Classic TV show fans are not shy when it comes to talking about their favorite ones, even if they lasted just one season. While their stay on the networks was short, it does not mean that fans don’t love them anymore. In fact, some of these one-season classic TV wonders are still remembered thanks to social media accounts. The list of one-season shows from the history books of television is pretty long. Let’s offer up the 5 best classic TV shows that just lasted a single season.

The Green Hornet (1966)

This show appeared on ABC at the same time as Batman started up. Based on an old-time radio show, this action-packed weekly adventure starred Van Williams as Britt Reid/The Green Hornet. Martial arts star Bruce Lee played Kato. The classic TV show pitted the Hornet and Kato against villains of different shapes and sizes. One thing that hurt it was that Batman was a super-hot show. The Green Hornet, sadly, could not keep its success. It got the pink slip after just one season on ABC.

Police Squad! (1982)

Leslie Nielsen starred in this half-hour send-up of cop shows. The same people behind the hit movie Airplane! brought this sight-gag and quick one-liner show to TV. Sadly, viewers did not find this show too humorous. Years later, it did find an audience. But this was after Nielsen starred as Lieutenant Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun movies. Just consider this a win for classic TV lovers.

Battlestar Galactica (1978)

One show from the 1970s that ultimately led to an even bigger series in the 2000s. For this classic TV show, though, Lorne Greene of Bonanza fame starred as Adama. Its science-fiction, space-war look kind of comes on the heels of Star Wars. We’re not sure if the show was influenced by the movie. Fans, though, were not able to keep this show alive. Thank goodness for the later series that came along for these long-suffering fans.

The Honeymooners (1955)

Jackie Gleason introduced TV viewers to Ralph, Alice, Norton, and Trixie back in 1951. It started out as a sketch on his variety show for CBS. But it grew so popular that CBS offered Gleason a two-season contract with Buick as the show’s sponsor in 1955. Well, the show did fairly well in ratings. Gleason, though, felt like there was not enough new material for a second season. Therefore, fans have watched the “Classic 39” for decades. Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, and Joyce Randolph also star in the classic TV show. In the 1980s, Gleason added some “lost episodes” that are old Honeymooners sketches into the mix. This show is a staple for classic TV.

The Prisoner (1967)

Patrick McGoohan stars in this really fantastic British TV series as a secret agent who finds himself in prison. Yet this is no ordinary prison: It looks like a rather interesting village. He’s constantly being tested by wardens there. But his only aim is to escape. The Prisoner ran just one season, but its old episodes pop up on TV to this very day. It’s a worthwhile addition to any classic TV chatter.

These Short-Lived Classic TV Shows Are Worth a Watch

That’s a wrap on how these unique classic TV shows reached their demise. It is worth noting, though, that many other shows, especially in the Golden Age of Television, merely lasted one season. Getting a show to stick on TV with just three major networks proved quite challenging all the time.