Worst TV Shows That Won't Die...

[BigJohn&TheLions]

What TV shows need to die or lived way too long before they were killed?

These can be either good shows that overstayed their welcome, or shows that sucked from the moment they started filming...

[Desnudo]

The Simpsons jump immediately to mind.

[SunDancer]

Nearly every Reality TV show.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

The Simpsons jump immediately to mind.

The Simpsons still is alright. Not nearly as good as it was, but not as bad as the first couple seasons yet.

NYPD Blue. Does anybody watch it anymore? I mean that doesn't like seeing Dennis Franz's bare ass.

Friends. Sucked ass from moment one.

E.R. A long time ago...

The rare exception was Married With Children. It was a donut. It was great, then sucked, then got good again.

[jetpunk2000]

King of the Hill. Every episode revolves around some variation of Hank being mad because Bobby plays with dolls, or Bobby dresses like a woman, or Bobby kissed the boy next door.

[Franklinnoble]

New Years Rockin' Eve with Dick Clark

[Blackadar]

Nearly every Reality TV show.

Ditto.

[Buddy Grant]

The Simpsons is not nearly as good as it once was, but IMO it's still better than most sitcoms out there, and showed some flashs of it's old brilliance last season.

Obvious one: M*A*S*H was pretty annoying in it's final preachy, non-comedy years.

The Apprentice - season 2: I get sucked into this vomit vacuum every once in awhile. Not sure what is more annoying - the Donald or his repulsive contestants. Hmm, I bet that repulsiveness is why many tune in:/.

Trading Spaces: These room make overs always seem to look gruesome, then again, I suspect not many are watching.

CNN's Crossfire: Political flavored vomit - mmm, eat-it-up (slurrrp).

[Draft Dodger]

I don't get Law and Order, which my wife watches approximately 13 times per day.

neither "half" of the show is particularly good compared to their respective genres, and extremely repetitive (and the "ripped from the headlines" stuff is usually badly done). also, the acting of the two ADA's (Waterston and Moriarity) is so bad, it's laughable.

definitely not the worst show I've ever seen (and Angie Harmon and Jill Hennessey are certainly nice to look at), but I don't get the fervor over it.

[Draft Dodger]

Nearly every Reality TV show.

nearly?

[kcchief19]

The Simpsons jump immediately to mind.Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but most critics and fans will agree that even when The Simpsons is bad, it's still better than most anything else on television.

I'd reserve this topic for shows such as Happy Days -- which of course inspired the phrase "jumped the shark" -- or Too Close for Comfort which, despite the presence of Ted Knight, was horrific.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Sportcenter. With Stuart Scott.

[Draft Dodger]

Sportcenter. With Stuart Scott.

excellent call. except the Scott thing is superfluous - it's ALL bad.

[Glengoyne]

I'll second E.R.

I was a fan of Law and Order for several seasons, but now I just can't muster what it takes to sit through an episode. I do happen to like Law and Order:Criminal Intent, because I think the lead detective does a great job with his role. I don't often remember to watch it, but when I do I enjoy it.

[DeToxRox]

The OC

[JeffNights]

i just never got the OC.

[panerd]

Next year's world series of poker, if ESPN decides to stretch 2 days of play over all of next summer again.

[terpkristin]

ER
WSOP
Reality TV especially The Swan, Wife Swap (and the associated other-network shows).
All of the lawyer dramas (how many versions of Law & Order do we need?)
Ditto with all the CSI remakes
All the other cop shows
Speaking of cop shows, why is COPS still on the air?
World Series of Scrabble

I could go on. I abhor most tv these days.
~tk

[terpkristin]

Oooh, just thought of another: Third Watch
They used to watch it down at the local firehouses for pure amusement of how god-awful it was.

~tk

[Lathum]

Next year's world series of poker, if ESPN decides to stretch 2 days of play over all of next summer again.


As much as I agree the world series was stretched out especially when you consider everyone knew the winner allready. However, just to clarify, the WSOP is about 33 events over a month so there were quiet a few events they covered.

[Walrus]

Judge Judy must die.

All those judge shows stink on ice.

[Joe]

anything on the WB, especially 7th heaven.

[panerd]

Judge Judy must die.

All those judge shows stink on ice.

The only time I ever see these shows is when I am getting my oil changed or at another type of service waiting room, but the black judge show always seems to have some really hot chicks in revealing outfits on. Not enough to make me watch, but pretty good for daytime television. I don't remember Wapner presiding over chicks like these.

[Sharpieman]

King of the Hill, just its annoying.
Reno 911, not funny.
Crossfire, as Jon Stewart says "it hurts the country."
Fear Factor: Just shows the worst of humanity.

[mckerney]

The OC

I hate you.

[Draft Dodger]

interestingly, Friends, WSOP and, yes, Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve are the only shows in this thread I've even seen in the last couple of years.

[Raiders Army]

Oprah, you fat bitch.

Jimmy Kimmel, go back to the Man Show. The dude from Fear Factor is killing it.

At least the Sex and the City crapshow got cancelled.

[Cringer]

Thankfully you people don't decide what is on T.V.

I love King of the Hill (it is not all about Hank getting pissed at Bobby)

I love Reno 911 because it is funny

And Jimmy Kimmel is better then Leno any day.


Shows that should die, the reality show for the Virgin Records guy. Atleast 1 of the C.S.I.'s, 3 is too many. Ditto for Law and Order. OC and any other night time "soap."

[JimboJ]

Saturday Night Live

[revrew]

Saturday Night Live

Good call.

[Bearcat729]

As much as I hate to say it

The West Wing

The show went downhill quick without Sorkin

[MikeVic]

I also like King of the Hill. The more you watch, the more you like the characters.

[CraigSca]

For me, Desperate Housewives jumped the shark this past weekend. And...I'm beginning to lose it with "Lost".

As far as historical content is concerned, how 'bout any show from ABC's Friday Family Fun-fest (or whatever the hell they call it)?

[sterlingice]

Oprah, you fat bitch.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gifhttp://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Jimmy Kimmel, go back to the Man Show. The dude from Fear Factor is killing it.
Such a shame, that show went into the crapper as soon as the original hosts left :(

Saturday Night Live
Hasn't been funny in about 7 years.

SI

[Suicane75]

Hasn't been funny in about 7 years.


1987 was alot longer than 7 years ago.

[DeToxRox]

I hate you.

OC is the new Dallas.

[sterlingice]

1987 was alot longer than 7 years ago.
I was good with it through the mid 90s.

SI

[Desnudo]

Oooh, just thought of another: Third Watch
They used to watch it down at the local firehouses for pure amusement of how god-awful it was.

~tk

You're a firewoman?

[Suicane75]

You're a firewoman?

pix pls, kthnx

[Desnudo]

The Simpsons still is alright. Not nearly as good as it was, but not as bad as the first couple seasons yet.

U R NUTZ.

[SunDancer]

For me, Desperate Housewives jumped the shark this past weekend. And...I'm beginning to lose it with "Lost".

As far as historical content is concerned, how 'bout any show from ABC's Friday Family Fun-fest (or whatever the hell they call it)?


Wanted to bump this, is Desperate Housewives really that good? I watch it sometimes, but I never quite get these shows that really have no "closure" like soap operas.

Its a good show with two hot women (for some reason, the redhead and the TO-chick don't seem to have the sexiness of the other two...they are pretty, but not "hot"), but it likes it some "revolution" in tv. Its been on Oprah and Primetime today alone, has it already reached the "peak" and being over-hyped?

[WrongWay]

With Enterprise going off the Air I would like to add...

Any, and all Science fiction series. I cannot think of a single successfull series that was cannceled before it had benn totally written into the ground. Usually before the series ends, I have completly lost interest in all the new fresh ideas.

X-Files...Anyone actually see the entire last season?
Pretender...Just how many clones, brothers, sisters, did Jared have at the end.
Babylon 5....Just exactly why was their a 5th season?
TNG...Sorry, but I had already left town before the actors became directors.
Quantum Leap...From the evil leaper to actually meeting God in the final episode.

I just do not understand why they want to insult their core fans when rating start to slip. I was a huge fan of all these shows, making time every week, but had to throw in the towel when they decided it was time to try to increase there falling ratings. Why do they think if they just keep introducing one stupid idea after another that the shows rating will increase if they lose their core fans.

At least they did not try to increase their rating by simply having a baby(Mork and Mindy).

[Suicane75]

I wasa huge X-Files fan for the first 6 seasons, the last episode I saw was the one with the black alien baseball player. I couldn't even tell you how the series ended.

I loved Quantam Leap all the way, especially the final episode.

Everytime I watch the Simpsons I cringe, it's just so god awfull at this point, the characters don't act like the characters, the jokes are either redundant to point of spoiling it or just not funny to begin with. If i can get 1 or 2 laughs out of an episode it's a rarity.

[Glengoyne]

The first three seasons of Babylon 5 were great. I'd say among the best Sci-fi T.V. ever. The fourth season was great as well, but tapered off steadilly toward the end. I agree with you about the fifth year. It was very close to worthless.

I would say that Firefly wasn't written into the ground before its demise. It was very good right till the bitter end of season one.

[EagleFan]

The OC - just never should have been
King of the Hill seems to have worn out it's welcome for me. I used to like it and grew to love it but it seems to much of the same thing anymore.
Most reality shows - The Amazing Race is the best exception as that show is great, I can still stomach Survivor, though I wouldn't miss it like I would the Race if it were cancelled.
Judge Judy and her judge show cronies - we get it already, there are idiots who sue idiots out there.
NYPD Blue - has outlived it's welcome. I used to love that show but it has been declining for many seasons now.
That's So Raven - being a parent I get to see a lot of Disney stuff (way too much). She can't act and can't sing, that should say it all. We'll group a lot of Disney shows into this one: The Proud Family, Dave the Barbarian, Phil of the Future, Even Stevens, etc...

[SunDancer]

Judge Judy is alright..It's not fun, but I like her blasting stupid people. We need more judges like that, maybe it would curb the dumb lawsuits that be brought foward, or atleast ring them out with a dose of reality.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't watch a lot of TV anymore, so I can't really comment on current shows, but my wife and I watch "The People's Court" every day. Hellooooo, nur -- er, judge!

http://img239.exs.cx/img239/5691/judge76ta.jpg

[Neuqua]

I still like the Simpsons and enjoy the OC. I have never been able to get into King of the Hill though.

[TLK]

I'm looking forward to the last five minutes of next weeks OC..... nothing more... nothing less... :)

[Ragone]

Simpsons Jumped the shark long ago.. they really need some fresh material.. maybe aging the kids would help..

South Park is bad as well

What we really need is another season of Angel :)

[FBPro]

I'm still a fan of ER :)
But I've never gotten into all the Law & Order XYZ, etc, etc.....

[gi]

The first three seasons of Babylon 5 were great. I'd say among the best Sci-fi T.V. ever. The fourth season was great as well, but tapered off steadilly toward the end. I agree with you about the fifth year. It was very close to worthless.

I would say that Firefly wasn't written into the ground before its demise. It was very good right till the bitter end of season one.
Behind the scenes drama on this one. This was supposed to be a 5 season show with the shadow war taking the entire 4th season and Sheriden taking over earth as the 5th season. JMS had to rush the end of the 4th season because they thought the show was going to get cancelled and they wanted to at least tell the story to all the fans that supported them. Great intentions. The 5th season was kinda a surprise and they had issues with a certain actress. The 5th is pretty forgettable but there are a lot of nuggets in there if you can stand it.

Firefly is a completely different ballgame. The network wanted to kill this show from the begining.

[Aylmar]

More info on the Babylon 5 behind the scenes saga. This guy is just a fan, but it's a decent read...

http://www.webcs.com/b5/neverwas.html

[DanGarion]

Survivor
Apprentice
Fear Factor
Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire

Anything that is a reality TV show.

[Alan T]

I don't get Law and Order, which my wife watches approximately 13 times per day.

neither "half" of the show is particularly good compared to their respective genres, and extremely repetitive (and the "ripped from the headlines" stuff is usually badly done). also, the acting of the two ADA's (Waterston and Moriarity) is so bad, it's laughable.

definitely not the worst show I've ever seen (and Angie Harmon and Jill Hennessey are certainly nice to look at), but I don't get the fervor over it.


If Law and order wasn't on TNT all day long every day, i am not sure that I would even watch television. I really never have been a big tv show fan, I really only watched movies and sports usually. I find during this time of year I end up watching more tv then when baseball season is on. I just can not get into shows where if I miss an episode, I am lost for the rest of eternity. Law and order has always been great for me to just jump in and watch an episode and I enjoy it usually. :)

[sportsfan13]

I can't understand why someone would watch The Apprentice. I couldn't stand looking at Trump's comb-over for that long. I would keep wanting to jump through the TV and cut it or something...

[Schmidty]

King of the Hill. Every episode revolves around some variation of Hank being mad because Bobby plays with dolls, or Bobby dresses like a woman, or Bobby kissed the boy next door.

You obviously stopped watching the show in the first season.

In my opinion, it's one of the best shows on TV, period.

[jetpunk2000]

You obviously stopped watching the show in the first season.

In my opinion, it's one of the best shows on TV, period.
I will admit to not having watched the show in a long time. It just turned me off back then. Maybe it deserves another sitdown.

[Anthony]

E.R. needs to go. they should just spin off a different E.R. if they're gonna have all these new characters.

[Schmidty]

I will admit to not having watched the show in a long time. It just turned me off back then. Maybe it deserves another sitdown.

It really does grow on you. It's all about stereotypes at first, but if you watch it enough, you notice that those stereotypes can be decieving.

[Anthony]

it's a fucking cartoon. i don't think you're going to find actors with multi-layered personalities in King Of The Hill.

i personally can't stand anyone who watches those fucking cartoons. they seem to draw the same crowd of fans. the only cartoon i find mildly amusing is Soutpark, but i usually just have it on in the background while i'm online. maybe Family Guy, but only for Stewie.

[Bad-example]

Family Guy.

That one just won't go down.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hellooooo, nur -- er, judge!

Based upon that (almost) quote, maybe you'll know an answer to a question I've had for a couple of weeks now -- Is anybody currently showing or any tapes/DVD's/etc available for Animaniacs? If either of these is a "yes", I sure haven't been able to find 'em.

On another topic, I thought it was interesting to see last night's Happy Days reunion special spend a short segment on the origin of the phrase "jumping the shark". When Garry Marshall mentioned it, you could see that every cast member was trying to hold back some serious laughter at the reference. They showed the infamous clip, and then Marshall described the phrase as being used to "mark the moment that a show was officially nearing the bitter end" (something to that effect), and then commented to Henry Winkler that this couldn't have been when HD jumped the shark because they shot another 100 episodes after that one. It was obvious that whatever discussion followed was edited out (as were a lot of edits throughout the show) but I got the impression that the cast members were just playing along with Marshall, that they knew very well the phrase had a different meaning in common use, one that I suspect they might have felt was pretty accurate in this case.

[sterlingice]

I wasa huge X-Files fan for the first 6 seasons, the last episode I saw was the one with the black alien baseball player. I couldn't even tell you how the series ended.

I loved Quantam Leap all the way, especially the final episode.

Everytime I watch the Simpsons I cringe, it's just so god awfull at this point, the characters don't act like the characters, the jokes are either redundant to point of spoiling it or just not funny to begin with. If i can get 1 or 2 laughs out of an episode it's a rarity.
The X-Files is the perfect example. Starting about season 5, they didn't know whether they would be back. Couple this with the fact that Chris Carter would always do a cliffhanger to end the season and he just kept writing himself into a smaller and smaller corner. Eventually there was no way out and they just started throwing crap at the wall.

Same with the Simpsons. I've been watching the Season 4 DVD the last few nights but any time there's a new one on in syndication, it's just a shell of its former self. Lots of out of character stuff, dumb throwaway jokes instead of good old timeless stuff (how many stupid pop culture jokes that aren't funny now much less in 5 years can they squeeze into episodes these days), their inability to write an ending since about season 8, etc...

SI

[Pumpy Tudors]

Based upon that (almost) quote, maybe you'll know an answer to a question I've had for a couple of weeks now -- Is anybody currently showing or any tapes/DVD's/etc available for Animaniacs? If either of these is a "yes", I sure haven't been able to find 'em.
Unfortunately, I have no idea. The last time I saw the show was a few months ago, but I can't remember which network it was on (NickToons, maybe?). I hear that there's an Animaniacs console video game in the works, though.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Fear Factor

Anything that is a reality TV show.


I agree. Except when I'm at work I like to put fear factor on. It's either that, Oprah, or Judge Judy. The one good thing fear factor has going for it is that there are many times when I look at the tv and there is the underwater shot of a woman with a nice body wearing a bikini. Then she'll kick her legs, giving a very nice view!

I couldn't sit thru an entire show though, and I don't listen to it...

[mgadfly]

If we took everyone's suggestions posted here we'd have nothing left to watch except commercials, the news (why hasn't anyone fired off a "die CBS News" or "die Fox News" yet?), and day time soaps (apparently the nighttime ones are the more offensive of this family of television shows).

I'll take a reality TV show over a purple prehistoric reptile, Full House, America's Funniest Home Videos, or America's Most Wanted, any day. Now, in a perfect world for me, all the television stations would play Sopranos all day long with maybe a sci-fi show of some sort mixed in every now and then (and maybe a little stand up comedy, that'd be nice).