10 Greatest Time Travel TV Shows Of All Time

5. The Time Tunnel

Quantum Leap
ABC

The Time Tunnel is a prime example of a solid show that was cancelled before its time because of the slimy machinations of one network executive. It premiered in 1967, a part of the wave of quirky science fiction programs that were beginning to find an audience at the time.

Centered around a pair of scientists lost in time after walking through the secret time tunnel government experiment, it was fun and imaginative in a way that earned it respectable viewing numbers and somewhat of a cult following. But after only one season, it was abruptly cancelled, without even the courtesy of a resolution. How did this happen, if audiences were responding to it, you may ask.

Well, there was one network executive who was really into a new pilot called The Legend of Custer, a western show about Lieutenant Colonel George Custer, and he campaigned so strongly for this show to replace The Time Tunnel that everyone went along with it and ditched the time travel show. But western TV shows were on their way out at this point, and The Legend of Custer only lasted a single season after being savaged by television critics of the time. Meanwhile, The Time Tunnel maintains its relevance and place in pop culture history to this day.

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Contributor

Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.