EW: "Worst Sitcom Titles Ever" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-25-2014, 02:14 AM

New Contender for Worst Sitcom Title Ever
by James Hibberd
Nov 24, 2014

The hallowed list of worst network sitcom titles ever might have a new contender: NBC is developing a comedy titled "#Winning". And if that name makes you wince, check out the dozen or so other famously bad sitcom titles below that are arguably worse.

The NBC project is inspired by an apparently true story where a trio of friends learned that their “suddenly famous pal broke up with their entire friend group via a form letter, leaving them more determined than ever to ‘win’ at life.”

Setting the concept aside, let’s take on that title (which could change—this project is only at the script stage and might not even make it to air).

First, the show risks being a sacrificial victim to the irony gods. It really has to be perfect to not have critics throwing up headlines like: “Not Exactly ‘#Winning.'”

Plus, “winning” enjoyed a usage spike during Charlie Sheen’s meltdown three years ago when the actor was fired from CBS’ "Two and a Half Men". Nowadays it’s far from trendy, yet is still vaguely associated with that mess (and the fact that Sheen is a former network sitcom star makes for bonus confusion when using the term for a new sitcom title).

And then there’s that hashtag. Haven’t networks learned from CBS’ "$#*! My Dad Says" and ABC’s "Selfie" yet? Broadcast TV trying using social media-inspired titles just feels like a dad dressing like a teenager.

"#Winning" has company. Here are at about a dozen sitcoms with notably lousy names (and a curiously outsized number have aired on ABC).

My Mother the Car (1965)

NBC's still infamous sitcom about a guy's car being the reincarnation of his dead mom.

The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968)

ABC's cross-dressing comedy.

Pig Sty (1995)

UPN's off-putting titled show (about male roommates, of course).

Hitz (1997)

Andrew Dice Clay works at a radio label.

Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998)

ABC’s rambling and quasi-suggestive title.

It’s Like, You Know (1999)

ABC’s indecisive-sounding airhead-y title.

Shasta McNasty (1999)

UPN’s never-surpassed awesomely bad sitcom.

Love Monkey (2006)

This horribly titled CBS show didn't last long.

Emily's Reasons Why Not (2006)

Gone after one episode on ABC.

Cougar Town (2009)

This one proves not all bad titles result in a show flopping.

"Cougar Town" delivered a large initial audience on ABC, but it forever seemed like the series had to fight an uphill battle against its own name, one that series creator Bill Lawrence publicly mulled changing.

I Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011)

Fox had this truly spiteful sounding one.

Traffic Light (2011)

This Fox one was pretty lousy, too.

Trophy Wife / How to Live With Your Parents (For The Rest of Your Life) (2013)

ABC double-struck on these.

Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23 (2013)

I should also point out this one, but I've always had a soft spot for it despite its awkwardness.

black-ish (2014)

Before the season started, broadcast network research polls found that potential viewers were reacting negatively to the title of ABC’s "black-ish" — yet the freshman sitcom has still performed well.

If "Black-ish" had flopped, pundits would have surely pointed to the title as one reason for its demise. There’s nothing like a little success to make a challenging title look a whole lot better.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/24/wo...om-title-ever/

Mace Dolex · 11-25-2014, 02:53 AM

I'll add

Homeboys In Outerspace

Platypus Man

visaman666 · 11-25-2014, 05:41 AM

How did they forget, Good Christian Bitches, another ABC Show?

JamesG · 11-25-2014, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visaman666

How did they forget, Good Christian Bitches, another ABC Show?

Good Christian Bitches / Belles were the working titles.

It officially launched as "GCB".

Marvo301 · 11-25-2014, 06:55 PM

At the time of it's debut "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was considered a bad title since very few people had ever heard of Dick Van Dyke at that time!

Sal · 11-25-2014, 07:39 PM

How about these?

The Secret Files Of Desmond Pfieffer

(where the P is not silent)

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

My Two Dads

Jane The Virgin

Schitt's Creek (midseason 2015 sitcom from CBC)

Mario500 · 11-25-2014, 08:17 PM

I can imagine some folks calling "Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)" the worst sitcom title ever (it was the original name for the program later called "My Adventures in Television").

11-25-2014, 02:14 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	EW: "Worst Sitcom Titles Ever" New Contender for Worst Sitcom Title Ever by James Hibberd Nov 24, 2014 The hallowed list of worst network sitcom titles ever might have a new contender: NBC is developing a comedy titled "#Winning". And if that name makes you wince, check out the dozen or so other famously bad sitcom titles below that are arguably worse. The NBC project is inspired by an apparently true story where a trio of friends learned that their “suddenly famous pal broke up with their entire friend group via a form letter, leaving them more determined than ever to ‘win’ at life.” Setting the concept aside, let’s take on that title (which could change—this project is only at the script stage and might not even make it to air). First, the show risks being a sacrificial victim to the irony gods. It really has to be perfect to not have critics throwing up headlines like: “Not Exactly ‘#Winning.'” Plus, “winning” enjoyed a usage spike during Charlie Sheen’s meltdown three years ago when the actor was fired from CBS’ "Two and a Half Men". Nowadays it’s far from trendy, yet is still vaguely associated with that mess (and the fact that Sheen is a former network sitcom star makes for bonus confusion when using the term for a new sitcom title). And then there’s that hashtag. Haven’t networks learned from CBS’ "$#! My Dad Says" and ABC’s "Selfie" yet? Broadcast TV trying using social media-inspired titles just feels like a dad dressing like a teenager. "#Winning" has company. Here are at about a dozen sitcoms with notably lousy names (and a curiously outsized number have aired on ABC). My Mother the Car* (1965) NBC's still infamous sitcom about a guy's car being the reincarnation of his dead mom. The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968) ABC's cross-dressing comedy. Pig Sty (1995) UPN's off-putting titled show (about male roommates, of course). Hitz (1997) Andrew Dice Clay works at a radio label. Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998) ABC’s rambling and quasi-suggestive title. It’s Like, You Know (1999) ABC’s indecisive-sounding airhead-y title. Shasta McNasty (1999) UPN’s never-surpassed awesomely bad sitcom. Love Monkey (2006) This horribly titled CBS show didn't last long. Emily's Reasons Why Not (2006) Gone after one episode on ABC. Cougar Town (2009) This one proves not all bad titles result in a show flopping. "Cougar Town" delivered a large initial audience on ABC, but it forever seemed like the series had to fight an uphill battle against its own name, one that series creator Bill Lawrence publicly mulled changing. I Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011) Fox had this truly spiteful sounding one. Traffic Light (2011) This Fox one was pretty lousy, too. Trophy Wife / How to Live With Your Parents (For The Rest of Your Life) (2013) ABC double-struck on these. Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt. 23 (2013) I should also point out this one, but I've always had a soft spot for it despite its awkwardness. black-ish (2014) Before the season started, broadcast network research polls found that potential viewers were reacting negatively to the title of ABC’s "black-ish" — yet the freshman sitcom has still performed well. If "Black-ish" had flopped, pundits would have surely pointed to the title as one reason for its demise. There’s nothing like a little success to make a challenging title look a whole lot better. http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/24/wo...om-title-ever/

11-25-2014, 06:55 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	At the time of it's debut "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was considered a bad title since very few people had ever heard of Dick Van Dyke at that time!
	__________________ 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

11-25-2014, 07:39 PM	#6
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,150	How about these? The Secret Files Of Desmond Pfieffer (where the P is not silent) I'm Dickens, He's Fenster My Two Dads Jane The Virgin Schitt's Creek (midseason 2015 sitcom from CBC)
	__________________ LIVE TV - Updated By Request - April 2026 ANTENNA TV ME TV ME TV TOONS Zerostream - LIVE TV Guide

11-25-2014, 02:53 AM	#2
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,660	I'll add Homeboys In Outerspace Platypus Man

11-25-2014, 05:41 AM	#3
visaman666 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 818	How did they forget, Good Christian Bitches, another ABC Show?

11-25-2014, 08:17 PM	#7
Mario500 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2011 Posts: 1,062	I can imagine some folks calling "Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)" the worst sitcom title ever (it was the original name for the program later called "My Adventures in Television").