Some shows gain a cult following, but others fall by the wayside after failing to be renewed past their debut season.
While streaming provides us with plenty of one-season shows nowadays, the practice has been going strong for decades, with several shows from the 1980s only lasting for a few months.
These hidden gems might not be known by audiences today, even though they provided the actors at the time an early break. One of these 1980s shows we're about to remind you of even launched a major film franchise, which received its latest entry just last year.
So, scroll down to rediscover the shows from the 80s that you forgot even aired…
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© Alamy Stock PhotoPolice Squad!'s axing was a major TV blunder
Police Squad!
Airing back in 1982, Police Squad! only lasted for six episodes before the network cancelled the show, which served as a spoof of the incredibly popular police procedural genre. The series starred Leslie Nielsen, Alan North and Peter Lupus as Frank Drebin, Ed Hocken and Norberg, and it employed much of the comedy that production company Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker were famed for.
You might recognise some of the characters; although the show ended up flopping, it spawned the Naked Gun franchise, which took place in the same universe with the same characters, albeit only Leslie made the transition. There were three The Naked Gun films between 1988 and 1994, and then in 2025, a reboot of the franchise was released, with Liam Neeson playing the late Frank Drebin's son.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe show was an early project for Jim Carrey
The Duck Factory
Due to NBC airing episodes out of order, majorly scrambling its continuity and confusing viewers, sitcom The Duck Factory only lasted for 13 episodes. Despite the self-inflicted storyline holes, audiences and viewers enjoyed the show, which followed naïve cartoonist Skip Tarkenton as he joined an ailing animation company, whose main property is The Dippy Duck Show.
The Duck Factory starred a young Jim Carrey before he rocketed to fame on sketch comedy show In Living Color. It also featured the likes of Jack Gilford, Jay Tarses and Don Messick. Don, famed for being the voice of beloved cartoon characters like Scooby-Doo and Muttley, made a rare live-action appearance in the show.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe show was unlike previous crime shows
Blacke's Magic
Even getting an Emmy nomination wasn't enough to save Blacke's Magic when the axe was swung on the unconventional crime drama. Airing back in 1986, the unique crime drama featured a magician, Alexander Blacke, who solves crimes alongside his con artist father, Leonard Blacke. Alongside the traditional whodunnit, the show also had a 'how did they do it' angle as Alexander uses his knowledge of magic to solve the crimes.
The show starred veteran actors Hal Linden, who was known across the United States the previous decade as he took the starring, and titular role, in comedy series Barney Miller, and Harry Morgan, who was known for his roles in Dragnet, Hec Ramsey and M*A*S*H.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoFans were only able to enjoy six episodes of the show
The Charmer
Moving over to British TV shows, The Charmer had a six-episode run on ITV when it aired for its single season back in 1987. The show, which was based on the book Mr. Stimpson and Mr. Gorse, follows conman Ralph Ernest Gorse as he seduces various women in order to con them out of their fortunes.
The show starred Nigel Havers, who was already known for his work on sitcom Don't Wait Up, and he appeared alongside the likes of Rosemary Leach, George Baker, Bernard Hepton and Fiona Fullerton, who had starred in A View to a Kill as a Bond girl.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe spy thriller captivated audiences
Reilly, Ace of Spies
If you think of British spy franchises, your mind instantly goes to James Bond, but back in the 1980s, one of the biggest spies on the screen was Sidney Reilly, who appeared in Reilly, Ace of Spies. The real-life Sidney, who was a British spy and lived between 1873 and 1925, helped to inspire Ian Fleming to create his iconic character.
The show lasted for 12 episodes and featured the spy's exploits up until his execution by Soviet forces. The series starred New Zealand actor Sam Neill, who would later be considered for the role of James Bond, before he made his name as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise.
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© Alamy Stock PhotoThe BBC drama won numerous awards
The Life and Loves of a She-Devil
Airing back in 1986, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil was a four-part series and was adapted from the 1983 novel of the same name. Viewers fell in love with leading lady Ruth as she attempted to gain vengeance on her ex-husband, Bobbo, and Mary Fisher, the romance novelist who stole his heart. BBC bosses opted against a renewal of the series, although it won big at the BAFTAs, scooping four awards, including Best Drama Series.
The drama starred Dennis Waterman, who would star in several major crime dramas, alongside Miranda star Patricia Hodge and The Fifth Element actress Julie T. Wallace.
