Remember Tru Calling?

[@dancingdragon3]

I adored Eliza on Buffy and followed her to Tru Calling and The Dollhouse. It's such a shame she never got a long lasting series of her own to helm.

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

Both of those were fantastic shows. I wish we had gotten more seasons of both.

[@d1g1cxlt_]

She did, no one watched it.

[@TomFromMars]

Dollhouse was a blast from the beginning to the very weird end.

[@JayTemple]

I had never watched Buffy. Tru was the reason I gave "The Dollhouse" a try.

[@d1g1cxlt_]

Dollhouse was great. I met Enver at a party after it got canceled. Hotter in person.@@JayTemple

[@explore8539]

This show was like a Final Destination tv series. It was so good, I'm still mad it got canceled abruptly.

[@lacrartezorok4975]

Actually it was more like Run Lola Run.

[@Rikki1616161616]

It pains me that the shows I loved that starred Eliza didn't last long, Tru Calling, the Dollhouse. They had so much potential

[@FabricioMTL]

Thank you Remind me my teen age

[@markcruz359]

you would think that a show that has both Eliza and Zack would be a winner

[@korbentherhino]

I liked tru calling.but dollhouse always felt like a half baked idea for a show.

[@catherinebugden]

Agreed, so sad they quit so easy

[@markcruz359]

@@catherinebugden TV has no profit except through advertisements and viewership is important for that. Without it theres no point for networks to spend money on shows

[@malkkum]

This show was cancelled when I was like 13, I’m now 31, and I never got over it. I don’t think I ever will be. My one tv wish would be to get this show back.

[@FourTilSunday]

One of my favorite shows. Twenty years later, and I'm still pissed at Fox for canceling it.

[@johnivory3245]

Fox had a way of cutting shows too early.

[@JayTemple]

The ratings were what they were. That said, I'm still pissed that they replaced the final episode with The Simple Life.

[@FourTilSunday]

@@JayTemple Tru Calling was replaced by the show Point Pleasant, which had even lower ratings than TC did, and it was canceled even quicker.

[@epbrown01]

@@JayTemple They wanted instant hits, so if the initial ratings weren't *amazing* they started sharpening the axe. The irony was that X-Files took years to build an audience. Tru Calling, Firefly, Strange Luck, Brimstone, The Dollhouse - no network canceled more promising shows.

[@michaelquaid4679]

I'm right there with you! Was truly a unique and interesting show. And obviously Eliza was a total BABE

[@BetterWithBob]

I watched this series for Eliza but I was far too young to really 'get' it. I do remember liking an episode where the day rewinds multiple times so that a man can serve as a heart donor for his daughter

[@racheldoesfandom]

That ep is one of my faves too!

[@tychenofficial]

One of THE BEST episodes

[@kelsey1467]

@@racheldoesfandom you know i recomoned this show to ones of my friends and she loves it shes almost done but she thought the longest day episode was kind of a drag she just wanted it to be over

[@lacrartezorok4975]

It hurts me everytime I remember this show was axed while Ghost Whisperer and Medium were on the air for years.

[@ghouling1111]

Ghost whisper was good until last season so not a fair point

[@popmans9999]

The moment Ghost Whisper showed up I said someone saw Tru Calling.

[@CoalaCalavera]

Imagine a world where this got 6 seasons and a movie

[@danieltodorov7753]

The movie being about saving Santa Claus.

[@petergianakopoulos4926]

No. No I do not.

[@Lara_Ameen]

Love the Community reference! Tru Calling and Community are two of my favorite shows! 🥰

[@Joe_Parmesan]

either this show or Pushing Daisies.

[@jamesanddanielthiel]

@@danieltodorov7753 lmao

[@JLvatron]

This was a great show! Jason Priestly's addition really exploded the story!

[@thomascrowley9122]

Miss this show. One of the biggest what ifs in TV history.

[@nodmyhead6198]

True Calling, Ghost Whisperer and Medium-all shows that were simultaneously airing when I was 11/12 and I loved all of them. It's a shame we got so little from True calling, it had so much potential especially regarding her family-the mystery of her father and mother and how this could work out with her brother too.

[@patriciabradley4764]

Tru Calling was so ahead of it's time. Not so patiently waiting for it to appear on a streaming service so I can binge it.

[@zammymynakersnackstbmoth]

We were robbed of more seasons of Tru Calling. That show will always be one of my favorites.

[@jamiehav0k62]

If this show was on a smaller network like the wb/cw with supernatural, it would have lasted much longer. I remember reading all those writers blogs. Was going to get so good.

[@sparkfadingspark]

I watched Tru Calling back when it was airing and I was soooo disappointed when it was cancelled cos it felt like it was finally finding its groove. Especially when they added in Jack, the dynamic between Tru and Jack as well as the deeper lore that he and her father brought to the series really took it to the next level. It's definitely a show I'd be happy to see come back somehow, although I don't see Zach Galifianakis ever returning and that would be a shame because Davis was a really important character.

[@Dorthyturner]

Thiis!! Hearing the outline for what was gonna happen next sounded AMAZING

[@Pumpkin3.14pi]

​@Dorthyturner I read it, too. It was going to get really dark which I love. If they did it right it could have turned into a special show. So many shows before streaming platforms were never given a chance to find their footing, and build the story.

[@T_Cup]

God, I loved this show. But given how successful so many of the main cast became, I’m certain Eliza Dushku’s failure to launch was intentional career sabotage by someone in power. I’m still waiting for her to make a comeback, as I’m sure many fans are. But Tru Calling walked so IZombie could run and, as a huge fan of both shows, I’m grateful for that

[@npats550]

Love iZombie too! Was on Netflix for years- I only discovered that they no longer have the show last week. The great thing about izombie for me was the overt but brilliant comedy absurdity and wordplay. And of course the fact that it had such a great way of showing the characters range, as the actors were playing a character, who then also has to add another character on top of the "zombie", character due to eating the brains from crime scenes. One of my favourites- was the one where Liv and Major had to solve a crime with a dad and teenage daughter in it. LMFAO.

[@T_Cup]

@@npats550 Netflix is so wrong for that, but yeah, great episode. Major on "teenage girl brain" was a riot! I feel IZombie took the blueprint of Tru Calling and added what was missing, which was the fun, like you said, comedic absurdity that works well with such a dark backdrop

[@veebordeleau3902]

I was waiting for someone to comment on the iZombie of it all

[@T_Cup]

@@veebordeleau3902 Right? I'm surprised more people don't compare them

[@doperagu8471]

​@npats550 where do you live? I still have izombie on my Netflix (in the US) - I watch it all the time, kind of my comfort show lol

[@certs743]

I really enjoyed the show. It was sad to see it go. Unfortunately this was a time when TV execs all suddenly forgot that the best TV shows in history were pretty rough to start and didn't really take off till 3 seasons in.

[@Charliebeth]

I never forget this show and was disappointed that it was cancelled.

[@bensneb360]

Tru Calling is one of my all time favorite shows, it is one of the most underrated shows ever, and I will always be salty it got cancelled WAY to early. But I’m glad the show is getting more attention and love, that’s always great.

[@Vexiarla]

This was SUCH a good show. I still go back and rewatch it. Eliza is perfect in everything

[@MrQ12elve]

i'm not a fan of remake/reboots, but this is the few times i want it to get the storyline you summarized... we need closure dammit!!

[@lillyrosenight]

I was still very much a kid when this series aired, but I do remember watching it. This was such an interesting concept, I wouldn't mind seeing a reboot of this.

[@xenosaga8436]

I loved this show. Followed Eliza from Buffy to this show and AJ Cook from this show to Criminal Minds. It's a shame this show was cancelled so early. I've read some of what they were planning to do going forward and it seemed really interesting.

[@DennisNelson-ee2il]

Remember Tru Calling very well,and have still got it on VHS,from when I'd record it,I did also buy it on DVD.Grimm,was another great series.

[@khiclark31]

I remember this show. There was also the mystery of Tru's parents particularly her father whose job it was to maintain death's design.

[@magick333]

both tru calling and dollhouse were great shows.

[@LadyMoonsparrow]

This was such a great trip down memory lane. New info plus a tour of the many terrific episodes and themes of the show made this an excellent video to watch.

[@BG12sofia]

This show was so formative for me. It was probably the first action show I watched with a female protagonist. And I'm also a sucker for stories involving time traveling. I'm still pissed that it got canceled but, like you said in the end, it's one of the very few shows that actually justify a reboot. This story had so much potential!

[@davidandrews2972]

I remember this one well; in fact now that I'm reminded I'll dust off the box set. You missed several of my favourite moments though; the time where Harrison was the victim and his whisper was "Don't let him win..." and the other where he ambushed Jack in return, knocked him flat and said "That's for what you were going to do!" A fine show with great potential, gone too soon. And we never did find out Davis' first name...

[@VeganBeautyGirl]

Remember Tru Calling? ALL THE TIME. They really did cancel this show at the worst moment as the S2 story lines were so good. Really happy that the writers spilled the beans on the plans for S2, it's given me a type of closure. I wouldn't be mad if AI were used to finish this season some time in the future (with all the actors and writers being fairly paid for the use of their image, characters, plots etc)

[@spookythingswithtricia]

Tru Calling was one of my favorite shows!! I was so sad it was cancelled. It's just like Ghost Whisperer, only better. This spin off was so good!

[@madnessarcade7447]

Maybe Eliza got burnt out of Buffy or tried to get away from joss Tru calling is underrated

[@MrBiggles53]

Started off strong with the actress who played the tragic Callisto on Xena being Tru’s first plea for help. I thought near the end that they revealed Tru’s mother had a similar gift and that her opposite number have have been her father.

[@endoraismygma]

Yes! I'm binging it right now, haven't seen it since it was broadcasting. Such a great show and Eliza Dushku is amazing in it. Was so bummed when it got cancelled.

[@markturner1970]

Fell in love with the show and with Eliza after catching a few episodes then finding the box set by chance soon after. Such a shame it was cancelled so abruptly just when things were really heating up in season 2.

[@annabelle42688]

I loved this show when it was on air and was devastated when it was abruptly canceled. I have both seasons on DVD. I should really go back and rewatch them.

[@amybradshaw6693]

I still remember watching this together with my niece when it aired. We were both huge Buffy fans and needed something to fill the void when Buffy had ended. And just when the show had started to go from solid entertainment to "can't wait to see the next episode" it was cancelled. We were so pissed back then. To this day I am still impressed that Jack Harper was the same guy we had seen for 8 seasons in this other TV Show.

[@oldschoolwrestlingrambles595]

This show does deserve a bit more love. Bit of a slow burn but lots of fun once it got going. Good video as always.

[@johnnahodil]

Got both seasons on dvd, no spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen it all, but the last couple episodes left a serious cliff hanger where it asked more questions than it answered

[@FruityHachi]

that was my favorite show that how the creepy aspect of talking dead people, for some reason ghost shows like Ghost Whisperer didn't appeal to me, I liked that Tru Calling wasn't a typical ghost show

[@GrecianWarlock]

I was just trying to describe this show to my fiance. I miss this show. That theme song was so great

[@hologram1211]

Oh wow this was a blast from the past! I was a fan of Tru Calling and remember being one of the many angry fans when they cut the story short. Definitely one of the most disappointing cancellations of its time. Nice to hear there was a plan to take it to a solid conclusion. ISTR there were a lot of cancellation decisions around that time that made no sense and pissed off a lot of fans. Thanks for the recap!

[@vickyvansane5092]

I loved this show sooo much. Still thinking about it from time to time

[@anthonyalles1833]

_Tru Calling_ was a great little show, I was really sorry that it got cancelled.

[@rp1692]

Same

[@SBAngel59]

I loved this series, it had so much potential, what a shame it never finished

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

I remember reading that the series was one of the few Fox Thursday shows to actually maintain its ratings. I figured that NBC's Thursday dominance was over. Sure enough, the Thursday lineup that season on NBC was weak. Must See TV was over. I loved that theme song and Jason Priestley's character.

[@alexhika]

I was so in love with this show. I was very lucky because in Italy, where I am from, it aired multiple times so I basically knew it by heart. When I moved abroad to an English-speaking country, I saved up and bought the dvds. I was over the moon. I still remember how freaking excited I was when they introduced Jack and started building up the parallels between then and Tru's parents. It will always have a special place in my heart ❤ (Also, shout out to my girl JJ, if I only knew I would spend my entire adolescence loving her on Criminal Minds 😂❤)

[@MiguelDracul]

God, I absolutely love your videos. Tru Calling is undoubtedly onde of the most interesting series I've seen. Thank you for this gem. ❤

[@johnlarro6872]

Like others, I followed Eliza from Buffy, and was really invested in this show, particularly with the development of the lore. It was of course vaguely like Early Edition, which I had also enjoyed several years earlier, although I'd say Tru was "grittier". It was a crying shame the series was cancelled just as it was getting interesting!

[@Wintersoldier73]

My wife & I loved Tru Calling. Around that time, we both loved Buffy, Angel, Roswell, Fringe (a bit later), The Dead Zone, Ghost Whisperer, The 4400 & LA Femme Nikita, among others.

[@brioje23]

This show was soo good, I'm still so bummed it was cancelled especially with finding out the path they were planning on taking with the show

[@iluvephramy]

Loved this show! From the theme tune to the show itself it was amazing! Also introduced me to Jason Priestley, which is never a bad thing 😂

[@m.s.6586]

😮 how young are you that a 2003 show introduced you to one of the highest teen heartthrob of the 1990’s?!

[@verymelonman12]

I only saw a few episodes but I loved the main theme song for this so much it kept the show in my memory for many years. Both Eliza and Jason were good leads and I really like their character's ideological battles. The show was like a more interesting and less irritating version of Final Destination

[@talesyuki]

I loved this show!! Fox was pure evil at that time with all the cancelations

[@TraceyJean]

Fox tended to prematurely cancel anything with a sci-fi/fantasy angle, especially if it was slightly obscure and interesting and took a little time to find its audience. They still do, so I don't know why they bother to greenlight these types of shows.

[@RoyPage1970]

Fox has always been trash

[@almostpsych]

Loved Tru Calling, also Dollhouse with Eliza. Both series ended way too soon. Tru Calling ended with such a cliffhanger it was hard to get over it. Would love a reboot.

[@ToeTag9899]

This cancellation still bothers me to this day the show was getting so damn good. I don't want this show to be rebooted though it was perfect the way it was with the original actors and early 00's vibe.

[@AngelDRose]

This was such a good show. They could have done so much with the lore. Where does the power come from? What about the opposing power? Which is morally right? It didn’t help that the unaired final episode left on a HUGE cliffhanger. This brings back a lot of memories since it was filmed in my home city. Also fun fact, the guy who plays an army man who asks for Tru’s help later lands a lead role as Jason Stackhouse in the hugely successful show True Blood.

[@moviereviews4life]

This is crazy I just told my wife about the show a few days ago as it's one of the few shows I know that has a cliffhanger where I may still buy the DVD even though I'll forever be left hanging (Hannibal and Constantine are a couple of others). I wish they'd do a comic like Angel and Buffy got

[@mattb6369]

Luckily it's not a bad pants-caught-down cliffhanger, simply left many lingering plot threads open.

[@j.l.w9563]

Wow, that sounds absolutely epic. Even just hearing this overview I feel has enriched me! I think sometimes these stories are "divinely inspired" and so a non positive force comes along to cancel them so peoples awareness isn't increased. Possibly the two higher powers were going to reveal something, or inspire people to think about things in a way. That was positively enlightening! Great video!

[@madnessarcade7447]

8:47 quantum leap did something similar I like that trope

[@johnharrison2086]

This was such a great show! Just as we get used to the formula there is another twist to shake things up Such a shame that this show gets an early cancellation while far less interesting shows get renewed.

[@Carrieplaysgames]

I only found out about this show after it was cancelled unfortunately. I was on one of my regular shopping for DVD days years ago and found the boxset for the entire show. had never heard of it but as soon as i saw who was in it, I bought it instantly and fell in love with the show. Fox are scum for cancelling this and so many other shows.

[@NickMichalak]

I still own both seasons on DVD. I rather enjoyed the show back in the day. I know there were folks that tuned out because season one had been so formulaic. They didn't develop the concepts in the show quite fast enough, I think. As you stated, it had potential to deepen its arcs and make a more complex show. Of course, this aired on Fox where a lot of genre shows were hard pressed to find long lasting life. If this had been picked up by The WB / CW, it would've had four or five seasons with the same ratings.

[@Theonewithnoname85]

This show I felt was SO good & had SO much potential. Just reading the ideas the creators had to progress the story further was so disheartening that it was cancelled so suddenly as they had big & exciting plans to really explore her gift etc. loved the show! LOVED. IT.

[@Sandyfoxx93]

Yes! I totally remember this show!! Still sing this theme song from time to time, it was a banger

[@creolito9600]

I was obsessed with the theme song lmao

[@TheChannelJ1]

I was so mad when this was cancelled. This and Doll House.

[@J-Man1313]

Tru Calling was one of my favorites. I had a major crush on Eliza. She was awesome in Wrong Way! Tru Calling was so underrated. Forgot how great the cast was! So appreciate the love this video has for this series. So enjoying watching these videos. Thank you!

[@94Trish]

I enjoyed this show as well. It was more complex and darker than I expected.

[@MercenaryX84]

I loved the show and it's unique premise and all ideological questions that it asked. I was deeply saddened finding out that it had been cancelled. Also, when Jack was first introduced, I assumed that he was gonna be Tru's new love interest and after the twist, I kinda still wanted to see that. Even with the Luc thing being a point of contention between the two, I still was interested in seeing the two get together. Exploring the connection that the two have with one another and no one else would've worth seeing, especially if it would've asked more questions about real morality is and how it's not so easily defined. Also, I could see Jack and Tru in different scenarios where they have to switch occasionally and other has to save, while the other has to 'let fate play out'.

[@Lara_Ameen]

I wanted to see Tru and Jack get together, too. Especially with all of the developments happening in Season 2. They had amazing, undeniable, slow-burn chemistry. I wanted them to work for it. The enemies to lovers storyline I yearn for! 😍

[@kelsey1467]

@@Lara_Ameen i just don't like jacks thinking if people were meant to die the wouldn't of asked for their help and even if i did agree with jacks way of thinking i would hate orchastrating murders sorry he can have his opinions and he's not wrong about some things but i just can't approveof him orchastrating murders i don't know if i would like him together he would have to change his ways for me

[@rosselliswilkinson]

Eliza had a role on season 4 of Banshee.

[@TeamAmy100]

Thank you ❤ my favourite show of all time. The end of season 2 would have been epic. I still hope one day, we will see it play out.

[@AliceInsanity]

It was such a nice and relatively fresh concept and I loved Eliza Dushku in this. It's also nice to have a young adult as a protagonist, if I remember correctly Tru was a college student? Also loved that into song. I really hope they'll pick this up again...

[@Statsy10]

Thanks for this great synopsis. I think to really appreciate this show, you had to watch it in full. I can see it losing viewers that were less patient and only hung around for one or two episodes. And this goes without saying, but damn, Eliza was gorgeous!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Tru calling is such a good but underrated show that was canceled way too soon glad you did this video

[@twinvortex]

I WAS SO EXCITED for the potential of Tru and jack and their dynamic developing!! It would have been so epic it see more of them working together! Never got over the cancellation.

[@andrepaul3483]

I'm a more recent Eliza fan. And my goodness I fell inlove with her right away after watching Buffy. But NGL,Tru's my fav live action role from her. She's just so darn likable as Tru. Sure,Faith's the more damaged and complex character and Echo is the one that really challenged Eliza's acting chops. But Tru is the one that showed us that Eliza can also be a damn good lead. Bummer Fox never saw that. She's great!

[@emilioalaniz9775]

Loved this show. I remember recording it when it originally aired. So sad to not see it flushed out fully.

[@irishrose90]

I remember this show! I was obsessed with Buffy so I followed Eliza agree it ended. What a great review of this show. Hearing the theme song at the end unlocked a core memory, I haven't heard it in so long. ❤

[@josephadorno92]

This series is the forerunner to shows like "Joan of Arcadia" and "The Ghost Whisperer", only the writing and performances were never as smart.

[@SamanthaParker-ir2gq]

Googse bumps everytime someone stas help me. The intro to this show was next level!

[@kalincho1806]

My all time favourite show! Such a shame they canceled it halfway into season two :(

[@Lara_Ameen]

Mine too!

[@therachellllcat4444]

THANK YOU I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ANY CHANNEL TO DO ANY RETROSPECTIVE ON THIS SHOW. It was so good 🥺

[@xRuinedFaithx]

Little 13 year old me watched this show every week when I could

[@julieking4927]

Eliza has always been one of my favorite actresses to watch. Id love to hear you do a breakdown of her in dollhouse. She did such a great job, and that show was so cool, strange and thought provoking.

[@TheMbangel]

Jack's character reminds me of Wentworth Miller's character in Joan of Arcadia - sadly a show that also got cancelled to soon - an antagonist to the protagonist with the same abilities but using it differently.

[@mzbeth8238]

The one thing that really frustrated me about the show is that Tru never seemed to learn to ask HOW do you want me to help you? Which would have IMO lead her to learn that preventing the death was not what was needed every time she was asked for help.

[@m.s.6586]

Did you watch the show? The person asks “help me” and immediately the days rewind! No time to ask. Besides she had ask there would have been no show🤦‍♀️

[@mzbeth8238]

@@m.s.6586 did YOU watch the show!? Once she rewound, she COULD HAVE watched them die once then figured out if they wanted to die or not, or after rewinding, asked them in the moments leading up to their death. You know, because, oh I don’t, would be able to then know if she was actually needed in the moment. But hey, my initial comment was, as I stated, MY OPINION!

[@Buffy8Fan]

I think the ideas in this show were great, but bogged down by the mystery of the week format. The biggest issue I had, though was repeating exposition we had seen minutes earlier. There had to be a way to navagate that better.

[@mortisst1826]

I think about this show at least once a year. I miss it to this day

[@davids2427]

This could very easily be brought back it was a very solid premise and even though it only got a limited amount of episodes it had some straight up great moments and im sure it would be a success .....well if an when the strikes are Resolved 😊great video !

[@borednow5838]

Thanks! Look forward to doing this one with you.

[@jessicarie-tp6ti]

i love this show so much- that i dont watch the last episode never. I re-watch so many times. if only someone picked it up to continue the series, because the season 2 got so much twists out.

[@TheMughes]

I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Tru Calling. Thanks for this reminder and somewhat resolution.

[@welcometoSunnydale291]

I remember! This show started to get interesting when they brought Jack on as her nemesis so to speak…and then POOF the show was gone. Like that time so long ago when Jack In The Box took their chimichangas off the menu. I’ve never gotten over it.

[@NerdWorldEmpire]

I loved this show but I've never re-watch it due to the really dissatisfying ending, if you can call it an ending. Shame this show was so good!

[@wolfme4030]

The major thing I remember about Tru Calling was that it was cancelled way too early to be replaced by Pushing Daisies which was also cancelled.

[@karenhall4645]

I really enjoyed Tru Calling and was so upset when it was cancelled - and left SO MANY unanswered questions and unfinished storylines!

[@sweetsolitude99]

I was obsessed with this show as a huge fan of Eliza. I would watch the clock after school for its airtime and made sure to have it on the right channel 😂 I haven't seen many other people talk about it. I also loved Zach Galifianakis in a serious role. It was canceled too soon.

[@ellefizzy]

I forgot how much of a banger the theme song was for this show. Thanks for including it!

[@apmcd47]

I've still yet to watch the second season (I have the box set) but I always felt Jack as an "anti-Tru", with her father serving the same role against her mother, was the writers painting themselves into a corner, plot-wise. They could have explored the ethics of Tru's ability in other ways, such as somebody she saves earlier in the season ends up killing (deliberately or otherwise) several other people further down the season. Perhaps if she had doubts about doing this any more, maybe her power could transfer to her sister Meredith, who had already questioned the morals of this ability, adding a new dynamic for a few episodes. Time-travel episodes, where the appearance of a former client of her mother's at the Morgue causes her to relive the day her mother saved this person, giving her a chance to learn more of her mother. No wonder the series got cancelled so early if they started turning Tru into the villain and Anti-Tru into the hero.