2. Carnivale
Set during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, Carnivale tells a classic good vs. evil story blending various elements of Masonic, Gnostic and Christian theologies. Carnivale has an overall story arc that follows two separate stories that are slowly coming together-that of Ben Hawkins who is traveling with a carnival after discovering that he has healing powers; and the story of Brother Justin Crowe, a Methodist preacher who has the power to bend others to his will and show them their sins as visions. The two stories come closer and closer together throughout the 24 episodes of the shows two seasons. The second season finale titled New Canaan, CA ended on a cliff hanger which prompted the shows loyal fan base to send more than 50,000 emails to HBO in a single day, as well as organizing other rescue efforts. HBO cancelled the show based on production costs and the fact that continuing into a third season would have opened up more of the shows mythology requiring a larger commitment to tell the story. Show creator Daniel Knauf is hopeful that with a strong fan base HBO will reconsider the cancellation, but explains that he does not want to tie up the loose ends in a three hour movie simply because of the sheer amount of unused story potential. Another nail in the coffin of Carnivales revival is that HBO owns the rights to the show and its characters which means that any transition to another format would require their cooperation. The only cancellation more frustrating for fans than that of Carnivale is our number 1 entry...