Typically, when a TV show gets canceled, the likelihood of it returning due to fan outcry is quite low. In this current age of television, many shows from popular networks and streaming services end up getting axed left and right. However, there are a few rare exceptions where pleas and demands from loyal viewers help earn certain shows an extra life.
For example, CBS’ S.W.A.T. was once canceled after its sixth season, only for the network to reverse the decision shortly after. The procedural recently announced that it will be getting an eighth season after many believed it was going to end after its seventh. S.W.A.T. follows in the footsteps of several other TV shows that were canceled and then brought back, with some examples including Community, Family Guy, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
10 Southland Found a Proper New Home on TNT
Southland
The lives of Police Officers working for the Los Angeles Police Department.
- Release Date
- April 9, 2009
- Cast
- Regina King , Michael Cudlitz , Ben McKenzie , Shawn Hatosy , C. Thomas Howell
- Main Genre
- Crime
- Seasons
- 5
- Creator
- Ann Biderman
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- 5 seasons
- Watch on Tubi
Southland was a uniquely different cop drama, yet one many weren’t ready for, including its original home network, NBC. The show centers on several characters in the LAPD as they deal with problems in their professional and personal lives. Central characters include hardened police officer John Cooper, his new partner Ben Sherman, skilled detective Lydia Adams, and crime investigators Sammy Bryant and Nate Moretta.
Southland‘s documentary-style filmmaking, gritty tone, and darker approach to the typical police procedural were too much for NBC, so the show was canceled after its seven-episode first season. Luckily, cable network TNT bought the rights for Southland and began airing the series alongside their programming. With TNT owning the show, Southland was able to further showcase its distinct identity with its brutal intensity and mature storylines. The series ran for four more seasons before it got canceled again.
9 Jericho’s Fans Had a Nutty Response to CBS
jericho
A small town in Kansas is literally left in the dark after seeing a mushroom cloud over nearby Denver, Colorado. The townspeople struggle to find answers about the blast and solutions on how to survive.
- Release Date
- September 20, 2006
- Cast
- Skeet Ulrich , Lennie James , Ashley Scott , Kenneth Mitchell
- Seasons
- 2
- Production Company
- CBS Paramount Network Television
- Number of Episodes
- 29
- IMDB Rating: 7.9
- 2 seasons
- Watch on Paramount+
10 Best Post-Apocalyptic TV Shows of All Time
The post-apocalyptic genre is one of the most popular genre is recent years. There are countless shows that are amazing and well worth watching.
Jericho is one of the best post-apocalyptic shows on television, but many people aren’t aware of that due to its short lifespan. In the show, the residents of the titular Kansas town grow worried when a nuclear explosion goes off outside, leading to tons of panic and fear that America is under attack. Through this time of uncertainty, several citizens take charge and coordinate plans to keep the town safe.
Jericho is a brilliant look into how an unlikely small town can band together in the face of a life-altering event for them and the United States. Each episode is full of tension as the characters seek supplies, fend off out-of-town intruders, and learn new secrets about one another. When Jericho was canceled after one season, its fanbase launched a campaign where thousands of nuts were sent to CBS’ headquarters, which was a reference to a historical phrase said in the show. The response worked as CBS gave Jericho a second season, but history repeated itself as it was canceled again after seven episodes due to low viewership.
8 The Expanse Was an Exceptional Sci-Fi Series
The Expanse
The disappearance of rich-girl-turned-political-activist links the lives of Ceres detective, accidental ship captain and U.N. politician. Amidst political tension between Earth, Mars and the Belt, they unravel the greatest conspiracy.
- Release Date
- November 23, 2015
- Cast
- Steven Strait , Dominique Tipper , Wes Chatham , Shohreh Aghdashloo
- Seasons
- 6
- Creator
- Daniel Abraham, Mark Fergus and Ty Franck
- Number of Episodes
- 62
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- 6 seasons
- Watch on Prime Video
It’s rare for a show on the Syfy network to garner massive popularity, but The Expanse has been called some of the best sci-fi storytelling the genre has offered on modern television. Set centuries in the future, The Expanse imagines what would happen if humanity colonized the Solar System. The show follows members of the United Nations, a detective, and a spaceship crew as they uncover a conspiracy that could disrupt the peace between planets.
With incredible lore, visuals, space battles, and characters, The Expanse is a sci-fi series worthy of getting lost in, thanks to its large universe akin to Star Wars. The show was a stunning achievement for sci-fi television and was acknowledged at the Hugo Awards and the Saturn Awards. Fans were understandably upset when Syfy canceled The Expanse after its third season, but Prime Video brought it back for three additional seasons. This move by the streaming service allowed The Expanse to end on its terms and helped gain new viewers in the process.
7 Futurama Always Found a Way to Come Back
Futurama
Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy, is accidentally frozen in 1999 and thawed out on New Year’s Eve 2999.
- Release Date
- March 28, 1999
- Cast
- Billy West , John DiMaggio , Katey Sagal , Tress MacNeille , Phil LaMarr , Lauren Tom , Frank Welker , Kath Soucie
- Seasons
- 8
- Creator
- Matt Groening, David X. Cohen
- Number of Episodes
- 150
- Network
- FOX
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- 11 seasons with a 12th on the way
- Watch on Hulu
Futurama has gone down as one of the best animated sitcoms of all time. Created by Matt Groening, the show follows pizza delivery boy Phillip J. Fry after he is accidentally locked in a chamber and gets cryogenically frozen for one thousand years. When he wakes up in a technologically advanced future, he gets taken in by a mismatched group, including one-eyed Leela, foul-mouthed robot Bender, and lobster-like alien Dr. Zoidberg.
With likable characters, genius comedy, and fun sci-fi elements, Futurama‘s impact on adult animation is still felt today. The show has had an eventful journey across its many seasons, airing on two different networks and a streaming service. Futurama originally started on FOX alongside Groening’s other show, The Simpsons. After FOX axed the show in 2003, Comedy Central stepped in and aired new episodes from 2008 to 2013. When Futurama‘s time on Comedy Central was over, it wouldn’t be until 2023 that it was revived again on Hulu, where new episodes are being released.
6 Lucifer’s Charm Won Many Fans Over
Lucifer
With murderous demons on the loose in Los Angeles, it’s up to Lucifer to rein in the chaos and protect the ones he most cares about.
- Release Date
- January 25, 2016
- Cast
- Tom Ellis , Lauren German , Kevin Alejandro , D.B. Woodside
- Seasons
- 6
- IMDB Rating: 8.1
- 6 seasons
- Watch on Netflix
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10 Great Fantasy TV Shows That Flew Under the Radar
From Harry Potter-inspired shows to dystopian horrors, these are the most underrated fantasy TV shows that fans must definitely binge.
Lucifer has one of the most creative concepts for a procedural drama. The fallen angel, Lucifer Morningstar, becomes dissatisfied with living in the underworld and indulges in a more leisure-filled life in Los Angeles. But, when a murder occurs outside his nightclub, familiar feelings awaken in Lucifer, and he becomes enamored by a police detective named Chloe. Together, Lucifer and Chloe solve crimes across the city and form a relationship.
Tom Ellis oozes charisma as the titular character, while his banter with Lauren German’s Chloe made Lucifer an endlessly entertaining series that people enjoyed coming back to every week. When FOX canceled the show after its third season, fans immediately started campaigning for Lucifer to come back. Their prayers were answered when Netflix revived the show, where it ran for three more seasons. Despite its move to another home, Lucifer maintained its balance of character drama and procedural plotlines while pulling in huge viewership numbers for Netflix.
5 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Eventually Got a Proper Ending
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Jedi Knights lead the Grand Army of the Republic against the droid army of the Separatists.
- Release Date
- October 3, 2008
- Cast
- Tom Kane , Dee Bradley Baker , Matt Lanter , james arnold taylor , Ashley Eckstein , Matthew Wood
- Seasons
- 7
- Studio
- Lucasfilm, Lucasfilm Animation
- Creator
- George Lucas
- Number of Episodes
- 133
- Network
- Cartoon Network , Netflix
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+
- IMDB Rating: 8.4
- 7 seasons
- Watch on Disney+
For an animated series in one of the most recognizable and long-running franchises, many fans were surprised by the spectacular quality of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Throughout seven seasons, The Clone Wars chronicled the events between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Established characters like Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Yoda fought alongside new heroes like Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano to take down the villainous Separatist Alliance.
The Clone Wars has some of the best storytelling in the Star Wars franchise and provides a shockingly nice balance between mature and family-friendly plotlines. The show originally aired on Cartoon Network for its first five seasons and was canceled due to Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, the company behind Star Wars. Netflix then produced a sixth season, which only lasted thirteen episodes. Finally, Disney+ acquired the series and revived it for a seventh and final season. Thanks to this revival, fans of The Clone Wars got a proper conclusion and some fantastic final moments, specifically the four-episode arc known as “The Siege of Mandalore.”
4 Many Fans And Celebrities Rallied to Save Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Comedy series following the exploits of Det. Jake Peralta and his diverse, lovable colleagues as they police the NYPD’s 99th Precinct.
- Release Date
- September 17, 2013
- Cast
- Andy Samberg , Stephanie Beatriz , Terry Crews , Andre Braugher
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 8
- Creator
- Dan Goor, Michael Schur
- Production Company
- Fremulon, Dr. Goor Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
- Writers
- Dan Goor , Michael Schur
- IMDB Rating: 8.4
- 8 seasons
- Watch on Netflix and Peacock
Brooklyn Nine-Nine was proof that not all police shows had to be dramatic, which is why the sitcom was a breath of fresh air. The show follows the detectives and police officers of Brooklyn’s 99th precinct as they band together to solve cases and deal with comical workplace situations. Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s cast is full of humorous characters, including protagonist Jake Peralta, new captain Raymond Holt, the highly competitive Amy Santiago, and more.
Every character in Brooklyn Nine-Nine has a unique personality that helps bring plenty of laughs. Their banter, comedic shenanigans, and character development made viewers come back every week. Therefore, it shocked everyone when FOX canceled the show after its fifth season. Fans and some celebrities – including Mark Hamill and Lin-Manuel Miranda – immediately campaigned to get the show back. As a result, NBC picked up Brooklyn Nine-Nine one day later and aired the show until it concluded with its eighth season.
3 Netflix Gave Arrested Development Another Chance – For Better or Worse
Arrested Development
Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
- Release Date
- November 2, 2003
- Cast
- Jason Bateman , Michael Cera , Portia de Rossi , Will Arnett , Alia Shawkat , Tony Hale , David Cross , Jeffrey Tambor
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 5
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- 5 seasons
- Watch on Netflix
10 Best Sitcom Pilots of All Time, Ranked
TV pilots introduce a series but have growing pains. From It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to 30 Rock, these are the best sitcom pilots ever.
Arrested Development is considered by many to be one of the most intelligently written comedy shows of all time, and it’s hard not to be invested. The series follows the eccentric Bluth family, whose lives are thrown off course when the patriarch, George Sr., is sent to prison. Left with no other choice, George’s son, Michael, steps up and helps run the family business while keeping everyone under control.
Winning six Emmys and a Golden Globe, Arrested Development is the definition of a dysfunctional family comedy, as each Bluth member has their own wacky traits that make them stand out. Whether it be magician Gob, mama’s boy Buster, aspiring actor Tobias, or the sassy Lucille, all the characters have great comedic timing and dialogue. After FOX canceled the acclaimed series after three seasons, it gained a cult following, which prompted Netflix to revive the show. While the fourth and fifth seasons on Netflix weren’t as well-received, it was still pleasing for the fanbase to get more Arrested Development.
2 Community’s Fans Pleaded For Six Seasons And a Movie
Community
A suspended lawyer is forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body.
- Release Date
- September 17, 2009
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 6
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- 6 seasons
- Watch on Hulu and Peacock
One of the most creative sitcoms ever made, Community had a quirky sense of humor that gave it its distinct identity. The series follows a mismatched study group at the fictional Greendale Community College, which includes a fired lawyer, an activist, a pop culture-obsessed geek, a former football player, a straight-A student, a mother, and a senior citizen. Initially, Community started as a typical sitcom, but it evolved into something magical.
With its hilarious ensemble cast, inclusion of meta humor, and clever pop culture references, Community developed a cult following. Its exceptional and often genre-bending episodes helped it gain a small but committed audience, who made their voices loud and clear when NBC canceled the show after five seasons. In retaliation, fans displayed the phrase “six seasons and a movie” – which was said by the character Abed Nadir – and Community returned for a sixth and final season on the now-forgotten Yahoo! Screen. With one-half of the famous phrase completed, Community fans now patiently anticipate the long-awaited movie.
1 Family Guy Was Once Lost But Returned Stronger
Family Guy
In a wacky Rhode Island town, a dysfunctional family strives to cope with everyday life as they are thrown from one crazy scenario to another.
- Release Date
- January 31, 1999
- Cast
- Seth MacFarlane , Alex Borstein , Mila Kunis , Seth Green
- Seasons
- 23
- Creator
- Seth MacFarlane, David Zuckerman
- Production Company
- Fuzzy Door Productions, Fox Television Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 420+
- IMDB Rating: 8.1
- 22 seasons
- Watch on Hulu
Created by Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy remains one of the longest-running animated shows on television, and, shockingly, it is still on the air after so long. Set in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island, Family Guy follows the Griffin family, who go on various overly comical adventures. The family is run by immature father Peter and stay-at-home wife Lois, as they raise their kids Meg, Chris, and Stewie, as well as care for their talking dog Brian.
Considering it has been airing for over 20 seasons, it’s understandable to forget that Family Guy was once canceled. When the show premiered in 1999, it was an adult-animated program like no other at the time. However, FOX kept changing Family Guy‘s air dates, meaning it was hard to get decent ratings. FOX originally axed Family Guy after its third season, but the show became very successful through reruns and DVD sales. This convinced FOX to bring Family Guy back, with the Season 4 premiere even addressing the cancelation itself. Now, Family Guy is considered one of the best-animated sitcoms ever made, alongside other classics like The Simpsons and Futurama.
