This week, CBS canceled its bankrupt casino drama “Viva Laughlin,” which some called one of the worst TV shows ever. That got us to thinking. Here, then, is our list of The 15 Worst TV Shows Ever. Let the debate begin.
“YOU’RE IN THE PICTURE” (1961)
Jackie Gleason appeared in a prime time quiz show, but it was so bad the quiz format was dropped after one airing and it became instead a short-lived talk show. Even Gleason knew it was bad: “I’ve seen bombs in my day, but this one made the H-bomb look like a 2-inch salute.”
“PETTICOAT JUNCTION” (1963-70)
Some shows from that era hold up remarkably well — either as sweet nostalgia or entertaining camp. Not this one, set in Hooterville.
“MY MOTHER THE CAR” (1965-66)
Jerry Van Dyke’s mother was reincarnated as a talking automobile, the voice supplied by Ann Sothern. Actually made it through one season.
“ERNEST ANGLEY HOUR”
(1973-present)
Broadcast from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Angley’s Southern rural lisp deliveries are syndicated worldwide. While he doesn’t claim to be a faith healer, his trademark palm-of-the-hand to the forehead is accompanied by his high-pitched shout “Be heeeeaaaalllled!” as the healee drops to the floor, to be caught by an assistant.
“THE ROPERS”
(1979-80)
An entire show built around the landlords from the nearly as awful “Three’s Company.”
“PINK LADY AND JEFF” (1980)
Quite possibly the most demented variety show of all time, this bizarre offering paired two Japanese pop singers who spoke almost no English with comedian Jeff Altman. Hilarity did not ensue.
“JOANIE LOVES CHACHI”
(1982-83)
Scott Baio’s addition to “Happy Days” was a classic jump-the-shark moment; here the shark goes belly up and begins to smell.
“MAMA’S FAMILY” (1983-90)
The Vicki Lawrence skit was the weak link on “The Carol Burnett Show.” So, naturally, it got a weekly half-hour.
“MANIMAL” (1983)
NYU professor changed into any animal to help fight crimes. Instead, show turned into a turkey.
“SMALL WONDER” (1985-89)
Scientist builds robot in the shape of a 10-year-old girl, then tries to hide her amid his family. Theme-song quote: “She’s fantastic/Made of plastic.”
“LIFE WITH LUCY” (1986)
Lucille Ball’s final, disastrous series. Lasted only a few months but still tarnished the TV icon’s legacy.
“COP ROCK” (1990)
Steven Bochco, apparently bored with making a legitimate cop series (“Hill Street Blues”), decided it would be fun to have cops sing, and it would be even more fun to have them performing legit cop work while they did it. It wasn’t.
“THE JERRY SPRINGER SHOW”
(1991- present)
His aim is low.
“BARNEY & FRIENDS” (1992-present)
Yes, some little kids love it. But parents helped compile this list, and it annoys the heck out of us.
“THE SECRET DIARY OF DESMOND PFEIFFER” (1998)
A black British gentleman run out of England for cheating at cards takes a job as a butler to Abraham Lincoln. And it was a comedy. And it made fun of slavery.
MORE ON THE INTERNET
An expanded list — and a poll. What’s on your list? ctc-tempo@tribune.com
