The Surprisingly Short Runs of Famous TV Shows

Some famous TV shows seem to go on forever - The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, MASH, Friends; the list goes on and on. But other, equally famous TV shows had surprisingly short original runs. Star Trek is the most famous example. The original TV series ran for only three seasons. The original run would have only been two seasons, but a massive letter-writing campaign saved it for a third. To date, this short-lived show has spawned five additional TV series, 10 feature films, hundreds of novels, computer games, and even a theme attraction. While Star Trek is the best known famous TV show with an incredibly short run, you might be surprised by the number of shows you know that had surprisingly brief network runs.

Surprising Short Runs of Famous TV Shows

Most of these shows lived on in syndication long after their original network series runs ended.

The Addams Family

Da da da DA. Click. Click. You know the theme song. You know the show. Seems like it was on the air forever, right? It only lasted two seasons -- from 1964 to 1966. The show inspired three feature films.

To watch the original Addams Family opening and theme song, click HERE.

The Munsters

Originally pitched as a prime time animated series, The Munsters were the working class equivalent of the Addams Family. It also lasted only two seasons, from 1964 to 1966.

George of the Jungle

This show was probably best known for its theme song. George only had to watch out for that tree for 17 episodes beginning in 1967 and ending in 1968. This short-lived show inspired two live-action feature films.

The Jetsons

The Flintstones' solid success inspired another primetime cartoon sitcom, TheJetsons. Unfortunately The Jetsons never caught on in prime time. It lasted only the 1962-1963 season with an original run of 24 episodes. A live-action filmed version of The Jetsons was in development as of May, 2007.

Batman

Wham! Pow! Another memorable theme song and another short-lived show. The Adam West Batman TV series was played as camp comedy and lasted a mere 2 and a half seasons, from January 1966 to March 1968. It was replaced by the famous sitcom, The Second Hundred Years - you remember that show, right?

Jonny Quest

This super-spy cartoon ran for only one season, from 1964 - 1965. Although it only lasted 26 episodes, it spawned two TV movies and a spin-off cartoon in the 1980s.

Super Chicken

Another short-lived cartoon from the 1960s, Super Chicken aired with George of the Jungle and lasted equally as long - 17 episodes.

Space 1999

This science-fiction TV series was imported from the United Kingdom and lasted 2 seasons from October 1975 until January 1978. At the time it was the most expensive television series ever made by British TV.

H. R. Pufnstuf

This Sid and Marty Krofft creation was referenced on South Park and My Name is Earl, as well as George Lopez and an Everclear video. Despite H.R. Pufnstuf's well-known place in pop culture, the original show ran for only 17 episodes between 1969 and 1971.

Battlestar Galactica

Those who believe that life here began out there only had one season to experience it. The original run of 24 episodes inspired a new Battlestar Galactica TV series in 2005.

The Brady Bunch

Although this show had the longest run on this list, running for nearly five years, it was never a hit during its original run. The show won no awards and was never rated in the top 25. In syndication, The Brady Bunch became a phenomenon, spawning several spin-off series, three made-for-tv movies and two successful feature films.

While all of these shows had short runs and mediocre ratings when originally broadcast, they achieved cult status and more in syndication, becoming some of the best-loved TV series of all time. So much for the all-knowing network executives who cancelled them.

If you'd like to add a show to the list, feel free to leave a comment below.