As streaming services merge and reassess their content, it's not surprising to see some shows pulled from their networks. However, a different fate awaits some of the less popular series: being canceled by their own networks and never appearing on subscription services again. One of the latest examples is Moonbase 8. This six-episode sci-fi comedy, which premiered on Showtime in 2020, brought together three of the most recognizable faces in alternative comedy: Fred Armisen, Tim Heidecker, and John C. Reilly. The trio portrayed hapless astronauts training for a possible - okay, not very likely - mission to establish a moon colony in the Arizona desert.

Created by Jonathan Krisel, who frequently collaborates with Armisen, Heidecker, and Reilly, Moonbase 8 delivered everything you would expect from these legends. It can be described as a dry, witty, and bizarre existential comedy; the kind of niche comedy that could develop a cult following over time. Unfortunately, it didn't even give its audience a chance to discover it. Less than three years after its premiere in November 2020, Showtime removed the series from its streaming library, making it available only for purchase on Amazon. This is quite disappointing, as it's unlikely that someone who has never seen it would buy a show. In today's streaming age, this is equivalent to completely disregarding the series.

The biggest draw of Moonbase 8 was its central trio. Reilly plays Cap, a former helicopter tour pilot trying to maintain his authority and honor. Heidecker's Rook is a deeply strange (and extremely devout) academic who sets out to fill the galaxy with Christianity. Armisen's Skip is a nervous doctor constantly overshadowed by the legacy of his astronaut father. It's no surprise that the trio is sent to work in the Arizona desert. The supporting cast is also quite funny: Travis Kelce appears as himself years before officially stepping into acting, former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert shows up at one point, and familiar faces like Alia Shawkat and Thomas Mann pop up throughout the six episodes.

Watching Moonbase 8 gives you the feeling that you've never seen a show quite like it before. However, it emerged during a strange time for space-themed workplace comedies. While each stands alone, it's undeniable that it shares similarities with other shows like Space Force and Avenue 5. The fact that all three of these series premiered in 2020 and were subsequently canceled remains a lost opportunity for viewers.