Shows with absolutely no rewatch value whatsoever

[wiseguy182]

It's been occuring to me lately that this would be a relatively short list. Even the worst shows have their fans, sports and game shows can be relived for their excitement, newscasts have historic value, etc. What would be shows or specials that have zero rewatch value?

The only thing I can think of is "The Mystery Of Al Capone's Vault", which ironically, was one of the highest rated programs of the 80's. It was never reran and deservedly so and I can't imagine anyone on the planet wanting to relive that atrocity. The only reason I can think to ever re-air it would be to embarass Geraldo enough so that he would finally get out of our lives forever.

[ajgenard]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

It's been occuring to me lately that this would be a relatively short list. Even the worst shows have their fans, sports and game shows can be relived for their excitement, newscasts have historic value, etc. What would be shows or specials that have zero rewatch value?

The only thing I can think of is "The Mystery Of Al Capone's Vault", which ironically, was one of the highest rated programs of the 80's. It was never reran and deservedly so and I can't imagine anyone on the planet wanting to relive that atrocity. The only reason I can think to ever re-air it would be to embarass Geraldo enough so that he would finally get out of our lives forever.

The biggest offender would have to be daytime talk shows. Can you envision anyone sitting down to watch a 5 year-old episode of Dr. Oz? It's a volume business designed to be disposable entertainment. Same deal for morning shows like Good Morning America. Outside of an odd interview or segment here and there, the show is already gathering moss the next day. However I don't think late night talk shows fall victim to this, despite their volume, because the sheer entertainment value is way higher and material not quite as time sensitive.

Outside of daily talk shows, the shows with the absolute shortest shelf life are reality shows. And the crappier the reality show, the shorter the shelf life. Even monster hits of the genre like Survivor almost never see syndication. Jon and Kate Plus 8 might have been huge when it aired but who on earth wants to watch it now? So when a real crapfest like Fat March or Amish in the City comes down the pike, it's practically forgotten as soon as it airs. ZERO rewatchability.

There will always be an audience for scripted material regardless of its age. Shows that don't rely on exploiting a pathetic public figure or some form of over-hyping talentless hacks as genuine celebrities - the shows that place content above all - are the ones people will rewatch years down the road. Class and quality are timeless.

[wiseguy182]

I agree with that to an extent. I think most reality shows don't have any value NOW, so the rewatch value would be even less. Though I have enjoyed a few seasons of Survivor and am looking to get back into it. I will never tire of watching Greg Buis from the first season. Reruns did air on The Outdoor Channel for awhile, and several seasons have been released to dvd.

There are some topics on talk shows I could watch nowadays, particularly any with crazy guests like Madalyn Murray O'Hair or Club Kids, or hosts like Morton Downey Jr.. Also missing persons is a topic that fascinates me.

[Sal]

Another genre that tends to get seen only once is soap operas. How often do they get re-run anyway? Ironically, that only seems to add to their appeal and it explains why there are so many die-hard soap fans out there. You miss one episode and it's gone! That's it! You only get one chance to see it. If you miss it, it becomes harder to follow the plot. (I know, I know. What plot?? )

Today, in the era of 1000+ TV channels, PVRs and DVRs, and YouTube, Hulu, and others, you can watch soaps as often as you want and somehow it doesn't feel the same since a few popular long-running daytime soaps are now off the air. So, in a weird way, soap operas have become the exception to the re-watchability rule: the less you watch the better.

[comedyfreak]

Game shows and reality tv.

[ThomasE]

I just finished up watching the syndicated reruns of Sale of the Century and now it is back to rerunning again on GSN so, I already know who will win what. Plus, I DVR'd the really good episodes. LOL.

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by Sal

Another genre that tends to get seen only once is soap operas. How often do they get re-run anyway? Ironically, that only seems to add to their appeal and it explains why there are so many die-hard soap fans out there. You miss one episode and it's gone! That's it! You only get one chance to see it. If you miss it, it becomes harder to follow the plot. (I know, I know. What plot?? )

Today, in the era of 1000+ TV channels, PVRs and DVRs, and YouTube, Hulu, and others, you can watch soaps as often as you want and somehow it doesn't feel the same since a few popular long-running daytime soaps are now off the air. So, in a weird way, soap operas have become the exception to the re-watchability rule: the less you watch the better.

there is (or was recently) a soap opera network. Plus, I see requests for them from time to time in the trading post.

[ajgenard]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

there is (or was recently) a soap opera network. Plus, I see requests for them from time to time in the trading post.

This x1000 is why I wouldn't include soaps. Unlike the endless parade of daytime talk shows that have been gradually replacing them over the past 15-20 years, they still manage to have some fans who want to watch them even decades after they air. Again, sheer volume prevents most practical syndication or rerun oppurtunities, but as the trading post proves they still have rewatchability.

[mets82]

It seems like game shows get re ran constantly but thats really it. I mean you could argue old sports games get replayed but they cut a lot of the games out.

I also think its one's taste. Could you sit and watch an old episode of GMA from 1984? Probably not. Some people would like it and some wouldn't. I dont think I'd be able to watch a full episode from 1984. But if there was a certain segment that I was interested in, then I'd watch it.

[MickeyMac]

True Blood= utter garbage

[Mace Dolex]

Watching old football/basketball/soccer games, since you already know the outcome I don't see the point in re-watching them unless you're watching a retrospective documentary.

And some reality show like The Jersey Shore are still fun to watch but any garbage with the Kardashians should have the film prints thrown in acid.

[MacLeaper]

Watching old football/basketball/soccer games, since you already know the outcome I don't see the point in re-watching them unless you're watching a retrospective documentary.

With sporting events, it depends. Sometimes a sports fan may just want to relive the glory days for their favorite team or player.

But outside of some game shows that I do like and maybe some news shows, pretty much all the other shows listed here for the most part wouldn't have watchability for me in the first place. (I mean, I could watch them, but I would rather not. Thus, I'm really not going to rewatch them.)
I have actually seen some reruns of Family Feud lately though- GSN runs the show for 2 hours or so at a stretch it seems....they've actually cycled through episodes and I'm seeing some contestants show up that I remember seeing earlier- but that's cool because I didn't watch every single one of the episode when that cycle started. And sometimes certain families are just genuinely funny and it's neat to see those particular contestants on there again.

[mets82]

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Watching old football/basketball/soccer games, since you already know the outcome I don't see the point in re-watching them unless you're watching a retrospective documentary.

And some reality show like The Jersey Shore are still fun to watch but any garbage with the Kardashians should have the film prints thrown in acid.

How is the Jersey Shore fun to watch and not the Kardashians? If anything the Kardashians are tame compared to those guys. At least the Kardashians are not smoking,drinking,fighting and having sex, all over the place. I'm no holier than thou guy, but that could get sickening after a while.

[ThomasE]

If I had to choose a lesser between two evils, then it would have to be the Kardashians...and I don't even watch that.

[icecream]

Jersey Shore and The Kardashians are equally repulsive to me, I have no desire to watch either one.