When people think of HBO, blockbuster series like The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, and Succession usually dominate the conversation. For decades, the premium network built its reputation on prestige television and award-winning storytelling. Yet not every well-made HBO series became a cultural touchstone. Over the years, several strong, inventive shows aired quietly, earned loyal fans, and then faded from the mainstream conversation. Here are five HBO series that were genuinely good — and are largely forgotten today.
Enlightened (2011–2013)
Created by Mike White, Enlightened starred Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe, a corporate employee attempting to rebuild her life after a mental health crisis. Sharp, uncomfortable, and often painfully funny, the series skewered corporate culture and self-help optimism. Despite critical acclaim and a Golden Globe win for Dern, low ratings led to its cancellation after two seasons. In hindsight, the show feels like a thematic precursor to White’s later HBO hit The White Lotus.
Dream On (1990–1996)
Before creating Friends, Marta Kauffman and David Crane developed Dream On, an early HBO sitcom that followed divorced book editor Martin Tupper. The series stood out for its creative use of classic TV and movie clips to reflect the protagonist’s inner thoughts. While it ran for six seasons and helped establish HBO’s original programming identity, it was ultimately overshadowed by the massive success of its creators’ later work.
Hung (2009–2011)
Starring Thomas Jane, Hung followed a struggling high school basketball coach who turns to sex work to support his family after losing his home. Blending dark comedy with economic anxiety, the show explored masculinity, desperation, and survival in post-recession America. Though it drew solid viewership and buzz during its run, Hung rarely comes up in discussions of HBO’s standout shows today.
Arli$$ (1996–2002)
One of HBO’s longest-running comedies, Arli$$ starred Robert Wuhl as a morally flexible sports agent navigating fame, money, and corruption. The show is particularly notable for introducing Sandra Oh to wider audiences as Arliss’ indispensable assistant, Rita Wu. While later sports dramas like Ballers gained more attention, Arli$$ laid the groundwork years earlier.
Bored to Death (2009–2011)
Despite a star-studded cast that included Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis, Bored to Death never achieved breakout success. The show followed a struggling Brooklyn novelist who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective. Quirky, literary, and packed with guest stars, it developed a cult following but ended after three seasons.
A Quiet Corner of HBO History
These shows may not dominate pop culture memory, but each reflects HBO’s willingness to take creative risks. For viewers willing to dig into the network’s back catalog, they offer sharp writing, standout performances, and stories that still resonate today.
