TheseTV showswere canceled before even a single episode aired, and it still hurts. While it’s not unusual for someTV shows to be canceled after one season,I’m baffled that these titles aren’t available to watch, with the exception of a few whose pilots leaked online.
Not all of these are fortunate enough, however. Many of these TV shows are lost to time now, and all that is left of them is an old network announcement or a few marketing images. Although some of these cancelations make sense, it doesn’t mean I’m still bitter about them.
8Powerpuff
Canceled In 2023
The cancelation ofThe Powerpuff Girlslive-action TV show, simply titledPowerpuff, may not have been the worst thing.Powerpuffintroduces Dove Cameron as Bubbles, Chloe Bennet as Blossom, Yana Perrault as Buttercup, and Donald Faison as Professor Utonium. However,these versions of the characters are far differentfrom those that viewers remember from the original show. ThePowerpufftrailer, which has been leaked online recently, proves that the live-action attempt at recreating the iconic kids’ animated series needs to be done correctly.
The CW’s Scrapped Live-Action Powerpuff Girls Reboot Trailer Surfaces Online 4 Years After Pilot Was Canned
The trailer for the never-aired live-action Powerpuff Girls reboot, which featured the characters as adults, surfaces online years later.
However,I am still disappointed thatPowerpuffnever aired. While it doesn’t look the greatest, especially as the depiction of the titular characters sees moments like one of the girls getting drunk, there was still hope.Powerpuffcould’ve learned from audiences' responses and improved, but even if it didn’t, I think it still could’ve been a so-good-it’s-bad TV show to watch.
7Star Wars: Underworld
Canceled In The Early 2000s
Star Wars: Underworldhas never seen the light of day, sadly. Annoyingly,60 scripts ofStar Wars: Underworldare still being kept under wraps by Lucasfilm following its cancelation in 2005. The show is supposedly set between the events ofStar Wars: Revenge of the SithandStar Wars: A New Hope, butlittle is known about the plotother than this. It’s known that George Lucas wroteStar Wars: Underworldat some point in the early 2000s, but the timeline surrounding its planned release or any casting is unclear.
Despite the lack of knowledge aboutStar Wars: Underworld, I still wish it did appear on screens.I’d love to know more about the darker side of theStar Warsuniverse, especially as Lucas planned for this title to veer further from the franchise’s target of audiences and focus more on an adult viewership. Plus, otherStar WarsTV showslikeAndorandThe Mandalorianare hugely popular, and there’s not exactly a lack of demand for more titles like this.
6Wayward Sisters
Canceled In 2018
TheSupernaturalspinoff TV showWayward Girlsis a title I still want to see. The backdoor pilot ofWayward GirlsinSupernaturalseason 13 introduces the titular sisters, a group of women who become orphans after a tragic supernatural event, who are trained by Sheriff Jody Mills as monster hunters. While this is rather similar to the Winchester brothers’ story,I wish I could see this narrative with a female focus, too.
Supernaturalhas been off the air long enough, and there’s a space forWayward Girlsto be appreciated by itself now.
Although I can rewatchSupernatural’s “Wayward Sisters,” it’s not the same. ConsideringWayward Sistershas the benefit of featuring existingSupernaturalcharacters, rather than bringing in a brand-new cast that viewers have to get to know, I’m surprised that we don’t have at least one season of the show to enjoy.CW should still makeWayward Sisters, and if anything, this is the perfect time to do so.Supernaturalhas been off the air long enough, andthere’s a space forWayward Girlsto be appreciated by itself now.
5Madison High
Canceled In 2011
TheHigh School Musicalmoviesand the TV spinoff,High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, are still hugely popular. However, the other failed spinoff I am still grieving over isMadison High.This title focuses on drama teacher Ms. Darbus, whose job transfer takes her to the titular school, and her attempts to reboot their theater department. Despite the pilot being created in 2011,Madison Highis, unfortunately, still hidden away.
I wish that at least a few clips ofMadison Highwould make the rounds online, but alas, there is yet to be any appearance of the spinoff. Several other Disney stars appear inMadison High, including actors who are even more prominent nowadays. For example,Shadowhunters’ Katherine McNamara. I’m annoyed Disney canceled it before airing the pilot, especially as Ms. Darbus is such a comical character.
4The It Crowd (US)
Canceled In 2008
The US version ofThe It Crowdis generally considered aterrible US remake of a UK sitcom, but as a lover of the original, I believe that it could’ve done well.The It CrowdUS’s cast includes Joel McHale as Roy, Jessica St. Clair as Jen, and unexpectedly, Richard Ayoade returning as Moss.The 2007 pilot is now available online, but the main issue that viewers continue to point out is that it’s a shot-for-shot remake of the UK’s.
A lot of US interpretations of UK shows fail, but there are some exceptions.The OfficeUS pilot is essentially the same as the UK’s, with a few dialogue changes. Despite this, it’s one of the most popular TV shows ever and it quickly finds its own identity, separate from the British original. I think that with time, this could’ve been the same forThe IT CrowdUS.I want to see more of Joel McHale’s Roy, and Richard Ayoade as Mossin general, regardless of which country’s version of the show he stars in.
3Lizzie McGuire Reboot
Canceled In 2020
While it isn’t a new show, I am still hoping that thecanceledLizzie McGuirerebootmay eventually be released, or at least revisited in the future. The reason behind this isn’t clear, but rumors suggest that creative differences between Hilary Duff and Disney+’s higher-ups are the cause of theLizzie McGuirereboot’s cancelation. What I find particularly annoying about this, however, is that a big part ofDisney+’s original appeal was the return of this iconic show.
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The reboot focuses on Lizzie’s adult yearsand her attempts to find herself in her thirties. While theiCarlyreboot’s cancelation is also annoying, it proves that the revival of kids’ shows with a change in story to focus on the characters in adulthood with a more mature plot is something viewers want to see. Although it’s unlikely, I hope Duff and Disney will eventually put their differences aside and try again withLizzie McGuire, but until then, I’ll be rewatching the original.
2Amazon High
Canceled In 1997
Despite being a spinoff,Xena: Warrior Princessis a massive hit and arguably more popular thanHercules: The Legendary Journeys, which is why I expectedAmazon Highto also be a success.Amazon Highfollows Selma Blair as Cyane, a teenager who suddenly wakes up in a past time. While the pilot ofAmazon Highis technically available to watch, it’s only in parts, as elements of the episode are instead used in theXena: Warrior Princessseason 5 episode “Lifeblood.”
A time travel twist in the fictional timeline of Hercules and Xena is interesting, and one I wish I could delve further into.
A time travel twist in the fictionaltimeline ofHerculesandXenais interesting, and one I wish I could delve further into. “Lifeblood” shows enough ofAmazon Highto establish thatthe failed spinoff had some potential, and while it’s unclear whether it has the strength to carry on for multiple seasons, it deserved a chance.
1Gibby
Canceled In 2012
Noah Munck as Gibby iniCarlyis a ridiculous character, but one that I remember well from my childhood. Gibby’s spinoff of the same name is a TV show I still wish to see, but considering its cancelation after filming only the pilot, this is but a mere dream.Gibbyfocuses onthe titular character taking on a role at a local recreational center, in which he is responsible for mentoring a group of middle school kids.
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More than a year after the revival was cancelled by Paramount+, iCarly star and executive producer Miranda Cosgrove teases a continuation.
Considering Gibby’s own experiences in middle school, it’s likely that his ability to relate to these children would be a little difficult, but still incredibly chaotic in ways.Sam and Catis a very successfuliCarlyspinoff, andGibby’s pilot originates from around the same time, so I’m confused why only one of these shows is a success.TheGibbypilot is now available on YouTube, and while it doesn’t hit in the same way asSam and Cat, I can clearly see its potential.
