What are popular shows that didn't actually have a cultural zeitgeist impact - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-23-2020, 06:09 AM

In other words, what are some at the time, popular shows whose popularity did not ultimately line up with their cultural impact. Shows that simple put, here huge at the time, but completely forgotten now.

By cultural zeitgeist impact, this essentially means so people ever quote the show? Did people write newspaper/magazine articles about it then or now? How are the Google search results if you Google said show? Are there any forums, merchandise (such as t-shirts), of memes for the show?

Like for example, how popular were they actually ratings wise for their time in history? Also, could the average person (especially someone who was of age when the show was originally on the air) today tell you about the show like the premise or the actors starring in it?

Perhaps most importantly or significantly, what was the syndication like over the years? Did it have legs after going off the air on other channels? Also, has it ever been officially released on home video/DVD/blu ray?

GentlemanJim · 08-23-2020, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

In other words, what are some at the time, popular shows whose popularity did not ultimately line up with their cultural impact. Shows that simple put, here huge at the time, but completely forgotten now.

By cultural zeitgeist impact, this essentially means so people ever quote the show?

Do you remember people saying "Pat Paulsen for President?" -Smother's Brothers Comedy Hour. They were at the pinnacle of what was considered "hip" at the time it was running.....but I have never seen it in syndication......and just doing a search for DVDs, I see that you can order them, but I have never seen them actually sitting on retail store shelves.

GentlemanJim · 08-23-2020, 11:44 AM

Although this show was never "huge",... the show "I'm Dickens, he's Fenster" did generate a lot of people mimicking the shows title during the one season that it ran....most likely because the characters were so quirky. I guess that gives the show "cult" status?

TSMIV · 08-23-2020, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

Do you remember people saying "Pat Paulsen for President?" -Smother's Brothers Comedy Hour. They were at the pinnacle of what was considered "hip" at the time it was running.....but I have never seen it in syndication......and just doing a search for DVDs, I see that you can order them, but I have never seen them actually sitting on retail store shelves.

The Smothers Brothers Hour was briefly on Nick at Nite. I remember watching a couple of episodes there probably in the early 90s.

GentlemanJim · 08-23-2020, 12:05 PM

How about 'The Bill Dana Show" with beloved bumbling icon, Jose Jimenez? I can't vouch for the absence of the Bill Dana show in syndication, but I've never seen it run anywhere.

GentlemanJim · 08-23-2020, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSMIV

The Smothers Brothers Hour was briefly on Nick at Nite. I remember watching a couple of episodes there probably in the early 90s.

That's good to know. I recall the 90's were the one episode in my life where I successfully cut the cord, and kept it cut.
I believe that Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour is best remembered now for who it offended, more so than actual quality of content.

I'd likely watch it again if someone picked it up.

Christopher · 08-23-2020, 12:19 PM

Desperate Housewives. Extremely popular during its run. It was referenced on a lot of shows. Never found its footing in syndication and it’s rarely ever talked about now. I don’t understand why because it has a talented cast and the stories weren’t bad. Just like every show it has its ups and downs.

TSMIV · 08-23-2020, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Desperate Housewives. Extremely popular during its run. It was referenced on a lot of shows. Never found its footing in syndication and it’s rarely ever talked about now. I don’t understand why because it has a talented cast and the stories weren’t bad. Just like every show it has its ups and downs.

That's a good example. I think soapy melodramas just don't do very well in reruns. Stuff like Dynasty, Knot's Landing, Falcon Crest, ThirtySomething, etc.. aren't seen in reruns. Dallas was the one exception that was pretty successful in syndication.

Mace Dolex · 08-23-2020, 04:22 PM

In would say many of the Norman Lear shows were never big in syndication, as a couch potato TV viewer in the 80's and 90's never did I once with maybe All In The Family did I see the other Lear shows in rerun listings that is until Nick at Note became a thing.

In fact if I wasn't a TV Guide reader I wouldn't know where the quotes "meathead" or "kiss my grits" came from.

08-23-2020, 06:09 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,621	What are popular shows that didn't actually have a cultural zeitgeist impact In other words, what are some at the time, popular shows whose popularity did not ultimately line up with their cultural impact. Shows that simple put, here huge at the time, but completely forgotten now. By cultural zeitgeist impact, this essentially means so people ever quote the show? Did people write newspaper/magazine articles about it then or now? How are the Google search results if you Google said show? Are there any forums, merchandise (such as t-shirts), of memes for the show? Like for example, how popular were they actually ratings wise for their time in history? Also, could the average person (especially someone who was of age when the show was originally on the air) today tell you about the show like the premise or the actors starring in it? Perhaps most importantly or significantly, what was the syndication like over the years? Did it have legs after going off the air on other channels? Also, has it ever been officially released on home video/DVD/blu ray?

08-23-2020, 11:44 AM	#3
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Although this show was never "huge",... the show "I'm Dickens, he's Fenster" did generate a lot of people mimicking the shows title during the one season that it ran....most likely because the characters were so quirky. I guess that gives the show "cult" status?

08-23-2020, 12:05 PM	#5
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	How about 'The Bill Dana Show" with beloved bumbling icon, Jose Jimenez? I can't vouch for the absence of the Bill Dana show in syndication, but I've never seen it run anywhere.

08-23-2020, 12:19 PM	#7
Christopher The OG Core Four Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2001 Posts: 14,833	Desperate Housewives. Extremely popular during its run. It was referenced on a lot of shows. Never found its footing in syndication and it’s rarely ever talked about now. I don’t understand why because it has a talented cast and the stories weren’t bad. Just like every show it has its ups and downs.

08-23-2020, 04:22 PM	#9
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,668	In would say many of the Norman Lear shows were never big in syndication, as a couch potato TV viewer in the 80's and 90's never did I once with maybe All In The Family did I see the other Lear shows in rerun listings that is until Nick at Note became a thing. In fact if I wasn't a TV Guide reader I wouldn't know where the quotes "meathead" or "kiss my grits" came from.