Why Do All the Television Shows I Like Get Cancelled?
Why Do All the Television Shows I Like Get Cancelled?
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I did enjoy “ER” and it has survived the loss of George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle, and Noah Wyle.
But, with the release (finally) of “Birds of Prey” on DVD, I started thinking about all those little gems I thoroughly enjoyed and faithfully watched, only to see them disappear into the television netherworld… forgotten. Here are some notables:
“Roar (1997-2000).” This show is available on DVD. Starring the late Heath Ledger, this show actually introduced Ledger to American audiences. As young prince, Conor, Ledger displayed much of the talent later audiences would come to appreciate. Conor is the surviving son of a clan chief and units his people to fight the invading forces of Rome. The show mixed Irish history, legend, and myth into an entertaining hour of television. One of the two main villains of the show was Longinus; the Roman centurion legend says pierced Christ’s side and was thus cursed with immortality. It did not survive for long, but enjoyed a cult following, which inevitably led to its DVD release.
“The Bionic Woman (2007).” It took me a while to warm up to the idea of redoing the Bionic Woman. But, I watched the first episode and while there were some elements that just creeped me out (the Frankenstein-like doctor/boyfriend), I saw some great potential, especially between the two Bionic Women (if you watched the show, you know what I am talking about). Unfortunately for the show, the writer’s strike erupted and production was shut down. Despite less than stellar but still solid ratings, NBC cancelled the series. Just when the series was hitting its’ stride. Just when the lovely Michelle Ryan was starting to flex her “bionic” muscles and incorporate both a burgeoning self-confidence with a cautious acceptance of her new role as “spy.” And, of course, we will never know Sarah Corvis’ fate. So many unanswered questions. Of course, a quick check of IMDB.com (my secret film trivia source) shows that fourteen episodes were made. There is a DVD but only eight episodes are included. Will the other six ever see the light of day? Time will only tell. And, if anyone doubts Michelle Ryan’s acting abilities, check her out in BBC’s “East Enders” or (better yet) “Jekyll.”
“Medical Investigation (2004-2005).” This show was part “ER” and part “CSI” except more often than not the “bad guys” on this series were microbial. The team, working with the National Institute of Health, would investigate strange medical events across the country and around the world. For example, the premiere episode dealt with mysterious asphyxiations that turned out to be caused by the accidental ingestion of saltpeter at a popular restaurant. Led by “The Tin Man’s” Neal McDonough, the team would tackle life-threatening outbreaks while dealing with their own personal struggles. No DVD yet.
“Mercy Point (1998-1999).” I loved this show. A cross between “ER” and “Star Trek,” this show centered on a space station emergency unit called Mercy Point. Led by sci-fi favorite, Joe Morton, the team of surgeons would cater to the human and alien clientele with equal patience and skill. This show offered glimpses of what emergency medicine could be in the future. It also had an android nurse, ANI, that sometimes ruffled the feathers of her human counterparts with her precise diagnosis and total lack of “bedside manner” skills. Mercy Point was a military facility, which often provided conflicts between the administrators and the patients that burst through the airlock doors. I would love a DVD of this show but none exists
“Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982).” Cashing in on the popularity of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” this show was the best of the 1930s adventure shows that popped up on television. Starring Stephen Collins as down-on-his-luck pilot Jake Cutter, the series followed a group of misfits on a tropical island in the South Pacific as they searched for a legendary Gold Monkey said to contain mysterious powers. Who can forget the stuffy yet hilarious British agent Sarah Stickney White or Jake’s one-eyed dog, the intelligent Jack? There is a campaign to get this show released on DVD.
“The Chamber of Commerce of Wildside (1985).” Not just your average Western show. This little gem (which is available as a three-tape VHS box set) stars one of the greatest character actors of all time, William Smith, as Brodie Hollister, a gunslinger who, along with four friends, forms the Chamber of Commerce of Wildside. The show lasted all of six episodes but included such regulars and guest stars as Meg Ryan, James Cromwell, Martin Kove, Sid Haig, and Will Sampson. Never taking itself too seriously, just as the five members of the CoC, the show was just an entertaining hour of gunslingers, knife throwers, compassionate vets, and the gold hidden in California.
“Voyagers (1982).” This show introduced me to Jon-Erik Hexum. Hexum played a time traveler named Phineas Bogg who stumbles into grumbling preteen Meeno Peluce’s life. While trying to fix his broken time piece, the two are hurled throughout various times in history, repairing historical errors as they go. It was a light-hearted action adventure show with a bit of history just for good measure. This show did last for almost one season but was inevitably cancelled. Jon-Erik Hexum went on to “Cover Up,” the show he was working on when he tragically lost his life. “Voyagers” is now available on DVD.
And, finally, “Birds of Prey (2002-2003).” I was surprised the WB pulled this as quickly as they did, considering they were advertising it during their big show “Charmed.” Lifting the “Birds of Prey” storyline from the comic book of the same name, the show followed superheroes Huntress and Oracle as they fought crime in New Gotham during Batman’s self-imposed exile. (Long story short = Gotham City was hit by a devastating earthquake. A “new” Gotham was built on the ruins. Hence the name change.) The show combined kick-ass martial arts with ingenious deductive reasoning and even a bit of that “awkward teenager just coming into her powers” angst. I am glad the show is now available on DVD as I enjoyed seeing Oracle struggle with her past as Batgirl and her future as the virtual eyes and ears of crime-fighters in not just Gotham City but the entire DC universe.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I did enjoy “ER” and it has survived the loss of George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle, and Noah Wyle.
But, with the release (finally) of “Birds of Prey” on DVD, I started thinking about all those little gems I thoroughly enjoyed and faithfully watched, only to see them disappear into the television netherworld… forgotten. Here are some notables:
“Roar (1997-2000).” This show is available on DVD. Starring the late Heath Ledger, this show actually introduced Ledger to American audiences. As young prince, Conor, Ledger displayed much of the talent later audiences would come to appreciate. Conor is the surviving son of a clan chief and units his people to fight the invading forces of Rome. The show mixed Irish history, legend, and myth into an entertaining hour of television. One of the two main villains of the show was Longinus; the Roman centurion legend says pierced Christ’s side and was thus cursed with immortality. It did not survive for long, but enjoyed a cult following, which inevitably led to its DVD release.
“The Bionic Woman (2007).” It took me a while to warm up to the idea of redoing the Bionic Woman. But, I watched the first episode and while there were some elements that just creeped me out (the Frankenstein-like doctor/boyfriend), I saw some great potential, especially between the two Bionic Women (if you watched the show, you know what I am talking about). Unfortunately for the show, the writer’s strike erupted and production was shut down. Despite less than stellar but still solid ratings, NBC cancelled the series. Just when the series was hitting its’ stride. Just when the lovely Michelle Ryan was starting to flex her “bionic” muscles and incorporate both a burgeoning self-confidence with a cautious acceptance of her new role as “spy.” And, of course, we will never know Sarah Corvis’ fate. So many unanswered questions. Of course, a quick check of IMDB.com (my secret film trivia source) shows that fourteen episodes were made. There is a DVD but only eight episodes are included. Will the other six ever see the light of day? Time will only tell. And, if anyone doubts Michelle Ryan’s acting abilities, check her out in BBC’s “East Enders” or (better yet) “Jekyll.”
“Medical Investigation (2004-2005).” This show was part “ER” and part “CSI” except more often than not the “bad guys” on this series were microbial. The team, working with the National Institute of Health, would investigate strange medical events across the country and around the world. For example, the premiere episode dealt with mysterious asphyxiations that turned out to be caused by the accidental ingestion of saltpeter at a popular restaurant. Led by “The Tin Man’s” Neal McDonough, the team would tackle life-threatening outbreaks while dealing with their own personal struggles. No DVD yet.
“Mercy Point (1998-1999).” I loved this show. A cross between “ER” and “Star Trek,” this show centered on a space station emergency unit called Mercy Point. Led by sci-fi favorite, Joe Morton, the team of surgeons would cater to the human and alien clientele with equal patience and skill. This show offered glimpses of what emergency medicine could be in the future. It also had an android nurse, ANI, that sometimes ruffled the feathers of her human counterparts with her precise diagnosis and total lack of “bedside manner” skills. Mercy Point was a military facility, which often provided conflicts between the administrators and the patients that burst through the airlock doors. I would love a DVD of this show but none exists
“Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982).” Cashing in on the popularity of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” this show was the best of the 1930s adventure shows that popped up on television. Starring Stephen Collins as down-on-his-luck pilot Jake Cutter, the series followed a group of misfits on a tropical island in the South Pacific as they searched for a legendary Gold Monkey said to contain mysterious powers. Who can forget the stuffy yet hilarious British agent Sarah Stickney White or Jake’s one-eyed dog, the intelligent Jack? There is a campaign to get this show released on DVD.
“The Chamber of Commerce of Wildside (1985).” Not just your average Western show. This little gem (which is available as a three-tape VHS box set) stars one of the greatest character actors of all time, William Smith, as Brodie Hollister, a gunslinger who, along with four friends, forms the Chamber of Commerce of Wildside. The show lasted all of six episodes but included such regulars and guest stars as Meg Ryan, James Cromwell, Martin Kove, Sid Haig, and Will Sampson. Never taking itself too seriously, just as the five members of the CoC, the show was just an entertaining hour of gunslingers, knife throwers, compassionate vets, and the gold hidden in California.
“Voyagers (1982).” This show introduced me to Jon-Erik Hexum. Hexum played a time traveler named Phineas Bogg who stumbles into grumbling preteen Meeno Peluce’s life. While trying to fix his broken time piece, the two are hurled throughout various times in history, repairing historical errors as they go. It was a light-hearted action adventure show with a bit of history just for good measure. This show did last for almost one season but was inevitably cancelled. Jon-Erik Hexum went on to “Cover Up,” the show he was working on when he tragically lost his life. “Voyagers” is now available on DVD.
And, finally, “Birds of Prey (2002-2003).” I was surprised the WB pulled this as quickly as they did, considering they were advertising it during their big show “Charmed.” Lifting the “Birds of Prey” storyline from the comic book of the same name, the show followed superheroes Huntress and Oracle as they fought crime in New Gotham during Batman’s self-imposed exile. (Long story short = Gotham City was hit by a devastating earthquake. A “new” Gotham was built on the ruins. Hence the name change.) The show combined kick-ass martial arts with ingenious deductive reasoning and even a bit of that “awkward teenager just coming into her powers” angst. I am glad the show is now available on DVD as I enjoyed seeing Oracle struggle with her past as Batgirl and her future as the virtual eyes and ears of crime-fighters in not just Gotham City but the entire DC universe.
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