On Jan. 20, 1961, TV legend Jackie Gleason launched a quiz show called "You Bet Your Life," which had contestants playing a bewildering game featuring a celebrity panel poking their heads through life-sized illustrations. Immediately deemed one of the largest flops in the history of television, the show was so bad that "The Great One" appeared on the show the following week to announce its cancellation. "You don't have to be Alexander Graham Bell to pick up a telephone and know it's dead," he joked.

More than 40 years later, shows like "Supertrain", "Cop Rock" and "Me and the Chimp" have gained similar notoriety as hyped-up mega-flops. And as you'll see with the following examples, there is no shortage of high-profile, low-quality TV trash released this very decade, either. A word to Heather Locklear, Matt LeBlanc, William Shatner and the others: Whenever you're ready to come
back on the air and apologize, we'd be happy to tune in.

"Armed & Famous"

Has "The Surreal Life" become too commonplace for you? Are "Breaking Bonaduce" and "Hogan Knows Best" akin to watching your family's home movies? Then perhaps a reality show with D-level celebrities playing cops in a small Indiana town would be enough high-concept for you. At least, that was the thinking at CBS for 16 days this year. "Famous" had LaToya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, Trish Stratus, "Wee-Man" from "Jackass" and Erik Estrada (in the most inspired choice) moving to Muncie, Ind., to become police officers (while simultaneously arresting perps and signing autographs for them). Amazingly, no one wanted to watch this.

"Father of the Pride"

To everyone outside Las Vegas, Siegfried and Roy were already punch lines when DreamWorks began production on this bizarre, prime-time animation show. Then, as if it wasn't bad enough that the studio had confused recognition with ridicule (What's next, a Carrot Top show?), magician/trainer Roy Horn was mauled by one of his white tigers just months before the show's premiere. After weeks of high-profile Olympics advertising, the show debuted in August 2004, although it was immediately unclear who the target audience was. If it was for kids, why was the humor so ribald? If it was for mainstream America, why would they watch Siegfried and Roy any more than a cartoon about Danny Gans? Soon after the show's absurd $1.6-million price tag (per episode!) was revealed, this clunker about S & R's family of "friendly" white lions was unceremoniously put down.

"The Post-'Seinfeld' Shows"

In some alternate, bizarro universe, perhaps, Michael Richards is the most beloved man on television, and critics are sadly reporting on the triumphant seventh and final season of "Bob Patterson." On our Earth, however, the term "nothing" refers to both the overriding concept of "Seinfeld" and the cast's collective contribution to our entertainment in the years since. Richards was first out of the gate with 2000's "The Michael Richards Show," which cast him as a bumbling private eye who was essentially a live-action Inspector Gadget. Two months later, the show was canceled without receiving a tenth of the viewers of Richards' recent Laugh Factory meltdown. Jason Alexander hit the ground with 2001's "Patterson," an unfunny show about a self-improvement guru that premiered a month after Sept. 11 and actually succeeded in making the country feel even less in the mood to laugh. In 2005, Alexander returned with the sports radio spoof "Listen Up," and no one did. The only star smart enough to leave well enough alone was Jerry Seinfeld, who has maintained a relatively low profile since his show went off the air in 1998. Then, there is the unique case of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, whose 2002 bomb, "Watching Ellie," was finally redeemed by the apparent success of "The New Adventures of Old Christine," which may have finally broken the "Seinfeld curse."

"Joey"

As NBC's comedy juggernaut "Friends" prepared to go off the air, the network frantically put out feelers, hoping one of the six stars would be willing to press on with a spin-off. Eventually, they got around to Matt LeBlanc (who had already proven his lack of discernible taste with the 1996 monkey-baseball movie "Ed"). Sure enough, the only star of the show never to host "Saturday Night Live" relocated the most-one-dimensional "Friend" to the absurdly overpromoted "Joey," which told the story of his move to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune. The program struggled through its freshman season, receiving disappointing ratings before a mercy pickup for Season 2, in which "Joey's" ratings dropped off by 82 percent. A move to a time slot opposite "American Idol" put the final nail in the coffin and, soon enough, NBC was finally answering Joey's trademark question of "How you doin'?" with a resounding "Not so good"!

"Coupling"

Another attempt to fill the post-"Friends" void on NBC was this high-profile translation of one of Britain's top-rated sitcoms. Featuring six impossibly handsome, improbably intertwined friends in relationships, the show was attacked for its overtly sexual conversations. And this was before the show actually began! By the time it aired, people found plenty of other reasons to wish for a permanent separation from "Coupling." After only four episodes, the 2003 sitcom, starring Aniston wannabes Rena Sofer and Sonya Walger, was canceled, convincing many that English humor simply wouldn't translate across the pond -- at least until Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute and an "Office" full of paper reams proved otherwise.

"60 Minutes II"

I'm Mike Wallace, I'm Morley Safer, I'm Ed Bradley and I'm Charles Grodin? As the turn of the century was approaching, CBS decided to double its pleasure with this uninspired sequel to its long-running, highly profitable, Sunday evening news program featuring a cast of veterans (Dan Rather, Charlie Rose), newcomers (Lara Logan, Vicki Mabrey) and Andy Rooney-wannabes (Grodin, Jimmy Tingle). Although the Wednesday broadcast lacked a sense of purpose, it managed to stay on the air for more than half a decade, providing ample punch lines for late-night talk-show hosts and everyday folk alike. Then, in September 2004, Dan Rather greeted a predominantly pro-Bush nation with a story about the president's troubles while serving in the Texas Air National Guard. Weeks later, CBS had egg all over its face for reporting doctored documents as facts, and both Rather and "60 Minutes II" would never recover.

"Show Me the Money"

Have you already forgotten this high-profile game show? Or were you one of the millions who simply ignored all the hype? Attempting to cash in on the "Deal or No Deal" formula, "Money" gave us a simple set-up that required no real knowledge of anything, a cheesy title and catchphrase and an even cheesier host. (Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. William Shatner!) However, Captain Kirk's 13 female dancers/card revealers were no match for Howie Mandel's 28 models/briefcase openers and, after a mere three weeks, the Shat hit the fan.

"Surface"

It's amazing to think of all the billboards, commercials and print ads that pummeled relentlessly for this quickly forgotten show. "Surface" (or "Fathom," as it was originally titled) was part of an onslaught of programming greenlit to capitalize on a post-"Lost" environment -- a trend more tolerable to science-fiction themes and open-ended plotlines. ("Heroes" has since proven this true, whereas "Threshold," "Invasion" and a slew of others have not.) "Surface" followed several characters around the world witnessing strange occurrences in and around our oceans: hostile monsters, destroyed lighthouses, pod eggs and, of course, ominous government conspiracies. Fifteen episodes later, a half-hearted, cliffhanger finale stranded "Surface" dead in the water.

"The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best"

Contrary to popular belief, there are apparently very few men who want to spend time with a "virgin" -- or women, or the elderly, or any other demographic, for that matter. Premiering while Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" was hotter than Jessica Biel at a do-it-yourself car wash, Richard Branson's reality show touted him with the modest title of "Rebel Billionaire," featuring a ubiquitous ad campaign that had the eternal grinner jumping out of an airplane. Sixteen camera-friendly wannabes were dragged around the globe for a series of ranks-thinning stunts, and the show's poor ratings made one thing quite clear: Even though the toothy, sandal-wearing Branson had figured out how to sell records, airlines and even cola to the masses, he was a rebel without a clue when it came to selling a TV show.

"LAX"

Why not ask everyone in America to spend an hour each week in a place they usually hate going? That seemed to be the thinking behind this drama, set in Los Angeles' famously crowded airport, and positioned as yet another comeback vehicle for perennial TV star Heather Locklear ("T.J. Hooker," "Dynasty," "Melrose Place," "Spin City"). Paired with the equally resilient Blair Underwood (who somehow hasn't aged since "L.A. Law"), the show was marketed as "24" with sexual tension, but turned out to be more painful than a three-hour layover. After 10 episodes and Jay Leno jokes ("[LAX] is thinking of changing its name to avoid being associated with the show"), it was grounded for good, undoubtedly killing dozens of scripts set in DMV waiting lines, gridlocked highways and dentist's chairs.

http://tv.msn.com/tv/bombsaway-1

I seem to remember Melba Moore launching a sitcom in 1986, "Melba", which lasted ONE episode before getting pulled off the air.

Does anyone else remember "Princesses" from 1991? It starred Julie Hagerty (Airplane) and a pre-Nanny Fran Drescher. Ms. Hagerty suddenly quit, and the show was put on hiatus to find a replacement. Alas, it turned out to be a permanent hiatus.

There was also the ill-fated "Women of the House" starring Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker several years after she'd been kicked off "Designing Women". I think it only lasted a month, if that.

Where, oh where, is mention of the XFL!? :lol:

just asking what does msn have to do with shows not lasting lol

On Jan. 20, 1961, TV legend Jackie Gleason launched a quiz show called "You Bet Your Life," which had contestants playing a bewildering game featuring a celebrity panel poking their heads through life-sized illustrations. Immediately deemed one of the largest flops in the history of television, the show was so bad that "The Great One" appeared on the show the following week to announce its cancellation. "You don't have to be Alexander Graham Bell to pick up a telephone and know it's dead," he joked.



They got that game show mixed-up with the Groucho Marx classic. The Jackie Gleason flop was actually titled You're In the Picture.

"Armed & Famous"
Then perhaps a reality show with D-level celebrities playing cops in a small Indiana town would be enough high-concept for you. At least, that was the thinking at CBS for 16 days this year. "Famous" had LaToya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, Trish Stratus, "Wee-Man" from "Jackass" and Erik Estrada (in the most inspired choice) moving to Muncie, Ind., to become police officers (while simultaneously arresting perps and signing autographs for them). Amazingly, no one wanted to watch this.
It was a quick cancellation, I never got to the show. It looked interesting.

just asking what does msn have to do with shows not lasting lol


Huh?

They got that game show mixed-up with the Groucho Marx classic. The Jackie Gleason flop was actually titled You're In the Picture.


You are absolutely right. Good pick up.

They got that game show mixed-up with the Groucho Marx classic. The Jackie Gleason flop was actually titled You're In the Picture.
I was wondering the same thing. :lol:

I remember "Melba". After a couple of episodes she was toast! :lol:


Here's a few others I've thought of that were so bad, their failure still stings today:


Pink Lady & Jeff --- A 1970s ripoff of "Donny & Marie" with a female host who barely spoke English, except for maybe "Help us, please!"

Supertrain --- "The Love Boat" on land. A complete train wreck in every way imaginable.

Emeril --- BAM! This show was terrible, and mercifully short.

McLean's Mistakes: "In The Beginning", "Condo", "Hello, Larry", all starring McLean Stevenson after he left MASH. What was he thinking??? At least you can't blame him for "AfterMASH".

The Tortellis --- Speaking of spinoffs, this one lasted about 10 years less than "Frasier".

Turn On --- A variety show made to resemble "Laugh-In" starring Tim Conway that lasted only 10 minutes (that's right, 10 minutes) because of its questionable R-rated content.


Before They Were Friends: Before "Friends" became a huge hit, its stars had to suffer through stuff like "Vinnie and Bobby" (Matt LeBlanc), "Muddling Through" (Jennifer Aniston), and "Misfits Of Science" (Courtney Cox). Oh, the sacrifices you have to make on the way up!

Naturally, no discussion of sitcom flops would be complete without mentioning the most notorious case of all time: "My Mother The Car". More than 40 years after its premiere, you have to ask yourself: Is this the worst sitcom of all time or just the victim of a bad rep? Poor Jerry Van Dyke (who is really a very funny actor) turned down co-starring roles in both "Gilligan's Island" (as Gilligan) and "The Andy Griffith Show", in which he would have been the new deputy, to appear in this new show. He was hoping that it would be a hit, despite its ridiculous premise, so that he would be proven right about turning down two of the most coveted jobs in TV history, and, at the same time, he could finally emerge from his big brother's shadow. That wouldn't happen until 20 years later when he played Luther so brilliantly on "Coach". Until then, he would always be reminded of "Mother"'s failure and he would be left to wonder what might have been. At least when "Coach" came along, he could finally relax and receive praise for his work instead of scorn. It couldn't have happened to a nicer or more deserving person.

"Melba" was toast, ha ha, very funny. :lol:

I did see the DVD set of Pink Lady & Jeff. I borrowed it from my then-boss, who also hosted a pop culture radio show on the side. It was indeed a miserable failure. Everything said about it is true. Sal, make that TWO women who couldn't speak English!!

Pre-Friends, Jennifer Aniston was also in a TV version of Ferris Bueller, which naturally sank without a trace.

There was also the horrible My Big Fat Greek Life - which was spun off from a truly warm and funny movie.

I think my brother-in-law was the only one who watched Inside Schwartz - at least he was the only one who liked it. I never saw it so I can't comment.

Another show I'd like to see that I heard was horrible is Manimal. Anyone here ever seen that one??

Pink Lady & Jeff --- A 1970s ripoff of "Donny & Marie" with a female host who barely spoke English, except for maybe "Help us, please!"

This was an 80's series, not 70's and it wasn't a ripoff of Donny and Marie. It starred the duo of Keiko Masuda (Kei) & Mitsuyo Nemoto (Mei) along with Jeff Altman. They were just coming off their one hit wonder (Kiss In the Dark) and how they ever managed to get their own series is beyond me but they did have some great guest stars including, Sherman Hemsley, Debbie Harry, Sid Caesar, Donny Osmond, Teddy Pendergrass, Larry Hagman, Lorne Greene, Florence Henderson, Red Buttons, Alice Cooper and Jerry Lewis.

You are absolutely right. Good pick up.

Thanks, Brian. :)

This was an 80's series, not 70's and it wasn't a ripoff of Donny and Marie. It starred the duo of Keiko Masuda (Kei) & Mitsuyo Nemoto (Mei) along with Jeff Altman. They were just coming off their one hit wonder (Kiss In the Dark) and how they ever managed to get their own series is beyond me but they did have some great guest stars including, Sherman Hemsley, Debbie Harry, Sid Caesar, Donny Osmond, Teddy Pendergrass, Larry Hagman, Lorne Greene, Florence Henderson, Red Buttons, Alice Cooper and Jerry Lewis.
I used to watch that show. I was shocked to learn the girls didn't speak a word of English. That show had great guests.

Didn't Pink Lady have a show in their own country?

Other 1-episode bombs:

Co-Ed Fever with a pre-implant Heather Thomas

South of Sunset with Glenn Frey

Public Morals (I think that's what it was called)


And then of course there have been shows so bad that they were cancelled before they even aired like Manchester Prep, Rewind with Scott Baio, Commando Nanny and a few others. Snip, which also never aired, was actually quite funny. I saw them at the Museum of Broadcasting. That was cancelled because NBC was chicken****, not because the show wasn't any good. As a matter of fact, I'm sure it would have been a hit.

Other 1-episode bombs:

South of Sunset with Glenn Frey

I remember this one all too well, This was hyped to death during the 93 World Series & I've often wondered if the promo overkill had something to do with it's low rating and immediate cancellation. Also, Didn't USA or some other cable channel air the remaining episodes?

Life With Lucy only lasted 2 months and was cancelled by ABC.
13 Queens BLVD, starring Eileen Brennan only lasted a month or so before being cancelled by CBS.

I remember this one all too well, This was hyped to death during the 93 World Series & I've often wondered if the promo overkill had something to do with it's low rating and immediate cancellation. Also, Didn't USA or some other cable channel air the remaining episodes?




I think either MTV or VH1 ran out the rest of the episodes.

Life With Lucy only lasted 2 months and was cancelled by ABC.

That show was so embarressingly forced. The supporting cast was awful as well. That lady that played her daughter...over-actress of the year, 1986.

There was another early 80s show that Scott Baio hosted called "We're Moving" It lasted from 1981-83, I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f8ReGbA9-k