10 TV Shows That Wasted Great Premises

1. "FlashForward" (2009-2010)

"FlashForward" was a show that had an intriguing premise: everyone in the world blacks out for two minutes and seventeen seconds and gets a glimpse of their future six months ahead. This was an epic idea, and the pilot episode pulled viewers in.

However, what followed was a litany of dull plot developments, underwhelming reveals, and character arcs as flat as a pancake. Even a stellar cast, including Joseph Fiennes, couldn't save it from its lackluster narrative. The audience was left wanting, the cast had to move on to other projects, and the show was canceled after just one season.

2. "The Event" (2010-2011)

Here was a show with an enticing name and an interesting premise. It mixed elements of sci-fi, conspiracy theories, and political drama. The first few episodes showed promise with their blend of alien invasions and government cover-ups.

However, the show couldn't manage its intricate web of plots and subplots. It became a soup of confusion that left audiences, critics, and probably even the cast scratching their heads. The series cancellation was announced in the spring of 2011. On Rotten Tomatoes, it sports a not-so-impressive rating of 35%.

3. "Terra Nova" (2011)

A high concept show about colonizing prehistoric earth to escape a dystopian future, "Terra Nova" was seen as the next big thing in sci-fi television. It was a brave new world filled with dinosaurs and untapped potential. But the show seemed to devolve rather than evolve. Instead of focusing on the epic premise, the show got bogged down in tiresome family drama and a heap of narrative cliches.

Despite Steven Spielberg's backing and a budget that would make even a T-Rex blush, the show was canceled after one season. It received mixed reviews, with a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. "Under the Dome" (2013-2015)

Stephen King's novel about a small town mysteriously sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible, indestructible dome was a thrilling premise for a TV series. The initial episodes were intriguing, filled with tension and mystery. But the show quickly lost its momentum. It dragged on with nonsensical plot twists and shallow characters.

The creative deviations from the source material didn't resonate well with the fans of the book, and the series got trapped under its narrative shortcomings. By its third season, the audience felt as suffocated as the characters under the dome, and the show was canceled. It holds a dismal rating of 37% on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. "V" (2009-2011)

"V" was a reboot of the 1983 miniseries about alien "Visitors" who come to earth offering advanced technology in return for resources. While the original was lauded for its allegorical storytelling, the reboot tried to bring a contemporary spin to the story but ended up becoming a casualty of poor execution.

Even the star-studded cast, including Elizabeth Mitchell and Morena Baccarin, couldn't save the show from its shoddy pacing, uninspiring dialogues, and narrative incoherence. After the first few episodes, viewership plummeted. The series ended after two seasons, leaving several plotlines unresolved.

6. "SeaQuest DSV" (1993-1996)

Billed as "Star Trek" underwater, "SeaQuest DSV" promised to offer viewers a thrilling journey into the final frontier of our own planet – the deep sea. It started promisingly with the crew of the advanced submarine embarking on peacekeeping and scientific missions in Earth's future where humanity had colonized the ocean floor.

But alas, instead of exploring the deep-sea mysteries, it went off course with a baffling second season involving more outlandish science fiction elements, including alien encounters and time travel. It ended after three seasons with a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, leaving behind a sea of disappointed viewers.

7. "Heroes Reborn" (2015-2016)

"Heroes Reborn" was supposed to be a redemptive sequel to "Heroes," the beloved show that started with a bang but lost its way. The premise was to build a fresh narrative with a new set of characters, along with some familiar faces. The trailer promised a return to the original's glory days of engaging character arcs and thrilling superpowered conflicts.

However, the show quickly buckled under the weight of a convoluted storyline and lackluster characters. It was an echo of the same problems that plagued the latter seasons of "Heroes." The series failed to engage viewers and critics alike, and it was canceled after just one season.

8. "The Tomorrow People" (2013-2014)

This reboot of a beloved 1970s British series about humans who have evolved superhuman abilities had a premise full of potential. It promised thrilling action sequences, complex relationships, and exploration of humanity's evolution. But instead of using its rich premise to carve out a unique narrative, it got bogged down in teen drama cliches and uninspiring storylines.

The show was criticized for its lack of originality and was unable to attract a strong viewership, leading to its cancellation after one season. Despite its initial promise, the show only managed a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

9. "Alcatraz" (2012)

This series started with a fascinating premise – what if the prisoners and guards of Alcatraz didn't disappear in 1963 but were actually transported to the future? The plot promised a thrilling mix of crime solving and time-travel mystery. However, the series fell into the trap of 'monster of the week' episodes and squandered its interesting premise on poorly executed narratives. Despite having J.J. Abrams as one of its executive producers and a promising cast, the series was axed after one season due to low viewership.

10. "Revolution" (2012-2014)

"Revolution" was a post-apocalyptic drama set in a world where all electricity has mysteriously ceased to exist. The premise was intriguing and posed questions about how society would cope without technology. However, despite the fertile ground for storytelling, the series quickly devolved into a repetitive cycle of rescue missions and uninteresting power struggles.

Critics pointed out its lack of character development and narrative depth. After two seasons of declining ratings and viewer interest, the series was discontinued. It holds a mediocre 52% on Rotten Tomatoes.