Looking back at tv shows i used to like as a kid in the 80s, it's surprising how many were only on the air for short periods of time

e.g. Manimal, only 8 episodes and also It's your Move

Well, The Prisoner only ran 17 episodes...but then again, it was DESIGNED to run that long (in fact, I think it was designed to run even a few episodes short of that when the show was planned). But even with only 17 shows, it's considered one of the greatest TV series ever aired.

The Office lasted two seasons (on purpose), but the number of episodes would barely be a half-season worth in the US.

Police Squad is probably the best example of a show with a short run (6 episodes) that left a heckuva impression by producing 3 big budget movies.

Skin.

cause the chick was so yum.

SciFi Channel's Invisible Man

Dennis Leary's The Job, one of the funniest shows ever.

Fawlty Towers Only 12 episodes, but regarded by many as one of the best sitcoms of all time. Frequently copied, but never matched.

Definitely Police Squad. I agree on Skin.

Ah yes, agreed, Fawlty Towers was excellent and hilarious.

Still gotta pick up that box set.

Quark.

Profit and Action

Cop Rock. Still the butt of many a joke.

Keen Eddie

While I'd certainly say it was cancelled before its time, I don't think anyone would call 46 episodes over 2 seasons "a ridiculously short period of time".

Freaks and Geeks
Keen Eddie

Not sure if Sports Night should be included. It ran for two seasons, but kept getting pre-empted and moved around, and never really stuck at all. Plus I think the number of actual episodes makes it more like 1.5 seasons.

No mention of Firefly yet?

The Richard Pryor show I think was only 4 episodes, crucial.

I would, but I don't think that show is done yet.

I think The Jetsons only had 24 original episodes in the 60s. It wasn't until the 80s that new episodes were made.

Has that been cancelled?

"I hate you!"

"I hate you!!"

Love that show!

Battlestar Galactica, Sledgehammer, Kolchak: Night Stalker, Ben Stiller Show

Of course it did. It was too good of a show for Fox to treat properly. Bravo has been airing the eps (including the un-aired ones) on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for a couple of months now.

"The Littlest Groom" - was on FOX recently for only like 2 weeks, but it made ya wonder "who the heck thought of *this* concept?!?!?!"

My So-Called Life