Lights out: 10 shows that ended too soon

With HBO pulling the plug on "Enlightened," we look back on some of the best series canceled before their time

Published March 20, 2013 11:59PM (EDT)

To the dismay of Mike White and Laura Dern fans alike, HBO canceled its critically acclaimed dramedy "Enlightened" Tuesday evening. The show, which chronicled the cringe-inducing "recovery" of a business executive scrambling to put her life back together after an office meltdown, offered a searing critique of both the self-help industry and the corporate workplace. In 2012, it received a Golden Globe nomination for best television show in its category, and Laura Dern, who plays the show's lead character, Amy Jellicoe, won best actress for a musical or comedy series.

Salon's Willa Paskin described the sense of loss fans feel after losing a show like "Enlightened," writing: "Show cancellations, like show plausibility, are a very personal thing: Some gut you or make you insanely angry, while leaving others totally sanguine."

In memory of "Enlightened," here are 10 other short-lived shows that left their fans wanting more.

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By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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