What shows were never a hit when they first ran...? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 05-29-2019, 01:29 AM

but have been a big hit in syndication? The only ones I can think of are THE BRADY BUNCH and THE ODD COUPLE. In fact THE ODD COUPLE was nearly cancelled by ABC at the end of each season of its 5-season run.

Heenan Fan · 05-29-2019, 01:53 AM

Taxi. The critics and the Accademy loved it, but the ratings were poor because Judd Hirch and the Alex character was so horrible. Taxi would later become a ratings grabber on N@N in 1995.

howilu · 05-29-2019, 09:33 AM

One show that comes to mind is Leave it to Beaver. It didn't have high ratings throughout its six year run but became a cult classic in syndication.

Another show, though not a sitcom that became mega popular in reruns was Star Trek.

stevea · 05-29-2019, 10:32 AM

The Middle could not have been considered a hit, but performed well enough to be renewed for 9 seasons.

favoriteshow · 05-30-2019, 09:39 PM

King of Queens.

glickmam · 05-31-2019, 04:00 AM

WKRP in Cincinnati

LUNCH · 05-31-2019, 04:45 PM

In a way Gilligan Island.It did fairly well,but had they known what a big hit it would be in reruns they would have kept the show going for ten years or so.

treky · 06-01-2019, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glickmam

WKRP in Cincinnati

that's not what I heard; I heard it WAS a hit but CBS moved it around so much it's last 2 seasons and the ratings dwindled.

Yong Fang · 06-12-2019, 08:44 AM

A more recent example I think would be Parks and Recreation which was always on the bubble until it’s final two seasons. It was a cult show and the critics loved it and had a loyal fan base (me included) but every May for those six years it was like hoping Parks made the final cut for another season.

If this show was on FOX or CBS it would have been aborted the first season. Why I always have a soft spot for NBC, this network usually gives shows a chance to grow before killing it outright, mainly because the network has had longer lean years than say CBS and had no choice.

Yong Fang · 06-12-2019, 08:48 AM

I love Taxi. One of the best shows of all time and had some of the best performers in the show. Tony Danza included. Even Andy Kaufman was good in Taxi and I detested his other stuff.

What was wrong with Judd Hirsch? Alex was the central character and the heart of the show. He basically played the straight man to the other characters. Dear John was also a good show for its time.

Schmoopie · 06-12-2019, 11:08 AM

Seinfeld is one.

icecream · 06-12-2019, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Seinfeld is one.

Seinfeld wasn't a hit its first few seasons and was almost cancelled, but that immediately changed when Seinfeld replaced Cheers as NBC's Thursday night anchor fall 1993. Once that happened Seinfeld finished no lower than #3 for seasons 5-9, with two 2nd place finishes and two 1st place finishes.

glickmam · 06-14-2019, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

that's not what I heard; I heard it WAS a hit but CBS moved it around so much it's last 2 seasons and the ratings dwindled.

Actually, I think you're quite correct.

factsoflife · 06-17-2019, 10:29 PM

Sisters. It was never what you would call a massive hit. It was popular with certain demographics but was never a top 10 show. It was sort of just a moderate success that did well enough to get renewed each season.

Heenan Fan · 06-19-2019, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

I love Taxi. One of the best shows of all time and had some of the best performers in the show. Tony Danza included. Even Andy Kaufman was good in Taxi and I detested his other stuff.

What was wrong with Judd Hirsch? Alex was the central character and the heart of the show. He basically played the straight man to the other characters. Dear John was also a good show for its time.

I liked Taxi too, but Judd Hirsch was an albatross. Every character he played was exactly the same. The guy who helped everybody out. It's the reason Taxi and Dear John died. It really got bad in Taxi's season 3 when Alex turned Louie full fledged good guy. Garbage. Judd Hirsch sucks donkey balls!!

05-29-2019, 01:29 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	What shows were never a hit when they first ran...? but have been a big hit in syndication? The only ones I can think of are THE BRADY BUNCH and THE ODD COUPLE. In fact THE ODD COUPLE was nearly cancelled by ABC at the end of each season of its 5-season run.
	__________________ 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."

06-12-2019, 11:08 AM	#11
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Seinfeld is one.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-17-2019, 10:29 PM	#14
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,745	Sisters. It was never what you would call a massive hit. It was popular with certain demographics but was never a top 10 show. It was sort of just a moderate success that did well enough to get renewed each season.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

05-29-2019, 01:53 AM	#2
Heenan Fan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 19, 2016 Posts: 6,001	Taxi. The critics and the Accademy loved it, but the ratings were poor because Judd Hirch and the Alex character was so horrible. Taxi would later become a ratings grabber on N@N in 1995.

05-29-2019, 09:33 AM	#3
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,962	One show that comes to mind is Leave it to Beaver. It didn't have high ratings throughout its six year run but became a cult classic in syndication. Another show, though not a sitcom that became mega popular in reruns was Star Trek.

05-29-2019, 10:32 AM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,759	The Middle could not have been considered a hit, but performed well enough to be renewed for 9 seasons.

05-30-2019, 09:39 PM	#5
favoriteshow Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2018 Posts: 587	King of Queens.

05-31-2019, 04:00 AM	#6
glickmam Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 03, 2007 Posts: 661	WKRP in Cincinnati

05-31-2019, 04:45 PM	#7
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	In a way Gilligan Island.It did fairly well,but had they known what a big hit it would be in reruns they would have kept the show going for ten years or so.

06-12-2019, 08:44 AM	#9
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	A more recent example I think would be Parks and Recreation which was always on the bubble until it’s final two seasons. It was a cult show and the critics loved it and had a loyal fan base (me included) but every May for those six years it was like hoping Parks made the final cut for another season. If this show was on FOX or CBS it would have been aborted the first season. Why I always have a soft spot for NBC, this network usually gives shows a chance to grow before killing it outright, mainly because the network has had longer lean years than say CBS and had no choice.

06-12-2019, 08:48 AM	#10
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I love Taxi. One of the best shows of all time and had some of the best performers in the show. Tony Danza included. Even Andy Kaufman was good in Taxi and I detested his other stuff. What was wrong with Judd Hirsch? Alex was the central character and the heart of the show. He basically played the straight man to the other characters. Dear John was also a good show for its time.