The first network cancellation in each season always stings, and so it goes for the Mischa Barton comeback vehicle The Beautiful Life, whose aborted, two-episode run left a trail of broken hearts including those of conspiracy theorist costar Sara Paxton, the less than a million Beautiful Life viewers, and a handful of Brazilian fans who watched via iTunes. We hate to see television fans suffer, and knowing that there are inconsolable Americans clinging to tear-stained, homemade petitions and Mischa Barton-covered vision boards is too much for us to handle at Movieline HQ. Take solace, then, in these other quickly canceled series that surely could have taken off if they'd only reached those amazing third episodes.
9. Osbournes: Reloaded (2009)
Synopsis: Variety show hosted by Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne.
Network: FOX
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: See synopsis.
8. Rosie Live (2008)
Synopsis: Another variety show, this one for Rosie O'Donnell to showcase her lifelong passions: duets with Liza Minelli, Gloria Estefan, children's charities, and sketch comedy about Broadway shows. Initially, the network wanted to use the show as a pilot episode for a regular series.
Network: NBC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: TV Guide critic Matt Roush predicted the show was "dead on arrival."
7. Secret Talents of the Stars (2008)
Synopsis: Viewer-voted competition show in which celebrities showcase their, well, secret talents. Debbie Reynolds, Brian McKnight and Gavin Polone made up the judging panel.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: The first only episode's contestants were Clint Black, Mya, Sasha Cohen, Clint Black, and George Takei.
6. Emily's Reasons Why Not (2006)
Synopsis: A single career woman (Heather Graham) with little luck in the love department develops a list system to determine whether men are worth her time.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: Network executives allegedly picked up the show without seeing a pilot.
5. Dot Comedy (2002)
Synopsis: Annabelle Gurwitch and the Sklar Brothers host a program that showcases humorous videos found on the internet.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: For a series with "comedy" in the title, there were little to no laughs among the 4.1 viewers.
4. Liza and David (2002)
Synopsis: Reality series about newlyweds Liza Minnelli and her then-husband David Gest.
Network: VH1
Episodes Aired: 0
Warning Sign: The New York Post reported that Gest locked Minnelli in their apartment, screamed at camera crews who refused to wear surgical booties, and would cancel shoots at the last minute.
3. The Mike O'Malley Show (1999)
Synopsis: A 30-year-old hockey fan (O'Malley) reevaluates his life after attending the wedding of a close friend (Arrested Development's Will Arnett).
Network: NBC
Episodes Aired: 2
Warning Sign: The pilot was re-shot after being universally panned by critics.
2. Garbage Pail Kids (1987)
Synopsis: The Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, brought to life by a Saturday morning cartoon series.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 0
Warning Sign: Advertisers pulled out after being pressured from interest groups that claimed the series glorified violence and served as a barely-disguised infomercial for the cards.
1. Turn-On (1969)
Synopsis: Variety show pitched as a racier derivative of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. The cast included Teresa Graves (pictured) and Chuck McCann.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1/2
Warning Sign: Broadcast officials were so alarmed by the offensive content of the show that they cancelled the program halfway through its first broadcast.