Ten Shows Canceled Before Their Time By The Fox Network

We've all been there. A new show airs on The Fox Network. It's great. It's fun. It's got a lot of potential. You're hooked within the first couple of episodes. But there's a little voice whispering in the back of your mind taunting, 'But it's on the Fox Network. You know what that means, don't you?' You try to ignore it, but you can't help but remember all the other times you've been hurt before. No matter how stoic your demeanor, there's still a tremble to your lips as you brace for the inevitable.

And then it happens. Your new favorite show vanishes from your DVR schedule. You're left bereft, shaking your fist vainly at the stars and asking a universal question among Fox viewers: 'What demon teat does American Idol suckle at to instigate the demise of even it's remotest of competitors?'

The list of canceled Fox shows would take far too long to compile, so I'm just going to focus on the top ten whose loss is still causing me convulsions. In my humble opinion, these are ten shows that Fox canceled before their time.

1. That 80's Show: An obvious offshoot of That 70's Show, That 80's Show was just finding it's pace when Fox yanked it. I'm a child of the 80's and recalled with fondness watching Dynasty with Joan Collins at her bitchy best, and listening to music I'm still a little embarrassed to admit to being a fan of. Like all new shows it stumbled a bit with the pilot, but then the actors got comfortable with their characters. I really thought it could have been something beautiful, but Fox obviously disagreed, per their business model.

2. Kindred: The Embraced: Okay, part of this show's cancellation isn't Fox's fault. One of the actors had the audacity to die, making sure there was no chance of bringing the show back. However, Fox in it's infinite wisdom already decided that a vampire show just wasn't a ratings grabber. Not even one with so much cheese and melodrama that it could have put Melrose Place to shame. Idiots.

3. Titus: Poor Christopher Titus. Rough childhood. Psycho mom. Alcoholic father. Painfully funny show on the Fox Network. 'Nuff said.

4. Justice: This was just a blip on the radar before they yanked this great lawyer show. Ron Trott is a complete asshole that offers defense to those who can afford it, or who can provide great PR for his law firm. He's the guy you'd want defending you, but would want nothing else to do with. I don't understand why this didn't take off, other than Fox's usual style of jumping a show around on the time slots, and then wondering why people aren't watching. Ever think it's because no one can find the show when you jump it around like a kangaroo with ADD?

5. Back To You: This comedy had fast-paced, and god forbid, intelligent dialogue, great characters, and was funny as hell. It should still be airing and giving Kelsey Grammer a paycheck. I suspect Fox didn't think it's viewers could keep up with something of this caliber, and figured we'd be better distracted by American Idol Rewind or other such rot.

6. Stacked: Part of the reason this show didn't get better ratings is because Pamela Anderson was the only focus in the promos. Christopher Lloyd was a riot as the stoic professor, and the rest of the ensemble cast were awesome. This was truly a show greater than the sum of it's parts, and one I made sure to buy on DVD, especially since Fox didn't even air all of the episodes that were made.

7. Tru Calling: This interesting show about rewinding days gave Zach Galifianakis a chance to prove he can act. It made it partway into a second season, but only after a long hiatus. Then Fox canceled it and replaced it with some piece of tripe that even previews of made my left eye twitch.

8. John Doe: Before the mini-series that should have been over after the first season, Prison Break, Dominic Purcell played an amnesic genius who knew every fact in the known universe. He was charming, and the story interesting. Things were getting even better at the end of season one, so naturally Fox decided no one would be interested in it anymore.

9. The Lone Gunmen: Another show canceled after hilarious, often intriguing, episodes, this time featuring the wonderful tertiary characters from The X-Files. I blame Fox for Chris Carter killing off the characters in a final episode of The X Files. I think Mr. Carter wouldn't have felt the need to dispose of them if Fox could keep it's OCD ('Obsessive Cancellation Disorder) under control.

10. Firefly: I know I'm not alone in my outrage over this one. There's not even anything to to add. I'll just press my fingers to the bridge of nose and wonder if that pulsing vein is the start of a Fox-related aneurysm.

There are tons more shows which have fallen victim to Fox. I'm currently waiting with bated breath to see how long Dollhouse lasts. Joss Whedon, you are a brave, brave man.

To everyone else out there who has lost a beloved show to The Fox Network's fear of commitment, know that you are not alone. I wish I could offer solace and comfort, but I can't. I can't, not while knowing deep in my heart that for every show surrendered to the Fox Network ether, American Idol gets renewed another season.