Gloria, the Archie Bunkers Place spinoff that lasted only one season and finished ranked number 19th.

Gloria, the Archie Bunkers Place spinoff that lasted only one season and finished ranked number 19th.

Not even close, Mayberry RFD (15), Hee Haw (16), and Bridget Loves Bernie (5) come to mind, there was also The Rebel (it was successful and why it was not renewed has been argued about for years).

Not even close, Mayberry RFD (15), Hee Haw (16), and Bridget Loves Bernie (5) come to mind, there was also The Rebel (it was successful and why it was not renewed has been argued about for years).

ok thanks. I see Bridget Loves Bernie was cancelled for controversial reasons

NBC cancelled several shows with good overall ranks for poor retention from their Thursday night anchors. Madman of the People cancelled at #12, The Single Guy cancelled after its second season at #8, Union Square cancelled at #8, Jesse cancelled after its second season at #13, and Stark Raving Mad cancelled at a tie for #15.

NBC cancelled several shows with good overall ranks for poor retention from their Thursday night anchors. Madman of the People cancelled at #12, The Single Guy cancelled after its second season at #8, Union Square cancelled at #8, Jesse cancelled after its second season at #13, and Stark Raving Mad cancelled at a tie for #15.

damm, #8

I never watched Union Square but remember when that was cancelled and people were surprised. I wasn't because while it was ranked high it was losing audience before and after.

And Union Square was cancelled after just 13 episodes with no back order. Constance Marie went on to more successful, long-running shows in George Lopez and Switched at Birth.

An interesting counterpoint to this would be shows that were retained despite poor ratings.

I'm sure it'd be a longer list.

An interesting counterpoint to this would be shows that were retained despite poor ratings.

I'm sure it'd be a longer list.


I dont think no show lasted with poor ratings, maybe average/watchable that was able to run for years but was never a hit or in the top 10

Different strokes
facts of life
Barney Miller

I dont think no show lasted with poor ratings, maybe average/watchable that was able to run for years but was never a hit or in the top 10

Different strokes
facts of life
Barney Miller

The Brady Bunch is the perfect example. It never ranked in the top 30 yet lasted 5 years.

The Brady Bunch is the perfect example. It never ranked in the top 30 yet lasted 5 years.

It came close after its 3rd season and finished 31st

It came close after its 3rd season and finished 31st

It's a shame it never ranked higher but the last joke was on everyone because it's better known than many shows more popular in its day.

It's a shame it never ranked higher but the last joke was on everyone because it's better known than many shows more popular in its day.

That was only because sanford and son didnt start until the mid-way point of the 71-72 season

Murder She Wrote was cancelled by CBS because the audience was to old for advertisers but had a top 5 in ratings!

Murder She Wrote was cancelled by CBS because the audience was to old for advertisers but had a top 5 in ratings!Murder, She Wrote was not a top 5 show when it was cancelled. Its final top 5 season was 1992-1993 which is the #5 you mentioned. But Murder, She Wrote still had three more seasons after that. It was #11 1993-1994 and an 8th place tie 1994-1995. The tie that year was with Friends. Ironically Murder, She Wrote was "rewarded" for tying Friends by being sent to die in direct competition with it on Thursday nights during the 1995-1996 season. As a result, Murder She Wrote dropped completely out of the top 30 that season and gave CBS the excuse to cancel it they had been looking for.