TVSquad: "Six Sitcoms Even a Sitcom Lover Would Hate" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 04-26-2010, 08:21 PM

Six Sitcoms Even a Sitcom Lover Would Hate
Posted Apr 26th 2010
by Bob Sassone

I have a high tolerance level for sitcoms. Unless a sitcom is painfully bad, I can actually get some enjoyment out of it.

So yes, that means that if I were to make a list of the worst sitcoms of all-time, even shows like "According To Jim", "Yes, Dear", and "Joey" wouldn't make the list. They just wouldn't. They're not among the best sitcoms ever made, but they also aren't the awful, painful, boy-was-that-a-bad-idea sitcoms we could all name.

Like these six shows. They're not just unfunny, they're not pleasant or interesting or "cute" or any other word we try to use when trying to find something good about a sitcom either.

They're just...bad. Not even someone who loves sitcoms could like these shows.

1. "Small Wonder" (1985-1989)

Is this the worst sitcom ever made, bad enough to make it to number one on this list? I don't know; there have been so many bad sitcoms over the years.

But when I thought of this list it's the first show I thought of, so that has to count for something.

It was about a inventor who creates a little girl robot, whose existence leads to predictable hijinks with family and friends. Imagine if "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" didn't have any laughs in their entire runs.

The only way this show could have been saved is if Vicki (which stood for "Voice Input Child Identicant") went crazy and decided to disobey Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics in a cruel, special effects-laden episode.

In the picture above it looks like she's about to go all Terminator, but alas, that was just her expression.

2. "Mr. T and Tina" (1976)

No, this had nothing to do with Mr. T from "The A-Team".

This one starred Pat Morita from "Happy Days", Susan Blanchard, and Ted Lange, who would shortly go on to better things with "The Love Boat".

Morita also played an inventor, so maybe it's the occupation. Just awful.

3. "Homeboys in Outer Space" (1996-1997)

Why is this on the list?

All you have to do is look at the title and then look at this video.

4. "The Ropers" (1979-1980)

This was a classic example of taking two beloved characters from a successful sitcom and giving them their own show.

But it's also the classic example of why you shouldn't do that. Supporting characters are supporting characters for a reason, and if they're brought to the front, well, you see how unpleasant they are.

5. "Emeril" (2001)

Sadly, this was the last TV series that Robert Urich did before he passed away. But he was fine.

What was bad about "Emeril"? EVERYTHING ELSE.

I think it all started when someone at NBC decided, "Hey, Emeril Lagasse's audience loves it when he throws garlic into a large pot, why don't we build a sitcom around him?"

It lasted for ten episodes, which was nine episodes too many.

6. "Veronica's Closet" (1997-2000)

Not only was this show remarkably unfunny, I remember thinking to myself, "this show is taking up space that another sitcom could fill."

Sure, you could say that about 75% of NBC's Thursday night sitcom failures, but this one was particularly lame and stale.

"Jesse" and "Suddenly Susan" were "Arrested Development" compared to this.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/04/26/si...er-would-hate/

TJL · 04-26-2010, 09:43 PM

That is quite a depressing list.

Retro4Life · 04-26-2010, 10:42 PM

"The Ropers" has no business being on a "worst sitcoms" list. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it is vastly superior to all the other drek listed here.

dlemond · 04-26-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

"The Ropers" has no business being on a "worst sitcoms" list. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it is vastly superior to all the other drek listed here.

There is no reason for The Ropers to be on this list.

Mr. Television · 04-26-2010, 11:01 PM

Small Wonder and the Ropers don't belong on that list.

70s show watcher · 04-26-2010, 11:42 PM

i liked veronica;s closet

JamesG · 04-27-2010, 11:52 PM

Just wondering, has anyone here seen "Mr. T and Tina"?

I'm asking cause I'm a Pat Morita fan and this show is the one that I'm the least familiar with from the list. Is it deserving of its bad rep?

icecream · 04-28-2010, 04:55 PM

I liked Emeril, it's better than any of NBC's current comedies.

Mr. Television · 04-28-2010, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Just wondering, has anyone here seen "Mr. T and Tina"?

I'm asking cause I'm a Pat Morita fan and this show is the one that I'm the least familiar with from the list. Is it deserving of its bad rep?

I did see the first episode when it originally aired but I don't remember much about it. I know that I didn't think it was funny so I didn't watch it again.

Jude The Obscure · 04-28-2010, 07:20 PM

Give me The Ropers any day over what passes for sitcoms these days.

bencasey · 04-29-2010, 03:44 PM

If you included made for syndication garbage, which obviously they did as they included Small Wonder, then you have to include The Munsters Today, which had to be the worst show I've ever seen. Going back to the 60s, you have to include Ugliest Girl in Town, Grindl and The Tammy Grimes Show. All awful.

HuntingtonM15 · 04-29-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

i liked veronica;s closet

Same here

Jude The Obscure · 04-29-2010, 10:47 PM

I agree that The Munsters Today is far far far worse than the Ropers or even Small Wonder!

Torgo · 04-30-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Just wondering, has anyone here seen "Mr. T and Tina"?

I'm asking cause I'm a Pat Morita fan and this show is the one that I'm the least familiar with from the list. Is it deserving of its bad rep?

I can remember watching it, but I can't really remember what I thought of the show. I guess that doesn't say much for the show. Then again I was 6.

Torgo · 04-30-2010, 08:50 AM

I don't think Small Wonder belongs on there. Most people I know who remember the show have fond memories of it. I don't recall anyone ever saying they hated the show- even those who considered it a "bad" show loved watching it because of that.

Homeboys From Outerspace, I do remember watching an episode of this and it was bad.

04-26-2010, 08:21 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,153	TVSquad: "Six Sitcoms Even a Sitcom Lover Would Hate" Six Sitcoms Even a Sitcom Lover Would Hate Posted Apr 26th 2010 by Bob Sassone I have a high tolerance level for sitcoms. Unless a sitcom is painfully bad, I can actually get some enjoyment out of it. So yes, that means that if I were to make a list of the worst sitcoms of all-time, even shows like "According To Jim", "Yes, Dear", and "Joey" wouldn't make the list. They just wouldn't. They're not among the best sitcoms ever made, but they also aren't the awful, painful, boy-was-that-a-bad-idea sitcoms we could all name. Like these six shows. They're not just unfunny, they're not pleasant or interesting or "cute" or any other word we try to use when trying to find something good about a sitcom either. They're just...bad. Not even someone who loves sitcoms could like these shows. *1. "Small Wonder" (1985-1989)* Is this the worst sitcom ever made, bad enough to make it to number one on this list? I don't know; there have been so many bad sitcoms over the years. But when I thought of this list it's the first show I thought of, so that has to count for something. It was about a inventor who creates a little girl robot, whose existence leads to predictable hijinks with family and friends. Imagine if "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie" didn't have any laughs in their entire runs. The only way this show could have been saved is if Vicki (which stood for "Voice Input Child Identicant") went crazy and decided to disobey Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics in a cruel, special effects-laden episode. In the picture above it looks like she's about to go all Terminator, but alas, that was just her expression. *2. "Mr. T and Tina" (1976)* No, this had nothing to do with Mr. T from "The A-Team". This one starred Pat Morita from "Happy Days", Susan Blanchard, and Ted Lange, who would shortly go on to better things with "The Love Boat". Morita also played an inventor, so maybe it's the occupation. Just awful. *3. "Homeboys in Outer Space" (1996-1997)* Why is this on the list? All you have to do is look at the title and then look at this video. *4. "The Ropers" (1979-1980)* This was a classic example of taking two beloved characters from a successful sitcom and giving them their own show. But it's also the classic example of why you shouldn't do that. Supporting characters are supporting characters for a reason, and if they're brought to the front, well, you see how unpleasant they are. *5. "Emeril" (2001)* Sadly, this was the last TV series that Robert Urich did before he passed away. But he was fine. What was bad about "Emeril"? EVERYTHING ELSE. I think it all started when someone at NBC decided, "Hey, Emeril Lagasse's audience loves it when he throws garlic into a large pot, why don't we build a sitcom around him?" It lasted for ten episodes, which was nine episodes too many. *6. "Veronica's Closet" (1997-2000)* Not only was this show remarkably unfunny, I remember thinking to myself, "this show is taking up space that another sitcom could fill." Sure, you could say that about 75% of NBC's Thursday night sitcom failures, but this one was particularly lame and stale. "Jesse" and "Suddenly Susan" were "Arrested Development" compared to this. http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/04/26/si...er-would-hate/

04-26-2010, 09:43 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	That is quite a depressing list.
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04-26-2010, 10:42 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	"The Ropers" has no business being on a "worst sitcoms" list. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it is vastly superior to all the other drek listed here.
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04-26-2010, 11:01 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Small Wonder and the Ropers don't belong on that list.
	__________________ Sonny

04-28-2010, 04:55 PM	#8
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,815	I liked Emeril, it's better than any of NBC's current comedies.
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04-26-2010, 11:42 PM	#6
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	i liked veronica;s closet

04-27-2010, 11:52 PM	#7
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,153	Just wondering, has anyone here seen "Mr. T and Tina"? I'm asking cause I'm a Pat Morita fan and this show is the one that I'm the least familiar with from the list. Is it deserving of its bad rep?

04-28-2010, 07:20 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Give me The Ropers any day over what passes for sitcoms these days.

04-29-2010, 03:44 PM	#11
bencasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: Long Beach Posts: 1,692	If you included made for syndication garbage, which obviously they did as they included Small Wonder, then you have to include The Munsters Today, which had to be the worst show I've ever seen. Going back to the 60s, you have to include Ugliest Girl in Town, Grindl and The Tammy Grimes Show. All awful.

04-29-2010, 10:47 PM	#13
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I agree that The Munsters Today is far far far worse than the Ropers or even Small Wonder!

04-30-2010, 08:50 AM	#15
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	I don't think Small Wonder belongs on there. Most people I know who remember the show have fond memories of it. I don't recall anyone ever saying they hated the show- even those who considered it a "bad" show loved watching it because of that. Homeboys From Outerspace, I do remember watching an episode of this and it was bad.