Dead Last
A cancelled WB series about a band who see ghosts.
Dead Last, a fantasy comedy-drama from Warner Bros. Television, made its debut on The WB on August 14, 2001, and was pulled from the schedule just six weeks later on September 25. The show starred Sara Downing, Tyler Labine, and Kett Turton as Jane Cahill, Scotty Sallback, and Vaughn Parrish, respectively. Although a full season of 13 episodes was produced, only 6 of them ever aired on the network before cancellation.
The plot followed the three members of a struggling fictional band called The Problem, who stumble upon a magical amulet they cannot get rid of. The amulet grants them the ability to see and talk to ghosts. In each episode, the trio reluctantly helps a ghost finish its unfinished business so the spirit can move on to the afterlife. Much of the comedy came from the band’s frustration—they’d rather focus on their music career—and from the fact that anyone who can’t see the ghosts typically thinks they’re crazy.
All 13 episodes did air in Canada on YTV between September 15 and December 8, 2001, and the complete series frequently appeared on the UK’s Trouble channel.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Fantasy / Comedy drama
- Starring
- Sara Downing / Tyler Labine / Kett Turton
- Theme Music Composer
- Michael Andrews / Nathan Larson
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 13 (6 aired)
- Producer
- Mary Hanes
- Executive Producer
- D.V. DeVincentis / Patrick O'Neill / Steve Pink
- Runtime
- approx. 50 minutes
- Network
- The WB
- First Aired
- 2001-08-14
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series follows the three members of a fictional band named The Problem, who find a magical amulet that allows them to see and communicate with ghosts. Unable to rid themselves of the amulet, they are forced to help ghosts complete unfinished business so the spirits can move on. Much of the humor comes from the band's desire to focus on their music career rather than helping ghosts, and from the fact that others who cannot see the ghosts view the trio as mentally unbalanced.
Reader's Guide
Dead Last is notable as a short-lived WB series that was cancelled after only 6 of its 13 produced episodes aired in the United States. The series gained a more complete broadcast in Canada on YTV, where all 13 episodes aired from September 15 to December 8, 2001. It also aired in full on the Trouble channel in the UK. Despite its brief U.S. run, the show represents a typical early-2000s attempt at blending supernatural elements with comedic drama, and its cast included actors who would go on to other television work. The series remains a footnote in television history, remembered primarily for its truncated broadcast and the contrast between its U.S. and international airings.
Did You Know?
- Only 6 of the 13 produced episodes aired on The WB before cancellation.
- The series was produced by Warner Bros. Television.
- The fictional band in the series is named The Problem.
More in American fantasy drama television series 1-24
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