ABC's Forgotten Fantasy Show That Became a Cult Classic Overnight Was Quietly Erased From TV

ABC's Galavant is a little-known musical fantasy comedy set in a fantastical kingdom far removed from the drab everyday society of the viewer. With music from the great Alan Menken and massive guest stars, the series made an excellent name for itself during its all-too-brief two-season run.

A decade after Galavant came to an early conclusion, the series has aged extraordinarily well. Despite its early cancellation, the underrated fantasy show deserves more credit for pioneering a new corner of the oversaturated genre. With its irreverent humor, lovable characters, and banger music, it is a brilliant counterprogramming to the far more serious tones of shows like Game of Thrones, earning it a large cult following that endures today.

Galavant Is an Underappreciated Fantasy Series

Galavant takes place in the fictional kingdom of Valencia, which the selfish King Richard recently took over. To add insult to injury, Richard steals and marries the girlfriend of Valencia's greatest hero, Galavant. The series follows him as he teams up with his good-natured squire, Sid, and the deposed Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elisabetta to storm the castle, free his true love, Madalena, and rescue the kingdom.

If it sounds like the typical medieval schlock that permeates the television world, think again. The series explores all the fundamental tropes of the fantasy genre and has a bit of fun with them. The series is packed with laughs from beginning to end, parodying action-hero tropes with the well-meaning but ultimately self-destructive Galavant.

The show featured surprise guest stars like Ricky Gervais and refused to take itself seriously for even a moment. This kind of self-referential, often fourth-wall-breaking humor is refreshing in a landscape of fantasy shows that take themselves extremely seriously, and ithas aged quite well.

Another soaring distinction that makes Galavant so great is its music, composed by the legendary Alan Menken, who worked on such classics as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. Bolstered by a surprisingly talented cast, the underrated fantasy TV show features some brilliant musical sequences, including more than one earworm that will refuse to leave viewers' heads

While musicals aren't for everyone, Galavant's songs are not only catchy but also effortlessly fun and often packed with laughs. The show even takes a moment to parody such classic musicals as Grease, Les Misérables, and West Side Story with a medieval twist.

Galavant truly finds its stride in its second season, as it tells a surprisingly captivating tale of redemption for King Richard, who must team up with Galavant after he is overthrown by his queen and former right-hand man. Timothy Omundson, known for his work in Psych, delivers a marvelous performance as a spoiled royal with a heart of gold, who must learn to overcome his selfishness and become a hero.

Paired with Galavant, who hates his guts, Richard becomes the surprise protagonist of the series in its second season. As ridiculous and offbeat as it got, it's a fantasy show worth watching.

Galavant Was Canceled After Two Seasons

Unfortunately for fans of the series, Galavant was always destined for an early ending. The series aired as a midseason replacement for the most popular fantasy show, Once Upon a Time, typically in January and February. While the show aired in a coveted Sunday night timeslot, it also faced stiff competition from awards shows, reality television, and popular dramas like The X-Files.

Although its ratings weren't abysmal, Galavant was never supposed to get a second season, let alone a third. Its renewal was one of the year's biggest surprises, and the opening musical number for Season 2 pokes fun at having overcome the odds.

Ultimately, one miracle was all that Galavant got in its all-too-brief run. Knowing that a third season was unlikely, the second season wraps up the story nicely while offering subtle teases about what could come. Fans even launched a campaign to save the show, urging ABC to renew Galavant for a third season, but it ultimately proved unsuccessful when the series was officially canceled in May 2016.

Despite its early cancellation, it was a critical hit. The series has a respectable 88% overall approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its unique tone and the excellent blend of music and comedy. Season 2 even has the rare distinction of earning universal praise with a 100% score from critics on the site. Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes are equally impressed with Galavant, awarding the series a strong 93% approval rating.

Galavant was never meant to last forever, but in its short two-season run, the series proved that even a plucky comedy like itself could capture the hearts of the nation. ABC's underrated musical extravaganza still has a passionate fanbase ten years later, though most have given up hope of a revival of any kind. Still, it remains just as entertaining today as it was when it first aired.

Galavant is available to buy or rent on YouTube TV.