9 of the Fastest Cancellations in Television History
Written by Julie Miller | 29 Sep 2009

The first network cancellation in each season always stings, and so it goes for the Mischa Barton comeback vehicle The Beautiful Life, whose aborted, two-episode run left a trail of broken hearts including those of conspiracy theorist costar Sara Paxton, the less than a million Beautiful Life viewers, and a handful of Brazilian fans who watched via iTunes.

We hate to see television fans suffer, and knowing that there are inconsolable Americans clinging to tear-stained, homemade petitions and Mischa Barton-covered vision boards is too much for us to handle at Movieline HQ.

Take solace, then, in these other quickly canceled series that surely could have taken off if they’d only reached those amazing third episodes.




9. Osbournes: Reloaded (2009)
Synopsis: Variety show hosted by Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly Osbourne.
Network: FOX
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: See synopsis.




8. Rosie Live (2008)
Synopsis: Another variety show, this one for Rosie O’Donnell to showcase her lifelong passions: duets with Liza Minelli, Gloria Estefan, children’s charities, and sketch comedy about Broadway shows.
Initially, the network wanted to use the show as a pilot episode for a regular series.
Network: NBC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: TV Guide critic Matt Roush predicted the show was “dead on arrival.”




7. Secret Talents of the Stars (2008)
Synopsis: Viewer-voted competition show in which celebrities showcase their, well, secret talents. Debbie Reynolds, Brian McKnight and Gavin Polone made up the judging panel.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: The first and only episode’s contestants were Clint Black, Mya, Sasha Cohen, and George Takei.




6. Emily’s Reasons Why Not (2006)
Synopsis: A single career woman (Heather Graham) with little luck in the love department develops a list system to determine whether men are worth her time.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: Network executives allegedly picked up the show without seeing a pilot.




5. Dot Comedy (2002)
Synopsis: Annabelle Gurwitch and the Sklar Brothers host a program that showcases humorous videos found on the internet.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: For a series with “comedy” in the title, there were little to no laughs among the 4.1 viewers.




4. Liza and David (2002)
Synopsis: Reality series about newlyweds Liza Minnelli and her then-husband David Gest.
Network: VH1
Episodes Aired: 0
Warning Sign: The New York Post reported that Gest locked Minnelli in their apartment, screamed at camera crews who refused to wear surgical booties, and would cancel shoots at the last minute.




3. The Mike O’Malley Show (1999)
Synopsis: A 30-year-old hockey fan (O’Malley) reevaluates his life after attending the wedding of a close friend (Arrested Development’s Will Arnett).
Network: NBC
Episodes Aired: 2
Warning Sign: The pilot was re-shot after being universally panned by critics.




2. Garbage Pail Kids (1987)
Synopsis: The Garbage Pail Kids trading cards, brought to life by a Saturday morning cartoon series.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 0
Warning Sign: Advertisers pulled out after being pressured from interest groups that claimed the series glorified violence and served as a barely-disguised infomercial for the cards.




1. Turn-On (1969)
Synopsis: Variety show pitched as a racier derivative of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. The cast included Teresa Graves and Chuck McCann.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1/2
Warning Sign: Broadcast officials were so alarmed by the offensive content of the show that they cancelled the program halfway through its first broadcast.

http://www.movieline.com/2009/09/some-of-the-fastest-cancellations-in-television-history.php?page=2

The sad thing is, I remember most of those shows. Not that I watched them. :lol:

I wish I could have seen that Garbage Pail kids cartoon.

The only one of these shows I have seen is Rosie Live although I remember a lot of the others. I had high hopes that Rosie Live would jump start the variety format since I grew up watching great variety shows like Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson. Unfortunately Rosie Live was so poorly done (it looked more like a high school talent show than a network variety show) that I think it may have killed the variety format if not forever at least for a long, long time.

I think the Turn On quip is mostly urban legend....

Remember "Public Morals", Steven Bocho's CBS sitcom that in it's only aired episode referred to a group of guys as "the Pu$$y Posse"?

Also the Glenn Frey drama, "South of Sunset" also aired 1 episode.

I had high hopes that Rosie Live would jump start the variety format since I grew up watching great variety shows like Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson. Unfortunately Rosie Live was so poorly done (it looked more like a high school talent show than a network variety show) that I think it may have killed the variety format if not forever at least for a long, long time.

Well, even if the age of variety shows is long past, interestingly, the most enduring variety show in history is still on the air today. That show is Saturday Night Live, which seems like it will be around for many more years to come. Perhaps it's its very unique format that keeps it going, including a different host and a different (and major) musical act every week, in contrast to most variety shows of the past that had the same host every week and the same musical performers, and a large and fluid cast. How's that for variety! Also, there is more of an emphasis on comedy than many of the past variety shows (The Carol Burnett Show being an exception). And the from-the-latest headlines satirical opening sketch and "Weekend Update" in the middle that give viewers something to anticipate every week, and allows us to laugh at the nonsense from the previous week. It's a brilliant creation. Thanks, Lorne Michaels!

How about Jackie Gleason's "You're in the Picture"? I mean, he apologized live on the air about it!! :eek: :lol:

Also the Glenn Frey drama, "South of Sunset" also aired 1 episode.


That takes care of my reply but I believe one reason that show failed was because of the barrage of promos CBS aired for it during the 93 world series. It's good to promote a new show but there is such a thing as overkill.

I remember hearing about "Emily's Reasons Why Not" and all I have to say is what possesed them to give this show such a STUPID name? Isn't that gramatically incorrect anyway?

I wish I could have seen that Garbage Pail kids cartoon.

I heard that CBS decided to expand "Muppet Babies" to 90 minutes (for the 1987-88 season) at the last second to fill the spot caused by that last-minute cancellation. A year later, "Muppet Babies" was back to only being on for an hour.

What about the one from a few years ago that was cancelled after two weeks? Head Cases :lol:

Some others that I believe were dead after 1 episode

Manchester Prep - 1997 (Fox)
Roxie - 1987 (CBS)
Take Five - 1987 (CBS)

I also have the pilot for a half hour Sitcom called TLC that aired in the early 80's....it didn't make it past the pilot.

Then of course you have Pilots that aired as movies that were supposed to become regular series but didn't, 2 horrible ones that come to mind are Tag Team (Roddy Piper and Jessie Ventura are ex wrestlers turned cops....) and Poochinski (look it up...I can't believe someone gave this show the green light)
I have both these shows, and wow, are they ever bad.)


Lots of shows canned after 2 episodes too....Wonderland (2000 - ABC), Wind on Water (1998 NBC), My Guys (1996 CBS), Men (1989 ABC), Imagine That (2002 NBC), Danny (2001 CBS), Girls Club (2002 Fox), Prince Street (1997 NBC) and a bunch more....

A couple of more one-episode wonders are:

Co-Ed Fever (1979) - It aired once on CBS and it was meant to capitalize off of National Lampoon's Animal House.

Lawless (1997) - Starred ex-footbal star Brian Bosworth in a one episode action series on FOX.

I heard that CBS decided to expand "Muppet Babies" to 90 minutes (for the 1987-88 season) at the last second to fill the spot caused by that last-minute cancellation. A year later, "Muppet Babies" was back to only being on for an hour.
Exactly - I remember reading that years ago. :nod: Heck, the Garbage Pail Kids are TAME compared to the stuff geared towards kids now. :rolleyes:

Thank goodness Liza & David didn't happen! That would have been a real freak show!:rolleyes:

Thank goodness Liza & David didn't happen! That would have been a real freak show!:rolleyes:
My sentiments exactly!! puke:

I wish I could have seen that Garbage Pail kids cartoon.


I saw part of the movie on cable once.....pretty bizarre. :lol:

I saw part of the movie on cable once.....pretty bizarre. :lol:

Yeah, Andy from "Facts of Life" is in that.

I heard about Mike O'Malley's failed sitcom years after it aired. At the time I didn't know about it.

I just know him as the NICKELODEON GUTS host with that British woman.

I heard about Mike O'Malley's failed sitcom years after it aired. At the time I didn't know about it.

I just know him as the NICKELODEON GUTS host with that British woman.

O'Malley was in "Yes Dear".

And as for "Turn-On", Tim Conway was in that too. He didn't get a lucky break between "McHale's Navy" and "Carol Burnet Show".

Yeah, Andy from "Facts of Life" is in that.
That would be Mackenzie Astin, the son of Patty Duke and John Astin and brother of Sean Astin.

I just know him as the NICKELODEON GUTS host with that British woman.

You're thinking of Moira Quirk, who was GUTS' referee. Also, Mike O'Malley also hosted another Nickelodeon game show called "Get the Picture" circa 1991 as well.

Emily’s Reasons Why Not (2006)
Synopsis: A single career woman (Heather Graham) with little luck in the love department develops a list system to determine whether men are worth her time.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: Network executives allegedly picked up the show without seeing a pilot.

Good lord, that was a terrible show. Serves them right for buying it sight unseen.

O'Malley was in "Yes Dear".

I remember him from that failed WB sitcom Life with Roger from '96. It lasted 20-something eps.

The Mike O'Malley show I had not heard of until years after it aired.

You're thinking of Moira Quirk, who was GUTS' referee. Also, Mike O'Malley also hosted another Nickelodeon game show called "Get the Picture" circa 1991 as well.

Yes, thanks for her name.

I didn't get into Get The Picture but I did see reruns of it on NICK throughout the 90s.

I was into GUTS more; the original and Global.

Some others that I believe were dead after 1 episode

Manchester Prep - 1997 (Fox)
Roxie - 1987 (CBS)
Take Five - 1987 (CBS)




Actually, wrong on all 3. MP never aired and the other 2 each aired 2 times.

Melba Moore also had a self-titled sitcom in 1986 that only aired once on CBS before getting the ax.

Melba Moore also had a self-titled sitcom in 1986 that only aired once on CBS before getting the ax.


Yes and no. It got pulled from the schedule after 1 airing but CBS burned off the other 5 episodes during the summer. So all 6 actually did air on the network.

Yes and no. It got pulled from the schedule after 1 airing but CBS burned off the other 5 episodes during the summer. So all 6 actually did air on the network.
Thank you, Mark. I read only one episode was ever aired, but I guess not. Thanks again for clarifying. Whatever happened to Melba Moore, anyway?

I remember him from that failed WB sitcom Life with Roger from '96. It lasted 20-something eps.

The Mike O'Malley show I had not heard of until years after it aired.i watched both eps the show wasant very good the only nice touch was that he broke the 4th wall ala george burns and gary shandling

The irony is that if you fast forward to the late 80s and 90s both Coed Fever and Turn On would've been hits riding on the popularity wave that raunchy sitcoms enjoyed at that time throw cable into the equation and you would've had smash city.

Thank you, Mark. I read only one episode was ever aired, but I guess not. Thanks again for clarifying. Whatever happened to Melba Moore, anyway?

In recent years not much.

I hear she mainly does gospel music now and occasional guest work on other artist's albums.

Her most recent major acting role was the 2003 feature film The Fighting Temptations with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce.

In recent years not much.

I hear she mainly does gospel music now and occasional guest work on other artist's albums.

Her most recent major acting role was the 2003 feature film The Fighting Temptations with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce.
Thanks for that info!! I remember reading that she and Clifton Davis (That's My Mama, Amen) shared a variety show back in the 70s.

Actually Turn-On was only cancelled halfway through in a couple cities like Cleveland and Denver, but the show did only air that one ep. I saw it once at a broadcast museum, and although I'm very conservative, I found it more dull than shocking. Maybe it was more shocking back w/ viewers in 1969. It didn't look very good either visually, like film w/ video pasted over it.

I watched Turn On the night it aired. Weird as I recall. I saw episode #2, which never ran, at UCLA a few years ago and it was excruciating to watch. Really bad.

I remember hearing about "Emily's Reasons Why Not" and all I have to say is what possesed them to give this show such a STUPID name? Isn't that gramatically incorrect anyway?
I remember seeing a huge billboard for this show and wondering "What the hell is that?!?!" :lol:

In 1979 there were two NBC shows that were almost immediately cancelled. "Turnabout" starring Sharon Gless and I think John Schuck, ran for just a couple of episodes while "Number 96" an adaptation of a popular Australian soap opera, ran only one.

Note: These are recollections, only. I don't have hard facts, and if anyone knows or thinks the shows ran longer please let me know. But I honestly don't think so.

In 1979 there were two NBC shows that were almost immediately cancelled. "Turnabout" starring Sharon Gless and I think John Schuck, ran for just a couple of episodes while "Number 96" an adaptation of a popular Australian soap opera, ran only one.

Note: These are recollections, only. I don't have hard facts, and if anyone knows or thinks the shows ran longer please let me know. But I honestly don't think so.

I don't know about Turnabout (1979). I tried looking into it but I believe the pilot and one episode aired. I think seven episodes were made.

The 1980 US adaptation of Number 96 aired for three episodes.

Don't forget...
SOUTH OF SUNSET - 1 episode, starring Glenn Frey of the Eagles.
TURN ON - Tim COnway, like LAUGH-IN on acid.
BILLY - 1 episode sitcom with Steve Guttenberg
DOC CORKLE - from tv's infancy
TAMMY GRIMES SHOW - legendary bomb, co-starring Dick Sargent
IMAGINE THAT - Hank Azaria
IN THE BEGINNING - McLean's Stevenson's biggest bomb
SMITH - Ray Liotta series

I don't know about Turnabout (1979). I tried looking into it but I believe the pilot and one episode aired. I think seven episodes were made.

The 1980 US adaptation of Number 96 aired for three episodes.

Ok thanks. Bottom line...they were brief runs. :lol:

Didn't Stockard Channing star in two very-shortlived sitcoms back in the 70s that aired the same year?

Didn't Stockard Channing star in two very-shortlived sitcoms back in the 70s that aired the same year?

Do you mean Stockard Channing in Just Friends and The Stockard Channing Show?

Do you mean Stockard Channing in Just Friends and The Stockard Channing Show?
Yes! Those are the ones I meant. I think they aired post-Grease.

Yes! Those are the ones I meant. I think they aired post-Grease.

Yep, '79 and '80.

Yep, '79 and '80.
Thank you!! I think someone actually did release them on DVD - on one set.

http://www.stooorage.com/thumbs/235/323879_gallery-3594521.jpg (http://www.stooorage.com/show/235/323879_gallery-3594521.jpg)

Dont Forget This: Canceled After only 2 Episodes!

Thank you!! I think someone actually did release them on DVD - on one set.

I didn't realize that.. thanks.
I'm adding it to the short-lived DVD thread.

http://www.stooorage.com/thumbs/235/323879_gallery-3594521.jpg (http://www.stooorage.com/show/235/323879_gallery-3594521.jpg)

Dont Forget This: Canceled After only 2 Episodes!

Beautiful Life's cancellation is the reason this article was made.

I didn't realize that.. thanks.
I'm adding it to the short-lived DVD thread.
I don't know for sure if they ever did - it may have been just a rumor. I remember hearing it was a possibility a while back.

I don't know for sure if they ever did - it may have been just a rumor. I remember hearing it was a possibility a while back.

You can buy it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Stockard-Channing-Show/dp/B000F0UU7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257395294&sr=8-1

You can buy it on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Stockard-Channing-Show/dp/B000F0UU7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1257395294&sr=8-1
Thanks for confirming that!! I thought it existed out there somewhere.

7. Secret Talents of the Stars (2008)
Synopsis: Viewer-voted competition show in which celebrities showcase their, well, secret talents. Debbie Reynolds, Brian McKnight and Gavin Polone made up the judging panel.
Network: CBS
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: The first and only episode’s contestants were Clint Black, Mya, Sasha Cohen, and George Takei.

I do find it cool that Mya was on this horrible program for dancing and is now on Dancing With The Stars.

Disney's Fluppy Dogs - Much like the Garbage Pail Kids, this show too was canned before it ever made it to TV.

And in case it hasn't already been mentioned, let's not forget "Snip" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0400028/) starring David Brenner. Although this 1976 show ended up being shown in Austraila (The five episodes that were completed,) it was cancelled in ths U.S. before it aired. Apparently, NBC wasn't comfortable about a show with an openly gay character.

But of course, one year later, "Soap" hit the airwaves on ABC.

Wasn't there a spin off from Evening Shade that aired a few times the was cancelled? I also seem to remember a show from the late '80s or early 90s that took place in a nursing home, and it aired maybe once or twice. (Maybe the network was just burning off an old pilot by airing it in the summer?) I thought it was called someone like Sunset Devine or some off thing like that!

Checking In with Florence (Marla Gibbs) from the Jeffersons lasted only 4 episodes but it was good enough to last an entire season as they could've kept it interesting for that long.

Also the Freddi Prinze Jr. show lasted only one year and it really wasn't that bad and could've lasted a couple years longer but for whatever reason they pulled it. It used to come right before George Lopez.

I don't know about Turnabout (1979). I tried looking into it but I believe the pilot and one episode aired. I think seven episodes were made.




I know there was at least one unaired episode (pre-empted by a special report on the Three Mile Island disaster), but if true that there were only 7 produced, then absolutely all 6 others made it to the air between late January and mid March. I really think it was more than 6, but I can't prove it with the resources I have at the moment.

NBC attempted a Friday night comedy lineup in early 1979. It began on the night of January 26th with Diff'rent Strokes at 8, Brothers And Sisters (its second episode) at 8:30, then the premiers of two new shows: Turnabout at 9 and Hello Larry at 9:30.

Weeks later came a one-hour special Diff'rent Strokes trumpted in a TV Guide ad with the headline "Arnold Meets Ruthie!" It was the first Diff'rent Strokes/Hello Larry crossover and going forward from that point the lineup was Diff'rent Strokes at 8, Hello Larry at 8:30, Brothers And Sisters at 9, Turnabout at 9:30.

Brothers And Sisters is known to have run for 12 episodes. Of those, the ones known not to have aired back-to-back with Turnabout were the premiere, a special Wednesday episode, and the last two. That *suggests* 8 episodes of Turnabout with a (pulled) 9th scheduled to air on 3/30/79.

There's three titles I'm sorta shocked didn't make this list:

Public Morals (1996) - Highly publicized, bawdy Steven Bochco sitcom. One episode aired.

Rewind (1997) - Scott Baio's return to the sitcom realm (alongside Christine Taylor, whose previous Fox sitcom, "Party Girl," was canceled after three weeks). Fox canceled the show before it aired.

The Jake Effect (2003) - Just before Jason Bateman had his big comeback on "Arrested Development," he starred in this midseason replacement, which was also canceled before it aired. It finally surfaced in 2006 on Bravo's "Brilliant But Canceled."

The Garbage Pail Kids TV series is available on DVD, and it's shockingly tame compared to the cards and the movie... even downright cute (I've got a neice and nephew who LOVE the show). The first couple episodes had a quirky gag where the main characters were Cabbage Patch-like and then morphed into mutants, but the show was quickly retooled:
http://www.amazon.com/Garbage-Pail-Kids-Cree-Summer/dp/B000E1NX9U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1263100707&sr=8-3

Exactly - I remember reading that years ago. :nod: Heck, the Garbage Pail Kids are TAME compared to the stuff geared towards kids now. :rolleyes:Yeah,they were tame,compared to the stuff geared towards kids now.:rolleyes: BTW,Do you rememeber the Garbage Pail Kids movie?I do,and I remember liking it when it came out,but,if I watched it now,I'd probably cringe.:lol::lol: :lol:

Another one that lasted just one episode:

Quarterlife (NBC 2008)-Internet show that just didn't work as a TV show. I saw it and it was just terrible.

Yeah,they were tame,compared to the stuff geared towards kids now.:rolleyes: BTW,Do you rememeber the Garbage Pail Kids movie?I do,and I remember liking it when it came out,but,if I watched it now,I'd probably cringe.:lol::lol: :lol:
I remember when it came out, but I don't think I ever saw it. :lol:

Another program cancelled after one episode was a game show on FOX called The Rich List.

It aired on Nov. 1, 2006 and was canned because of poor ratings.


On GSN the format was revived for a new show called The Money List. However, the revival show was short-lived; only airing from June - August 2009.

Once a Hero,it survived 2 or 3 episodes.It never had a chance.:mad:

The new Route 66 from 1993 aired for only four episodes I believe.

The new Route 66 from 1993 aired for only four episodes I believe.
They made a new Route 66?? Which network was it on?

They made a new Route 66?? Which network was it on?

NBC
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106117/

NBC
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106117/
Thanks!! :cool:

Some others that I believe were dead after 1 episode

Manchester Prep - 1997 (Fox)
Roxie - 1987 (CBS)
Take Five - 1987 (CBS)

I also have the pilot for a half hour Sitcom called TLC that aired in the early 80's....it didn't make it past the pilot.

Then of course you have Pilots that aired as movies that were supposed to become regular series but didn't, 2 horrible ones that come to mind are Tag Team (Roddy Piper and Jessie Ventura are ex wrestlers turned cops....) and Poochinski (look it up...I can't believe someone gave this show the green light)
I have both these shows, and wow, are they ever bad.)


Lots of shows canned after 2 episodes too....Wonderland (2000 - ABC), Wind on Water (1998 NBC), My Guys (1996 CBS), Men (1989 ABC), Imagine That (2002 NBC), Danny (2001 CBS), Girls Club (2002 Fox), Prince Street (1997 NBC) and a bunch more....

Take Five actually lasted 2 episodes. Also, Manchester Prep never aired, and Men lasted 5 episodes.

More shows that went 2 and out: We Are Men (CBS 2013), The Mike O'Malley Show (NBC 1999), Head Cases (Fox 2005), Apple Pie (ABC 1978), That Was Then (ABC 2002), The Paul Reiser Show (NBC 2011), Lone Star (Fox 2010), My Generation (ABC 2010), Ryan Caulfield: Year One (Fox 1999), Love and Marriage (Fox 1996), Sleepwalkers (NBC 1997), Sammy (NBC 2000), Work It (ABC 2012), Charlie Lawrence (CBS 2002), As If (UPN 2002), Viva Laughlin (CBS 2007), and I'm sure there were many, many more.

Yes it did, along with Roxie. They aired back-to-back.

I don't like to invest energy into shows that are going to be cancelled. I record new shows that sound interesting, then wait to view them after I've heard they've been picked up, or at least not been cancelled.

I like to watch several episodes in tandem; it helps me keep the characters straight.

I still laugh about Turn On. I've heard the 60s were so wild and yet that show caused so much outrage.

I wish it was on YT so I can see what happened on it.

It was probably so mild compared to what's on TV now.

Also. I wonder if that silly "Pickle Surprise" thing on YT came from Turn On.

what about W*A*L*T*E*R*? The spin-off from M*A*S*H where CBS only showed the pilot-and if you see it (it's on You Tube) you can see why. WOW is it awful!!!

Canceled so fast, I don't remember any of them! ;)

what about W*A*L*T*E*R*? The spin-off from M*A*S*H where CBS only showed the pilot-and if you see it (it's on You Tube) you can see why. WOW is it awful!!!

Yes, but that doesn't count as it wasn't *meant* to air more than once as was Turn On, South Of Sunset etc.

Yes, but that doesn't count as it wasn't *meant* to air more than once as was Turn On, South Of Sunset etc.

I actually watched "Walter" (I'm too lazy to type in the asterisks), and while it wasn't anywhere near "MASH" level, it wasn't terrible, either. I always thought it was odd that Burghoff, who left MASH to escape the stereotype of Radar, would return to the character so soon.

I think the Turn On quip is mostly urban legend....

Remember "Public Morals", Steven Bocho's CBS sitcom that in it's only aired episode referred to a group of guys as "the Pu$$y Posse"?

Also the Glenn Frey drama, "South of Sunset" also aired 1 episode.
As I understood it, the decision to cancel TURN ON was made halfway through the premiere broadcast, after the ABC switchboard was bombarded by offended callers. That being said, I'm pretty sure the entire episode was run.

I remember a few years ago, ABC went full press with their new season ads. Standing at the bus stop, waiting for a bus, One after the other featured cancelled shows, I wish I would have thought to photograph the scene :D.

5. Dot Comedy (2002)
Synopsis: Annabelle Gurwitch and the Sklar Brothers host a program that showcases humorous videos found on the internet.
Network: ABC
Episodes Aired: 1
Warning Sign: For a series with “comedy” in the title, there were little to no laughs among the 4.1 viewers.

Well we already have that with Tosh.O, Ridiculousness, Ain't That America, Best Week Ever.

what about W*A*L*T*E*R*? The spin-off from M*A*S*H where CBS only showed the pilot-and if you see it (it's on You Tube) you can see why. WOW is it awful!!!
Bad enough M*A*S*H lasted as long as it did but it had a second spin-off besises After M*A*S*H? :cuss:

I'm new here but in a quick look I didn't see this one.

In 1975 leading up to the fall season I kept seeing a promo for "The funniest sitcom of the year!" Constantly. Every day. Some middle aged fat woman would blather something incoherent and the live audience would scream like Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Archie Bunker on I Love Lucy.

I believe it was cancelled during the first commercial.

The Montefuscos.

An affiliate only shown promo:


EGPrHfhmX4w

As I understood it, the decision to cancel TURN ON was made halfway through the premiere broadcast, after the ABC switchboard was bombarded by offended callers. That being said, I'm pretty sure the entire episode was run.

Hahahahaha!

I JUST SAW this thread and without reading it, I instantly thought of the ABC show, "Turn On" That was a controversial for its time period (1969) were a computer would sketch out suggestive and sexual provocative sketches. with actors in the background providing comments. From what I read it was mostly animated drawings

It was in such bad taste that some ABC affiliates canceled the show no later than 10 minutes into it, some didn't run it at all, and some ran the whole show vowing to never run it again! There was actually a second episode of Turn On that WAS produced, but never aired.

Jack

PS. You Tube has a RARE promo for the second episode of Turn On here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zny4LxAC0C8

This is what Wikipedia says about Turn On:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn-On_%28TV_series%29

Hahahahaha!

I JUST SAW this thread and without reading it, I instantly thought of the ABC show, "Turn On" That was a controversial for its time period (1969) were a computer would sketch out suggestive and sexual provocative sketches. with actors in the background providing comments. From what I read it was mostly animated drawings

It was in such bad taste that some ABC affiliates canceled the show no later than 10 minutes into it, some didn't run it at all, and some ran the whole show vowing to never run it again! There was actually a second episode of Turn On that WAS produced, but never aired.

Jack

PS. You Tube has a RARE promo for the second episode of Turn On here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zny4LxAC0C8

This is what Wikipedia says about Turn On:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn-On_%28TV_series%29

The creator and producer of Turn-On talks about the show here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbz3irCcMEo

Jack

I'm new here but in a quick look I didn't see this one.

In 1975 leading up to the fall season I kept seeing a promo for "The funniest sitcom of the year!" Constantly. Every day. Some middle aged fat woman would blather something incoherent and the live audience would scream like Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Archie Bunker on I Love Lucy.

I believe it was cancelled during the first commercial.

The Montefuscos.

An affiliate only shown promo:


EGPrHfhmX4w



Glad I wasn't alive to see it lol

The sad thing is, I remember most of those shows. Not that I watched them. :lol:
I only remember the garbage pail kids!!


Ah man!!

Glad I wasn't alive to see it lol
I actually remember watching the first episode. lol

I actually remember watching the first episode. lol


Only because it was no Cable/Social Media/ LOL

I wish I could have seen that Garbage Pail kids cartoon.


The Garbage Pail Kids DID have every episode air in Europe at least, and there's a Region 1 DVD set!

Well we already have that with Tosh.O, Ridiculousness, Ain't That America, Best Week Ever.


But "Dot Comedy" was the first before any of those series! It aired in 2002....guess the world just wasn't ready for comedians making fun of the internet yet.