Great shows get canceled all the time. Shows like Arrested Development and Firefly received critical acclaim and still got cancelled prematurely due to low viewership ratings. Most of time this is done when a program is mismanaged by their respective network *cough* FOX *cough* or when people simply just don’t know the show exists. Well we’re here to spread the word. There’s some great shows out there that you may not be watching. So here’s our top 5 list.

5. The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret

Premiere Date: October 1, 2010
Original Channel: IFC
David Cross stars as an incompetent, chronic liar who is mistaken for a sales genius and gets sent to the UK to open an office for the launch of a horrible tasting Korean energy drink. The show started off great and had some hilarious moments from Will Arnett as the abusive boss Brent Wilts, but Todd Margaret slowed down in the middle of the season before really picking up the last few episodes. Trying to combine British and American comedy is no simple task. Luckily the show has been renewed for a second season and John Hamm will be joining the cast.

4. Game of Thrones

Premiere Date: April 17, 2011
Original Channel: HBO
Although the ratings have been rising each episode Game of Thrones is still being missed by way too many people. The show is brilliantly acted with memorable characters that you either love or completely despise in a good way. Characters like Tyrion Lannister are witty and entertaining to watch every week. There’s twists and turns in almost every episode that will have you wondering what will happen to your favorite character. Whether or not you read the books the show is a must watch. It’s time to get on board.

3. Wilfred

Premiere Date: June 23, 2011
Original Channel: FX
There’s really no way to explain Wilfred to someone without it sounding a little odd. It’s a show about a guy who sees his neighbor’s dog in human form, an Australian man in a dog suit. This dog, Wilfred, smokes weed, drinks beer, and eats junk food. While our protagonist Ryan(Elijah Wood) and the viewers see Wilfred as a guy in a dog suit, to everyone else he is just a normal dog. This causes all kinds of problems in Ryan’s life, but it just may be the best thing that ever happened to him. Wilfred is funny and demented at the same time, truly a hidden gem that deserves recognition. Unfortunately surrealist shows that aren’t cartoons have a hard time being accepted by American audiences. The show is a must watch and has been picked up for a second season.

2. Tremé

Premiere Date: April 11, 2010
Original Channel: HBO
Tremé(prnounced Tre-may) is unlike any other show on television. A true character drama following the lives of New Orleans residents directly after the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina. David Simon’s latest project is a fascinating look into New Orleans’ music and culture. The show is extremely well written, but Tremé took a little time to pull itself together into a cohesive and coherent narrative which I feel came full circle in the season 1 finale. This slow pacing might have turned some viewers away, but those that stuck with Tremé have been treated to some of the best television to date. This isn’t Bunk with a Trombone, this Tremé and you should be watching it.

1. Boardwalk Empire

Premiere Date: September 19, 2010
Original Channel: HBO
This show alone is reason to order HBO and cancel it every week. The show is exceptional in every way and the most interesting piece of direction by Martin Scorsese(who directed the pilot episode) since Casino. Set in a surprisingly under-filmed period of American history, the Prohibition era. Boardwalk follows Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (Steve Buscemi), a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City in the 1920s and 1930s. We meet several historical figures including mobsters, politicians, and government agents who clash with Nucky. Although Boardwalk Empire garnered 4.81 million viewers for its premiere (very good for an HBO show), that’s still a very small percentage. Everybody needs to watch this show.