Top 10 Worst TV Shows of All Time

Script Written by Kurt Hvorup.

Top 10 Worst TV Shows of All Time

Boy, there sure is some terrible television in the world…. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for theTop 10 Worst TV Shows of All Time.

For this list, we’ll be scouring TV’s lengthy history in search of the programs that are universally viewed as lacking in quality. However, we’re leaving out reality shows – such as “Jersey Shore” – and we’re choosing those series you’re surprised made it past the pilot and lasted longer than you would’ve expected. That means we’re excluding series like the “Charlie’s Angels” reboot, “Heil Honey I’m Home,” and “Work It.”

#10: “Homeboys in Outer Space” (1996-97)

Somewhere down the line, poor execution got in the way of interesting themes. Comedians Flex and Darryl Bell starred in this sitcom about a pair of 23rd century astronauts travelling the universe in their winged car. Seemingly intended as a parody or homage to earlier science-fiction shows, “Homeboys in Outer Space” was hit with low ratings and criticism of its quality – even being protested by the NAACP. Roles performed by the likes of James Doohan and cameos by George Takei couldn’t help this short-lived program.

#9: “Manimal” (1983)

He may be a master of the secrets that divide man from animal... but he’s not so much a master of television. “Manimal,” which aired on NBC, briefly chronicled the adventures of Dr. Jonathan Chase, a wealthy young man with the power to shape-shift into any animal. Chase used this power to fight crime, working with Detective Brooke Mackenzie to solve a number of cases. Though it certainly had a unique premise and special effects work by Stan Winston, theshow struggled in its viewership and came to a close by its eighth episode.

#8: “Baywatch Nights” (1995-97)

When something becomes popular, naturally there must be a spin-off for it. At least, we imagine that’s the thinking behind “Baywatch Nights,” an offshoot of the show “Baywatch.” David Hasselhoff and Gregory Alan Williams reprise their roles as Mitch Buchannon and Garner Ellerbee respectively, with the duo operating as private detectives. All well and good – except the show suddenly shifted from detective stories to science fiction for Season 2, a change intended to boost struggling ratings. Lacking the staying power of the original show, “Baywatch Nights” soon met its end.

#7: “The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange” (2012-14)

It might be telling that the lead character has the word “Annoying” in his name. Based on a popular YouTube series, “The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange” follows the titular Orange and his sentient fruit friends in their everyday lives at a supermarket. While it managed to average 2.5 million viewers in its first two weeks, the show was critically panned for its crude humor and obnoxious nature. After two seasons and sixty episodes, the Cartoon Network elected to cancel it... a decision we imagine was widely accepted.

#6: “The Cleveland Show” (2009-13)

Despite featuring new friends and old friends alike, this spin-off of “Family Guy” didn’t quite hit the mark. “The Cleveland Show” revolves around Cleveland Brown, his new wife Donna, and their mixed family. Relying on cutaway gags and pop culture references similar to “Family Guy,” the show divided critics as to its quality and came across as unnecessary to some. Still, it endured for four seasons before being cancelled in 2013.

#5: “Galactica 1980” (1980)

Ten episodes of disappointment and missed opportunities, as it were. “Galactica 1980” was the result of a largely-unprecedented write-in campaign after the 1978 science-fiction show “Battlestar Galactica” was cancelled by ABC. Reconsidering their decision, ABC ordered a pilot for a sequel series – one that would pick up thirty years after the original show’s final episode. Unfortunately, what came to small screens was less than stellar; “Galactica 1980” was largely set on Earth in the 1980s, much of the original cast was absent, and a planned focus on time travel was scrapped after the pilot. Truly a shame.

#4: “Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation” (1997-98)

As the first live-action TV series in the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise, this certainly stands out - though not in the best of ways. “The Next Mutation” was built on an interesting premise: the four Turtles are joined by a mystical female turtle, Venus de Milo, in their quest to battle warriors known as The Rank. However, the show soon fell victim to backlash and criticism, with fans of the franchise feeling classic characters were being disregarded. It also didn’t help that the price-per-episode was so high, given the use of animatronics for many characters.

#3: “The Amazing Spider-Man” (1978-79)

There are a lot of things Spider-Man can do, but this was not one of them. Spanning thirteen episodes, “The Amazing Spider-Man” began simply as a TV movie establishing university student Peter Parker as the titular super-powered crime-fighter. It then got picked up for a limited five episode order... and was drastically changed in Season 2, introducing more stories grounded-in-reality and toning down Parker’s powers to appeal to an adult audience. We can’t honestly say it worked, however, especially given that the show was cancelled soon after the second season ended.

#2: “Fred: The Show” (2012)

What works on YouTube doesn’t always translate well to television. Case in point: “Fred: The Show,” based on a web series by Lucas Cruikshank, follows hyperactive teenager Fred Figglehorn in his daily life and adventures with friends. What makes the show unique – while also working to its detriment – is Fred himself, with his obnoxious and unreal behavior. Critics were quick to deride the show and Fred’s part in it, with viewership dropping as the first season continued. Eventually, the end had to come for Fred.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable, or in this case, dishonorable mentions:
- “Cavemen” (2007)
- “Mulaney” (2014-15)
- “That ‘80s Show” (2002)
- “Summerland” (2004-05)
- “AfterMASH” (1983-85)

#1: “My Mother the Car” (1965-66)

Equal parts bizarre and poorly constructed, nothing feels quite as unsuccessful as this fantasy sitcom. The premise is simple enough: attorney David Crabtree buys a used 1928 Porter touring car, only to discover it is the reincarnation of his dead mother Gladys. From there, it’s a series of misadventures where Crabtree guards his mother-car from the persistent collector Captain Manzini. Critics and viewers alike panned the show, and we understand – the show’s entire concept comes across as alienating, and more than a little illogical.

Do you agree with our list? What is your least favorite show? For more analytical Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.