JamesG
11-25-2014, 02:14 AM
New Contender for Worst Sitcom Title Ever
by James Hibberd
Nov 24, 2014
The hallowed list of worst network sitcom titles ever might have a new contender: NBC is developing a comedy titled "#Winning". And if that name makes you wince, check out the dozen or so other famously bad sitcom titles below that are arguably worse.
The NBC project is inspired by an apparently true story where a trio of friends learned that their “suddenly famous pal broke up with their entire friend group via a form letter, leaving them more determined than ever to ‘win’ at life.”
Setting the concept aside, let’s take on that title (which could change—this project is only at the script stage and might not even make it to air).
First, the show risks being a sacrificial victim to the irony gods. It really has to be perfect to not have critics throwing up headlines like: “Not Exactly ‘#Winning.'”
Plus, “winning” enjoyed a usage spike during Charlie Sheen’s meltdown three years ago when the actor was fired from CBS’ "Two and a Half Men". Nowadays it’s far from trendy, yet is still vaguely associated with that mess (and the fact that Sheen is a former network sitcom star makes for bonus confusion when using the term for a new sitcom title).
And then there’s that hashtag. Haven’t networks learned from CBS’ "$#*! My Dad Says" and ABC’s "Selfie" yet? Broadcast TV trying using social media-inspired titles just feels like a dad dressing like a teenager.
"#Winning" has company. Here are at about a dozen sitcoms with notably lousy names (and a curiously outsized number have aired on ABC).
My Mother the Car (1965)
NBC's still infamous sitcom about a guy's car being the reincarnation of his dead mom.
The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968)
ABC's cross-dressing comedy.
Pig Sty (1995)
UPN's off-putting titled show (about male roommates, of course).
Hitz (1997)
Andrew Dice Clay works at a radio label.
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998)
ABC’s rambling and quasi-suggestive title.
It’s Like, You Know (1999)
ABC’s indecisive-sounding airhead-y title.
Shasta McNasty (1999)
UPN’s never-surpassed awesomely bad sitcom.
Love Monkey (2006)
This horribly titled CBS show didn't last long.
Emily's Reasons Why Not (2006)
Gone after one episode on ABC.
Cougar Town (2009)
This one proves not all bad titles result in a show flopping.
"Cougar Town" delivered a large initial audience on ABC, but it forever seemed like the series had to fight an uphill battle against its own name, one that series creator Bill Lawrence publicly mulled changing.
I Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011)
Fox had this truly spiteful sounding one.
Traffic Light (2011)
This Fox one was pretty lousy, too.
Trophy Wife / How to Live With Your Parents (For The Rest of Your Life) (2013)
ABC double-struck on these.
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23 (2013)
I should also point out this one, but I've always had a soft spot for it despite its awkwardness.
black-ish (2014)
Before the season started, broadcast network research polls found that potential viewers were reacting negatively to the title of ABC’s "black-ish" — yet the freshman sitcom has still performed well.
If "Black-ish" had flopped, pundits would have surely pointed to the title as one reason for its demise. There’s nothing like a little success to make a challenging title look a whole lot better.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/24/worst-sitcom-title-ever/
by James Hibberd
Nov 24, 2014
The hallowed list of worst network sitcom titles ever might have a new contender: NBC is developing a comedy titled "#Winning". And if that name makes you wince, check out the dozen or so other famously bad sitcom titles below that are arguably worse.
The NBC project is inspired by an apparently true story where a trio of friends learned that their “suddenly famous pal broke up with their entire friend group via a form letter, leaving them more determined than ever to ‘win’ at life.”
Setting the concept aside, let’s take on that title (which could change—this project is only at the script stage and might not even make it to air).
First, the show risks being a sacrificial victim to the irony gods. It really has to be perfect to not have critics throwing up headlines like: “Not Exactly ‘#Winning.'”
Plus, “winning” enjoyed a usage spike during Charlie Sheen’s meltdown three years ago when the actor was fired from CBS’ "Two and a Half Men". Nowadays it’s far from trendy, yet is still vaguely associated with that mess (and the fact that Sheen is a former network sitcom star makes for bonus confusion when using the term for a new sitcom title).
And then there’s that hashtag. Haven’t networks learned from CBS’ "$#*! My Dad Says" and ABC’s "Selfie" yet? Broadcast TV trying using social media-inspired titles just feels like a dad dressing like a teenager.
"#Winning" has company. Here are at about a dozen sitcoms with notably lousy names (and a curiously outsized number have aired on ABC).
My Mother the Car (1965)
NBC's still infamous sitcom about a guy's car being the reincarnation of his dead mom.
The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968)
ABC's cross-dressing comedy.
Pig Sty (1995)
UPN's off-putting titled show (about male roommates, of course).
Hitz (1997)
Andrew Dice Clay works at a radio label.
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998)
ABC’s rambling and quasi-suggestive title.
It’s Like, You Know (1999)
ABC’s indecisive-sounding airhead-y title.
Shasta McNasty (1999)
UPN’s never-surpassed awesomely bad sitcom.
Love Monkey (2006)
This horribly titled CBS show didn't last long.
Emily's Reasons Why Not (2006)
Gone after one episode on ABC.
Cougar Town (2009)
This one proves not all bad titles result in a show flopping.
"Cougar Town" delivered a large initial audience on ABC, but it forever seemed like the series had to fight an uphill battle against its own name, one that series creator Bill Lawrence publicly mulled changing.
I Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011)
Fox had this truly spiteful sounding one.
Traffic Light (2011)
This Fox one was pretty lousy, too.
Trophy Wife / How to Live With Your Parents (For The Rest of Your Life) (2013)
ABC double-struck on these.
Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23 (2013)
I should also point out this one, but I've always had a soft spot for it despite its awkwardness.
black-ish (2014)
Before the season started, broadcast network research polls found that potential viewers were reacting negatively to the title of ABC’s "black-ish" — yet the freshman sitcom has still performed well.
If "Black-ish" had flopped, pundits would have surely pointed to the title as one reason for its demise. There’s nothing like a little success to make a challenging title look a whole lot better.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/24/worst-sitcom-title-ever/