Love My TV

Vincent Van Gogh, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe, Franz Kafka, Henry David Thoreau, yes, we watch way too much television, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have an appreciation for the classics. What do all these artists (yes, writing is an art form as well) have in common? When their final curtain call came, there was no standing ovation, only faint applause, with legions of fans later latching on to their greatness. The same thing happens all too often in terms of television shows. Cancelled by network executives who want to green the next hack forensic crime show or cookie-cutter animation series, these shows were either never allowed to reach their pinnacle or watched only sparingly by audiences until developing cult followings since cancellation. Without further ado, the most underappreciated shows in their time, of all time

1. Arrested Development To some this may be to bold, so if you’re faint of heart perhaps close your eyes Arrested Development is the most brilliantly written television sitcom of all time. There, we said it. Well, at least the first two seasons were brilliant. The third season was a bit rushed towards the end as time was suddenly limited by a FOX network that can’t appreciate the genius airing in its own time slots. Not to say the third season was bad by any means, with plenty of gems such as the “Save Our Bluths” campaign, a double edged ploy to not only bail the Bluth’s out of financial turmoil but save the show from cancellation. One could only imagine the potential this show could’ve reached if it was allowed to develop over a natural television trajectory. To take a line from the show, FOX executives are probably looking back now, each muttering to his self, “I’ve made a huge mistake.”
2. The Wire Hands down the greatest all-around television show no one watched, suffering through lackluster ratings its entire duration. The Wire also never piled up any major awards, though was deserving of a Madmen-esque haul every time the Emmy’s rolled around. Today, The Wire has fans far and wide, including perhaps the most influential fan of all Barack Obama, who is on recording describing The Wire as his “favorite TV show.” The Wire was nearly cancelled after its second and third season due to heavy timeslot competition from Desperate Housewives of all series, and did not garner mainstream until its fourth season, only now being watched by many audiences who missed out on its original broadcasts.
3. The Loop Perhaps not fair to include on the list, The Loop is not just underrated, it’s unheard of even by heavy TV viewers throughout the world, yet to receive its postmortem attention. A hilarious comedy about managing the working world with a social life for a fresh out of college grad, this sitcom is only further proof that, in many instances, FOX execs must not watch their own programs. The Loop lasted for just 2 seasons, with its cancellation announced before the second season even aired. In total, there are just 17 episodes, all of which are worth a watch. Give it a chance. You’ll love it, guaranteed.