View Full Version : BTY has to rank near the top of sitcoms with enormous potential that failed


energy
07-09-2008, 07:38 AM
Obviously, a lot of the factors that caused the show to fail were beyond BTY's control. But nevertheless, this sitcom would have to rank near the top of sitcoms that seemed destined to succeed but failed.

There are a lot of other sitcoms that seemed to have everything going for them but failed. One that stands out in my mind is Buffalo Bill. It's probably a bit obscure to anyone that's not a hardcore sitcom fan or anyone who his very young. But that show had a terrific cast; unfortunately it just fell short of being funny enough to stick around. In hindsight, it seems the writing just wasn't strong enough.

Can anyone else name other sitcoms that seemed to have it all, but for whatever reason didn't succeed?

JulieSomoski
07-09-2008, 08:32 PM
First, I would say that this show is at the top of shows that had the potential but didn't quite make it. It seems like a lot of shows nowadays are like that.

Another one that stands out to me is 8 Simple Rules. It ran 3 seasons, which is okay, but it could have done much better with much better ratings. It seems like after John died, the show just kind of lost it's viewers, and ABC eventually killed it putting it on Fridays. Even without John, the show was great, and could have gone on much longer than it did.

ryan423
07-10-2008, 12:07 PM
8 Simple Rules...Back to You...Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip...

Three of the best shows that came out of the past 8 years and never given the proper treatment. At least Studio 60 got a complete series dvd release. You would think in honor of John Ritter, they'd release seasons 2 and 3 of 8 Simple Rules. I think 'Reba' could've gone another season or two as well.

70s show watcher
07-12-2008, 12:33 AM
i agree about 8 simple rules and stuidio 60 also i may be one of the few people in the universe who actully thinks that hello larry could have run a few more years also add caroline in the city to the list

Cactus Jack
07-12-2008, 02:56 PM
Nope FREAKS AND GEEKS is at the top, NOTHING,NOTHING that didnt make it shouldve more than that , along with Undecalred Arrested Development, and 8SR

stevea
07-14-2008, 10:25 AM
Obviously, a lot of the factors that caused the show to fail were beyond BTY's control. But nevertheless, this sitcom would have to rank near the top of sitcoms that seemed destined to succeed but failed.

There are a lot of other sitcoms that seemed to have everything going for them but failed. One that stands out in my mind is Buffalo Bill. It's probably a bit obscure to anyone that's not a hardcore sitcom fan or anyone who his very young. But that show had a terrific cast; unfortunately it just fell short of being funny enough to stick around. In hindsight, it seems the writing just wasn't strong enough.

Can anyone else name other sitcoms that seemed to have it all, but for whatever reason didn't succeed?
Yeah the Buffalo Bill situation is almost exactly the same. Maybe it's something about these shows set in a broadcasting situation... (Hey, THAT'S out on DVD!)

blerg
08-01-2008, 03:39 PM
8 Simple Rules, The Class, Back To You.

Brian Damage
08-01-2008, 04:33 PM
Bette, Help Me Help You, Arrested Development

JulieSomoski
08-01-2008, 08:32 PM
Bette, Help Me Help You, Arrested Development

Definitely Arrested Development - that was another great FOX shows KILLED!

And I forgot about Help Me Help You - I'm not the biggest Ted Danson fan, but that was a good show.

Mr. Television
08-01-2008, 08:35 PM
I've said this many times...Titus ( Fox is just evil) and Norm.

Brian Damage
08-01-2008, 08:36 PM
I've said this many times...Titus ( Fox is just evil) and Norm.


Those were two GREAT sitcoms!

JulieSomoski
08-01-2008, 08:40 PM
Titus was another good show. I only saw Norm a few times when it was on. FOX just kills every sitcom they have - just look at all the sitcoms that they've had over the years, and how many have actually made it past 1 season.

Mr. Television
08-01-2008, 08:47 PM
Titus was another good show. I only saw Norm a few times when it was on. FOX just kills every sitcom they have - just look at all the sitcoms that they've had over the years, and how many have actually made it past 1 season.
I think the only real long running sitcoms they've had were That '70s Show and Married With Children. I loved GFL but they canceled that too but at least the WB picked it up for a few years.

JulieSomoski
08-01-2008, 09:26 PM
I think the only real long running sitcoms they've had were That '70s Show and Married With Children. I loved GFL but they canceled that too but at least the WB picked it up for a few years.

FOX screws over all their sitcoms - every one has been screwed over at some point. I loved GFL as well, but you can definitely see that the FOX episodes are for the majority better. They'd be a great network if they didn't give up on their shows so easily.

Like with Titus, that was a huge hit when it premiered - it got some of the highest ratings FOX had seen at the time, but they eventually shoved it around, and they ended up cancelling it after just 3 (more like 2, though) seasons.

senor boogie woogi
08-06-2008, 06:05 AM
Hola!

ABC in the late 70s/ early 80s was like the FOX network now, killing off great shows after one season.

There was the show called "Best of the West" which was the one of the FUNNIEST, I mean bust a gut funny show I have ever seen. Lasted one season and 18 episodes.

It was basically about a friendly, yet inept person who is elected sheriff of a goofy Dodge City kind of town with strange and goofy characters, including a comical bad guy and his side kick Frog. Yes, Frog.

Here is the first seven minutes of an episode on YouTube.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FskfnaN8-kI

Senor

senor boogie woogi
08-06-2008, 06:29 AM
Hola!

ABC in the late 70s/ early 80s was like the FOX network now, killing off great shows after one season.

There was the show called "Best of the West" which was the one of the FUNNIEST, I mean bust a gut funny show I have ever seen. Lasted one season and 18 episodes.

It was basically about a friendly, yet inept person who is elected sheriff of a goofy Dodge City kind of town with strange and goofy characters, including a comical bad guy and his side kick Frog. Yes, Frog.

Here is the first seven minutes of an episode on YouTube.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FskfnaN8-kI

Senor

stevea
08-06-2008, 10:00 AM
Hola!

ABC in the late 70s/ early 80s was like the FOX network now, killing off great shows after one season.

There was the show called "Best of the West" which was the one of the FUNNIEST, I mean bust a gut funny show I have ever seen. Lasted one season and 18 episodes.

It was basically about a friendly, yet inept person who is elected sheriff of a goofy Dodge City kind of town with strange and goofy characters, including a comical bad guy and his side kick Frog. Yes, Frog.

Here is the first seven minutes of an episode on YouTube.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FskfnaN8-kI

Police Squad was another one like that. They killed it after 2 or 3 episodes.

Senor

energy
08-07-2008, 10:16 AM
Interestingly, if you look at the opening credits, you'll see that James Burrows directed the episode that was posted. Burrows also directed BTY.