http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?rf=homepage

When it comes to television, the threat of cancellation is always looming. Numbers dip, appeal wears off: very few shows with lukewarm figures stay on the air for much longer.

What this means is that sometimes shows will sacrifice quality or believability (even the belief in their viewer's intelligence) in order to try and up the numbers. After all, for most networks, the only thing worse than a terrible show is one that nobody is watching.

How do you get people to watch television? You do something shocking and dramatic, something that will get fans talking regardless of whether or not what they have to say is good or bad, something like what these shows did.

10. L. A. Law's Lesbian Kiss (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=2)

9. Dynasty's "Moldavian Massacre" (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=3)

8. Nearly The Entirety Of Ross And Rachel's Relationship In Friends (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=4)

7. Courtney Cox And Lisa Kudrow Reunite On Cougar Town (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=5)

6. Civil Wars Bared All (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=6)

5. Roc Started Broadcasting Episodes Live (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=7)

4. Survivor Separated Contestants By Ethnicity (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=8)

3. Charlie Chaplin's Appearance At The 44th Academy Awards (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=9)

2. Family Guy Killed Off Brian (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=10)

1. The Simpsons Split Up Homer And Marge (Again) (http://whatculture.com/tv/10-shameless-attempts-by-tv-shows-to-boost-their-ratings?page=11)

Survivor was still a ratings beast before it's thirteenth season (Cook Islands, the race twist) aired. According to insiders it was a production idea that Jeff Probst approved because he knew it was terrible and could kill the show and he was getting tired of hosting it. It ended up having to be rigged by production (with ridiculously unfair twists) against the dominant white alliance that was set on go on to the final 3. The nightmare of a possible all white finals in a mixed race season actually reinvigorated Probst when it turned out to have an all minority final three, and he's been fine with it ever since-since his other career opportunities never panned out.

I never understood the whole Ross and Rachel relationship, I thought it was stupid. And I never understood what Rachel saw in Ross. I thought he was boring, annoying, and whiny. I always thought Chandler and Monica's relationship was a lot more believable. But then overall I think Friends is extremely overrated and mostly unwatchable.

Ed.

With The Simpsons, Friends and Dynasty, I think the shows were doing well. Sometimes they will try something. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.