Key Facts
Fox's short-lived superhero sitcom 'The Tick,' starring Patrick Warburton, aired only nine episodes in 2001. Based on Ben Edlund's comic, the show parodied the superhero genre with a bumbling, invincible hero. Despite an 88% critic score and 90% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Fox canceled it due to high production costs compared to reality TV.
Details of the Show
Patrick Warburton played The Tick, an amnesiac hero who doesn't know his identity outside his super-persona. David Burke co-starred as his sidekick Arthur. The show was praised for its clever writing and unique take on superhero tropes. Warburton told CBR: 'It was very clever and smart and different — all those wonderful things. But sometimes, the network can't grasp that. They can't put their finger on it.'
Impact and Fan Following
Despite its short run, 'The Tick' developed a cult following. Warburton noted: 'Even though Fox didn't give us a shot ... eight, nine years later there still seems to be a huge fan base.' The show's high Rotten Tomatoes scores indicate it would have succeeded with more episodes. Prime Video attempted a revival in 2019 with Peter Serafinowicz, but it was also canceled after two seasons.
What Readers Should Know
- 'The Tick' is a must-watch for superhero parody fans.
- Its cancellation is often cited as a missed opportunity by Fox.
- Warburton remains proud of his work, and the show continues to gain new viewers via streaming.
FAQ
Why was 'The Tick' canceled after one season?
Fox canceled the show because it was more expensive to produce than reality TV, despite high critical and audience scores.
What is 'The Tick' about?
It's a parody superhero sitcom about a hapless, invincible amnesiac hero and his sidekick Arthur, based on Ben Edlund's comic.
Did Patrick Warburton reprise his role later?
No, but Prime Video revived the show in 2019 with Peter Serafinowicz as The Tick, which was also canceled after two seasons.