Shows with a Lot of Potential But Fell Flat... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 05-15-2010, 12:00 AM

Either they were cancelled way before they should have been or the writing just turned bad.

For me:

Sliders (1995-1999) - I loved this show. It had a wonderful cast, funny episodes, great premise. It seemed perfect. Except it was far from perfect. After two half seasons, the creator of the show (Tracy Torme) had to leave. The new staff working behind the scenes just didn't get this show at all. The writing was awful, three of the original four cast members departed the series (at different times) and the show just lost it's heart. For a show with loads of possibilities, this show didn't do anything.

Firefly (2002) - This show was great. However, with 14 episodes in the can, FOX cancelled it. Luckily they made a movie a few years later to wrap up the storylines, but this excellent show should have been around for five seasons or more.

Birds of Prey (2002-2003) - Another wonderful show that was cancelled by the WB after just 13 episodes. A true shame.

Andy Richter Controls the Universe (2002-2003) - One of the funniest shows I have ever seen in my life. This show had so much potential, but yet was cut tragically short due to FOX (and low ratings).

What else?

catlover79 · 05-15-2010, 12:14 AM

I agree about Firefly - never saw the others. My vote goes to Back To You (2007-08) - though the Writers' Strike didn't help matters.

treky · 05-15-2010, 01:58 AM

"BACK TO YOU"-Fox, 2007 or 8 (whatever year the writers strike was)

catlover79 · 05-15-2010, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

"BACK TO YOU"-Fox, 2007 or 8 (whatever year the writers strike was)

That's the correct year - the 2007-08 season!

tv star collector · 05-15-2010, 08:54 AM

I actually have a long list of favorites that were, regrettably, short-lived:

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.
Firefly
Heroes
The Invisible Man (2000-2002)
Life Is Wild
The Lone Gunmen
The Magnificent Seven
Moonlight
Relic Hunter
Roswell
Sledge Hammer!
Tales of the Gold Monkey
Tru Calling
Werewolf
Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

Retro4Life · 05-15-2010, 10:13 AM

I'd add:

Heroes
M.A.N.T.I.S.
The Others
American Gothic
Fantastic Journey (70's)

MickeyMac · 05-15-2010, 03:05 PM

There was this one show that NBC showed in the 1980's that was supposed to be like the Golden Girls with Loni Anderson, and two older men. NBC really promoted it, but it fell flat.

Anybody remember that show and the title???

Retro4Life · 05-15-2010, 03:06 PM

Easy Street.

I agree, it had a lot of potential.

spunkygirl · 05-15-2010, 05:53 PM

Adventures of Brisco County Jr

WB's Tarzan(I LOVED this show)

waichingliu81 · 05-15-2010, 08:28 PM

most of these shows interestingly enough are favourites of mine

hangin' with mr cooper- started well but by season 3, 4 lost its way slightly with geneva and nicole and without robin

caroline in the city- fans disliked seasons 3, 4, although i liked 3 and 4 wasn't too bad. but the last few eps of season 4 ruined the series for me.

ugly betty- loved season 1 (still my fav), season 2 and beyond was when the quality went downhill. hated season 2 myself, quite enjoyed season 3, which most people panned, and season 4 was ok. without marc and amanda in season 4, despite the writing getting better, ugly betty for me stopped being completely funny.

in the house- debbie allen was a riot as jackie but when her character and austin left, the show lost its spark afterwards and never recovered. especially when kim wayans and alfonso ribeiro- carlton in fresh prince- joined in season 3.

catlover79 · 05-15-2010, 08:36 PM

I'll also add Providence (NBC, 1999-2002). I think there were still a lot of stories to be told before the network yanked the plug unexpectedly.

Mr. Television · 05-15-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I'll also add Providence (NBC, 1999-2002). I think there were still a lot of stories to be told before the network yanked the plug unexpectedly.

Providence was a good show. Back then they actually programed good shows on Fridays.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Norm and Titus both died before their time.

James · 05-15-2010, 08:44 PM

"Our House" - NBC (1986-88)

"State of Grace" - ABC Family (2001-02)

"Three Wishes" - NBC (fall 2005)

R.jsheedy · 05-15-2010, 08:48 PM

Til Death, Writiers Strike And Adding J.B Smove Didn't Help... Just Should Have Stuck With It's Original Premisist!!!

Adamantium · 05-15-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.jsheedy

Til Death, Writiers Strike And Adding J.B Smove Didn't Help... Just Should Have Stuck With It's Original Premisist!!!

Yeah that's another one. It's like the show has four seasons in the bank, but of the original premise for the series, only two. And the premise was fading by the end of season two with the addition of J.B. Smoove. I mean I still liked the show, but I thought Jeff Woodcock was getting funnier as it went along, and then all of a sudden he's gone.

I also agree about "In the House." I loved that show, and really missed Jackie and Austin.

05-15-2010, 12:00 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	Shows with a Lot of Potential But Fell Flat... Either they were cancelled way before they should have been or the writing just turned bad. For me: Sliders (1995-1999) - I loved this show. It had a wonderful cast, funny episodes, great premise. It seemed perfect. Except it was far from perfect. After two half seasons, the creator of the show (Tracy Torme) had to leave. The new staff working behind the scenes just didn't get this show at all. The writing was awful, three of the original four cast members departed the series (at different times) and the show just lost it's heart. For a show with loads of possibilities, this show didn't do anything. Firefly (2002) - This show was great. However, with 14 episodes in the can, FOX cancelled it. Luckily they made a movie a few years later to wrap up the storylines, but this excellent show should have been around for five seasons or more. Birds of Prey (2002-2003) - Another wonderful show that was cancelled by the WB after just 13 episodes. A true shame. Andy Richter Controls the Universe (2002-2003) - One of the funniest shows I have ever seen in my life. This show had so much potential, but yet was cut tragically short due to FOX (and low ratings). What else?

05-15-2010, 12:14 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I agree about Firefly - never saw the others. My vote goes to Back To You (2007-08) - though the Writers' Strike didn't help matters.
	__________________ "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

05-15-2010, 01:58 AM	#3
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	"BACK TO YOU"-Fox, 2007 or 8 (whatever year the writers strike was)
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

05-15-2010, 08:54 AM	#5
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	I actually have a long list of favorites that were, regrettably, short-lived: The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. Firefly Heroes The Invisible Man (2000-2002) Life Is Wild The Lone Gunmen The Magnificent Seven Moonlight Relic Hunter Roswell Sledge Hammer! Tales of the Gold Monkey Tru Calling Werewolf Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
	Last edited by tv star collector; 05-15-2010 at 04:03 PM.

05-15-2010, 10:13 AM	#6
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I'd add: Heroes M.A.N.T.I.S. The Others American Gothic Fantastic Journey (70's)
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-15-2010, 03:05 PM	#7
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	There was this one show that NBC showed in the 1980's that was supposed to be like the Golden Girls with Loni Anderson, and two older men. NBC really promoted it, but it fell flat. Anybody remember that show and the title???

05-15-2010, 03:06 PM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Easy Street. I agree, it had a lot of potential.

05-15-2010, 05:53 PM	#9
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Adventures of Brisco County Jr WB's Tarzan(I LOVED this show)

05-15-2010, 08:28 PM	#10
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	most of these shows interestingly enough are favourites of mine hangin' with mr cooper- started well but by season 3, 4 lost its way slightly with geneva and nicole and without robin caroline in the city- fans disliked seasons 3, 4, although i liked 3 and 4 wasn't too bad. but the last few eps of season 4 ruined the series for me. ugly betty- loved season 1 (still my fav), season 2 and beyond was when the quality went downhill. hated season 2 myself, quite enjoyed season 3, which most people panned, and season 4 was ok. without marc and amanda in season 4, despite the writing getting better, ugly betty for me stopped being completely funny. in the house- debbie allen was a riot as jackie but when her character and austin left, the show lost its spark afterwards and never recovered. especially when kim wayans and alfonso ribeiro- carlton in fresh prince- joined in season 3.

05-15-2010, 08:36 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I'll also add Providence (NBC, 1999-2002). I think there were still a lot of stories to be told before the network yanked the plug unexpectedly.

05-15-2010, 08:44 PM	#13
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	"Our House" - NBC (1986-88) "State of Grace" - ABC Family (2001-02) "Three Wishes" - NBC (fall 2005)

05-15-2010, 08:48 PM	#14
R.jsheedy Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2008 Posts: 1,035	Til Death, Writiers Strike And Adding J.B Smove Didn't Help... Just Should Have Stuck With It's Original Premisist!!!