A new year is upon us and that means lots of looking back at 2013. Here’s my annual list of “new” obscurities: television programs that premiered in 2013 and aired 13 episodes or fewer. There are a total of 17 programs on the list, compared to 20 in 2012, 17 in 2011 and 18 in 2010.
There are a number of shows that premiered in 2013 that may yet turn out to be new obscurities but haven’t officially been cancelled. These include Crossing Lines (NBC), Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (ABC), Betrayal (ABC) and Dracula (NBC).
Most of these shows are available for viewing through Hulu Plus or purchase via Amazon Instant Video. Three unaired episodes of Welcome to the Family have been made available on Hulu.
Deception (NBC) – 11 episodes
Premiered January 7th, 2013
1600 Penn (NBC) – 13 episodes
Premiered January 10th (Sneak preview aired December 17th, 2012)
Do No Harm (NBC) – 13 episodes
Premiered January 31st
Zero Hour (ABC) – 13 episodes
Premiered February 14th
Cult (The CW) – 13 episodes
Premiered February 18th
Golden Boy (CBS) – 13 episodes
Premiered February 25th
Red Widow (ABC) – 8 episodes
Premiered March 3rd
How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life) (ABC) – 13 episodes
Premiered April 3rd
Family Tools (ABC) – 10 episodes
Premiered May 1st
The Goodwin Games (FOX) – 7 episodes
Premiered May 20th
Save Me (NBC) – 13 episodes, 6 unaired
Premiered May 23rd
Camp (NBC) – 10 episodes
Premiered July 10th
Lucky 7 (ABC) – 5+ episodes, 3 unaired? *first cancellation of the 2013-2014 season*
Premiered September 24th
Unknown number of episodes produced
Back in the Game (ABC) – 13 episodes, 3 unaired
Premiered September 25th
We Are Men (CBS) – 5+ episodes, 3 unaired?
Premiered September 30th
Unknown number of episodes produced
Ironside (NBC) 9+ episodes, 5 unaired?
Premiered October 2nd
Unknown number of episodes produced
Welcome to the Family (NBC) 8+ episodes, 5 unaired?
Premiered October 3rd
Unknown number of episodes produced
What amazes me is that so many of these shows may still live on, whether online or on DVD, or both. It used to be that a show that lasted a season or less pretty much vanished from the public eye forever. But with YouTube and Hulu and so many other sites, episodes can still be seen. I sometimes see a DVD set for a one season only series. Even a few years ago one season shows did not make it to DVD. I think about how many obscure shows could still be enjoyed if we had today’s technology 50 or 60 years ago.