot on lists of shows that should be saved. “Firefly” is unique because only 14 episodes of the show were aired. Those 14 episodes had such a profound impact on people, that a popular movie, Serenity, was conceived, continuing where the show left off three years before.
It has been a decade since the show first aired, and seven years since “Serenity” was released, yet fans of the show still cannot let it go. There is a good reason for that. It was one of the most unique and interesting sci-fi shows ever created.
