8. The Tick

2001-2002

A superhero sitcom? But it worked beautifully, sending up the likes of Superman and Batman with a cast of all-too-human superheroes led by Patrick Warburton (Puddy from "Seinfeld," far right). This Fox series, which also featured Nestor Carbonell (second from right) as Batmanuel, was original and loaded with character potential. It deserved a life longer than nine episodes.

Pictured with Warburton and Carbonell (from left), David Burke and Liz Vassey.