2010: TV’s New Obscurities
I've compiled the following list of "new" obscurities, television programs that were broadcast during 2010 for 13 episodes or less. Some have episodes left unaired that may eventually see the light of day online or through a DVD release. Programs that were renewed for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season, although not necessarily for the typical number of episodes, but likely won't return next season -- making them one season wonders -- include Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC), Better with You (ABC), Chase (NBC), The Defenders (CBS), No Ordinary Family (ABC) and The Event (NBC). That's just speculation on my part, though, based on how they've performed and what I've read over the past few months.
The Deep End (ABC) - 6 Episodes
Premiered January 21st, 2010
A soapy legal drama in the vein of Grey's Anatomy, this series focused on five young new associates at a big Los Angeles law firm. It premiered to low ratings and soon vanished, its brief run completed.
Past Life (FOX) - 7 Episodes (2 Unaired)
Premiered February 9th, 2010
FOX gave this series a special Tuesday airing and then moved it to Thursdays. It was pulled after just three episodes had aired. Two more were burned off on Fridays in late May/early June but the remaining two produced installments have never aired.
Sons of Tucson (FOX) - 13 Episodes
Premiered March 14th, 2010
FOX gave this sitcom four episodes before pulling it. The network was kind enough to burn off the remaining nine episodes during the summer of 2010.
Miami Medical (CBS) - 13 Episodes
Premiered April 2nd, 2010
Jeffrey Lieber, who wrote the pilot for what would eventually become ABC's Lost, created this medical drama that starred Jeremy Northam. It would succumb to low ratings but CBS stuck with it through its 13-episode order.
Romantically Challenged (ABC) - 6 Episodes (2 Unaired)
Premiered April 19th, 2010
Alyssa Milano starred in this sitcom, which performed modestly but was unable to hold onto enough of its lead-in, Dancing with the Stars, to satisfy ABC. It was pulled after four episodes had been aired.
Happy Town (ABC) - 8 Episodes
Premiered April 28th, 2010
This mystery series ran for three episodes before it was pulled. ABC burned off three additional episodes and made the final two available at its website.
100 Questions (NBC) - 6 Episodes
Premiered May 27th, 2010
At its best, this sitcom could barely muster 2.5 million viewers. That it was canceled was no shock. That NBC stuck with it for six episodes was a little surprising.
Persons Unknown (NBC) - 13 Episodes
Premiered June 7th, 2010
NBC aired the first five episodes of this series on Tuesday before shifting the remainder to Saturday. For some reason, the network decided not to air the 11th episode but instead made it available online. A DVD set was announced but never released.
Scoundrels (ABC) - 8 Episodes
Premiered June 20th, 2010
Virginia Madsen starred in this drama that premiered to relatively low ratings and than sank even lower over the course of the eight episode run.
The Gates (ABC) - 13 Episodes
Premiered June 20th, 2010
Although it premiered on the same day as Scoundrels, this show -- about vampires living in a gated community -- ran for 13 episodes rather than eight. It performed just as poorly in the ratings, though.
The Bridge (CBS) - 13 Episodes (10 Unaired)
Premiered July 10th, 2010
A Canadian drama, this series premiered with two episodes aired back-to-back. CBS broadcast one additional episode the following week and then pulled the plug. A second season has been ordered by CTV, a Canadian network.
18 to Life (The CW) - 12 Episodes (6 Unaired)
Premiered August 3rd, 2010
Another Canadian series, this sitcom lasted three weeks on The CW (two episodes were broadcast back-to-back). Again, a second season has been ordered by a Canadian network, this time CBC.
Outlaw (NBC) - 8 Episodes
Premiered September 15th, 2010
NBC gave this Jimmy Smits legal drama a special Wednesday broadcast before it moved to its regular Friday timeslot. After three episodes, the series was shifted to Saturday. The eighth and final episode aired on November 13th.
Lone Star (FOX) - 6 Episodes (4 Unaired)
Premiered September 20th, 2010
Running Wilde (FOX) - 13 Episodes (5 Unaired)
Premiered September 21st, 2010
FOX paired this series with another new sitcom, Raising Hope, but only one was renewed for the remainder of the 2010-2011 season. The remaining five episodes will probably be burned off by FOX at some point.
The Whole Truth (ABC) - 13 Episodes (7 Unaired)
Premiered September 22nd, 2010
Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney starred in this legal drama that never got off the ground.
Undercovers (NBC) - 13 Episodes (2 Unaired)
Premiered September 22nd, 2010
Created and produced by J.J. Abrams, NBC seems to have had very high hopes for this thriller. Low ratings that only got lower as the season progressed soon led to cancellation. NBC has yet to announce when or if the final two episodes will be broadcast.
My Generation (ABC) - 8 Episodes (6 Unaired)
Premiered September 23rd, 2010
This drama ran for just two episodes before it was pulled. A total of eight were produced. The six unaired episodes can be watched online at Hulu.com by viewers in the United States.