2. Freaks & Geeks
3.Popular
What do these shows have in common? Yes, they are about high-school. They're American shows too. But most importantly all three were cancelled before fans wanted them to. My So-Called Life and Freaks & Geeks were both only one-season long; Popular, two.
But why were these shows cancelled? Yes the numbers of viewers were low. But these shows were highly praised by fans and critics alike! My So-Called Life was nominated for more than five awards from GLAAD, Young Artist, Casting Society of America & the Emmys, and won on a Golden Globe for Best Performance for an Actress and a TCA (Television Critics Association) for Best drama. Freaks & Geeks was nominated for more than 13 awards and won two, including an Emmy. Popular was nominated for four awards and won five.
I guess the point of this soapbox article is a personal outrage that these quality teenage shows weren't given the chance to continue and thereby snowball into multiple seasons with hundred of thousands of viewers tuning in each week. Instead, today's most-popular shows marketed towards teens are the remains of reality shows: Pussycat Dolls; My Sweet 16; Laguna Beach; America's Next Top Model. Aren't there any quality drama shows out there?! This is both a hypothetical and real questions for readers. Please comment and let me know which quality shows you think are the descendents of MSCL and F&G
That's not to say that all shows about high school are quickly cancelled and underappreciated. Veronica Mars managed to graduate high-school (but subsequently was axed in college). Degrassi has survived several transitions and new generations. Saved by the Bell started in middle, moved to high, and was even followed to college and beyond. Same with Dawson's Creek. And thank GOD for Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Holy Grail of a teenage show. Whedon managed to entertain us with low-art vampires & butt-whooping while still dealing with intense subject matters (drugs, death of a family member, gay relationships, a boyfriend's 'transformation' after having sex for the first time). These shows do prove that there are still 'quality' shows for teenagers about teenagers...it's just sometimes the best slips us by without much of an outcry.
And I miss them.
