The 40 Worst Sitcoms Of All Time---Unbiased and ranked by merit - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sal · 07-14-2004, 02:39 PM

About a year ago, I published on this site a list of what I considered to be the greatest sitcoms of all time, ranked and rated in a logical, unbiased manner, considering such options as length of service, its position in the ratings, the number of Emmys it received, and where it placed on the "Jump The Shark" scale. If you don't remember, the eventual winners, chosen from almost 200 sitcoms from 1951-2003 were " Cheers", "Frasier", "The Simpsons", "Mary Tyler Moore", and "MASH". Those shows were at the top of the list. The following thread will concentrate on those that were at the bottom.

In ranking each show, the point system worked like this:

1. Years on the air: number of seasons X 10 + number of episodes.

2. Year end ratings: 20 points for a #1 series, 19 points for #2, etc.

3. Emmy Awards: 25 points for each Emmy Award won in each major category (Best Series, Acting, Writing, Directing).

4. Jump The Shark: Number of episodes - the point at which a show jumped. Ex: if a series had 200 episodes and it 'jumped' at around Episode #150, the formula would be 200 - 150.

Now before I present the final list, I have to make a slight adjustment. For point #1 I decided to count only those series that ran for more than 100 episodes, for a few reasons. First, if I counted all the sitcoms that aired for a couple of years or less, it would take me a very, very long time to figure out where they belong. Besides, some of them were very good, like "The Honeymooners", while others still enjoy a wide audience in syndication, like "Gilligan's Island", "The Partridge Family", and "The Monkees", to name a few. Some folks love them, others hate them, but people will still watch them no matter what. Under this system, "The Honeymooners" would rank in third on the list, and even its most severe critics would have a hard time believing that the show is really that bad. So with that in mind, I present to you my official Top 40 (or should that be Bottom 40) list:

1. MY FAVORITE MARTIAN
2. CHARLES IN CHARGE
3. BLOSSOM
4. WEBSTER
5. LOVE AMERICAN STYLE
6. STEP BY STEP
7. HANGIN' WITH MR. COOPER
8. THE DORIS DAY SHOW (1968-73)
9. THE HOGAN FAMILY
10. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
11. FAMILY AFFAIR
12. FAMILY MATTERS
13. FULL HOUSE
14. GOMER PYLE USMC
15. DHARMA AND GREG
16. THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR
17. AMEN
18. THE PATTY DUKE SHOW
19. GOOD TIMES
20. OZZIE AND HARRIET
21. WHO'S THE BOSS?
22. HEAD OF THE CLASS
23. MCHALE'S NAVY
24. GIMME A BREAK
25. THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW
26. DENNIS THE MENACE
27. THAT GIRL
28. SPIN CITY
29. THE BRADY BUNCH
30. BECKER
31. MR BELVEDERE
32. I DREAM OF JEANNIE
33. KING OF QUEENS
34. GROWING PAINS
35. RHODA
36. THAT 70S SHOW
37. MR ED
38. 227
39. ELLEN
40. DOBIE GILLIS

As I mentioned before, some of these shows I actually love, like "Family Affair" and "The Brady Bunch" and it saddens me to see them on here, while many of them are well-deserved in my opinion. I've also counted 5 sitcoms on here that I've never seen before, so I have no idea of how good or bad they really are, including #1 pick, "My Favorite Martian". How bad could it have been to find itself ahead of such worthy losers as "Charles In Charge", "The Hogan Family", and most of ABC's TGIF lineup from the 1980s and 1990s. I'll leave that for you to decide and debate.

EmoJoe · 07-14-2004, 02:50 PM

Full House?
I Dream Of Jeannie?
Growing Pains?
Whos The Boss?
The Brady Bunch?
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
Family matters?
Family Affair?

Dean Winchester · 07-14-2004, 02:58 PM

I agree with most of the list besides Ellen

Some people here may like Full House, but you gotta realize FH is to sitcoms what a movie like Ace Ventura is for cinema; it might be funny, it might be cute, but it is NOT good, there's a difference between good and entertaining. Britney Spears has some music that is entertaining, but it is not good in any sense of the word.

Chambers · 07-14-2004, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I agree with most of the list besides Ellen

Some people here may like Full House, but you gotta realize FH is to sitcoms what a movie like Ace Ventura is for cinema; it might be funny, it might be cute, but it is NOT good, there's a difference between good and entertaining. Britney Spears has some music that is entertaining, but it is not good in any sense of the word.

:
I'd make an exception for Ellen and take it out of the list since it was such a groundbreaking show.

EmoJoe · 07-14-2004, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I agree with most of the list besides Ellen

Some people here may like Full House, but you gotta realize FH is to sitcoms what a movie like Ace Ventura is for cinema; it might be funny, it might be cute, but it is NOT good, there's a difference between good and entertaining. Britney Spears has some music that is entertaining, but it is not good in any sense of the word.

Was I saying Full House is the only one im surprised at? Im more surprised t WTB? and IDOJ.

vashti1999 · 07-14-2004, 03:08 PM

I'm not sure I understand what this list is supposed to represent, but if it's an unbiased list, why would when a show "jumped the shark" be included as criteria when that's a matter of opinion?

EmoJoe · 07-14-2004, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vashti1999
I'm not sure I understand what this list is supposed to represent, but if it's an unbiased list, why would when a show "jumped the shark" be included as criteria when that's a matter of opinion?

LOL- excactly.

Nighthawk76 · 07-14-2004, 03:27 PM

Charles In Charge IS NOT one of the worst shows of all time!

EmoJoe · 07-14-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I agree with most of the list besides Ellen

Some people here may like Full House, but you gotta realize FH is to sitcoms what a movie like Ace Ventura is for cinema; it might be funny, it might be cute, but it is NOT good, there's a difference between good and entertaining. Britney Spears has some music that is entertaining, but it is not good in any sense of the word.

I always wonder:

If its such a bad show than why did it last 8 years?

Chambers · 07-14-2004, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rurry007
I always wonder:

If its such a bad show than why did it last 8 years?

It lasted so long because people were entertained by it. But just because something is entertaining doesn't mean it's good quality.

Dean Winchester · 07-14-2004, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rurry007
I always wonder:

If its such a bad show than why did it last 8 years?

I didn't say it was BAD. I just said it isn't good IMO. FH is a cute and entertaining series. But there's a difference between that and "Good". A "good" series is something like Cheers/Frasier, MASH or The Simpsons, the type of show that is more than just entertaining, but actually award-worthy, whereas a show like Full House is just entertaining, but not something you'd ever expect to be up for a "Best Comedy" Emmy. You can like something yet realize it's not a good series, tho you like it. I can admit that Facts Of Life was cute and entertaining, but NOT something that is Emmy-worthy. Shows, movies and music can be good for different reasons. I may prefer Madonna's debut album to Ray Of Light, but I accept the fact that in all actuality, ROL is technically a superior album.

ClassicComedyFan2 · 07-14-2004, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sal

1. MY FAVORITE MARTIAN
12. FAMILY MATTERS
14. GOMER PYLE USMC
23. MCHALE'S NAVY
32. I DREAM OF JEANNIE
37. MR ED

Whoa! Those are a few of my favorite sitcoms. For instance, I am eagerly awaiting the upcoming DVD set of My Favorite Martian.

Mrs. Ducky · 07-14-2004, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianeDiane
It lasted so long because people were entertained by it. But just because something is entertaining doesn't mean it's good quality.

But if entertains people so much that it can last over 5 years then how can it be so bad to be put in the top 40 worst sitcoms?

Dean Winchester · 07-14-2004, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mrs. Ducky
But if entertains people so much that it can last over 5 years then how can it be so bad to be put in the top 40 worst sitcoms?

well, this list was about cheesy, right? FH was a cheesy show, regardless of how entertaining it may have been

vashti1999 · 07-14-2004, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mrs. Ducky
But if entertains people so much that it can last over 5 years then how can it be so bad to be put in the top 40 worst sitcoms?

That's what I'm wondering too. It makes no sense to call this list the worst sitcoms of all time when there aren't even series that ran for less than 100 episodes included.

07-14-2004, 03:08 PM	#6
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	I'm not sure I understand what this list is supposed to represent, but if it's an unbiased list, why would when a show "jumped the shark" be included as criteria when that's a matter of opinion?
	__________________ .

07-14-2004, 02:39 PM	#1
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,223	The 40 Worst Sitcoms Of All Time---Unbiased and ranked by merit About a year ago, I published on this site a list of what I considered to be the greatest sitcoms of all time, ranked and rated in a logical, unbiased manner, considering such options as length of service, its position in the ratings, the number of Emmys it received, and where it placed on the "Jump The Shark" scale. If you don't remember, the eventual winners, chosen from almost 200 sitcoms from 1951-2003 were " Cheers", "Frasier", "The Simpsons", "Mary Tyler Moore", and "MASH". Those shows were at the top of the list. The following thread will concentrate on those that were at the bottom. In ranking each show, the point system worked like this: 1. Years on the air: number of seasons X 10 + number of episodes. 2. Year end ratings: 20 points for a #1 series, 19 points for #2, etc. 3. Emmy Awards: 25 points for each Emmy Award won in each major category (Best Series, Acting, Writing, Directing). 4. Jump The Shark: Number of episodes - the point at which a show jumped. Ex: if a series had 200 episodes and it 'jumped' at around Episode #150, the formula would be 200 - 150. Now before I present the final list, I have to make a slight adjustment. For point #1 I decided to count only those series that ran for more than 100 episodes, for a few reasons. First, if I counted all the sitcoms that aired for a couple of years or less, it would take me a very, very long time to figure out where they belong. Besides, some of them were very good, like "The Honeymooners", while others still enjoy a wide audience in syndication, like "Gilligan's Island", "The Partridge Family", and "The Monkees", to name a few. Some folks love them, others hate them, but people will still watch them no matter what. Under this system, "The Honeymooners" would rank in third on the list, and even its most severe critics would have a hard time believing that the show is really that bad. So with that in mind, I present to you my official Top 40 (or should that be Bottom 40) list: 1. MY FAVORITE MARTIAN 2. CHARLES IN CHARGE 3. BLOSSOM 4. WEBSTER 5. LOVE AMERICAN STYLE 6. STEP BY STEP 7. HANGIN' WITH MR. COOPER 8. THE DORIS DAY SHOW (1968-73) 9. THE HOGAN FAMILY 10. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT 11. FAMILY AFFAIR 12. FAMILY MATTERS 13. FULL HOUSE 14. GOMER PYLE USMC 15. DHARMA AND GREG 16. THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR 17. AMEN 18. THE PATTY DUKE SHOW 19. GOOD TIMES 20. OZZIE AND HARRIET 21. WHO'S THE BOSS? 22. HEAD OF THE CLASS 23. MCHALE'S NAVY 24. GIMME A BREAK 25. THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW 26. DENNIS THE MENACE 27. THAT GIRL 28. SPIN CITY 29. THE BRADY BUNCH 30. BECKER 31. MR BELVEDERE 32. I DREAM OF JEANNIE 33. KING OF QUEENS 34. GROWING PAINS 35. RHODA 36. THAT 70S SHOW 37. MR ED 38. 227 39. ELLEN 40. DOBIE GILLIS As I mentioned before, some of these shows I actually love, like "Family Affair" and "The Brady Bunch" and it saddens me to see them on here, while many of them are well-deserved in my opinion. I've also counted 5 sitcoms on here that I've never seen before, so I have no idea of how good or bad they really are, including #1 pick, "My Favorite Martian". How bad could it have been to find itself ahead of such worthy losers as "Charles In Charge", "The Hogan Family", and most of ABC's TGIF lineup from the 1980s and 1990s. I'll leave that for you to decide and debate.

07-14-2004, 02:50 PM	#2
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Full House? I Dream Of Jeannie? Growing Pains? Whos The Boss? The Brady Bunch? The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Family matters? Family Affair?
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

07-14-2004, 02:58 PM	#3
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I agree with most of the list besides Ellen Some people here may like Full House, but you gotta realize FH is to sitcoms what a movie like Ace Ventura is for cinema; it might be funny, it might be cute, but it is NOT good, there's a difference between good and entertaining. Britney Spears has some music that is entertaining, but it is not good in any sense of the word.

07-14-2004, 03:27 PM	#8
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Charles In Charge IS NOT one of the worst shows of all time!