The original post: /r/television by /u/OhioValleyCat on 2024-07-26 04:20:13.
Some shows are very entertaining, but quirky and/or unconventional, and some TV executives cut them before their time (maybe they get nervous?). One show that was like that for me was The Adventures of Briscoe County Jr. which originally aired on FOX in 1993-94, but which I did not get to know until it was rerun on TNT.
The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. is a comedy western in the style of Support Your Local Sheriff but with a touch of serious drama and a dash of science fiction.
The touch of serious drama comes from Briscoe’s mission in going out West to seek justice against a gang of outlaws who murdered his father, a federal marshal. In concert with his mission, Briscoe is hired by a group of San Francisco robber barons to hunt down the gang. His adventures lead him to the Midwest, South, Southwest and Mexico. The chief villain of the show was John Bly, who Briscoe pursued for most the show’s only season. A wayward saloon singer and actress, Dixie Cousins, pops up frequently in his encounters and becomes his main romantic interest. Lord Bowler is a rival bounty hunter who he also has frequent run ins with who eventually becomes his partner.
The dash of science fiction comes from the steampunk blend of late 1800s history and aesthetics with futuristic technology. In concert with his mission to bring the gang to justice, Briscoe is on race to find a mysterious spherical Orb with that gives the holder special powers including some that could change history. A recurring theme throughout the one season are the new inventions that Briscoe proclaims are the “Coming Thing.” These ‘coming things’ are usually early, rudimentary versions of things we have in modern life like the automobile.
There were a couple of other quirky shows that were cut before their time including Johnny Bago (1993) and Memphis Beat (2010-2011). What are your favorites?