There are hundreds of forgotten TV shows...shows that came and went quickly, but what's interesting are the shows that where big hits and ran for years but are completely forgotten about today.

There are hundreds of forgotten TV shows...shows that came and went quickly, but what's interesting are the shows that where big hits and ran for years but are completely forgotten about today.


I agree. It is very interesting how shows like "NYPD Blue" or "E.R." were huge massive hits, critically acclaimed and at the time considered groundbreaking and yet now they are rarely remembered at all. Especially, NYPD Blue which at the time was not just a big hit but was considered a trailblazer for how edgy it was. Now hardly anybody talks about or remembers it.

Desperate Housewives was huge in its day and now no one talks about it and it's not in syndication.

I think of St. Elsewhere because it was a huge hit when it debuted and ran for 6 seasons, yet it's no longer aired in syndication and only Season 1 is available officially on DVD. Hopefully Heroes & Icons can change this!

L.A. Law: 8 seasons yet no one seems to remember this show. It's never been in syndication for any long period of time.

Baywatch: 11 seasons and even a spin-off. The idea and stars of the show haven't been forgotten but the actual show has. Since when has this show been aired in reruns? All anyone can seem to remember about the show is Pamela Anderson running on the beach....lame.

L.A. Law: 8 seasons yet no one seems to remember this show. It's never been in syndication for any long period of time.

Baywatch: 11 seasons and even a spin-off. The idea and stars of the show haven't been forgotten but the actual show has. Since when has this show been aired in rerun?

I hope "L.A. Law" gets completed by Shout! at the very least.

I agree. It is very interesting how shows like "NYPD Blue" or "E.R." were huge massive hits, critically acclaimed and at the time considered groundbreaking and yet now they are rarely remembered at all. Especially, NYPD Blue which at the time was not just a big hit but was considered a trailblazer for how edgy it was. Now hardly anybody talks about or remembers it.

I've never been a fan of NYPD Blue, but I can confirm for you that it is available on Me-TV's sister channel, H&I (Heroes & Icons), at least 2 episodes per weeknight.

I agree. It is very interesting how shows like "NYPD Blue" or "E.R." were huge massive hits, critically acclaimed and at the time considered groundbreaking and yet now they are rarely remembered at all. Especially, NYPD Blue which at the time was not just a big hit but was considered a trailblazer for how edgy it was. Now hardly anybody talks about or remembers it.

With ER, I think that it was simply a case of a) Being on the air too long (it arguably started decaying around 2001-02) b) too many medical rip-offs (e.g. House, Grey's Anatomy, Code Black, Chicago Med, etc.) c) Being hard to screen for syndication because its so heavily serialized

I think of St. Elsewhere because it was a huge hit when it debuted and ran for 6 seasons, yet it's no longer aired in syndication and only Season 1 is available officially on DVD. Hopefully Heroes & Icons can change this!

St. Elsewhere is sort of up there with is "sister" show Hill Street Blues, in that it was considered cutting edge for its time (e.g. implementing a kind of gritty, documentary style approach), but many shows since that time have borrowed/ripped off from it. Most people who now have a vague idea of what St. Elsewhere was seem to only know it because a) it helped launch Denzel Washington's career and b) the ending, where it was revealed to all be apart of an autistic boy's imagination.

L.A. Law: 8 seasons yet no one seems to remember this show. It's never been in syndication for any long period of time.

Baywatch: 11 seasons and even a spin-off. The idea and stars of the show haven't been forgotten but the actual show has. Since when has this show been aired in reruns? All anyone can seem to remember about the show is Pamela Anderson running on the beach....lame.

Baywatch was basically the ultimate embodiment of "the jiggle show", which started w/ Charlie's Angels. In effect, show was definitely seen by people for the hot people involved and not for the storyline. It's just that a show like Baywatch that are expected to coast solely on the beauty of their casts doesn't work that easily anymore. This could be because of the rise of easily accessible pornography on the internet and more liberal views towards sexual matters. It doesn't help that Baywatch itself probably hasn't aged (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096542/board/flat/83556793?d=232841356#232841356) all that well.

Step by Step, 7 seasons
Perfect Strangers, 8 seasons
Night Court

comes to mind

I don't know if you want to add Reality tv to this but about American Idol and to a certain extent, Survivor? Yes, AI just ended and Survivor is still on but remember both shows in there heyday? EVERYBODY was talking about both shows. Me, I didn't watch either of them.


I agree about Desperate Housewives. That show had a huge first season and was pretty consistent over the years.

One i just thought of is Ally McBeal. when it debuted it became something of a revolution. It was very popular and everybody was talking about it. Even people who didn't like it had an opinion about it. Then it quickly faded from popularity and hardly anybody talks about it any more.

I haven't seen The Practice in years.

ALF
In Living Color
MASH
BJ and the Bear

Alice: This show lasted for 9 seasons and yet nobody (barely anybody) remembers it?

Chico and the Man

Two Guys and a Girl

One Day at a Time

I hope "L.A. Law" gets completed by Shout! at the very least.

Likewise! I might not get all of it, but I hope all of it gets out for those who really want it.

^I haven't bought any of the seasons but I think they are fairly cheap. With Shout! continuing "NYPD Blue", I keep thinking they'll do "LA Law" as well.

Wow, there are so many shows that I wish would be on in reruns but apparently they are sitting on a shelf somewhere collecting dust. What a shame.

One that came to my mind was Head of the Class. This show was on when I was in high school (and right after)and I would tell people it reminded me a lot of high school since I was in those classes. Now I'll mention it and people will look at me funny. Ironically it was the first American show to film an episode in USSR before it split (but when they had loosened restrictions).

Baywatch: 11 seasons and even a spin-off. The idea and stars of the show haven't been forgotten but the actual show has. Since when has this show been aired in reruns? All anyone can seem to remember about the show is Pamela Anderson running on the beach....lame.

Hasn't COZI been airing Baywatch recently? I can't say for certain because my local affiliate had been preempting it.
Don't Hassle The Hoff! :lol:

One that came to my mind was Head of the Class. This show was on when I was in high school (and right after)and I would tell people it reminded me a lot of high school since I was in those classes. Now I'll mention it and people will look at me funny. Ironically it was the first American show to film an episode in USSR before it split (but when they had loosened restrictions).

I think that Head of the Class doesn't get much play anymore because 1) Unlike other high school sitcoms around the same era (e.g. Saved by the Bell), HOTC was a much more high brow/intellectual show. For better or worse, HOTC was pretty much the '80s equivilent to Welcome Back, Kotter 2) It's more than likely horribly dated due to the topics/issues that were discussed 3) Many don't like the final season in which Billy Connolly took over from Howard Hesseman as the teacher

I used to watch Head of the Class regularly because I had a crush on Krystyne Haje -- going so far as to keep a little photo of her in my wallet back then...! That hair! So very long.

The Love Boat
Dynasty
Knots Landing
Murder, She Wrote
Matlock
Hunter
Hart to Hart

All long-running popular series and now you hardly hear of them. I know POP was running Love Boat and Dynasty episodes last year, not sure if they're still doing it. Hallmark Mysteries was airing all the others except Knots Landing & Hunter.

You should contact your local stations to try to get MeTV and COZI.

The Love Boat

Still airing on MeTV, and also will be on Decades this coming weekend.

Murder, She Wrote

Airs every weekday on COZI

Matlock

Airs every weekday on MeTV.

Hunter

This has been airing lately but I can't recall if it's on COZI or H & I (Heroes & Icons).

Hart to Hart

Airs every weekday on COZI.

Night Court


I'm not sure if you get it in your town, but Night Court is on Laff regularly.

ones i can think of are:
Quantum leap
Early Edition
the flash there was an flash tv series back in the early 1980's to 1990's!!
kung fu
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Xena: Warrior Princess
high way to heaven stared michael london about this angel who wants to help people he meets this guy Victor French played by Mark Gordon who kind of gotten into trouble but then they go around traveling around the world in car helping different people out!!
the walton's
touch by an angel
brooklyn bridge it kind of reminded me of the walton's meets the wonder years it was about this jewish family living in american!!
wind at my back it about this family living in the 1920's to 1930's it came on inspiration network!!
promise land it was spin off form touch by an Angel!!

for classic comedies
dinosaurs it was people in costumes & puppeteers but me & my family enjoyed it!!
the secret world of alex mac was good it was kind of like teeange drama super hero comedy!!
sabrina the teeange this was forgotten i didn't like the later epsidoes i enjoyed the first seaon then it kind of gotten too far out!!
every one hates chris it was about this black family living in the 1980's it kind of like black family ties meets an black wonder years!!
clarissa explains it all it started mellis john hear in sabrina the teeange witch
hi honey im home not really sure if many people remember but i do i think it was nick at night original show it about this family that live in the 1950's then they would have this remote the beginning of the show it was in black & white then they would hit the control on the remote it will be in color!
teen angel i remember it it was about this kid that dies eatting bad hamburger then he comes back as an angel but he helps his best friend out!!
are you afraid of the dark? not really comedy but i used to be scared watching it!!

ones i can think of are:
Quantum leap
Early Edition
the flash there was an flash tv series back in the early 1980's to 1990's!!
kung fu
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Xena: Warrior Princess
high way to heaven stared michael london about this angel who wants to help people he meets this guy Victor French played by Mark Gordon who kind of gotten into trouble but then they go around traveling around the world in car helping different people out!!
the walton's
touch by an angel
brooklyn bridge it kind of reminded me of the walton's meets the wonder years it was about this jewish family living in american!!
wind at my back it about this family living in the 1920's to 1930's it came on inspiration network!!
promise land it was spin off form touch by an Angel!!

for classic comedies
dinosaurs it was people in costumes & puppeteers but me & my family enjoyed it!!
the secret world of alex mac was good it was kind of like teeange drama super hero comedy!!
sabrina the teeange this was forgotten i didn't like the later epsidoes i enjoyed the first seaon then it kind of gotten too far out!!
every one hates chris it was about this black family living in the 1980's it kind of like black family ties meets an black wonder years!!
clarissa explains it all it started mellis john hear in sabrina the teeange witch
hi honey im home not really sure if many people remember but i do i think it was nick at night original show it about this family that live in the 1950's then they would have this remote the beginning of the show it was in black & white then they would hit the control on the remote it will be in color!
teen angel i remember it it was about this kid that dies eatting bad hamburger then he comes back as an angel but he helps his best friend out!!
are you afraid of the dark? not really comedy but i used to be scared watching it!!

ones i can think of are:
Quantum leap
Early Edition
the flash there was an flash tv series back in the early 1980's to 1990's!!
kung fu
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Xena: Warrior Princess
high way to heaven stared michael london about this angel who wants to help people he meets this guy Victor French played by Mark Gordon who kind of gotten into trouble but then they go around traveling around the world in car helping different people out!!
the walton's
touch by an angel
brooklyn bridge it kind of reminded me of the walton's meets the wonder years it was about this jewish family living in american!!
wind at my back it about this family living in the 1920's to 1930's it came on inspiration network!!
promise land it was spin off form touch by an Angel!!

for classic comedies
dinosaurs it was people in costumes & puppeteers but me & my family enjoyed it!!
the secret world of alex mac was good it was kind of like teeange drama super hero comedy!!
sabrina the teeange this was forgotten i didn't like the later epsidoes i enjoyed the first seaon then it kind of gotten too far out!!
every one hates chris it was about this black family living in the 1980's it kind of like black family ties meets an black wonder years!!
clarissa explains it all it started mellis john hear in sabrina the teeange witch
hi honey im home not really sure if many people remember but i do i think it was nick at night original show it about this family that live in the 1950's then they would have this remote the beginning of the show it was in black & white then they would hit the control on the remote it will be in color!
teen angel i remember it it was about this kid that dies eatting bad hamburger then he comes back as an angel but he helps his best friend out!!
are you afraid of the dark? not really comedy but i used to be scared watching it!!

I might as well set some parameters for this thread, such as:
1. Must have run at least four seasons.

2. Must not have been televised on broadcast or cable in the past 10 years.

Heroes & Icons (H & I) airs Kung Fu weekdays. Xena is also on their network I think. Highway to Heaven is on COZI weekday mornings. Quantum Leap has also been on one of these retro networks.

I know it's on Netflix, but I haven't seen Wonder Years on TV in years. Think the last time I saw it, Nick at Nite aired it, but that had to be at least 15 years ago.

I know it's on Netflix, but I haven't seen Wonder Years on TV in years. Think the last time I saw it, Nick at Nite aired it, but that had to be at least 15 years ago.

It was on the Hub around 2010/2011

It was on the Hub around 2010/2011

Also ABC Family at some point.

Trapper John, M.D. is very much forgotten-- you don't see it in syndication anymore, and it's not on DVD.

Okay, you want to hear forgotten?

Alice
Chico and the Man
Head of the Class
It's a Living
Perfect Strangers
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
The Farmer's Daughter
St. Elsewhere
Ben Casey
The Paper Chase
Room 222

Okay, you want to hear forgotten?
St. Elsewhere


That it will remain, until Shout! steps it up on the releases like they did with Hill Street Blues!

"Murder, She Wrote" and "Matlock" have been in reruns (probably nonstop) for the last 15-20 years, and not just an episode here or there, either. I just did a quick search for "Matlock" on TVGuide.com, and in my area, it comes on 5 times each weekday. MSW comes on 4 times a day.

Welcome Back Kotter.

That it will remain, until Shout! steps it up on the releases like they did with Hill Street Blues!

YES! This NEEDS to happen!

I know it's on Netflix, but I haven't seen Wonder Years on TV in years. Think the last time I saw it, Nick at Nite aired it, but that had to be at least 15 years ago.

Which is why I sometimes drop references to that show in Facebook status updates! I just want to remind my "friends" what a great show it was!

It was a very good show but I don't think its forgotten. I don't know one person who hasn't watched or enjoyed The Wonder Years.

Who's The Boss - Not Remembered by many
Starsky And Hutch - Popular in its day , forgotten by many today
Father Dowling Mysteries - Most people may not remember this show
Homicide: Life On The Street- Not quite popular as NYPD Blue , but was still popular , mostly forgotten by most

Mr. Belvedere
Kids Incorporated
Homicide: Life on the Street
Punky Brewster
Silver Spoons
Perfect Strangers
Mama's Family
Charles in Charge

Felicity, I was never a watcher of the show but I heard as soon as it's star Keri Russell had cut her beautiful curly locks that fans went ablaze and the series went in decline which could be why it's never in syndication.

I've not seen Barnaby Jones on broadcast TV or cable TV in the past 10 years.

I've not seen Barnaby Jones on broadcast TV or cable TV in the past 10 years.

LOL George on "Newhart" is always talking about watching reruns of "Barnaby Jones".

The Decades channel just aired a few Barnaby Jones episodes from 1977. I think eventually they'll do a weekend binge for the series, if they haven't already.

SWAT
Space 1999
UFO

just shoot me and promised land were both big hits back in the day but hardly anyone talks about them these days

my top would be:
the twilight zone
the honeymooners
parry mason
the three stooges
my three sons
the lucy show not the i love lucy but the spin off form i love lucy
the abbott & costello show
welcome back ,kottoer
barney miller
chico & man
court ship of eddies father
teen angle
sister,sister
who's the boss?
step by step
perfect strangers
the partridge family
my two dads
bosom buddies
Mr. Belvedere
McHale's Navy
Doogie Howser, M.D
mister ed
alf
gomer pyle
Quantum leap
early edition
Bachelor father
George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
planet of the apes the original tv series
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
time tunnel
kojack
the rockford files
Quincy md
Unsolved mysteries
lost in space
Hercules: The Legendary Journey
adventure's OF SUPERMAN
The Incredible Hulk
Night Gallery
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Murphy Brown seems to be a big one. It was gigantic back in the day but it's almost unknown now. Probably because it really dated itself.

Murphy Brown seems to be a big one. It was gigantic back in the day but it's almost unknown now. Probably because it really dated itself.

Yes, and as good as the writing was it was very preachy at times.

Would Designing Women be considered a forgotten show? It also had a distinct, unapologetic political agenda but it seems to have enjoyed a better life in syndication.

Evening Shade owns this thread along with Dear John.

Hill Street Blues- Its hard to imagine such a great show is now forgotten

The Dick Van Dyke Show - Surprised huh? Contrary to what you may be thinking , not many people actually talk about this show anymore (Unless you're a TV buff like me)

Married With Children- seems mostly like an afterthought in many peoples minds.

ALF
In Living Color
MASH
BJ and the Beardo you mean "AFTER MASH"? Because MASH has been on ME TV for a while. And now it's also on AMC and The Sundance Channel.

Hill Street Blues- Its hard to imagine such a great show is now forgotten

The Dick Van Dyke Show - Surprised huh? Contrary to what you may be thinking , not many people actually talk about this show anymore (Unless you're a TV buff like me)

Married With Children- seems mostly like an afterthought in many peoples minds.
come to think of it, you're right about DVD. ME TV used to show it (and mostly uncut) and after they dropped it COZI TV had it.
A shame because it's so good (I consider it a classic sitcom)

Would Designing Women be considered a forgotten show? It also had a distinct, unapologetic political agenda but it seems to have enjoyed a better life in syndication.

I don't think so. It is constantly aired on cable and is still considered a fairly influential series.

just shoot me and promised land were both big hits back in the day but hardly anyone talks about them these days


Respectfully, I dispute this claim about Promised Land. Promised Land was on TV for sure, but I'm not sure it was really ever a big hit at all. I'm not sure it ever finished within the top 30 TV shows of the year while it was on.

do you mean "AFTER MASH"? Because MASH has been on ME TV for a while. And now it's also on AMC and The Sundance Channel.
At the time of the original post MASH was except for METV seldomly seen but yeah AFTER MASH can be lumped into that category along with the old 50s show Fury which hasn't been aired anywhere since the 80s.