For example, Robert Urich. He was the lead on quite a few shows (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Urich#Career) (e.g. Vega$ and Spenser for Hire), but none of those shows really made it far into syndication; none of them came close to making 100 episodes. He was obviously very likable -- even after a show got cancelled, it would not be long before Urich had another job lined up.

Another example could be Ken Berry. He had a lot of appeal in the 1960s, but was on otherwise forgettable shows like F Troop and Mayberry RFD. The Wow Show (https://www.tvobscurities.com/2013/07/the-ken-berry-wow-show-promo/) was probably the best thing he ever did, but nobody was watching. He did a bunch of guest spots (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Berry#Later_television) in the 1970s, and today he's mostly remembered as Vinton Harper on Mama's Family.

I never heard of The Wow Show. But it did look good in that trailer.

My vote goes to Robert Urich, too. Mr. Urich starred in a record twelve scripted TV serieses, none of which had a long run.

Bob & Carol and Ted & Aiice (1973)
S.W.A.T. (1975-1976)
Tabitha (1977-1978)
Vega$ (1978-1981)
Gavilan (1982)
Spenser: For Hire (1985-1988)
American Dreamer (1990-1991)
Crossroads (1992)
It Had to Be You (1993)
The Lazarus Man (1996)
The Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998-1999)
Emeril (2001)

If I starred in 10-plus short-lived series throughout my career, I would be considered the unluckiest actor in the world.

My vote goes to Robert Urich, too. Mr. Urich starred in a record twelve scripted TV serieses, none of which had a long run.

Bob & Carol and Ted & Aiice (1973)
S.W.A.T. (1975-1976)
Tabitha (1977-1978)
Vega$ (1978-1981)
Gavilan (1982)
Spenser: For Hire (1985-1988)
American Dreamer (1990-1991)
Crossroads (1992)
It Had to Be You (1993)
The Lazarus Man (1996)
The Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998-1999)
Emeril (2001)

If I starred in 10-plus short-lived series throughout my career, I would be considered the unluckiest actor in the world.

The unluckiest actor in the world is one who never gets a job.

The unluckiest actor in the world is one who never gets a job.

Well, Vega$ and Spenser for Hire are both pretty popular/well-known shows.

And true dat.

Vegas had the longest run.

Vega$ and Spenser only ran three seasons, but they aired in reruns for a few years. Even though they haven't been on in a while, I wouldn't necessarily call them obscure shows.

How about George Clooney in the sitcom E/R, 10 years before the medical drama?

My vote goes to Robert Urich, too. Mr. Urich starred in a record twelve scripted TV serieses, none of which had a long run.

Bob & Carol and Ted & Aiice (1973)
S.W.A.T. (1975-1976)
Tabitha (1977-1978)
Vega$ (1978-1981)
Gavilan (1982)
Spenser: For Hire (1985-1988)
American Dreamer (1990-1991)
Crossroads (1992)
It Had to Be You (1993)
The Lazarus Man (1996)
The Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998-1999)
Emeril (2001)

If I starred in 10-plus short-lived series throughout my career, I would be considered the unluckiest actor in the world.

Emeril was a terrible show. Why anybody thought Emeril Lagasse could be an actor is beyond me.

Ed.

What a fascinating question!

I have to say that the first person I thought of was Christian Slater, because prior to Mr. Robot he was the star of a string of forgotten TV series:

My Own Worst Enemy (2008)
The Forgotten (2009)
Breaking In (2011-2012)
Mind Games (2014)



Another name I thought of is Vivica A. Fox who has starred in numerous series you could easily call "forgotten":

Out All Night (1992-1993)
Getting Personal (1998)
City of Angels (2000)
1-800-Missing (aka Missing) (2004-2006)
Mr Box Office (2012-2015)
Mann & Wife (2015-2016)

I have to say that the first person I thought of was Christian Slater, because prior to Mr. Robot he was the star of a string of forgotten TV series:

My Own Worst Enemy (2008)
The Forgotten (2009)
Breaking In (2011-2012)

He also had ABC's "Mind Games" that was canceled after 5 eps. in 2014.

He also had ABC's "Mind Games" that was canceled after 5 eps. in 2014.

thanks! I knew I was forgetting one.

The queen of flops might be Paula Marshall, best known as the reporter on the Seinfeld outing episode.

Wild Oats: September 4-September 25, 1994 on FOX. co-stars Tim Conlon, Paul S. Rudd, Jana Marie Hupp, Karri Turner, Tamara Olson, Christine Cavanaugh, and Timothy Fall

Chicago Sons: January 8-July 2, 1997 on NBC. co-stars Jason Bateman, DW Moffett, and David Krumholtz

Cupid: September 26, 1998 to February 11, 1999 on ABC. co-stars Jeremy Piven and Jeffrey D. Sams

Snoops: September 26-December 26, 1999 on ABC. co-stars Gina Gershon, Danny Nucci, Paula Jai Parker, and Edward Kerr

Cursed: October 26, 2000 to April 26, 2001 on NBC. co-stars Steven Weber, Amy Pietz, Chris Elliot, and Wendell Pierce. an apt title for her career :lol:

Hidden Hills: September 24, 2002 to January 21, 2003 on NBC. co-stars Justin Louis, Alexa Nikolas, Sean Marquette, Dondra T. Whitfield, Tamara Taylor, Kristin Bauer, and Stacy Galina

Out of Practice: September 19, 2005 to March 29, 2006 on CBS. co-stars Henry Winkler, Stockard Channing, Ty Burrell, Christopher Gorham, and Jennifer Tilly

Gary Unmarried: September 24, 2008 to March 17, 2010 on CBS. co-stars Jay Mohr, Jaime King, and Ryan Malgarini

Congratulations Paula, you've had at least one flop on all 4 major broadcast networks! :wave:

Jenna Elfman has had many television flops:



She starred on ABC's "Townies" (1996) before her successful role on "Dharma & Greg" (1997-02).

Courting Alex (CBS, 2006)
Accidentally on Purpose (CBS, 2009-10)
1600 Penn (NBC, 2012-13)
Growing Up Fisher (NBC, 2014)
Imaginary Mary (ABC, 2017)



She is now part of AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead".