The Best Television Shows You've Probably Never Heard Of

In the world of television, thousands of shows have come and gone that haven't even registered as a blip on the radar screen. Many of these failed programs weren't even on TV for a full season, running for a mere episode or two, and many deserve that fate. (Family Guy once did a great joke about the failed TV shows just from the Fox network, and that alone was a rather considerable list.) However, if you take the time to sift through the plethora of bad television, occasionally you can find a few gems- funny, touching, well written pieces of work that, for some reason or another, just didn't connect with major audiences. Here are just a few of those rare finds.

1) Wonderfalls- This show aired on Fox for a meager four episodes back in 2004 and was never given the chance it deserved to catch on. It focuses on Jaye Tyler, an unmotivated 24 year old who works at a Niagara Falls gift shop and makes a point of distancing herself from her well-off family by living in a trailer park. One day, she discovers that inanimate objects can talk to her, telling her to do things for the people around her. After a few failed attempts to ignore the "voices" she begins to do what they say without question, setting into motion series of events that, although bumpy, eventually end positively for someone. Unfortunately, that someone is rarely ever Jaye. This series is addictive and as a viewer you find yourself itching to see what happens next, who she helps, and how. The story line with Jaye's love interest is just as immersive as well! The DVD release of "Wonderfalls" included all 14 episodes that were made, and wraps up the story before it ends. If you like humor with a touch of the bizarre, I highly recommend this one!

2) Clerks: The Animated Series- Despite the success of Kevin Smith's cult classic "Clerks" and his more mainstream "Clerks 2", few people realized that there was a very short lived cartoon based on the adventures of Dante and Randall. Shown on ABC, the animated "Clerks" ran for an extremely brief 2 episodes before being cancelled and in fact only 6 were ever made. Thankfully, those six were released to DVD and can now be enjoyed by all fans. The episodes follow Dante and Randall as they continue their dead end jobs at the Quick-Stop and RST video, and even bring in the voice talents of the movie. Yes, Jay and Silent Bob are there, as well as an "arch enemy" of the two clerks, evil genius Leonardo Leonardo (who is brilliantly voiced by Alec Baldwin.) The cartoon has the same random, fan-boy feel as the movies, and takes some scenes a little into the realm of surrealism. If you're a Kevin Smith fan, or simply someone who appreciates some good, mindless humor (think along the lines of something shown on Adult Swim) then this series is not to be missed.

3) Spaced- The fact that this show was never aired in America is a good excuse for most people to be ignorant of it, I guess. "Spaced" is a British show that ended in 2001, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, pre- "Shawn of the Dead." It centers on the lives of Tim and Daisy, two near strangers who have to pretend to be a happy couple in order to rent an apartment they can both afford. Add to the mix their array of bizarre friends, one very interesting neighbor and their clueless, slightly sad landlady, and there is never a lack of activity. On top of the stesses they've created for themselves, Tim and Daisy are both struggling to make it in a career driven world. Too bad they both stay just a little bit too unmotivated for all that! Like most good, truly funny shows, the writing (by Pegg and Jessica Hynes) is one of the biggest winners in this series, but the timing and comedic genius of the actors can't be overlooked either. The two seasons that were made do complete the story. "Spaced" came out on DVD in late 2008, and can now be appreciated by those of us on this side of the Atlantic.

4) Arrested Development- Ok, so there are a considerable amount of people who have heard of this one. It's developed a cult following since going off the air in 2006 and in fact, a movie is said to be in production. Still, I'm amazed at the number of people I come across who have never acquainted themselves with the genius that is "Arrested Development". This three season series is a linear story that focuses on the Bluths, a family that has always lived a life of wealth, luxury, and privilege. That is, until the patriarch, George, goes to jail for a long list of offenses. All of the sudden, the entire family has next to nothing and has to learn to survive by their hard work and wit. Unfortunately, the entire family is comprised of lazy, selfish, idiots who have never worked a day in their lives- with the exception of Michael. It's up to him to clear his family's name and bring some prosperity back to his parents and three siblings. I could write several pages on the odd situations and mishaps the family faces along the way, but I'll leave it there. With a mix of brilliant writing and a perfectly balanced cast, this show will keep you laughing out loud, and because of the many plot twists, it can be watched over and over without getting old. If you're already a fan, watch it again. If you've never heard of it, run to the store and pick it up now! All three seasons are available on DVD.

There are certainly more than these four shows that have gone unnoticed and unappreciated through TV land, but these are the ones I think everyone should see. Check them out, I can almost promise you won't be disappointed! Visit imdb.com for further cast and credit information.