What were some shows that although ranked in the top ten for the season were still cancelled? I don't count things like Seinfeld and Andy Griffith which ended of their own choosing, but shows that got the big axe. Funny Face with Sandy Duncan which was #8 in 1972 was cancelled because Ms Duncan had brain surgery. Bridget Loves Bernie was also in the top 10 in 1973 but was cancelled because it offended religious groups. I think both series came on right after All in the Family.

I think there was a Tom Arnold series that followed Roseanne in the 90s that was cancelled and a show with Jackie Mason that also followed Roseanne.

If you're interested in Top 10 shows getting cancelled look to NBC and their "Must See TV" Thursday. A lot of shows with rather high ratings have been cancelled simply because the ratings weren't as good as Friends or Seinfeld. For example:

Fired Up ranked #6 for the 1994-1995 season but was cancelled after its initial season, due mostly to the fact that viewers began to tune out after the series was moved from a cushy Thursday timeslot to a Monday one.

Union Square was #8 for the 1997-1998 season where it was tucked between Friends and Seinfeld. Ratings were fantastic for Friends, then went down for Union Square and then flew back up for Seinfeld.

NBC's Leap of Faith was the #10 series for the 2001-2002 season but didn't return. The show is a strange case, it only aired six episodes but managed to come in at #10 overall for the season. I'm not sure why it was cancelled, to be honest. I've seen the first episode and, while it wasn't that bad, apparently millions of people were tuning in. Yet NBC canned it.

There are probably a few others.

just shoot me

Originally posted by Finch
just shoot me

I don't think Just Shoot Me was ever in the Top Ten. It was in the Top Twenty a few times, sure, but I can't recall it ever making the Top Ten.

Gilligan's Island was highly rated yet still got cancelled