It's been a whirlwind year for Netflix, as it attempts to stay well ahead of the curve. Unfortunately, most of CEO Reed Hastings' attempts have backfired, from raising the subscription cost to his attempt to spin off the mail-in DVD service. He also revealed that Netflix's ultimate goal is to become more like HBO, and that the service would like to be 60 percent original content at some point in the future. The first step toward that goal was smart: They made a deal to make 10 new episodes of "Arrested Development," paving the way toward a feature film. Since then? One boneheaded idea after another.
First they tossed around the idea of picking up the little seen, not very good series, "The River" after its cancellation, and this week it was reported that Netflix has approached CBS about reviving "Jericho," a series that has gained a decent following post-cancellation on CBS, but that wasn't that great to begin with (at least after a solid opening season).
The question is: Why are they messing about with series few people care about that much, like "The River" or "Jericho," when they could be exploring the possibility of reviving these 10 series, each of which would fare far better on the online subscription service.
1. Better Off Ted -- An obvious choice, the ABC comedy from Victor Fresco ("Andy Richter Controls the Universe") lasted only 26 blissful episodes. The show, which probably gained much of its audience on Netflix after it went off the air, was a cross between "Arrested Development" and a brilliant skewering of corporate America starring Portia de Rossi, Jay Harington, and Andrea Anders. Netflix obviously doesn't need time-slot partners, but "Better Off Ted" would be a perfect companion series to its "Arrested Development" revival.
2. Party Down -- The supremely low-rated Starz series (it was watched by fewer than 1 million people during its initial run) gained a huge cult following thanks to Netflix. Now that "Arrested Development" has signed up for its comeback, "Party Down" is probably the one series that is the subject of the most feature film rumors. It's a largely improvised, low budget series, and Rob Thomas could probably knock out 10 episodes during Adam Scott's "Parks and Recreation" hiatus. Also, Lizzy Caplan:
3. Terriers -- It's been off the air for a little over a year, it was beloved by a small but very enthusiastic audience, it could be done on a small budget, and it would give a lot of the "Justified" writers something to do during that show's hiatus. Donal Logue has yet to land elsewhere and Michael Raymond James doesn't have much going for him, either. If Netflix put it into development quickly, the show could pick up right where it left off: At the traffic sign, trying to decide which way to turn. The Internet would go crazy.
4. Awake -- It's not yet officially been cancelled by NBC, but it will be. Netflix would be smart to swoop in and pick it up, put the first season out during production, and then pick up where the first season left off six months from now. Better still, without the need to hew to the procedural formula friendly to network television, "Awake" would be able to play around with its format further, develop the conspiracy, and really get into the show's conceit. The only catch? Laura Allen may not be available if Netflix also picks up "Terriers."
5. Lone Star -- From one Kyle Killen series to another, the "Lone Star" pilot was probably the best pilot of the last two years, but it was little seen and Fox canceled the ambitious show about one man's double life after the second episode. There are probably quite a few more episodes already completed, and Netflix could build on that. Plus, without network restrictions, perhaps Adrianne Palicki could liven up the sex scenes by removing her clothes.
6. Men of a Certain Age -- The critically beloved but ratings starved drama on TNT simply wasn't a good fit for the station in part because there was no procedural component. It was a magnificent, brilliantly written, thoughtful and languid show about aging that demonstrated that Ray Romano could actually act. Better still, Andre Braugher would give Netflix its first legitimate shot at an Emmy.
7. Lost -- It sounds far-fetched, but Damon Lindelof has already suggested that the show will likely be rebooted without his involvement. Why not do it on Netflix? This time, they could do it right.
8. Dead Like Me -- The show was canceled after two seasons in 2004, but it's not as though there's an expiration date on grim reapers. In fact, there was a (terrible) direct-to-DVD movie in 2009 that was meant to reboot the series, but it gained no traction. Netflix could afford the talent it takes to get it right, and hopefully Ellen Muth has maintained her cuteness over the years.
9. Lights Out -- "Lights Out" had a pretty great, underrated opening season on FX, and while part of me is happy to leave well enough alone, before its cancelation, the showrunner claimed to have some solid ideas for subsequent seasons. I don't know how long I'd stick with it, but Holt McCallany was great in the show, and I'd definitely give it a few episodes. Plus, it's another one of those shows that has been so recently canceled, it'd be possible to bring it back with a shorter hiatus than the one between the fourth and fifth season of "Mad Men."
10. Deadwood -- Look, I'm not going to be greedy. I don't expect Netflix to pick up the show to series. But you know, it was one of the best shows of the last decade, and it never got a proper ending. It'd be really nice, and I would reward Netflix with an automatic year-long subscription, if they'd just film the "Deadwood" movie that David Milch had in mind to wrap up the series. Is that too much to ask? And I'm sure the principal cast, especially Timothy Olyphant, would be game to return to make the movie. Plus, think about all the people who would go back and re-watch -- or watch for the first time -- all of "Deadwood" to prepare themselves for the movie. It's a win win for everyone: Netflix, HBO, and "Deadwoods" fans, old and new alike.
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I’d gladly pay $8/month, up to $12/month if I could get new Better Off Teds and Party Downs.
I have one caveat though. Gotta be Jane Lynch on Party Down. Megan Mullally is like fingernails on a chalkboard.
I liked Mullally’s character. “Am I the only one here who’s ever been in a Champs?”
“What part is flanks on a human? Vagina?”
Look out world, two cougars on the prowl.
The episode where she was coked up was golden, but Mullaly forever gets a pass for her fine work as Tammy 2.
Can “Distribution Deal with Starz” be considered a show? Please?
Lost: “this time they could do it right”
Dustin Rowles can eat a big ol bag of dicks.
I don’t even remember Dustin being IN that.
Screw LOST. I’m still angry about that misleading us all. If I wanted sappy character development, I’d watch Grey’s Anatomy. There was supposed to be MYSTERY PAYOFF.
LOST: This time don’t write the scripts in the car on the way to the read-through.
The mention of Deadwood gave me a little Live Wood.
The Dead Like Me movie proved that there are things worse than early cancellation.
I have seen the first season, and I loved it. I planned to pick up the rest of it, but maybe I’ll just look for the second season.
I didn’t watch it based on the “Where the fuck is Inigo Montoya?” factor.
God, I hated that show. It just tried too hard to be some kooky version of 6FU, but without the showrunning talent to pull it off.
Also, Ellen Muth was just weird-looking. And not in an interesting and potentially cute way, like Kate Micucci, either. More of an inbred cousin way.
Terriers! Man, that was the one mis-step so far for FX. Such a brilliant show with such an awful marketing campaign.
Ya, they completely messed that up. The commercials made me think it was going to be more like Sunny.
If they brought Deadwood back, I wouldn’t have to pretend that Raylan Givens was really Seth Bullock, thrown forward in time with amnesia, having only his love of hats and the law to guide him.
I’ve always referred to Justified as “Deadwood, 21st century”
You are awesome. That’s the best way I’ve heard it put!
Pretend?
I get a little sad anytime someone mentions Terriers. It was so darn good.
I concur. I watched my DVR’d version of the finale a couple of weeks ago. It made me sad and angry at the same time.
At this point, I think I would be more excited about Terriers being revived than I was about Arrested Development.
/seriously Netflix dudes, make it happen
Terriers needs to comeback. 1 yr is unbearable without Shawn Ryan narrative style. How about The Chicago Code also. It was as great as Terriers. It definitely show it’s true potential in it’s final 2 hours.
I think the ‘proper’ ending to Deadwood is just a fire burns down the town and everyone leaves, like what happened to the real Deadwood.
A single episode. Easy. Cheap. I’d watch it.
I like that.
Don’t know if I want to see more of Al Swearengen or the fellow McShane played in Kings (with Macaulay Culkin as a creepier Joffrey). Netflix has a lot to choose from.
I’m all for another season of Kings.
Carnivale would be a great show for Netflix to revive, however it might be prohibitively expensive for them to produce.
YES! One I’m on board for. See, all those others had the downside of everyone being involved in something else by now. I’m pretty sure you could get together 90% of this cast without issue. And damn but it needed a better resolution than to end it right at the start of the conflict.
Carnivale was great
Yes, indeed. And filthy clothes, old carny equipment, that cast… not so expensive.
Terriers, yes! That would be awesome. Party Down and Better Off Ted are also acceptable answers. If BOT came back, they could do the Portia di Rossi comedy hour with AD. She’d be busy acting in two shows, but if Alison Brie can do it, so can Portia.
I still have the last, unaired episode of Better Off Ted in my Netflix instant queue. I refuse to watch it because it’s nice knowing that there still exists a new episode that I’ve never seen out there somewhere.
Also…DEADWOOD, PLEASE!
What, no Wonderfalls? It was quirky and fun, and Caroline Dhavernas was cute. Also talking wax lions.
Though apparently only four episodes were aired on the US, so I guess my investment was a little greater.
Wonderfalls was great. Even though only the four aired here it still stuck with me all these years and I went back and finished the series more recently.
I want Carnivale back. That was an interesting fucking show. Also want a Deadwood movie and want shows 1-3 back.
yeah im sure it’s as easy as netflix just picking and choosing whatever shows they want to produce.
this would be a much better article if dustin didnt pretend to know anything about how the tv business worked. or any business period.
Ugh why do I keep coming back here? It keeps getting worse. Think I will just stay at Filmdrunk.
I’ll shill for this forever – but I would watch the shit out of a Netflix-revived Season Two of Rubicon.
Pushing Daisies.
This.
Thirded. This combined with BOT would literally make me cry a river of happiness, but that river is filled with crocodiles so watch your ass.
Be quiet. Jericho was awesome. Don’t make me come slap you. It needs to come back. Along wjth firefly.YES THIS IS ANOTHER PERSON DEMANDING THE RETURN OF FIREFLY.
I was with you till Firefly.
ARRESTED DEV….oh yeah.
Jericho was awesome. Like 5 years ago, now it would not be able to compete with all the other shows on. I seriously have at least 5 shows that suck that I would rather watch than Jericho. One of them is House of Payne.
I don’t know what I want more Deadwood or Party Down?
The two I’d be happy with aren’t on this list. Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls.
RUBICON
Pushing Daisies would be amazing for Netflix!
I miss Deadwood so much.
this article is dumb, Jericho is better than everything here.
You forgot Rubicon
I’d also like to see Reaper back. Between Reaper, Pushing Daisies, and Dead Like Me, they could put together a “quirky supernatural show” marketing campaign.
Holy shit I had totally forgot about the awesomeness that is Reaper. Props!
I know the acting was goofy and it seemed very silly even for science fiction, but I really would like closure on USA’s The 4400.
Literally vomited on my desk full of papers when I saw Lost. Who do you want taking over the project George Lucas? Enough is enough people, the show was destroyed by itself let it go.
When I saw “DEADWOOD” my heart fluttered. One of my favorites ever. And I agree with others about Carnivale. And how about OZ? I’d rather see Dean Winters in a wife beater being a bad ass in prison than on Allstate commercials. Although he’s pretty funny as Mayhem.
Seriously. And every time I see a Farmers commercial, I cannot figure out why anyone would be listening to Vern Schillinger.
The Black Donnellys deserves a place on this list… Best 13 episodes of TV evar.
no. trailerpark boys? yes.
I need more Al Swearengen in my life
“the world ends when you die, until then you got punishment coming your way, stand it like a man and give some back”
How can you not love that guy
I was looking up quotes from the show on IMDB a few weeks ago…gave up after a few episodes, there are just too many.
Bring me Terriers. NOW.
Am I the only one who liked FlashForward and thought it was stupid of ABC to cancel that instead of V? That’d be a good series for Netflix to continue.
Yes. Yes you are.
Really how did you not say FireFly. The vast majority of those actors are would have the time to do short seasons. It would just take getting Nathan Fillion to give up his Hiatus on Castle. But do it BBC style 6-8 epiodes per season.
Because every other list like this has Firefly.
Also, the story is done. Whedon closed the book with style. Anything else would be Lucas-ing it.
brings back party down, terriers, deadwood, rubicon and chicago code
Bored to Death please.
Maybe you can find the answer from here.
I often buy from http://www.crazy-handbags.com
Playmakers. Fuck the NFL.
I don’t think I watched any of the 10 shows listed. Except of course “Lost” – I LOVED ‘LOST’ AND STILL MISS IT. Also loved ‘Jericho’, ‘The Walking Dead’ reminds me a bit of it. What I would love to see brought back:
Northern Exposure (with a mostly new cast, but a few of the originals, too – not Rob Morrow, but they could refer to him, lol.) I think they could do the philosophical/mystical thing, but I feel there have been great changes in Alaska and it would take a darker turn.
Carnivale. HBO, the cheap bastards, who routinely throw away money on failures like John From Cincinnati, just pulled the plug on Carnivale, and now we’ll never get to see how Ben fails to halt the nuclear bomb.
Of the ten shows that should supposedly be remade before “Jericho,” I have only heard of one–”Lost.” I and many other people (just check the Netflix reviews) enjoyed watching “Jericho” so it would still be number one on my list to be remade ahead of these other shows listed. It was very original and not another stupid reality TV show.
Flashforward, Journeyman, Secret Circle, Alcatraz and Heroes all need reviving – Heroes especially because I just can’t bear watching Season 4 (thanks Tim Kring – go jump in a lake!) and want a decent ending! Even a 2-3 ep miniseries to conclude some of these shows that get cancelled would be enough, I just want a conclusion, is it too much to ask for????
just need to say the person who maid that slide show is a fool, the main thing is that they put lost in it which is possible the biggest waste of every bodies time there has ever been I have seen a lot of series start well and go bad but that is the biggest pile of shit out there and I cant believe any one would ask for more of it.
I would love to see Dead Like Me resurrected, I loved that show.
PUSHING DAISIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like the list but Arrested Development would be no.1 that i would like brought back followed by pushing daisies, party down, better off ted and dead like me, its so sad that the best shows always get canned
jericho is also in there i really like that show but my wife LOVED it, which was a nice suprise
You must be a psychic, a few of these shows are at the very top of my list to revive (regardless of who does it) and they are Terriers and Better Off Ted, although I also advocate for lesser known premature e-cancellations The War At Home, Kath & Kim, and above all else Firefly. I signed up just to say well done sir! Rome on HBO was another huge loss for society btw.
I also forgot about Rubicon and Bored to Death (although like Rome, I’m sure HBO shows are hard to resurrect, if not impossible). I also heard Pushing Daisies was a pretty good show too but I cannot vouch for that one. Lastly, I didn’t have a problem, surprisingly, with Dirty Sexy Money.
Can I mention now by the way how sad it is that television just lost two groundbreaking shows this week? 30 Rock and Fringe, each heading for the Television Hall of Fame, may they rest in peace.