Top 10 TV Shows that Should Be Revived

Why did you have to end in the first place? Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 TV Shows that Should Be Revived. For this list, we’re not just looking at shows that were canceled too early. We’re also considering any show we’d like to see back on the air, exploring new territory pleasant surprise. . With that said, we’re excluding shows that are in the process of being revived, so if you don’t see your favorite show here, you might be in for a pleasant surprise.

So much promise and so much potential for a revival. Quick synopsis: In the 22nd century, the earth is nearly dead, so a team of scientists fractures the space-time continuum to travel back in time 85 million years and live in the prehistoric age with… wait for it… Dinosaurs! Awesome, right? Slated for a Fall 2011 release, critics had early access to the pilot and shared the same excitement. Despite its great idea, the show’s ratings failed to justify its big budget, and so it was unfortunately cancelled after a short thirteen-episode season. We’d love to see this show done right; and with more affordable CGI available, a studio might just want to invest in some big ol’ dinos.

Another show with a wonderfully creative plot, Pushing Daisies follows Ned as he investigates murder mysteries after gaining the power to wake the dead with the touch of a finger. It wasn’t your typical murder mystery show, as it leaned closer to comedy than drama, emphasizing quirky characters and a colorful visual palate. Over two seasons, Daisies earned 17 Emmy nominations, including seven wins, and was critically acclaimed. However, the Television Writers’ Strike plagued Daisies during its first season, and it could only produce nine episodes. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to gain a fan base, and the show was cancelled after just two seasons. With so much left to explore, Ned needs to use his touch to wake up this show.

Isn’t there a bit of a conspiracy theorist in all of us? There’s a small part of us that wants to believe there’s something sinister beyond what we see. This show manifests those hunches, as it follows a policy analyst working in New York City who begins to unravel a conspiracy theory about a secret society that controls world events. Rubicon started with a bang, setting a record for AMC as their most watched original series debut back in 2010. Sadly, the show ran into trouble when creator Jason Horwitch left due to creative differences with the network. Without him, the show struggled and was cancelled after 13 episodes, leaving so much still to be desired.

#7: “The Black Donnelly’s” (2007)

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Riding the popularity of Martin Scorsese’s 2006 film, “The Departed,” the Black Donnellys had a great premise. A gritty family of four Irish brothers engage both in petty and organized crime in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. It was steeped in tradition, channeling Irish sentiment, Italian rivalry, and an authentic New York. Despite struggling to gain fans when airing, leading to cancellation, The Black Donnelly’s later became one of NBC’s most popular online-streamed shows. It’s also been picked up for syndication in several European countries. Considering the cast included the lovely Olivia Wilde, a revamped version of this show, placing Wilde’s character at the forefront, could earn stronger viewership and provide the compelling television we crave.

#6: “Stargate: Universe” (2009-11)

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Sometimes you need a show to come back because you never want it to end… Other times a show needs to return just so it can end. By that, we mean finish up right. The expansive Stargate universe isn’t necessarily one that needs to be explored much further; in fact, the entire franchise provides plenty to keep us entertained. We do, however, need Stargate: Universe to come back because it needs a proper ending. Cancelled after its second season without much notice, the show ended on a sizeable cliffhanger. A movie was planned to finish the job, but that too was scrapped. So let’s be clear, this show doesn’t need to come back to stay, we just need some closure.

#5: “Party Down” (2009-10)

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A group of caterers trying to make it in Hollywood. Sounds funny. Now throw in a creator in Paul Rudd, a main cast of Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, Martin Starr, Jane Lynch, and Megan Mullaly, as well as a recurring cast that includes J.K. Simmons, Ken Jeong, and Kristen Bell, and you have an all-star lineup guaranteeing hilarity. And yes, the comedy more than held up. It was gold. Still, Party Down struggled with ratings. Additionally, it lost Scott to Parks and Rec and Lynch to glee, solidifying its cancellation after two seasons. With those shows now off the air, we’d love to see this cast reunite for more seasons of this comedy gem.

#4: “Angel” (1999-2004)

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Despite being five seasons in, and being a spin-off of the long-running Buffy the Vampire Slayer, fans were outraged when this show got the boot– and justifiably so. The show earned solid ratings, and its fans were crazy passionate. We’re talking beyond fan websites; Angel inspired an industry of books, comics, and merchandise. You have to wonder why it was cancelled. Well, it turns out it was all bureaucratic. It’s reported that showrunner Joss Whedon and WB’s then Head of Entertainment Jordan Levin had working problems, the result of which, in short, was Angel's cancelation, and on a cliffhanger no less. We need Angel back; it should never have left in the first place.

#3: “Hannibal” (2013-15)

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We’ve been obsessed with Hannibal Lecter since Anthony Hopkins first brought him to life in 1991. Arguably the most intriguing portrayal of Lecter since then, Hannibal depicts a younger version of the character, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Like The Silence of the Lambs, the show follows an FBI criminal profiler who recruits Mikkelsen’s Lecter to assist on investigations. Of course, Lecter becomes the focus of the show, as his own sinister desires cannot be controlled. The show garnered critical acclaim, particularly for strong cast performances, specifically from a stunning Laurence Fishburne. Still, like so many on this list, it struggled to gain viewership and was cancelled after three seasons. With so much left to explore, we need our favorite cannibal back.

This show only had one, incomplete season, but somehow it secured cult following. How? Well, flat out, it was just that good. Set in the year 2517, Firefly follows nine crewmembers fleeing civil war aboard a wandering spaceship, living on the fringe of society. The show was unique as it blended genres, incorporating western and space opera themes. Due to low ratings, Firefly was cancelled, but it seems that its network, FOX, underestimated its fan base. Viewers flocked to buy the season one DVD set, setting strong sales numbers. They also, to this day, continue to petition to bring Firefly back. Clearly, one season wasn’t enough, and its film Serenity only left fans wanting more. Before we unveil our top picks, here are a few honorable mentions. “Chappelle’s Show” (2003-06) “Young Justice” (2010-13) “Chuck” (2007-12) “Deadwood” (2004-06) “Bill Nye the Science Guy” (1993-98)

#1: “Friends” (1994-2004)

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We’re very well aware this critically acclaimed, Emmy-winning show ran for 10 seasons, but let’s face it, that just wasn’t enough. There is so much left to explore in the Friends world, thanks, in part, to the strong writing of its characters. The enduring qualities that made us fall in love with Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe will not dissipate with age, so while we’d love to see them back in their prime, hanging out at Central Perk, we would also be intrigued by the older versions of our beloved Friends. The attachment we feel to those characters has us begging to see just where they are now. Do you agree with our list? What show do you think should be revived? For more intriguing Top 10’s, published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.