The Olsens were underage, pawns in the emotional pornography ring of Full House. Bob Saget, however, must pay with his life.
I want to make a special call-out here for some of the worst popular programming in TV history, particularly the worst, insufferable situation comedies of all time. But worst probably isn't quite the right word. Lots of cheap, shoddy shows are made — but some of these I'm thinking of sometimes have some passing spark of wit. But any possible artistic merits are drowned out by egregious offenses against Geometry and Theology.
What I'm after here are the most actively annoying situation comedies ever, particularly ones representing special trendsetters in crappiness. These are the shows that send me into Ignatius J Reilly mode, wanting to throw empty Milk Duds boxes and popcorn at the screen, while screaming for the writers and actors to be put to the lash post haste! Who told you this crap was a legitimate show? How dare dumb down the world with these ridiculous affronts to Geometry and Theology? …
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Article comments
76 - DrPat
Douglas Mayes: My Living Doll starred Newmar and Robert Cummings.
All: F Troop was chiefly noted for the utter bravado to call the Indians "the Hackawi" because they were perpetually lost. I recall my father choking on his beer at this reference to a joke punchline from his WWII Shore Patrol days, when it was usually rendered, "We're the Fukawi." (Where the * are we?)
77 - none
how dare you put Arrested on this list! Jeez...I can count all the horrible sitcoms you missed on one hand...and I agree Full House is awful...but Arrested! HOW DARE YOU, SIR!
78 - Mick
Over here in Australia we had a "All in the family clone" called "kingswood Country" the only difference was our version was filled with hardcore racism. Even though the butt of the joke was son in-law who had a european background like myself, i found it hilarious. Why did political-correctness kill this mastery of what comedy was all about? i.e taking the piss out of the ethnics!!
79 - SmOOOthAkshun
Coach was one of THE BEST comedies ever aired on television. The writers for that show showed their ingenuity and imagination show after show. The Troy Aikman sperm donor show and the Jimmy Johnson SuperBowl ring swallowed by Luther's dog show rank amongst the funniest moments ever conceived in television history. You're probably a big Fox news fan, huh? Coach was a well conceived and thought out premise upon which many enetertaining situations could arise and would be down right funny to watch. It was hilarious. If more people would lighten up this would be a much better world.
80 - Al Barger
SmOOOthAkshun, you're a Coach fan and also a Fox hating wingnut- what an appealing combination you have going for you there.
Perhaps I haven't given Coach enough chance. They had a dog eat someone's ring? My G-d, where did these geniuses come up with this stuff?
81 - Ben Masters
Chief among the sitcoms that I hated is "Friends," and the chief reason for my loathing of that series was its utterly detestable (to me, anyway) opening theme. Even the themes of "Hawaii Five-O", "St. Elsewhere," and "Hill Street Blues" were more tolerable (in my honest opinion) than the stinker of a song that was the theme of "Friends," and that is why I have those three in my television disc lineup and not "Friends." A lot of people will probably disagree with me, and they have a right to their opinions as well.
82 - Al Barger
Ben- The Friends theme song is a perfect compliment to the whole flavor of the show - which is a pretty good reason to hate it. The song is really quite catchy - though more in a catch in your craw way. Like the show, it's competently crafted. You might could listen to the song a couple of times without being offended.
But again like the show, the more times I heard the damned song and thus had it pushed upwards into consciousness, the more obvious the complete vapidness of it became. It's a vacuous bit of corporate pop product with absolutely no real personality or emotion whatsoever.
To give them a little credit though, the song and the show have caused me repeatedly over time to get fresh air and sunshine. This has proven to be one of the top shows that will cause me to absolutely turn off a television and walk away.
83 - Ben Masters
Those are some good points that you have made, Al. My brother Marc's wife Michelle has "The Complete First Season"'s worth of "Friends" on disc (at least, I think she does-- I haven't seen it around her house lately), and I was the one who had suggested it to her. "Friends" is, I believe, one of her favorite series (I may be incorrect in this, though). I've been around when she watched it and I've listened to the opening theme once or twice. Part of what I didn't like about it, and what forms part of the basis of my opinion, is the clapping after each of the first two lines-- it's just like this, if I recall...
"So no one told you life was gonna be this way"
(clap-clap-clap-clap)
"Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA"
(clap-clap-clap-clap)
...and then there is no more clapping (at least, none that I remember) for the remainder of the song. You are correct, however, about the increased obviousness of the vapidity of the song the more it is listened to. That is why I try to stay away from it as much as possible. I do, however, concede to and respect the opinions of those that enjoy that series, either through owning one or more of the ten seasons (or even the complete series) on disc or watching it on TBS or any other local station. They have a right to enjoy it, and if it's one of their favorite series, as I believe it is to my brother Marc's wife Michelle (like I said, I may be incorrect), more power to them. It has just, however, never been one of my favorites. In my mind, those that didn't like it (which you and I are, it seems; I may be incorrect about that, and if I am, please say so) and those that liked (even loved) it are both worthy of the consideration of their feelings.
(The reason why "The Complete First Season" is capitalized and quoted is because that's how it was branded.)
By the way, thanks for your response to my comments, Al, and I do appreciate it and respect your opinion.
84 - Ben Masters
Edit: I just found out that I was incorrect about the number of claps in the "Friends" opening theme. It is only 4, after the first line.
85 - Ben Masters
The other main reason why I hated "Friends" is because of its home base, Central Perk. The older series that I have on disc had, in my opinion, much better settings/home bases:
"Hawaii Five-O": the Iolani Palace in Honolulu
"Hart to Hart": the Hart mansion in Bel Air, CA
"Dynasty": the Carrington mansion (actually the Filoli Mansion near San Francisco, CA)
"Hill Street Blues": Hill Street Station (this was also the name of the pilot)
"St. Elsewhere": St. Eligius Hospital in Boston (actually the Franklin Square House apartment building)
"Hardcastle and McCormick": Gulls Way in Malibu
"Moonlighting": Blue Moon Investigations (which actually began life in the pilot as City of Angels Investigations)
What, in your opinion, are some more of television's better settings/home bases?
86 - Nuke Baby
"What, in your opinion, are some more of television's better settings/home bases?"
Kudos to you for mentioning the Iolani Palace and Gulls Way!
I'll add to your list the following locations:
The Batcave from the ORIGINAL Batman TV Series
The Fire Station House from Emergency!
McHale's Island from McHale's Navy
Robin Masters' Estate from Magnum, PI
and The "Swamp" from M*A*S*H*
87 - daryl d
Is this article "satire?"
88 - Ben Masters
Thanks for your response, Nuke Baby. I heartily agree with your choices, and I appreciate the kudos that you gave me for mentioning the Iolani Palace and Gulls Way.
89 - Ben Masters
To the original poster, Mr. Al Barger-- if you hated "Friends" and "Raymond" so much, why not try a sitcom that is actually very good-- "Mary Tyler Moore" S1 from 1970-71. I bought it on disc, and I'm already 8 in, and it is hilarious. I mean "hilarious" as in the good sort of way, natural, clean humor, not the sex humor that "Friends" and "Raymond" had.
90 - Dave
We all have our our top ten worst. I agree with much of this list, but I think I'd replace Family Ties with The Drew Carey Show and maybe Bosom Buddies with That 70's Show. I think I'd find room for Cheers, too. The sad thing is, Friends had real potential and the first season was brilliantly funny and well-written. I have never seen a show fall off in quality as far and as fast as that show did from the end of season one until the start of season two. It was unwatchable. How it lasted 10 years is beyond me.
91 - dumb.
Worst list ever.
92 - CARTMAN
shitfeld is the worse sitcom ever jerry shitfeld is a terrible comedian and needs to go away,My new
favorite sitcom is That 70's Show,its awesome and
smart and if you'd rather watch shitfeld than T70S
than your just another member of the american sheeple and should have the atrocity that is shitfeld in constant play for so long that your eyes begin to bleed from hearing those annoying peoples shreeking gobs.
93 - Bob
The worst show ever has to be Mamma's Family, That show is so lame with a30 something lady playing an old women just is bad. Yeah it was a skit on the Carrol Burnnet Show, they should have left it there. All that canned laughter, its disgusting just to hear it.
94 - Al Barger
Bob, I'm with you on this one. Mama's Family was pretty far down the food chain, a spin off from a show that wasn't that good to start with.
95 - david
I think you can tell a lot about a person when they openly admit they prefer that 70's show (one of the most annoying shows on tv) over seinfeld(the greatest sitcom in television history).
96 - Roshan
First of, if you think Friends sucks you are a retard. I dont know who you are or what you are but friends has an appeal as universal as friendship itself. It may be overrated i agree, and maybe now im tired of watching reruns, but i remember when the show was still on I used to rather die than miss an episode.
And full house? Only cold, emotionally deprived persons would say that full house is pathetic or probably too intellectually and high thinking to appreciate the value of family. Its a show meant for young ones and old ones probably not for the ones in between like us, but regardless it is well deserving of respect.
ThAnd imj so SUPRISED that Seinfeld isnt on your list!!!!
The most vastly overrrated, unfunny, ridiculous, pointless, stupid waste of time ever created.
Seinfeld may appeal to small group of people unlike friends.
97 - HRED
I think the number 1 reason why some hate friends because the last 4 years of the show just stunk (the writers were definitely in it for the money) but do yourselves a favor, ladies and gentlemen who dislike the series, watch a couple of episodes from earlier seasons (1994-1999) and tell me what you think.
Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I cannot believe you've included such fine shows like the cosby show and friends, but not according to jim, according to jim is easily the worst sitcom in recent history no question about it.
I agree with ELR, the most stereotypical show ever. And AD, it really never was popular, but people still rave about it and it annoys me because the show simply sucked for most of it's run
98 - Rashad
I agree with this list for the most part. I never got the appeal of shows like The Cosby Show. What was so funny about it?
99 - Jaim
Just because you don't remember any Cosby Show plot lines doesn't mean the memories have left the rest of us raised on the series. I remember the kids lip syncing to Ray Charles' song, "Night Time is The Right Time," for their grandparents anniversary. Little Rudy was belting out the female vocals while her older sisters and mom played backup singers. Cliff and Theo played the male vocals with great theatrics.
I remember Denise trying her shot at being a shirt designer when Theo wanted a replica of a Gordon Cartrell shirt. She ended up making the worst shirt in history and thoroughly embarassing him in front of his date. It was one of the top funniest episodes of the series.
Another great episode was the smooth contest that Claire and Cliff held between each other. Claire had spranged her ankle. Cliff saw that she had a brown bag wrapped around her foot and said how it's not smoooth but ugly. However, once he takes off the bag we discover that instead of a regular medical brace on her foot she dressed it up with the coolest shoe ever. The kids voted in her favor after the fun reveal. It was a funny and unexpected moment.
I could come up with countless other examples, but my point is quite clear. This show was fun,lighthearted,and had a lot of special moments. I laughed and felt good every time I watched an episode. The characters were likeable and always very entertaining to watch.
Now to tackle your opinion of Arrested Development. I still miss this show. It's been off for years, and I still wish it could come back at least on cable if not basic cable. I thought it was funny without being too over the top or cliche. I loved the magician brother and his insane schemes, the self-involved grandmother with an unsual attachment to her youngest son, and all of the crazy side characters that came into play i.e. The Doctor who was always too literal with his comments, The Family Lawyer(Henry Winkler) who wasn't very competent, the receptionist(Judy Greer) that always showed off her boobs even when no one asked to see them. This show had a lot of promise and definitely needed to be on a network willing to take a chance. I often think Showtime would have been a better place for it's sardonic humor.
I must say that I can't believe you put Will and Grace on this list. This show was always hilarious. Jack and Karen's antics alone should have kept this series off your list. Sorry, but the show is about the friendship between a straight woman and a gay man it's going to delve into gay culture. I mean what were you expecting? If anything this show wouldn't have been watchable if they didn't raise the issues of the gay community or the many problems that face gay people today. It wasn't them saying "We're queer get used to it," it was more them saying "We're queer and we strive for the same things in our lives as you straight people do." This show helped normalize gay people in the eyes of many who only ever had the swishy stereotype to go on. But first and foremost, it was always a crazily funny show that was a thrill to watch on Thursday nights. I still watch the reruns. They never get old and those jokes still crack me up.
I do agree with your inclusion of Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Full House. Friends had a good first two seasons but after that it felt very boring to me. Once every 'friend' had slept together I felt very turned off by the show. In terms of Raymond, it was just too painful to watch. I never knew why Ray and his wife even stayed together they never seemed to even like each other. The parents were annoying, and the brother always creeped me out with his weird voice and mannerisms. As for Full House, I think it is a very sappy show that only really appeals to little ones. If you're over the age of ten you can see how overly sentimental and cliche it is.
Shows I think should have been included on your list:
1. Flight of the Concords
2. My Name is Earl
3. Two and a Half Men
4. Kath and Kim
100 - Al Barger
Jaim- Thank you for reading my story, and for your considered comments.
But your descriptions of the Cosby show don't make it sound any bit more appealing than I remember it. What is funny or entertaining about watching Cosby kids lip synch Ray Charles? I love Ray Charles, saw him live numerous times, and have a Ray website. So if I want Ray, I put on the CD. Bill Cosby pulling faces is pretty entertaining perhaps to a four year old. It is when I do it. But as the basis for a decade or so of a television series, it's just lame.
If you really liked Arrested Development, it is all available on DVD, and you could get the whole series for probably less than $50. The show started out pretty funny for about a season, season and a half. But the writers disappeared up their own asses with the repitition and the boring inside-baseball stuff.
They just flat ran out of ideas. By the time they were cancelled and down to what they knew were their last couple of shows, they nonetheless had nothing better to put on the air than the infamously bad American Idol contestant William Hung singing.
The reason for including Will and Grace is just that they bored me to tears like the shallowest dumbass sitcom. I'd just as soon watch full house.
But I also note that the nominal statement that "We're queer and we strive for the same things in our lives as you straight people do" didn't particularly ring true. The last time I watched the show, the plot line involved one of the queers trying to pick up an older guy in a bar, who eventually turned out to be his dad. Doesn't sound anything like the same things that I strive for in life.
Actually, striving for somewhat different things than me might well attract me to a show. Just not these shallow idiots, and not hitting on Dad.
101 - Spurwing Plover
ME AND THE CHIMP,MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT,LOTS OF LUCK,MR TERIFFIC,THREES COMPANY,TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
102 - Scott
What I find staggering is how long some sitcoms that I never watched ran. The Nanny (Horrible!) ran for six seasons! Family Matters (wretched!) ran for nine! Reba (moronic!) ran for six.
103 - Ash
Hey FRIENDS IS THE BEST SITCOM EVER! Who gives a fuck what you think. Plus Arrested Development is great. Unfortunitly [personal attack deleted] you wouldnt get more than 2 jokes an episode.
[personal attack deleted]
104 - Squrillyboy
"The cosby show", "Friends", "Everybody loves Raymond", and "Full House" are the worst? You may not have liked those shows but they were the best of there time! There have been so many bad shows you could've put in place of those like for instance: "The cavemen", "That 80's show", "The war at home" and the list goes on and on. You should'nt base lists like these on your own personal opinion but on actual fact. If a show ran for 5 seasons or more then it belongs no where on this list! Because if it lasted that long then that means it had an audience that gave it high enough ratings to last.
105 - DM
Man, life must be pretty rough if you resort to calling people names for not liking the same sitcoms as you. Mr. Barger's commentary is at least thoughtful and interesting whether you agree with it or not. The vituperation in some of the comments seems excessive, considering the subject matter revolves around light entertainment.
As for "The Cosby Show", I don't think it has aged well. I thought it was reasonably funny during its initial run--admittedly, I was just a kid--but in retrospect, I find it extremely irritating.
I can't stand "Friends"; "Everybody Loves Raymond" is mediocre but once in a while Peter Boyle gets in a good line (that guy will be missed). The Sacred Cow that impresses me least is probably "I Love Lucy" because it just seems formulaic. On the other hand, I'm crazy about Andy Griffith, Mary Tyler Moore, and Dick Van Dyke. I never got into "Seinfeld". I think I understand what they were trying to do and George Castanza cracked me up; the others didn't do much for me.
But this is all just one person's opinion and I don't claim any expertise on television history.
106 - Clank
Overuse of the terms 'cloying' and 'bland' killed this read for me.
107 - Spurwing Plover
SEINFELD had to be the stupidists all time sit-com especialy with a eco hypotcrit like LUARIE DAVID then there was MY WORLD AND WELCOME TO IT with a rottem theme song and crummy animated inserts.On their otherhand BEVERLY HILLBILLIES was one of the best along with GILLIGANS ISLAND and HOGANS HEROS
108 - SmOOOthAkshun
#
80 - Al Barger
Nov 12, 2006 at 3:43 pm
SmOOOthAkshun, you're a Coach fan and also a Fox hating wingnut- what an appealing combination you have going for you there.
Perhaps I haven't given Coach enough chance. They had a dog eat someone's ring? My G-d, where did these geniuses come up with this stuff?
Uh, yeah, uh, I can think for myself and, uh, I don't, uh, need Fox Noise to make up my news for me. Fox Noise isn't even a news channel. I mean, I guess its good for people like you who can't think for themselves, though.
How about the best comedies of all time? Not in any particular order except for 1 and 2.
1. Whose Line Is It Anyway
2. All In The Family
3. Coach
4. MASH
5. Becker
6. Two and a Half Men
7. Freaks and Geeks
8. Married With Children
9. Any Abbott and Costello Movie
10. Three's Company
109 - Umbio
I agree with every show on your list except Will & Grace, funniest show ever
110 - David
You're wierd man
111 - Al Barger
Dear F-U, Thanks for your thoughtful comments. However, actually my insides are filled with Godly love. To quote Granny Clampett (from one of the BEST sitcoms ever) when she was trying to talk herself out of choking the living crap out of Mrs Drysdale, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.
112 - The King of Comedy
Big Bang Theory. Jokeless shit-com for mouth breathers.
113 - Jay
I stopped taking this list seriously when I saw Everybody Loves Raymond.
114 - SG
WOW. How could you not like "Arrested Development"???? You wanna know the MOST OVERRATED SITCOM ever? Frasier! Frasier was NEVER funny, 2 stupid, pompous, windbag brothers! The only remotely funny cahracter was Daphne. Arrested Development paved the way for sitcoms of the 2000's!