Having a favorite show canceled feels a bit like getting the rug pulled from underneath, or having a movie cut off half an hour before the end. Just as the characters become familiar, and just as the story starts to get more layered and interesting, they're unceremoniously taken away. It stings even more if the TV show ends on a cliffhanger, or a promising future setup.

Nowadays, if a show on a streaming service doesn't get the desired streaming numbers in the first week, it's likely it won't get a second season; infuriating cliffhangers. There have been shows that were given a second chance by another network or blossomed when they moved to a different streaming platform. Still, other shows weren't quite as lucky.

10 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012-2013)

She Had So Much More Sass To Give

This criminally underrated comedy had plenty of laughs and showcased Krysten Ritter's comedic skills perfectly. The unlikely friendship between her party-loving character and straight-laced new roommate, June (Dreama Walker), served as a very promising premise, and the side characters provided a lot of great comedic relief, too. James van der Beek's fictionalized version of himself offered so many hilarious set-ups, making fun of all his past achievements in the best possible way.

The way some episodes were aired out of sequence also makes it seem like the network didn't necessarily have the most faith in it.

The cancelation was influenced by low ratings. The critics' reviews had been favorable, and it even won a Critics' Choice Award for Most Exciting New Series. Still, the way some episodes were aired out of sequence also makes it seem like the network didn't necessarily have the most faith in it. Many petitions were signed to revive this show, but sadly, audiences never got what they so ionately asked for.

9 The Society (2019)

An Unsolved Mystery

With a very solid premise and a cast of charismatic up-and-comers, this dystopian teen drama had it all. When a school bus full of kids suddenly ends up in a completely empty version of their hometown, they must rally to set up a functioning society in order to survive without any adult supervision. It set up some interesting concepts, very juicy relationship drama, and had plenty of potential plotlines to explore in future seasons. The fact that it ended on a cliffhanger was an extra blow.

The show did rather well with Netflix viewers and was even renewed for a second season, but was sadly a casualty of the pandemic. When production was halted on so many shows, only the surefire, established hits were brought back. There are so many viewers left in limbo who would love to find out how, and why the teenagers ended up in that alternate reality, but will likely never know.

8 High Fidelity (2020)

The Would-Be Soundtrack Of A New Generation

Zoë Kravitz led this fresh take on the cult John Cusak film that featured her mother, Lisa Bonet. Kravitz was totally unapologetic and had a magnetic edge that made audiences gravitate to her. It was a type of show that was missing from the TV line-up, addressing modern-day relationships in a fresh and nuanced way. There was romance, good dialogue, and questionable decisions that many viewers could properly relate to. There was definitely more to be explored, but unfortunately, Zoe Kravitz's High Fidelity screen life was cut short.

It would be curious to see how this show would fare in a post-Nobody Wants This World, where a slow-burn romantic comedy can be more appreciated in a TV format. The ingredients were all there at the time, but the audiences, perhaps, weren't quite ready. The stars of the show went on to bigger and better things, but this witty gem still resonates with fans of music and "Top Five" lists.

7 FlashForward (2009-2010)

The Blackout That Changed Everything

Based on a fascinating idea devised in the 1999 novel by Robert J. Sawyer, this sci-fi drama follows a group of people who get a glimpse into the future after a mysterious worldwide blackout event. The series built its world very well, with complex characters and many questions that drew viewers in. Sadly, not enough viewers. With a stellar cast that included Joseph Fiennes and Courtney B. Vance, the show had really great potential for more mysteries to be explored.

Originally, FlashForward was pitched to HBO before being taken on by ABC, which meant a higher episode count. It could be argued that a shorter season could have kept more viewers onboard with more action crammed into each episode, but there's no way of knowing without being able to predict the future. The show even set up a whole new storyline to be the focus of season 2 and beyond, but FlashForward got canceled before the season 1 finale even aired.

6 Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

Features The Stars Of Tomorrow

With Freaks & Geeks' cast of future superstars and a creator who would become one of the most influential names in comedy, this cult show was arguably too much before its time. Legendary casting director Alison Jones said the goal was to find actors who were the opposite of the picture-perfect-looking "teens" that featured in most shows at the time. Their adventures were also meant to be slightly more edgy and realistic, as opposed to the soapy romances that ruled the airways. It seems that formula was not what the majority of viewers were ready for.

The poor ratings and disagreements between the network and creators were what ultimately led to the show getting the ax, but even after all these years, it's still regarded as one of the best comedy shows of the era. Seth Rogen and Jason Segel continued working with Judd Apatow, and gave audiences the gifts of Knocked Up and This is 40, to name but a few. The show has also influenced how young adult shows are made, with its blueprint still felt to this day.

5 Veronica Mars (2004-2019)

The Pint-Sized Blonde Investigator

This teen detective drama could be described as "the little engine that could". The ratings were never stellar, and the reception was never overwhelmingly impactful, but it had something special. It could have been Kristen Bell's leading lady charisma or her undeniable chemistry with Jason Dohring, but those who chose to stick with this highly entertaining show weren't disappointed. Every season focused on a new mystery, yet every season had the potential of being its last, with the threat of cancelation hanging over each finale.

The end finally came after season three and fans were disappointed, to say the least. The show had such a devoted following that they even crowdfunded a feature film that brought back a lot of the cast for another crime to solve. A fourth season was commissioned and aired in 2019 and, despite the positive reception to the story arc, many viewers were disappointed with the ending. This was the show's last outing to date.

4 Jessica Jones (2015-2019)

Rooting For The Anti-Hero

Part of Marvel's Netflix collaboration, Jessica Jones was a member of the Defenders group of heroes that consisted of Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. It was a departure from the more family-oriented feel of the movies, with grittier violence, a darker feel, and deeply flawed main characters. Played by Krysten Ritter, Jones punched and kicked her way onto the screen to good reviews and a positive reception. Her murky backstory was really entertaining to explore, and her anti-hero attitude made her one of the more layered protagonists in the MCU.

While lasting longer than two of her counterparts, Jessica Jones had a slightly more satisfying send-off but, unlike Daredevil and the Punisher, doesn't seem to be getting the Disney treatment. The cancellation wasn't well received by the show's core audiences, with many still hoping to see her back on their screens at some point.

3 Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)

It Touched Many Hearts

For those who loved this show, this cancelation really hurt. An incredibly charming and romantic zombie comedy-drama with an endlessly watchable cast, Pushing Daisies' best episodes struck a chord with audiences straight away. Lee Pace and Anna Friel's doomed love story was beautiful, and the quirky visuals were so different to anything shown on TV at the time. A critics' darling, the show won seven Emmys, and was nominated for multiple other awards.

When the news of the show's ending was announced, there was an outcry from fans around the world. There were so many stories left to tell, and many plot points that needed to be tied up. There were rumblings about a comic book continuation, miniseries or even a movie, but ultimately none of that happened. Viewers had to be content with the short but beautiful time they got to spend with this delightful show.

2 My So-Called Life (1994-1995)

A Tale Of Flannel And Angst

What this classic '90s show was able to have, was a rare self-contained story that can live all on its own. Yes, it had the potential for more character exploration, and a lot more relationship drama to deliver, but the way it ended was able to satisfy a vast majority of its viewers. The show's appeal was considered quite niche at the time. Aimed directly at teenagers, it explored many taboo subjects like sexuality, drugs, and bullying with a sense of realism rarely seen before. Its original network didn't know how to properly handle the promotion, and the ratings weren't as strong as they could have been.

My So-Called Life was so influential in a very specific period of time that the Xennial microgeneration is also sometimes referred to as the Jordan Catalano Generation.

Claire Danes received universal praise for her performance, and Jared Leto's Jordan Catalano became one of the seminal crushes of the decade. The show continues to live on as one of the best teen dramas of all time and its nostalgic appeal has drawn in new viewers over the years.

1 Firefly (2002-2003)

The Story Of What Could Have Been

Firefly had so much potential, even with a shortened single season. A cast of interesting characters, an exciting world just waiting to be explored, and Joss Whedon's special brand of wit emanating from every word in the script. Having had massive hits with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, Whedon had free rein to create something new. He opted for this quirky space opera meets Western, starring Nathan Fillion. It was said to be designed to last up to seven seasons, but due to poor ratings, it didn't even last a full year.

Firefly continues to live on as a cult show, and many homages were paid to this much-missed sci-fi gem in subsequent Whedon/Fillion projects.

Fans of the show had rallied for renewal, and were eventually rewarded with a feature film, Serenity, which was able to wrap up some of the outstanding storylines. Firefly continues to live on as a cult show, and many homages were paid to this much-missed sci-fi gem in subsequent Whedon/Fillion projects, as well as many references in pop culture.