--- title: Best One Season TV Shows to Watch description: Some of the most popular TV shows that only lasted one season include 'Freaks and Geeks,' 'Undeclared,' and 'My So-Called Life.' canonical: https://time.com/6184854/one-season-tv-shows/ author: Rob LeDonne article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2022-06-07T15:56:34.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-24T14:20:54.796Z article:section: Entertainment og:title: 10 Beloved TV Shows That Only Lasted One Season og:description: Including 'Freaks and Geeks,' 'Undeclared,' and 'My So-Called Life.' og:url: https://time.com/6184854/one-season-tv-shows/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbf8473ef768c6b9f/698a327409208f0588419379/Best-one-season-TV-shows3.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Best-one-season-TV-shows3 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 10 Beloved TV Shows That Only Lasted One Season twitter:description: Including 'Freaks and Geeks,' 'Undeclared,' and 'My So-Called Life.' twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbf8473ef768c6b9f/698a327409208f0588419379/Best-one-season-TV-shows3.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 10 Beloved TV Shows That Only Lasted One Season > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Ally. Ally is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Ally: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Ally is a digital financial services company offering online-only banking, including checking and savings accounts, through Ally.com and its mobile apps. Launched in 2009 as an original disruptor in financial services, Ally was built to challenge outdated banking norms with a simpler, more convenient way to bank. 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Terms and conditions apply. * Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account. * No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle. * Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner. * Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account. by [Rob LeDonne](https://time.com/author/rob-ledonne/) ## Rob LeDonne Jun 7, 2022 3:56 PM UTC  by [Rob LeDonne](https://time.com/author/rob-ledonne/) ## Rob LeDonne Jun 7, 2022 3:56 PM UTC We all know that the capricious television landscape is littered with forgotten series and woebegotten endeavors—shows that were one and done yet left behind indelible marks on culture. Like comets that streaked across our screens, they burned bright and then disappeared nary a trace. These beloved series were yanked from our airwaves for a variety of reasons: bad marketing, an unlucky timeslot, network mismanagement—or maybe they were simply ahead of their time. Here’s a look back at 10 one-season-wonder television series that should have lasted so much longer. [_Sign up for More to the Story_](https://ti.me/3vGrkXz), _TIME’s weekly entertainment newsletter, to get the context you need for the pop culture you love._ ## **_The Honeymooners_** **(1955)** This revolutionary sitcom, which reflected the ups and downs of everyday life in postwar 1955 America, only lasted a single season, amounting to a grand total of 39 episodes as a full-fledged series. Built around star Jackie Gleason, who portrayed lovable oaf Ralph Kramden alongside his best friend Ed Norton (Art Carney) and wife Trixie (Joyce Randolph), [_The_ _Honeymooners_](https://time.com/3101691/the-honeymooners/) originally existed as sketches on numerous variety shows, including Gleason’s own _The Jackie Gleason Show_. CBS kicked the legendary sitcom off its schedule after a steady year-long ratings decline, only for the series to live on in the annals of American culture and gain popularity via decades of repeats. [**Watch it on Tubi.**](https://reelgood.com/show/the-honeymooners-1955/season/1) ## **_Freaks and Geeks_** **(1999)** This ‘80s-era high school-set series became a launching pad for a who’s-who of comedy powerhouses. It featured [Seth Rogen](https://time.com/3510124/freaks-and-geeks-seth-rogen-canceled/), James Franco, Jason Segel, and Busy Philipps, plus a creative team including Judd Apatow, Paul Feig, and writers like [_The White Lotus_](https://time.com/6076867/the-white-lotus-review/) creator Mike White. The single season of NBC’s _Freaks and Geeks_ is remembered today as a trailblazing show that deftly blended comedy and drama in a realistic way thanks to sharp writing and a plethora of stand-out performances. The show was so unique at the time that it stumped network executives, who quickly threw up their hands in the face of low ratings and relegated it to a graveyard timeslot on Saturday nights. [**Watch it on Pluto TV.**](https://pluto.tv/on-demand/series/freaks-and-geeks-ptv3?utm%5Fmedium=textsearch&utm%5Fsource=google) ## **_My So-Called Life_** **(1994)** [_My So-Called Life_](https://time.com/3160995/my-so-called-life-20th-anniversary/), which premiered in 1994, was another ahead-of-its-time series that critics adored and audiences couldn’t figure out. Long before _Homeland_, it was a breakout role for star Claire Danes (who won a Golden Globe and snagged an Emmy nod for her portrayal of 15-year-old Angela Chase). The series also featured future big-names such as a babyface [Jared Leto](https://time.com/4427272/a-brief-history-of-things-modern-neanderthal-jared-leto-has-done-to-get-in-character/) and _Star Trek: Discovery_ lead Wilson Cruz. Despite only churning out 19 episodes, the show has gone on to collect a rabid cult following. [**Watch it on ABC.**](https://abc.com/shows/my-so-called-life) ## **_Battlestar Galactica_** **(1978)** Long before it generated an avalanche of books, comics, films, and subsequent series, the space-age epic [_Battlestar Galactica_](https://time.com/collection-post/3100889/battlestar-galactica/) began as a humble 1978 television series that was axed after 24 episodes. Spurred by _Star Wars_ mania, the exorbitantly expensive ABC series encountered a chain of bad luck including counter-programming courtesy of CBS (the network shifted its hugely popular _All in the Family_ so that it aired in direct competition with _Battlestar Galactica)_. After its cancellation, an unsuccessful letter-writing campaign was launched by fans to try to save the show. On the upside, its fervent following launched an immensely popular franchise that mostly recently produced the 2012 Syfy series [_Blood and Chrome_](https://techland.time.com/2010/07/28/so-say-we-all-battlestar-galactica-returns-online/)_._ [**Watch it on Tubi.**](https://tubitv.com/series/3711/battlestar-galactica-classic?start=true&utm%5Fsource=google-feed&tracking=google-feed) ## **_The Dana Carvey Show_** **(1996)** This 1996 sketch comedy show was, as its name suggests, hosted by Dana Carvey, a _Saturday Night Live_ and _Wayne’s World_ star. It featured a robust line-up of comedy talent, including writer/cast members Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, as well as bizarre skits positioned around the whirling dervish that is Carvey. Perhaps it was too subversive: the series was canned after just eight episodes. It’s a television failure so legendary that it’s chronicled in the 2017 documentary [_Too Funny to Fail: The Life and Death of the Dana Carvey Show_](https://time.com/4989041/too-funny-to-fail-documentary/)_._ [**Watch it on Crackle.**](https://www.crackle.com/watch/231) ## **_High Fidelity_** **(2020)** Hulu’s 2020 series [_High Fidelity_](https://time.com/5775365/high-fidelity-review-hulu-zoe-kravitz/), starring [Zoë Kravitz](https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177787/zoe-kravitz/), should have been a slam-dunk. The series was inspired by the 2000 John Cusack hit movie, which was based on Nick Hornby’s 1995 book. With a passion for music and a penchant for breaking the fourth wall, the Brooklyn-based show celebrated culture and diversity to critical acclaim. Unfortunately, Hulu declined to renew _High Fidelity_ for a second season, much to the chagrin of fans and cast members. “At least Hulu has a ton of other shows starring women of color we can watch,” Kravitz later [wrote](https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/zoe-kravitz-high-fidelity-hulu-diversity-1234729635/) on social media. “Oh wait.” [**Watch it on Hulu.**](https://www.hulu.com/series/high-fidelity-52cb09be-ccc9-4eb4-9db8-f00b0443b2f5) ## **_Firefly_** **(2002)** [_Firefly_](https://time.com/3034749/firefly-online/) is another single-season sci-fi show that spawned a subsequent franchise. Created by Joss Whedon (of [_Buffy the Vampire Slayer_](https://time.com/3722132/buffy-debut-1997/) fame_)_, _Firefly_ starred Nathan Fillion in an epic story about navigating the ravages of a society that’s set 500 years in the future. Canceled after only 11 episodes, the Fox series found new life on DVD, later spawning the 2005 film _Serenity,_ as well as a series of comics, novels, and podcasts. [**Watch it on Tubi.**](https://tubitv.com/series/300007905/firefly?start=true&utm%5Fsource=google-feed&tracking=google-feed) ## **_Police Squad!_** **(1982)** Hot off the success of their 1980 comedy megahit _Airplane!,_ the creative trio Jerry Zucker, David Zucker, and Jim Abrahams concocted this spoof series of police procedurals. The resulting show, starring Leslie Nielsen, is pure silliness and set the stage for three smash spinoff movies in the form of _The Naked Gun_ series. However, ABC canceled the series after just four episodes. The show later gained a cult following, with series including _The Simpsons_ and _30 Rock_ influenced by its then-unique confluence of smart, zany comedy delivered at a rapid-fire pace. [**Watch it on DVD.**](https://www.amazon.com/Police-Squad-Complete-Leslie-Nielsen/dp/B000H7JCFK) ## **_Bunheads_** **(2012)** For a show that cultivated such a major fanbase, the ABC Family (now Freeform) series [_Bunheads_](https://entertainment.time.com/2013/02/26/on-the-importance-of-bunheads/) feels like it lasted more than just a single season. Catapulting current _Music Man_ lead Sutton Foster from Broadway star to mainstream name, the ballet-focused series borrowed heavily from [_Gilmore Girls_](https://time.com/4565961/gilmore-girls-netflix-review/)_,_ right down to a handful of cast members who appeared on both shows. That’s probably because both shows were from the mind of Amy Sherman-Palladino, who later went on to create the Amazon hit [_The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel_](https://time.com/5042687/marvelous-maisel-retro-heroine-modern-times/)_._ [**Watch it on Hulu.**](https://www.hulu.com/series/bunheads-83438303-abba-4096-b411-4f6c6414e57c) ## **_Undeclared_** **(2001)** Following the cancellation of _Freaks and Geeks,_ [Judd Apatow](http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1898067%5F2030969%5F2030959,00.html) regrouped with this half-hour comedy for Fox in 2001, bringing _Freaks_ star Seth Rogen along for the ride. Swapping high-school antics for college dorm life, _Undeclared_ marked the first major role for Jay Baruchel and featured high-wattage guest appearances from Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell, as well as future boldfaced names ranging from [Kevin Hart](https://time.com/collection-post/3823293/kevin-hart-2015-time-100/) to [Amy Poehler](http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367%5F2066369%5F2066436,00.html). The talent wasn’t enough, however: Fox sent _Undeclared_ out to pasture after just 17 episodes. [**Watch it on YouTube.**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0BVG5ACQk&ab%5Fchannel=MikeDuke) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/6184854/one-season-tv-shows/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/6184854/one-season-tv-shows/"},"headline":"10 Beloved TV Shows That Only Lasted One Season","datePublished":"2022-06-07T15:56:34.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-24T14:20:54.796Z","description":"Some of the most popular TV shows that only lasted one season include 'Freaks and Geeks,' 'Undeclared,' and 'My So-Called Life.'","url":"https://time.com/6184854/one-season-tv-shows/","keywords":["Television","freelance","culturepod"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbf8473ef768c6b9f/698a327409208f0588419379/Best-one-season-TV-shows3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Rob LeDonne","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/rob-ledonne/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbf8473ef768c6b9f/698a327409208f0588419379/Best-one-season-TV-shows3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Best-one-season-TV-shows3","caption":"","creditText":"","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/television/","name":"Television"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/6184854/one-season-tv-shows/","name":"10 Beloved TV Shows That Only Lasted One Season"}}]}] ```