Carnivàle (2003-2005)

Come one, come all: View the wonders revealed under the big topless! HBO’s dustbowl set series Carnivàle is a classic tale of good and evil as embodied by two brothers with psychic powers, that takes place during the dustbowl days of the ’30s. Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl) is a fugitive on the lam, who has the power to take life from one source and give it to another. Once his mom dies, he joins the carnival out of desperation. But this is a weird carnival, run by an unseen force known only as "Management." Another fella named Brother Justin (Clancy Brown) is spreading the gospel, but he's got some powers too. Problem is, he may well be a demon since his eyes occasionally go completely black. Eventually, these two are going to clash. But how much do we really know about either of these guys? And how sure are we, that we know who the good guy is? Unfortunately, the answers we seek aren't going to be found on the screen, since HBO gave it the ax after just two seasons. The problem was, Carnivàle was super expensive, with rumors putting the number between two and four million bucks an episode. Granted, this was back in 2005, when networks weren't willing to throw ungodly amounts of money at TV shows like they are today. We don't know what made it so pricey, but it sure looks like the Home Box Office execs weren't skimping on the sex. They were more than willing to pay top dollar to hire some absurdly attractive, skin-friendly sideshow attractions. Every traveling circus should have its peep tent--it sure beats Cracker Jacks for a surprise inside. Amanda Aday exposes her big top, from her elephantine breasts to her cotton-candy ass during a "who would you rather" strip routine with the svelte Carla Gallo. Later we see Carla and the collosally cannoned Cynthia Ettinger doing a similar routine, this time as a mother and daughter. Former Maude star Adrienne Barbeau flashes her funbags while taking an outdoor shower. Valeria Hernandez shows all three B's during her peep show routine, Judith Hoag lies topless after ho-ing it up with some dude, Amy Madigan flashes in the shower, Eliza Pryor Nagel strips for the priest, and even Saemi Nakamura goes topless while tattoing a dude. How could they show this many cans, if they were cancelled after just two seasons? We've gotta start a petition to get this one back on air. After all, Carnivàle is a carnival of carnal activity!