What Might've Been: The New Land (1974)

 The New Land, which had been a feature film just 2 years earlier with Max Von Sydow, made its way to television in 1974, part of what was meant to be a promising freshman class at ABC. Unfortunately, it failed to click, and was cancelled after just six episodes aired. The problem? Ratings of course, with the opposition including All in The Family and Emergency!. Ballgame over.

The New Land lured Disney star Kurt Russell (ex-The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters) back to television after 10 years, co-starring with Bonnie Bedelia and Todd Lookinland (whose brother, Mike, had just finished a 5 year run on The Brady Bunch).

So, where did ABC go wrong? Putting this show on the wrong night is an easy answer. The 1972 movie would find its way to ABC as well. The above slide is the only evidence left of the series' existence.

No rating.