10 Dick Cult Classic TV Shows That Deserve a Bigger Following

It’s always disappointing when a great TV show doesn’t get the viewership it deserves, but that can be made up for by a loyal and devoted cult following. While many of these Dark TV shows Never hitting it big with mainstream viewers, they connected deeply with a smaller subsection of the audience whose enthusiasm and love for the characters and stories made them cult classics. Although some series vi Twin Peaks are well-known by the general public, the truth is the viewership is not very large, and shows of such high quality deserve more than just cult status.

The best Dick TV shows range from underappreciated British sitcoms to intense dramas on lesser-known TV networks. Sometimes, a show was just too weird to get a mainstream audience, and in other cases, it was poor promotion or a haphazard air schedule that led to them being missed even by those who passionately wanted to watch them. Whatever the circumstances, all of These cult classic TV shows deserve a much bigger following.

10

The IT Crowd (2006 – 2013)

4 series

Although viewers from the United Kingdom will be well aware of the comedy classic that is The IT crowdThis Channel 4 series never got the love it deserved from a global audience. Like a sitcom Created by Father Ted Co-creator Graham LinehanThis hilarious series revolves around three IT workers in the basement of a fictional company. As the lowest rung on the company ladder, Roy (Chris O’Dowd), Moss (Richard Ayoade), and Jen (Katherine Parkinson) spend their days trying to get as little work done as possible while being embroiled in truly wild misadventures .

With episode concepts like a character believing they broke the internet because they typed Google into Google, The IT crowd was pure wild fun mixed with the sardonic sensibilities of UK comedy. Although the actors have since gone on to great success, such as O’Dowd’s roles in movies like Bridesmaids Or the supporting actor Matt Berry reached a global audience in What we do in the shadowsThe series launched their comedy careers. For those looking for non-stop jokes, The IT crowd Viewers laugh harder than a 404 error just before a critical deadline.

9

Freaks and Geeks (1999 – 2000)

1 season

While TV obsessives will recognize Freaks and geeks As one of the greatest TV shows to be canceled after just one season, it still hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves from the casual audience member. As the starting point for countless comedy careers, Freaks and geeks was co-created by Judd Apatow and featured early appearances by Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen and many more future stars. As a smart and heartfelt high school coming-of-age story, Freaks and geeks Tick ​​all the right boxes While failing to gain the viewership it deserved.

The early cancellation of Freaks and geeks was one of television’s greatest tragedies, as the series addressed issues around growing up, peer pressure and finding purpose in life better than any other teen show out there. The most heartbreaking thing about the early death of Freaks and geeks was its haphazard air schedule, which meant even those who were excited to watch it just couldn’t find it. In today’s era of TV streaming, it’s likely Freaks and geeks May have found its audience before the network decided to pull the plug.

8

The Armando Iannucci Shows (2001)

1 series

British satirist Armando Iannucci has gained iconic status in the world of comedy for his early work as a co-creator of Alan Partridge and the creation of the acclaimed HBO series. Veep. With countless beloved projects behind him, including directing movies such as The death of StalinIannucci has a unique comedic voice that perfectly balances political relevance and more social, personal themes. However, this is his most personal attempt, The Armando Iannucci ShowsWhich is largely forgotten amid so much discussion surrounding his better known works.

The Channel 4 British sketch show aired eight episodes from August to October 2001. With a broadcast taking place during the September 11 attacks, it is understandable that very few people are keen to tune into a surreal comedy about personal anxiety, human nature, and Existentialism. The timing of this series was unfortunate, as The Armando Iannucci Shows was one of the satirist’s most accomplished worksAnd Iannucci said the series best represented his unique comedic take on life (via Metro.)

7

Summer Heights High (2007)

1 season

The Australian mockumentary sitcom Summer Heights High was a truly hilarious series written by and starring Chris Lilley. Set in a fictional school outside Sydney, Summer Heights High was full of hilarious characters, recurring gags and a unique sense of humor. Although it was a massive commercial and critical success in Australia, the classic series deserves to gain a much larger audience of viewers around the world.

The letters in Summer Heights High They were so richly imagined that they even branched out to create their own franchise with Lily. After its success, Lilley created two spin-off shows, the first called Ja’mie: Private school girlFocused on the bratty, self-involved teenager first seen in Summer Heights Highand the second, Jonah from Tonga, Expanded on Tongan-Australian student Jonah Takalua. While Lily later gained further exposure due to his Netflix series CrazyIt was in Summer Heights High That he was at his funniest and was the show that gained him a cult following.

6

Twin Peaks (1990 – 1991, 2017)

3 seasons

David Lynch and Mark Frost revolutionized television with the release of this incredible mystery series, and it’s baffling how many television series wouldn’t exist without Twin Peaks. The influence of the strange and surreal series cannot be understated as television viewers in the 1990s tuned in to discover who killed Laura Palmer, an ongoing story that had never happened before. With a mix of soap opera, supernatural, and truly wild avant-garde influences, Twin Peaks Pushed contemporary audiences out of their comfort zones and signaled the dawn of a new era of television.

Although it is true that most TV viewers know Twin Peaks And its legacy as a cult classic, it’s shocking how many people have never watched it. The series deserves a much larger audience than it ever received, especially considering the long-awaited third season, Twin Peaks: The ReturnWhich answered questions that audiences have been speculating about for more than 25 years. As a truly iconic series and one of the weirdest things ever broadcast on mainstream television, Twin Peaks is a must-watch for fans of cult series and challenging television.

5

The OA (2016 – 2019)

2 seasons

The sci-fi mystery, created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, was truly one of the most unique and idiosyncratic series on Netflix before they canceled it just as it was really interesting. The OA was a cult television show with an intensely committed following of viewers who connected deeply with his story about a resurgent young woman with a connection to another dimension. As a thematically rich and challenging series, The OA Taking influence from points like Twin Peaks To create a deeply engaging series that deserved far more attention than it ever received.

Despite the second season ending on a fascinating cliffhanger that moved the characters onto a soundstage and into the real world, The OA Never got a chance to finish his story before Netflix prematurely called it a day. Despite several protest campaigns, petitions and an audience outcry to bring back the show, it has yet to continue in any form. Perhaps if more viewers tune in and let their desire for more be heard, lovers of The OA Will one day reveal what is planned for Part III.

4

Pen15 (2019 – 2021)

2 seasons

Pen15 was a coming-of-age comedy with a twist, as its middle-school main characters were played by fully grown women. Based on the childhood experiences, puberty and awkward teenage experiences of co-creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, in a unique twist on autobiographical stories, the two 30-something women chose to play themselves as seventh-graders. This was actually a stroke of genius, and it allowed Maya and Anna to perform scenes that would not have been possible with real child actors.

however, Pen15 featured the rest of Maya and Anna’s classmates portrayed by age-appropriate actors. Although this may seem distracting at first, the duo got so lost in their roles that by the end of the first episode, they are truly believable as children. Packed with 2000s nostalgia and countless moments that will make millennial viewers cringe as they reminisce about their own school days, Pen15 was released in the midst of the pandemic And never gained the viewership it deserved.

3

Rectify (2013 – 2016)

4 seasons

As one of the biggest TV shows nobody is watching, Rectify was an amazing original drama from SundanceTV. Created by Deadwood Starring Ray McKinnon and starring Aden Young as Daniel Holden, this insightful series explores the life of a man released from death row after 20 years. With new DNA evidence calling his conviction into question, Daniel had to return to his family home and join a society still unconvinced of his innocence and never stopped reeling from the after-effects of the young woman they believed to be. He sexually assaulted and killed. Like a teenager.

Rectify was a slow-moving series that valued characterization and emotional resonance over fast-paced action Or heart-racing thrills. Much of the appeal of Rectify Was watching as Daniel struggled to adapt to his newfound freedom, and viewers questioned the validity of innocence, of which even he does not seem completely sure. With strong writing, three-dimensional characters and fantastic performances, Rectify Reward patient viewers with a truly original and engrossing story.

2

The Eric Andre Show (2012 – 2023)

6 seasons

Eric Andre’s parody of late-night talk shows, The Eric Andre Show, was a truly outrageous subversive sketch series that often pushed the boundaries of what could be said and done on mainstream television. Along with his co-host Hannibal Buress (who was replaced by Blannibal played by James Hazley in later seasons), Andre brought unsuspecting celebrity guests and subjected them to intense, hilarious and downright vulgar interviews. Through a mix of surreal celebrity interviews, short sketches, candid camera footage and non-sequiturs, The Eric Andre Show Built a cult following And was unlike anything else on TV.

With strong nihilistic and post-ironic themes, The Eric Andre Show Revealing the absurdity of modern American celebrity culture, divisive politics and an entertainment industry dominated by conformity and the status quo. Through his funny and surreal series, Andre stood outside the norm and represented a different way of producing talk shows and comedy in general. While it may be too funny for some, for more adventurous viewers, The Eric Andre Show Was a truly hidden gem.

1

How To With John Wilson (2020 – 2023)

3 seasons

The HBO docuseries How to do with John Wilson has received widespread critical acclaimAnd all three seasons boast an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Created by the idiosyncratic documentarian John Wilson and produced by Nathan for you, The rehearsalAnd the curse Creator Nathan Fielder, the woefully underrated series should be a much bigger talking point than it ever has been. As each 25-minute episode takes a side-eyed look at a unique theme, what is often uncovered is the deep, personal, profound realizations of Wilson and the contributors.

Wilson’s awkward and conversational nature is paired with incredible footage and interviews as he explores everything from small talk to scaffolding to how to make risotto. As a thoughtful and often extremely funny series, it’s understandable How to do with John Wilson Never became a mainstream hit, but its unique nature and prodding search for meaning in a meaningless world will surely resonate with many viewers. For those looking for a cult series unlike anything else, check it out How to do with John Wilson.

Source: Metro