By Leila Holley
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How does the public gauge whether a past comedy series is worth their time? One metric is the number of seasons. If a show continues for multiple years and seasons, that's a pretty good indication that it has merits. But that doesn't tell the whole story. Year after year, fans wait to see if their new beloved show is going to be picked up for a second or third season, and many times, it is not.
It's a tough business, and with thousands of series competing for attention, both new and old, it makes sense that studio or TV execs sometimes get it wrong. This leads to impassioned online campaigns and petitions to bring back series fans believe deserve a second chance. More pointedly, there is a slew of belly-laugh-inducing comedy series that got criminally cut short after just one season.
12 ‘Lucky Hank’ (2023)

Lucky Hank
Lucky Hank follows Hank Devereaux, the English chairman and professor at a poorly resourced college in Pennsylvania. He's a struggling writer, doesn't like his colleagues, and is often annoyed by his students. As both his work and personal lives begin to unravel, Hank must try his best to avoid a full-on breakdown.
So Much Potential
Some series show teachers the public would love to have or would love to be. Neither is the case with Hank. The series mixes dry humor and a bit of drama. While we all can't relate to Hank, his issues can be applied to most people. Despite this seemingly universal appeal, AMC gave it the boot after one eight-episode season.
11 ‘Freaks and Geeks’ (1999-2000)

Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks is a teen dramedy that has taken on a life of its own since its release. Set in Michigan, the series revolves around a group of teenagers at McKinley High School in the early eighties. Two significant characters are siblings Lindsay and Sam. Lindsay begins acting out by hanging out with outcasts, while Sam is trying to survive freshman year.
A Long Tail
With how the internet talks about this series now, one would think it was a massive hit. Wrong. Those who saw the show liked it, but that number was quite small. Adding to the tragic one-season trajectory, the studio and creators behind the show couldn't see eye-to-eye. The original run didn't air the final few episodes, though they were eventually released once amassing its cult following.
10 ‘In the Know’ (2024)

In the Know
TV-MA
Animation
Comedy
- Release Date
- January 25, 2024
- Cast
- Zach Woods, J. Smith-Cameron, Charlie Bushnell, Carl Tart, Mike Judge, Caitlin Reilly
- Seasons
- 1
In the Know is an animated series following an NPR radio program and its staff. Lauren Caspian is the host of the third-most-popular interview show. Voiced by Zach Woods, Lauren shows how the radio show gets made and all the escapades that occur on and off the air.
Lights Out, Everyone
While most of the show is animated, real people are interspersed in the episode when Lauren interviews them. Celebrity cameos include Roxane Gay, Kaia Gerber, Mike Tyson, and Hugh Laurie, among others. The world doesn't get many adult animation series, let alone stop-motion animation. That made In the Know so special and its short lifespan all the more disappointing.
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9 ‘Garfunkel and Oates’ (2014)

Garfunkel and Oates
TV-MA
Comedy
- Release Date
- August 6, 2012
- Cast
- Arden Myrin, Shannon Woodward, Davey Johnson, Kate Micucci, Natasha Leggero, Riki Lindhome, Matt Braunger, T.J. Miller, Thomas MIddleditch, Randy Liedtke, Artemis Pebdani, Heather Lipson Bell, Torrie Bogda, Becky Feldman, Chelsea Hackett, Genevieve Howell, Meagan Kong, Shannon Janet Smith, Veronica Stevens, Lauren Brooks, Julie Dugan, Kathleen O'Toole, Amy Welch, Brett Gelman, Jon Daly
- Seasons
- 1
Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci make up the folk comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates. In 2014, they took their musical act from the stage to the screen. The series, also named Garfunkel and Oates, depicts the pair's climb to Hollywood success by singing satirical songs about their lives.
A Truly Dynamic Duo
The premise of twenty-somethings trying to make it in a big city has been done ad nauseum. Yet the introduction of satirical music gives Garfunkel and Oates an edge over its contemporaries. It doesn't feel like something viewers have seen before, and how Lindhome and Micucci bounce off each other is unmatched. Still, scheduling conflicts left this series as a one-and-done.
8 ‘The Brothers Sun’ (2024)

The Brothers Sun
The Brothers Sun is a Netflix original that combines comedy, action, and family drama. Bruce Sun hasn't experienced life much outside of California. That's all set to change when his older brother, Charles, comes from Taiwan and tells him about their family's gangster legacy. Oh, and that assassins are now after Bruce too.
What's Going On at Netflix HQ?
The plot never lets off the gas and the humor is properly woven into the drama and action. The Brothers Sun is perfect for comedy lovers who want more depth and grit in the shows they consume. Michelle Yeoh plays the family matriarch and in true Yeoh fashion, steals the attention in every scene she's in. It's yet another case of Netflix canceling a great program.
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7 ‘Wonderfalls’ (2004)

Wonderfalls
Drama
- Release Date
- March 12, 2004
- Cast
- Caroline Dhavernas, Tyron Leitso, Tracie Thoms, Katie Finneran, Lee Pace, Diana Scarwid, William Sadler
- Seasons
- 1
Wonderfalls centers on Jaye Tyler, a graduate of a prestigious university. However, she's disappointed with the path her life has taken, as she works at a gift shop in Niagara Falls and lives in a trailer. She's naturally closed off to people, but the figurines and dolls at the gift shop start talking to her and force her to come out of her shell.
Too Weird for Audiences?
Yes, Wonderfalls sounds quite odd and that's because it is. This was released in the early 2000s, so while the effects on the talking objects aren't great, that just adds to the humor. The show did so poorly that only a few of the episodes were aired on the original network, though the remainder were later released elsewhere. Still, this quirky comedy is a lot of fun and worth a watch.
6 ‘Reboot’ (2022)

Reboot (2022)
TV-MA
Comedy
- Release Date
- September 20, 2022
- Cast
- Bob Clendenin, E.J. Callahan, Fred Melamed, George Newbern, Johnny Knoxville, Mauricio Mendoza, Paul Reiser, Walter Murphy, Calum Worthy, Izzy Diaz, Keegan-Michael Key, Kate Comer, Stephanie Allynne, Esther Povitsky, Jamila Webb, Krista Marie Yu, Cody Derr, Kenneth Mosley, Alex J. Joseph, Cleo Fraser, Mnelik Belilgne, Michael Moskewicz, Korama Danquah, Chris Kleckner, Kristian Ventura
- Seasons
- 1
Reboot is a comedy series from 2022 that viewers could find on Hulu. From Steven Levitan, the co-creator of Modern Family, this is a series about a series. Taking place in the early 2000s, Step Right Up is a popular sitcom with a cast who don't always see eye-to-eye. But if they want to avoid their show getting rebooted, they'll have to learn to come together.
It Did Everything Right
This series was stacked with an incredible cast, including Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville as two of the cast members. Most viewers loved the show and it earned critical recognition too, in the form of many award nominations and wins. Ratings were solid, which is why it came as a shock when Hulu canceled it and no other networks snatched it up.
5 ‘Police Squad!' (1982)

Police Squad
TV-PG
Comedy
Crime
- Release Date
- March 4, 1982
- Cast
- Leslie Nielsen, Alan North, Ed Williams, William Duell, Marvin Miller
- Seasons
- 1
Police Squad! is a crime comedy that pokes fun at stuffy, serious police procedurals. Leslie Nielsen plays Sergeant Frank Drebin, a derpy dude who leads his squad to solve a number of cases. Critics and fans alike couldn't get enough of Nielsen's portrayal of this character. Who could get enough? ABC, as it was canceled after airing for its six episodes.
Start of Something New
But the story doesn't end here. While this was the end of the road for Police Squad, it wasn't for Nielsen or Frank Drebin. The series led to The Naked Gun film series, spawning three successful movies. The legacy of the movies far outlived the show, as in 2025 Liam Neeson will star in a fourth film as Frank Drebin Jr.
4 ‘The Grinder’ (2015-2016)

The Grinder
The Grinder is a legal comedy starring Rob Lowe. He plays Dean, an actor known for his role as a lawyer on a long-running series. When that show comes to an end, Dean moves back to his hometown in Idaho. Inspired by his character, Dean decides to practice law for real at his family's firm.
Everything Was Looking Up
The series premiered on Fox in 2015 and the reception was strong. The network ordered more episodes for season 1. So many people connected to Dean, the other lawyers, and his family. On top of that, the writing and humor were so razor-sharp that a second season seemed imminent. Alas, twenty-two episodes over one season was all the world got.
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3 ‘Goodtime Girls’ (1980)

Goodtime Girls
NR
Comedy
War
- Release Date
- January 22, 1980
- Cast
- Annie Potts, Lorna Patterson, Georgia Engel, Francine Tacker, Adrian Zmed, Marcia Lewis, Peter Scolari, Merwin Goldsmith, Michael McKean, Scott Baio, Richard Stahl, Paul Gale, Philip Charles MacKenzie, Philip Levien, Jack Blessing, Sparky Marcus
Understandably so, World War II and comedy aren't two things that get associated with one another often. But Goodtime Girls managed to pull it off. The sitcom revolves around four women sharing a tiny apartment in Washington D.C. during the war. Edith, Loretta, Camille, and Betty must learn to survive one another and these times in one piece.
An Underrated Gem
Goodtime Girls had so much going for it. A ragtag group of characters? Check. Wacky mishaps? You betcha. Quick, digestible episodes? Of course. Yet it never found the audience it should have, neither in its initial release nor in recent years. So many missed out on these ladies' hilarious adventures.
2 ‘Kaos’ (2024)

Kaos
Comedy
Drama
Fantasy
- Release Date
- August 29, 2024
- Cast
- Jeff Goldblum, David Thewlis, Janet McTeer, Cliff Curtis, Nabhaan Rizwan, killian scott, Aurora Perrineau, Misia Butler, Leila Farzad, Rakie Ayola, Stanley Townsend, Billie Piper, Suzy Eddie Izzard.
- Seasons
- 1
Kaos is a British dark comedy that came into the world via Netflix. Steeped in Greek mythology, viewers get acquainted with Zeus who is holding fellow god Prometheus captive. Little does he know, that his captor is sowing the seeds of a prophecy that will overthrow Zeus, with the help of three humans.
Netflix's High Standards
Mythology nerds will devour this series in one sitting. Not just because Netflix canceled it after a measly eight episodes, but because it's highly bingeable. Actor Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus and reminds audiences why he's had such a thriving career for decades. But Netflix is cutthroat and even top-performing series aren't safe, so this quieter show stood no chance.
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1
1 ’Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ (2023)

4.5 /5
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
TV-MA
Animation
Action
Adventure
Comedy
- Release Date
- November 17, 2023
- Cast
- Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman
- Seasons
- 1
The Scott Pilgrim world has had a lot of ups and downs. Originally a graphic novel, it was made into a film in 2010. The movie disappointed in theaters but gained a dedicated following after. From this, an animated series called Scott Pilgrim Takes Off was created and premiered on Netflix in 2023. Much of the original cast reprised their roles, including Michael Cera and Chris Evans.
An Unstable IP
Takes Off veered away from the book's material and went into a new direction. Normally a recipe for disaster amongst fans, the changes were largely liked and some even preferred it to the original works (blasphemy!). Though there's no clear reason why, it was confirmed that Takes Off wouldn't land a season 2.
- TV Lists
- Comedy
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