In today’s time when any and every show makes their way to DVD, it’s easy to look back and ask “What the hell was the network thinking canceling this?!” While I curse each network for canceling these shows, I also applaud them for letting these shows get a second season. While “The Office” and “Extras” got their closure in Christmas specials, others didn’t get that same opportunity. While they all weren’t technically ‘canceled’, they are short lived and leave fans wanting more.

Below is a list of the six best shows this decade to only see two seasons.

1) The Office (BBC) – A show many people do not realize had only 14 episodes since the American version has been on for so long. This series about a small paper manufacturing office is as close to perfection a series has come. Moving from utterly hilarious to heartbreaking, this is television at its best.

2) Party Down (Starz) – this rarely watched show focused on a group of failed writers and actors working as caterers to make ends meet while they tried to salvage a career. Featuring some of the best cameos this side of “Extras” (#3 on this list), “Party Down” had a strong cast they didn’t have the money to keep (lost Jane Lynch to “Glee” and were about to lose Adam Scott to “Parks and Recreation”). A case of being too good on a network no one gets.

3) Extras (BBC/HBO) – Ricky Gervais made this series about an aspiring actor working as a movie extra even more uncomfortable than his previous series. Filling it with some of the greatest cameos, while successfully posing the question of ‘what is celebrity’ and also ‘what do we need to be happy’.

4) Reaper (The CW) – The Kevin Smith produced series lasted two years on the CW and that was its problem. When the show got the plug pulled, the CW was too busy remaking 90210 and issuing more episodes of Gossip Girl to care. Following the adventures of Sam (and his two best friends) as they spend half their time sending demons back to hell and the other half goofing around at The Work Bench (think Home Depot), this was equal parts slacker comedy and action adventure.  By the end, it was asking some serious questions while making us laugh. Also reminded us how much we love Ray Wise. The complete first season is available on Hulu.

5) Spaced (Channel 4) – Incredibly smart and funny, not to mention unusual. This British series gave us our first viewing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, including Edgar Wright directing the series. This is on the list for many reasons, mainly because without it there is no Shaun of the Dead, and without Shaun of the Dead, life is not worth living. Though the first season aired in 1999, the second aired in 2001. Also available on Hulu.

6) Life (NBC) – A better than expected crime procedural that handled its characters and story lines with utmost care. Follows Charlie Crews, a former LAPD detective who was wrongfully imprisoned for 12 years. Crews decides after his $50 million settlement that he still likes being a detective and is partnered with the emotionally wounded Dani Reese (played remarkably by the beautiful Sara Shahi). The acting, writing and story keep this above the murky waters. Too bad it never found its audience. God bless Hulu again.

The Office

Party Down

Extras