Shows that jumped the shark the worst - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

counrfk · 10-16-2017, 03:56 PM

"Roseanne" is one of the worst jump the shark shows. Once they won the lottery, that show went to **** City. Season 9 sucked big time. It was going downhill after about 5 seasons, but the lottery totally and Dan dying totally ruined it. It did a complete 180: from the best thing on TV to the worst thing on TV.

"All in the Family" is another. It should have ended when Mike and Gloria moved to California. That scene was so touching, and that should have been the series finale. Once they brought in that Stephanie girl, and Edith died, and Gloria had an affair, etc., the show sucked.

"Good Times" went to hell as soon as they fired John Amos. I only watch the episodes with James/John Amos. After that, the show was awful.

"Petticoat Junction" was bad after Bea Benederet died.

"One Day at a Time" turned horrible after Mackenzie Phillips was fired the second time for drug use.

"The Wonder Years" got bad after Kevin got older and became a jerk. The original premise was gone after 5 seasons, and there should not have been a 6th season.

"Gimme a Break!" went to hell when Dolph Sweet/the Chief passed away. Then it became all about Nell and Addy, and it was boring.

What others?

RetroGuy2000 · 10-16-2017, 06:05 PM

Roseanne - as you say, the lottery season was the absolute worst.
Gimme a Break - definitely the Chief's death ruined this show.
The Cosby Show - "Cousin Pam" killed it for me.
The Brady Bunch - "Cousin Oliver"
The Simpsons - Season Nine
The Facts of Life - they leave Eastland, Mrs. G opens a bakery, and everyone works there
Charles in Charge - the replacement family
Family Matters - it became the Urkel Show, and family members started disappearing
Little House on the Prairie - fake "Albert Ingalls" is adopted, and any attempt at depicting the real Ingalls family is jettisoned, as scripts began focusing on sick, demented storylines. A mime rapes Albert Ingalls' fictional girlfriend, Mary's fictional baby is killed in a fire, etc.
MASH - Alan Alda takes over
Grace Under Fire - they replace the older son
Bewitched - Second Darren, and re-doing existing episodes
Married With Children - Seven, and the imaginary pregnancy
Growing Pains - Luke
Diff'rent Strokes - Kimberly and Willis are barely seen anymore
Angel - Season Four, and the grossness of Cordelia/Conner
Step By Step - Brendan is shown the door. Shame on Miller-Boyett!

Torgo · 10-16-2017, 07:19 PM

Happy Days (Jumped the shark multiple times)
Laverne & Shirley (move to California)

RetroGuy2000 · 10-16-2017, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Happy Days (Jumped the shark multiple times)
Laverne & Shirley (move to California)

I must agree.

Retro4Life · 10-16-2017, 11:14 PM

Welcome Back, Kotter: After Barbarino was reduced to a few episodes, and Gabe was a guest star on his own show, it was honestly terrible.

All in the Family: See above post.

Roseanne: there are no words for the final season.

Frasier: once they forgot he had a radio show, and emphasized the Niles/Daphne relationship, the show was done for me. They also forgot that Frasier was intelligent, and just made him a love crazy buffoon.

Seinfeld: After Larry David left, the gas was gone.

RetroGuy2000 · 10-16-2017, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Roseanne: there are no words for the final season.

I can think of a few...

treky · 10-17-2017, 12:28 AM

HAPPY DAYS-when it became "the Fonzie show" they added that super-annoying live audience, and they changed the setting from the 50s to the late 70s/early 80s with a little bit of the 50s mixed in.

MASH-twice; when it became "the Alan Alda show" then when Radar left.

LAVERNE & SHIRLEY-when they moved to California and half the town moved with them.

icecream · 10-17-2017, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Welcome Back, Kotter: After Barbarino was reduced to a few episodes, and Gabe was a guest star on his own show, it was honestly terrible.

I know John Travolta left because he was getting popular in movies, but why did Gabe Kaplan leave?

icecream · 10-17-2017, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Happy Days (Jumped the shark multiple times)

It was literally jumping the shark. We would not have that term without Happy Days.

icecream · 10-17-2017, 12:57 AM

Night Court- Lisette was an awful character in the last 2 seasons, her voice and gasp were really irritating.
Without a Trace- the original cast of 5 was very good. But Roselyn Sanchez was a lousy addition.
7th Heaven- 1st 6 seasons were the best. It had minor shark jumps when the awful twin actors were added to the cast, and I did not care for Ashlee Simpson. Kevin was a great addition though, and Megan Henning is one of the pictures on my fridge. Season 11 was a complete shark jump, it should have ended with the original series finale on the WB. Only watchable episode from that season was the Christmas one.
The Waltons- seasons 1-7 had top notch acting and writing. The last 2 fell apart for many reasons. Rose, Jeffrey, and Serena joining the cast, Olivia then John leaving, and getting John-Boy recast, he should have just remained mentioned and unseen if Richard Thomas couldn't come back. Also the 3 episodes I really hate are from then, the 2-parter where Curt is found alive but his character is ruined, and the episode where Ike's past adultery is revealed.
Different Strokes- Maggie and especially Sam were annoying additions. and as another poster mentioned, Kimberly and Willis had largely reduced roles.
Under the Dome- First 2 seasons were some of the best sci-fi ever made. Season 3 was completely ruined with the addition of Marg Helgenberger and her friend.
ABC's current Pyramid revival hosted by Michael Strahan. Dick Clark would be rolling over in his grave at how needlessly trashy this version is.
Andy Griffith color episodes

Tubehead · 10-17-2017, 01:03 AM

mine would be:
happy days
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
touch by an angle
7th heaven
fresh prince of bel air
full house

Furienna · 10-18-2017, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The Cosby Show - "Cousin Pam" killed it for me.

I liked Pam. She injected some new life into the show, and it was like she felt more real to me than what the Huxtable kids were. Olivia was much worse than Pam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Family Matters - it became the Urkel Show, and family members started disappearing.

I will agree that getting rid of Judy was awful. But it made sense that Rachel and Estelle didn't live in the house forever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Step By Step - Brendan is shown the door. Shame on Miller-Boyett!

So you missed him? I presume that most people didn't even notice that he was gone.

RetroGuy2000 · 10-18-2017, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furienna

I liked Pam. She injected some new life into the show, and it was like she felt more real to me than what the Huxtable kids were. Olivia was much worse than Pam.

Thanks for your post. I must respectfully disagree, Furienna.

We never even heard of "Cousin Pam" until she suddenly showed up at the Huxtables' door. And yet, we should have been hearing about her during the previous six seasons, because presumably she existed, and she wasn't a deep, dark secret. No one had as much as mentioned her, ever.

The reason we didn't hear of Olivia is because Denise had just gotten married, and didn't tell her parents. This creates the conflict at the beginning of Season Six.

"Cousin Pam" is the result of lazy writing; writing which shows the plot holes. Olivia is the result of a clever story idea which resulted in many interesting storylines for Denise, one of the more interesting of the Cosby kids: Denise is married, Denise and Martin have to look for a house, Denise decides to work with kids... Olivia is a part of a pretty slick storyline.

"Cousin Pam" can't hold a candle to Denise.

Also, it wasn't just the annoying "Cousin Pam", but her equally annoying friends: Charmaine, Lance, and... umm... What's His Name. I didn't tune in to the Cosby Show to see random nobodies steal screen time from the Huxtables!

I will admit that sometimes Olivia was a bit too precocious, but she was just one character, not a whole gang of random non-Huxtables stealing my valuable TV-watching time with their nonsense.

Quote:

I will agree that getting rid of Judy was awful. But it made sense that Rachel and Estelle didn't live in the house forever.

Estelle was settled down in the Winslow house. And although it made sense, as you say, for Rachel to eventually move out, she rarely appeared after she moved out, as Urkel stole more and more of the spotlight.

Glad you agree about Judy. I still can't believe they Chuck Cunninghammed her.

Quote:

So you missed him? I presume that most people didn't even notice that he was gone.

Yes, I missed Brendan. I also missed Cody, Penny, and Ivy. Flash and Lily and Bronson Pinchot were tacked on so very badly at the end of the series.

And presumably, the audience felt the same way as me: the show's decline in the ratings during the last season doomed it.

visaman666 · 10-30-2017, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

I know John Travolta left because he was getting popular in movies, but why did Gabe Kaplan leave?

Marcia Strassman, Mrs. Kotter, had a huge ego, and thought she was the star of the show, and complained to the Press that her character had nothing to do. Kaplan had enough and tried to end the show, but the Network refused, so he walked.

treky · 10-31-2017, 12:05 AM

you never know what's true and not true in these "inside Hollywood" stories.

10-16-2017, 03:56 PM	#1
counrfk Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 12, 2017 Posts: 136	Shows that jumped the shark the worst "Roseanne" is one of the worst jump the shark shows. Once they won the lottery, that show went to **** City. Season 9 sucked big time. It was going downhill after about 5 seasons, but the lottery totally and Dan dying totally ruined it. It did a complete 180: from the best thing on TV to the worst thing on TV. "All in the Family" is another. It should have ended when Mike and Gloria moved to California. That scene was so touching, and that should have been the series finale. Once they brought in that Stephanie girl, and Edith died, and Gloria had an affair, etc., the show sucked. "Good Times" went to hell as soon as they fired John Amos. I only watch the episodes with James/John Amos. After that, the show was awful. "Petticoat Junction" was bad after Bea Benederet died. "One Day at a Time" turned horrible after Mackenzie Phillips was fired the second time for drug use. "The Wonder Years" got bad after Kevin got older and became a jerk. The original premise was gone after 5 seasons, and there should not have been a 6th season. "Gimme a Break!" went to hell when Dolph Sweet/the Chief passed away. Then it became all about Nell and Addy, and it was boring. What others?

10-16-2017, 06:05 PM	#2
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Roseanne - as you say, the lottery season was the absolute worst. Gimme a Break - definitely the Chief's death ruined this show. The Cosby Show - "Cousin Pam" killed it for me. The Brady Bunch - "Cousin Oliver" The Simpsons - Season Nine The Facts of Life - they leave Eastland, Mrs. G opens a bakery, and everyone works there Charles in Charge - the replacement family Family Matters - it became the Urkel Show, and family members started disappearing Little House on the Prairie - fake "Albert Ingalls" is adopted, and any attempt at depicting the real Ingalls family is jettisoned, as scripts began focusing on sick, demented storylines. A mime rapes Albert Ingalls' fictional girlfriend, Mary's fictional baby is killed in a fire, etc. MASH - Alan Alda takes over Grace Under Fire - they replace the older son Bewitched - Second Darren, and re-doing existing episodes Married With Children - Seven, and the imaginary pregnancy Growing Pains - Luke Diff'rent Strokes - Kimberly and Willis are barely seen anymore Angel - Season Four, and the grossness of Cordelia/Conner Step By Step - Brendan is shown the door. Shame on Miller-Boyett!
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

10-16-2017, 07:19 PM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	Happy Days (Jumped the shark multiple times) Laverne & Shirley (move to California)
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

10-16-2017, 11:14 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Welcome Back, Kotter: After Barbarino was reduced to a few episodes, and Gabe was a guest star on his own show, it was honestly terrible. All in the Family: See above post. Roseanne: there are no words for the final season. Frasier: once they forgot he had a radio show, and emphasized the Niles/Daphne relationship, the show was done for me. They also forgot that Frasier was intelligent, and just made him a love crazy buffoon. Seinfeld: After Larry David left, the gas was gone.
	__________________ 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."

10-17-2017, 12:28 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	HAPPY DAYS-when it became "the Fonzie show" they added that super-annoying live audience, and they changed the setting from the 50s to the late 70s/early 80s with a little bit of the 50s mixed in. MASH-twice; when it became "the Alan Alda show" then when Radar left. LAVERNE & SHIRLEY-when they moved to California and half the town moved with them.
	__________________ 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."

10-17-2017, 12:57 AM	#10
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,836	Night Court- Lisette was an awful character in the last 2 seasons, her voice and gasp were really irritating. Without a Trace- the original cast of 5 was very good. But Roselyn Sanchez was a lousy addition. 7th Heaven- 1st 6 seasons were the best. It had minor shark jumps when the awful twin actors were added to the cast, and I did not care for Ashlee Simpson. Kevin was a great addition though, and Megan Henning is one of the pictures on my fridge. Season 11 was a complete shark jump, it should have ended with the original series finale on the WB. Only watchable episode from that season was the Christmas one. The Waltons- seasons 1-7 had top notch acting and writing. The last 2 fell apart for many reasons. Rose, Jeffrey, and Serena joining the cast, Olivia then John leaving, and getting John-Boy recast, he should have just remained mentioned and unseen if Richard Thomas couldn't come back. Also the 3 episodes I really hate are from then, the 2-parter where Curt is found alive but his character is ruined, and the episode where Ike's past adultery is revealed. Different Strokes- Maggie and especially Sam were annoying additions. and as another poster mentioned, Kimberly and Willis had largely reduced roles. Under the Dome- First 2 seasons were some of the best sci-fi ever made. Season 3 was completely ruined with the addition of Marg Helgenberger and her friend. ABC's current Pyramid revival hosted by Michael Strahan. Dick Clark would be rolling over in his grave at how needlessly trashy this version is. Andy Griffith color episodes

10-17-2017, 01:03 AM	#11
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	mine would be: happy days Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman touch by an angle 7th heaven fresh prince of bel air full house

10-31-2017, 12:05 AM	#15
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	you never know what's true and not true in these "inside Hollywood" stories.