Sitcom Bombs: A Guide to the Most Forgettable TV Comedies Book Review - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 08-25-2010, 04:05 PM

Before "Friends", in what situation comedy flops did Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Matthew Perry appear? Which sitcoms were canceled after only a single episode? What sitcom bomb was described by one critic as "Will & Graceless"? Which Oscar-winning actress made her TV series debut in a comedy that lasted just four episodes? The answers to these questions and other fascinating facts are found in "Sitcom Bombs: A Guide to the Most Forgettable TV Comedies." From "A.E.S. Hudson Street" to "Zorro and Son", from comedies about a talking dog and a 1300 year-old dragon, to shows featuring a bisexual Abraham Lincoln and a gay congressman, "Sitcom Bombs" details over 140 situation comedies that disappeared from TV almost as quickly as they appeared. The book describes sitcoms that lasted for less than six episodes, who created and starred in them, and what became of the actors and creators after their shows were canceled

Read my review here:
http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2010/0...-guide-to.html

Purchase the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...daysonline3-20

What are all your all-time favorite or least favorite sitcom bombs? How many have you seen episodes of?

I enjoyed Working Stiffs, Crumbs and Kitchen Confidential. I've probably seen episodes of around 20 of the sitcoms that are covered in the book.

catlover79 · 08-25-2010, 04:07 PM

Sounds like a fun read! I will definitely keep my eyes out for it. Thanks for that info!!

P.S. "A.E.S. Hudson Street" to "Zorro and Son"...two shows that starred a certain gentleman by the initials G.S.

Marvo301 · 08-25-2010, 04:15 PM

Sounds like a fun and informative book!

catlover79 · 08-25-2010, 04:27 PM

To answer your original question, Todd, I saw all 5 episodes of A.E.S. Hudson Street and enjoyed that show.

But to be fair, I don't think low ratings and the writing were the only factors that tanked that show. I found out something else that happened during A.E.S.' short run:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=262633

I see Common Law made the list! That makes THREE shows on the list that Gregory Sierra starred in.

comedyfreak · 08-26-2010, 05:46 AM

Looks like they don't even mention The Ugliest Girl In Town which I believe came on during the late 60's or very early 70's. Also Chopper one and Chase along with The Nightstalker also not mentioned.

catlover79 · 08-26-2010, 12:01 PM

Surprised that Inside Schwartz and Emeril didn't make the cut.

Marvo301 · 08-27-2010, 05:03 PM

I ordered a copy of this book from Amazon.ca yesterday. Can't wait to read it!

DSfan · 08-28-2010, 01:00 AM

I always thought Welcome to the Captain was a good show that should have lasted longer than it did (about 5 episodes I think).

Marvo301 · 08-28-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSfan

I always thought Welcome to the Captain was a good show that should have lasted longer than it did (about 5 episodes I think).

I agree!

joan davis fan · 08-28-2010, 03:25 PM

I hope this book isn't like the book "TV Turkeys" that had came out several years ago. "TV Turkeys was chock full of misleading info. Example the infamous ABC-TV "Turn-ON"..

*The Cleveland ABC affiliate had sent ABC a telegram telling them if they must write dirty words don't use our walls ( or something similar )..

*The Denver ABC affiliate was so upset at Turn-ON that the show was taken off the air before the end of the broadcast.

*According to a "settlement" between the sposnor and ABC, Turn-ON is locked up and it is never to be seen again.

...ah all of the above was FALSE !!

Then again ever since that bio of Wolfman Jack that turned out to be 90% false( even his closest friends admitted to it ) and despite being written by the Wolfman himself, I have to admit most books that I have read since then it does seem like they are doing their homework and checking out facts....hopefully the authors of this book had done the same.

catlover79 · 08-28-2010, 03:33 PM

^ I know what you mean. Hopefully, the author of this book did his homework.

factsoflife · 08-28-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSfan

I always thought Welcome to the Captain was a good show that should have lasted longer than it did (about 5 episodes I think).

i agree!

catlover79 · 08-28-2010, 08:58 PM

I've never even heard of Welcome to the Captain.

Marvo301 · 08-28-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I've never even heard of Welcome to the Captain.

Welcome to the Captain ran for 5 episodes in the fall of 2008. It was about a young writer (Fran Kranz) who moved into a legendary Hollywood apartment building called The El Capitain (aka The Captain). Other residents were played by Chris Klein, Al Madrigal, Jeffrey Tambor, Joanna Garcia, and Raquel Welch.

waichingliu81 · 08-28-2010, 09:19 PM

i just recently saw episodes of up all night with patti labelle, vivicia a fox, morris chestnut and on you tube- from what i've seen i enjoyed it. it lasted 1 season.

08-25-2010, 04:05 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,648	Sitcom Bombs: A Guide to the Most Forgettable TV Comedies Book Review Before "Friends", in what situation comedy flops did Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Matthew Perry appear? Which sitcoms were canceled after only a single episode? What sitcom bomb was described by one critic as "Will & Graceless"? Which Oscar-winning actress made her TV series debut in a comedy that lasted just four episodes? The answers to these questions and other fascinating facts are found in "Sitcom Bombs: A Guide to the Most Forgettable TV Comedies." From "A.E.S. Hudson Street" to "Zorro and Son", from comedies about a talking dog and a 1300 year-old dragon, to shows featuring a bisexual Abraham Lincoln and a gay congressman, "Sitcom Bombs" details over 140 situation comedies that disappeared from TV almost as quickly as they appeared. The book describes sitcoms that lasted for less than six episodes, who created and starred in them, and what became of the actors and creators after their shows were canceled Read my review here: http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2010/0...-guide-to.html Purchase the book here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...daysonline3-20 What are all your all-time favorite or least favorite sitcom bombs? How many have you seen episodes of? I enjoyed Working Stiffs, Crumbs and Kitchen Confidential. I've probably seen episodes of around 20 of the sitcoms that are covered in the book.

08-25-2010, 04:07 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Sounds like a fun read! I will definitely keep my eyes out for it. Thanks for that info!! P.S. "A.E.S. Hudson Street" to "Zorro and Son"...two shows that starred a certain gentleman by the initials G.S.
	__________________ "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

08-25-2010, 04:15 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Sounds like a fun and informative book!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

08-26-2010, 05:46 AM	#5
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	Looks like they don't even mention The Ugliest Girl In Town which I believe came on during the late 60's or very early 70's. Also Chopper one and Chase along with The Nightstalker also not mentioned.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

08-25-2010, 04:27 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	To answer your original question, Todd, I saw all 5 episodes of A.E.S. Hudson Street and enjoyed that show. But to be fair, I don't think low ratings and the writing were the only factors that tanked that show. I found out something else that happened during A.E.S.' short run: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=262633 I see Common Law made the list! That makes THREE shows on the list that Gregory Sierra starred in.

08-26-2010, 12:01 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Surprised that Inside Schwartz and Emeril didn't make the cut.

08-27-2010, 05:03 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I ordered a copy of this book from Amazon.ca yesterday. Can't wait to read it!

08-28-2010, 01:00 AM	#8
DSfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,204	I always thought Welcome to the Captain was a good show that should have lasted longer than it did (about 5 episodes I think).

08-28-2010, 03:25 PM	#10
joan davis fan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 07, 2002 Posts: 179	I hope this book isn't like the book "TV Turkeys" that had came out several years ago. "TV Turkeys was chock full of misleading info. Example the infamous ABC-TV "Turn-ON".. The Cleveland ABC affiliate had sent ABC a telegram telling them if they must write dirty words don't use our walls ( or something similar ).. The Denver ABC affiliate was so upset at Turn-ON that the show was taken off the air before the end of the broadcast. *According to a "settlement" between the sposnor and ABC, Turn-ON is locked up and it is never to be seen again. ...ah all of the above was FALSE !! Then again ever since that bio of Wolfman Jack that turned out to be 90% false( even his closest friends admitted to it ) and despite being written by the Wolfman himself, I have to admit most books that I have read since then it does seem like they are doing their homework and checking out facts....hopefully the authors of this book had done the same.

08-28-2010, 03:33 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ I know what you mean. Hopefully, the author of this book did his homework.

08-28-2010, 08:58 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I've never even heard of Welcome to the Captain.

08-28-2010, 09:19 PM	#15
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	i just recently saw episodes of up all night with patti labelle, vivicia a fox, morris chestnut and on you tube- from what i've seen i enjoyed it. it lasted 1 season.