Bruce Campbell Starred In A Canceled Sci-Fi Western From The Creator Of Lost

Carlton Cuse needs no introduction to sci-fi fans. As the co-showrunner of "Lost," he helped create one of the genre's most popular shows of all time (even if the finale was divisive), and that's an almighty legacy to have. However, one of his previous forays into small-screen sci-fi, "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.," is lesser-known. The one-season wonder aired in a death slot before being canceled in 1994. That's a shame, as the Bruce Campbell-starring Western is an unsung gem — and it deserves to ride again.

If you are looking for another show like "Lost," then "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." might not be for you, as it eschews mind-boggling mysteries in favor of good, old-fashioned, action-packed adventure. Co-created by "Indiana Jones" alum Jeffrey Boam, it's a weird, pulpy yarn starring Campbell as the titular cowboy — a Harvard-educated lawyer-turned-bounty hunter who gets hired by some wealthy robber barons to hunt down the gang who killed his father. Brisco has a personal interest in bringing the criminals to justice, but there are also larger stakes at play, as the bandits are in possession of a mystical orb with time-travel capabilities.

That's the general premise of "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.," but the description doesn't do the show any justice. With that in mind, let's discuss what makes this forgotten series so special.

"The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." is a love letter to old-fashioned Westerns and packs in all of their hallmarks. If you decide to give the show a chance, expect to see train robberies, saloon brawls, showdowns at High Noon, and a riveting adventure through the wild frontier. However, it's also a comedy, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and steampunk series, so "Lost" fans might enjoy its unpredictability factor. 

Brisco is often accompanied on his adventures by his friendly nemesis, Lord Bowler (Julius Carry), who has his own reasons for wanting to hunt down the aforementioned bandits and the orb. The dynamic between Brisco and Bowler also gives the show an entertaining odd couple relationship, making for some laugh-out-moments and heroes worth rooting for. Of course, it's the weirdness that makes "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." stand out from your average TV Western. The mystical orb adds a sci-fi element to the proceedings, but Brisco's adventures also bring him into contact with ghosts, ninjas, motorcycle gangs, Elvis-impersonating lawmen, and futuristic technology that represents a more advanced version of America's industrial revolution, which provides a backdrop to the story.

Unfortunately, "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." was set up to fail from the get-go, leading to it being dropped by Fox after 27 episodes. So, what led to the series being sent to the TV graveyard, and can fans expect to see it return someday?

"The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." was given a satisfying conclusion, so at least we can rest assured knowing that it didn't go off the air following a massive cliffhanger. Even so, ending the show after one season was never the goal; the Wild West is a big place and Brisco could have put a stop to the dangers that threatened it for years to come. Still, the television business is driven by ratings, and Bruce Campbell's sci-fi Western didn't attract enough viewers to make Fox want to continue it.

That said, the network deserves some of the blame for underwhelming performance of "The Adventure of Brisco County Jr." Fox aired it during the "Friday night death slot" — a colloquial term used to describe the timeslot between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. that's led to countless shows being prematurely canceled throughout the years. "Star Trek: The Original Series" was once on the receiving end of this merciless trend, and if Gene Rodenberry's classic sci-fi couldn't survive, a Western — released years after the genre's commercial appeal had dwindled — with ghosts and ninjas stood no chance.

Since its cancelation, Carlton Cuse and Jeffrey Boam's genre-hopping series has garnered a small and devoted cult audience, as Campbell's fans are a loyal bunch who will support anything he's in. However, will the show's enduring appeal lead to a revival? Campbell has said that he'd return to "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." in a heartbeat... though he might have to pass the reins on to new characters since he's too old for gunslinging on a weekly basis. Westerns are hot again, though, so if there was ever a time to bring this one back from the grave, it's now.