Why Isn't This Show More Popular Today?

[Adamantium]

"NewsRadio" was one of the funniest shows of the '90s. It was critically acclaimed and did decent in the ratings for the first couple of seasons before NBC decided to move it around their schedule. It had comic greats such as Dave Foley, Stephen Root and of course Phil Hartman. It's not a show that necessarily dated (though a couple Clinton jokes were made but that was more so Hartman could do his Presidential imitation). The show had a nice run with 97 episodes and yet it seems like it's not a hit in reruns.

Is it because Hartman's murder cast a pall over the show? Is it because of Andy Dick and all the bad things he's done since the show ended (and some stuff during its run)? I can understand someone not wanting to watch the show because they hate Andy Dick but he really is funny in this show, even if he isn't funny in anything else he does. I don't know. I figured it would be a bigger show in reruns. At least all the episodes are on DVD. So I'm always able to watch it. It would just be nice if when I say my favorite show is "NewsRadio" people actually know what show I'm talking about and agree with me that it's a great show.

[Adamantium]

There are three friends of mine that never even heard of "NewsRadio" before and I loaned them my DVD set of the entire series and all three friends fell in love with the show. Obviously not everyone who watches will love it but I think more people need to give it a chance.

[gidgetgrape]

I think shows that have run in syndication on A&E have some kind of curse of them. Besides Newsradio, Night Court, Northern Exposure, Crossing Jordan and Third Watch have received little, if any play on popular cable channels since being on A&E. The only exception I can think of is Law & Order.

[Skywalker]

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

https://jacksonupperco.com/2018/10/1...f-season-five/

It’s almost as if the show had given up (and indeed, the Johnny Johnson arc’s fidelity to both November and February Sweeps seems awfully network-friendly). That wouldn’t be a surprise; Hartman’s death was demoralizing and some of the company even doubted the decision to continue. But another year of episodes guaranteed a future in syndication, and even though Paul Simms had already relinquished the day-to-day writers’ room duties, the renewal by NBC, prior to Hartman’s death, was a gesture of good will. Additionally, after moving the show back to Wednesdays (following 3rd Rock From The Sun) to make way for Encore! Encore!, the network, after a few months, returned NewsRadio to its Tuesday at 8:30 slot, where it remained for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, both 3rd Rock and NewsRadio lost viewers, and the choice was made to keep only one: the newer series that had a slightly better track record. For many at NewsRadio, this seemed merciful — the final year without Hartman was a chore, and once this year pushed them into syndication, there was little incentive to continue. Quality eroded, morale eroded, ratings eroded. And, in fact, the show seemed to be more aware than ever the end was nigh, for this is the only year that narratively offers closure — with the departures of everyone, except Dave and Matthew, for New Hampshire. (Yes, this was designed to suggest a posited relocation, should there be a renewal, but isn’t the conscious desire for a change of setting evidence of a known problem within the status quo?) These last episodes are adequate — more grounded than most — but the spark of rebellion that gave the series its raison d’être is gone. And NewsRadio ends not with a bang, but with a whimper… a disappointing final year for a series that sought to brand itself as the iconically dissident underdog. Truthfully? It was a solid Workplace comedy with a great sense of humor, a strong cast, and an appreciated desire to reject convention. It didn’t play by the rules, and suffered for it — by the network, yet perhaps more so at its own hands — but is remembered triumphantly today for standing out…

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

NewsRadio may have also suffered from the idea that the cast for the most part, are primarily known for something else. For instance, Phil Hartman is likely more known for his work on SNL first and foremost, than NewsRadio. Likewise, Dave Foley is likely more known to the general public for The Kids in the Hall than NewsRadio. And it goes much further than that such as Maura Tierney and ER, Joe Rogan and The Joe Rogan Experience, and Stephen Root from every Coen Brothers movie.

[SarahBellum]

I liked it, at least until Phil Hartman departed. With only 97 episodes, it might be a challenge for a sitcom channel like Cozi or Laff to air it during the week, but perhaps it could be put on the weekend schedule.

[principehomura]

The show was never released in Italy, and never heard of it until Adamantium mentione dit on the Mom subforum.
I started watching it last evening, and I hope to enjoy the ride!

[gameshowfan2001]

I feel like with the way the show turned in the 4th season, that it was destined to be cancelled even if Hartman had lived. Season 1-3 are awesome, Season 4 is alright (once they re-hire Matthew and get rid of Andrea), but Season 5 is just a different show. In my mind, the series finale is "Bill Moves On".

[Adamantium]

Originally Posted by gameshowfan2001

I feel like with the way the show turned in the 4th season, that it was destined to be cancelled even if Hartman had lived. Season 1-3 are awesome, Season 4 is alright (once they re-hire Matthew and get rid of Andrea), but Season 5 is just a different show. In my mind, the series finale is "Bill Moves On".

Season four is actually my favorite season. I like how zany it is.

I also feel that if Phil Hartman had lived that season five would still have been the final season. As it turns out, the fifth season was actually higher rated than the fourth. But because it had been low rated since season three (the move to Wednesdays killed it), maybe Sony did what they could to keep it on the air for a better syndication deal. I don't know. I know that Sony helped keep 'til Death on for four seasons even though it was very low rated.

The only thing that would have changed if Hartman was alive and in the fifth season is that we would have had a better final season than the one we got.

[Adamantium]

Originally Posted by principehomura

The show was never released in Italy, and never heard of it until Adamantium mentione dit on the Mom subforum.
I started watching it last evening, and I hope to enjoy the ride!

Did you end up liking it?

[biffbronson]

I have the book covering Hartman's death, though I haven't read it yet. I dunno, knowing what happened to him made me sad to try to watch the shows in recent years. I do plan on getting back to the series, I liked it well enough.

[irehtman]

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

That show may have financial supremacism scandal in the entire crewmember group, that's why.

[Alan Brady's Hair]

with the departures of everyone, except Dave and Matthew, for New Hampshire. (Yes, this was designed to suggest a posited relocation, should there be a renewal

Green Acres/Newhart

[TMC]

10 Great '90s TV Shows You Forgot Existed

BY
DANIEL KURLAND
PUBLISHED 17 HOURS AGO

Television in the '90s spawned classics like The X-Files and Senfield; however, these often-forgotten shows deserve more attention.

Television is currently in a golden age where there are more diverse options available than ever, yet all of this revolutionary content would not be possible without groundbreaking series from the '90s. There is no shortage of revolutionary programming that predates the decade. However, some of television's greatest achievements like Seinfeld, Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and Friends are all products of the '90s that left permanent marks on the industry.

It's easy to celebrate the decade's biggest hits that are still popular on modern streaming services. However, there are some equally innovative and exceptional '90s TV shows that aren't nearly as successful. These overlooked '90s gems deserve just as much attention as their more popular peers, whether they're being revisited or discovered for the first time.

NewsRadio
5 Seasons, 97 Episodes



NewsRadio features an all-star cast that includes the likes of Dave Foley, Phil Hartman, Stephen Root, and Maura Tierney, yet it was perpetually NBC's sitcom underdog during the '90s. NewsRadio wasn't afraid to tackle taboo subject matter with flawed characters and an overall energy that was substantially darker than the other NBC comedies of the era.

Many consider NewsRadio to be one of the great workplace sitcoms of all time, but it was constantly moved around the schedule during its initial run and difficult to find. Even now, NewsRadio isn't on any major streaming service, and it was only just recently added to The Roku Channel.