TV show that had a BAD first season and got better and better after that... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-18-2007, 11:36 AM

I guess you can call this a spinoff of Solomon's thread, or is it a continuation?!? LOL I kid, I kid.

mstewart · 04-18-2007, 11:42 AM

Alice and One Day At A Time had horrible first seasons. I couldn't stand those shows at first but it got better the following season especially One Day At A Time. If it hadn't been for Bonnie Franklin fighting the producers and directors about keeping the show real and to the true premise instead of resorting to slapstick sitcom antics. Fans of ODAT get the first season DVD set so we can get the other seasons going. Seasons 3 and 4 hit its peak.

catlover79 · 04-18-2007, 12:14 PM

While they weren't necessarily bad first seasons, I don't think Barney Miller or Newhart (the 80s show) would have lasted as long as they did had they not retooled. In the case of Barney Miller, it was getting rid of Barney's home life and focusing entirely on the goings-on of the 12th Precinct.

With Newhart, it was ditching the videotape and using film. The show looked much better on film.

These may seem like small changes, but they worked, and worked well. Both shows ended on top of their game and gave us memorable series finales (especially in the case of Newhart). I still remember watching the last episode of Newhart in 1990, and I was so little I couldn't understand why my mom and grandma were howling, then roaring with laughter. Now I do.

dawsongirl · 04-18-2007, 11:40 PM

The Simpsons. I hate the first season. It was choppy and the voices sounded funny and the animation was bad too.

I don't like CSI:NY's first season as much as the next 2 either. Too dark.

sara · 04-19-2007, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

While they weren't necessarily bad first seasons, I don't think Barney Miller or Newhart (the 80s show) would have lasted as long as they did had they not retooled. In the case of Barney Miller, it was getting rid of Barney's home life and focusing entirely on the goings-on of the 12th Precinct.
:

I was going to say Barney Miller too. Although I don't think Barney Miller really ever had a bad season, it's first season is definitely the weakest.

PrettyinPink55 · 04-19-2007, 01:57 AM

Full House (The first season is hard to watch.)

The Facts of Life (While I don't consider the first season bad, I definetly think it was the weakest. It found itself 2nd season when Nancy came on and they changed the format to become one of the BEST shows EVER!!!!)

comedyfreak · 04-19-2007, 02:51 AM

All In The Family-This show got off to a slow start and took off during the summer, which is what saved it from the chopping block.

88survivor · 04-19-2007, 04:45 PM

Definitely the 1st Season of FOL. While I love the episodes in general, it was missing something. It certainly didn't need Mr. Bradley or Ms. Mahoney or the additon of those girls if they were going to continue the show itself. Jo was a breath of fresh air to me.

Dynomite · 04-19-2007, 06:13 PM

What about M*A*S*H? It started off slowly in season 1, but picked up steam in following seasons and never looked back.

Will and Grace Fanatic · 04-20-2007, 12:09 AM

I think Seinfeld did. If you look at the first season there isn't much to congrats the writing team on. But by the second season the show improved a whole lot.

Classicshowsgurl15 · 04-22-2007, 04:06 PM

I think the first season of Family Ties is not that great, but the show definetly gets better as it goes along.

Belair · 04-23-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

The Simpsons. I hate the first season. It was choppy and the voices sounded funny and the animation was bad too.

I know, its hard to bear now, but I think its hilarious to look back on. I really didnt like Homers voice though- it wasn't Dan Castelletta (I know thats spelt wrong, but you know who I mean

) The later Homer had a funnier voice if that makes sense. And yeah the animation was poor.

USATVFAN · 04-23-2007, 08:59 AM

Roseanne

NotMyNewsChannel3 · 04-24-2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink55

Full House (The first season is hard to watch.)

The Facts of Life (While I don't consider the first season bad, I definetly think it was the weakest. It found itself 2nd season when Nancy came on and they changed the format to become one of the BEST shows EVER!!!!)

You stole my answer (the Full House one).

TJL · 04-24-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

The Simpsons. I hate the first season. It was choppy and the voices sounded funny and the animation was bad too.

I have to disagree with you there my dear. I think the first season of "The Simpsons" was brilliant. The writing was much sharper and the characters were better. Nowadays the show is a complete mess. I do agree with you on the animation and voices though.

Back to the topic, a lot of my friends believe the first season of the NBC version of "The Office" was pretty weak. Not "bad," it just didn't hit it's stride until season 2.

04-18-2007, 11:36 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	TV show that had a BAD first season and got better and better after that... I guess you can call this a spinoff of Solomon's thread, or is it a continuation?!? LOL I kid, I kid.
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04-18-2007, 12:14 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	While they weren't necessarily bad first seasons, I don't think Barney Miller or Newhart (the 80s show) would have lasted as long as they did had they not retooled. In the case of Barney Miller, it was getting rid of Barney's home life and focusing entirely on the goings-on of the 12th Precinct. With Newhart, it was ditching the videotape and using film. The show looked much better on film. These may seem like small changes, but they worked, and worked well. Both shows ended on top of their game and gave us memorable series finales (especially in the case of Newhart). I still remember watching the last episode of Newhart in 1990, and I was so little I couldn't understand why my mom and grandma were howling, then roaring with laughter. Now I do.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-19-2007, 01:57 AM	#6
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Full House (The first season is hard to watch.) The Facts of Life (While I don't consider the first season bad, I definetly think it was the weakest. It found itself 2nd season when Nancy came on and they changed the format to become one of the BEST shows EVER!!!!)
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04-19-2007, 02:51 AM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	All In The Family-This show got off to a slow start and took off during the summer, which is what saved it from the chopping block.
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04-20-2007, 12:09 AM	#10
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	I think Seinfeld did. If you look at the first season there isn't much to congrats the writing team on. But by the second season the show improved a whole lot.
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04-18-2007, 11:42 AM	#2
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	Alice and One Day At A Time had horrible first seasons. I couldn't stand those shows at first but it got better the following season especially One Day At A Time. If it hadn't been for Bonnie Franklin fighting the producers and directors about keeping the show real and to the true premise instead of resorting to slapstick sitcom antics. Fans of ODAT get the first season DVD set so we can get the other seasons going. Seasons 3 and 4 hit its peak.

04-18-2007, 11:40 PM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	The Simpsons. I hate the first season. It was choppy and the voices sounded funny and the animation was bad too. I don't like CSI:NY's first season as much as the next 2 either. Too dark.

04-19-2007, 04:45 PM	#8
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	Definitely the 1st Season of FOL. While I love the episodes in general, it was missing something. It certainly didn't need Mr. Bradley or Ms. Mahoney or the additon of those girls if they were going to continue the show itself. Jo was a breath of fresh air to me.

04-19-2007, 06:13 PM	#9
Dynomite Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2006 Location: near Dayton, Ohio Posts: 579	What about MASH*? It started off slowly in season 1, but picked up steam in following seasons and never looked back.

04-22-2007, 04:06 PM	#11
Classicshowsgurl15 Happy Days Senior Member Join Date: Jun 28, 2004 Location: California Posts: 2,088	I think the first season of Family Ties is not that great, but the show definetly gets better as it goes along.
	__________________ “All our young lives we search for someone to love, someone who makes us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope, all the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there's someone perfect who might be searching for us.” - The Wonder Years

04-23-2007, 08:59 AM	#13
USATVFAN Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 31, 2007 Location: Kalispell, USA Posts: 1,742	Roseanne