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Forgotten Network/Syndicated TV Shows of the Past

johnnya2k6 said:
The New Show (NBC, 1984), produced by Lorne Michaels during the Dick Ebersol era of SNL (Lorne would return to his creation the following year)
Click to expand...

Don't forget Lorne Michaels' other forgotten show of the '80s, "Night Music" (syndicated, 1989).

Now, for some of the more obscure entries in syndication:

The Bradshaw Difference (syndicated, 1996): PBS regular and self-help guru John Bradshaw hosted this short-lived talk show with "solutions." Eventually, poor clearances and time slots led it to be (at the time) the lowest-rated Nielsen-rated syndicated strip of all time.
Scoop! with Sam and Dorothy (syndicated, 1996): An entertainment-gossip talk show. Lasted about 2 months.
We, The Jury (syndicated, 2002): A dramatized court show focusing on the jury's decisions. Taped in Eugene, Oregon, of all places! Was also a victim of a weak station list.
Jury Duty (syndicated, 2007): Similar to "We, The Jury," but only with D-list celebrities playing the jury.
Ask Rita (syndicated, 2003): Comedian Rita Rudner takes questions from an audience in Las Vegas.
Space Precinct (syndicated, 1994): From "Space: 1999" creator Gerry Anderson comes a "space western."
The Talent Agency (syndicated, 2003): Urban "Star Search" knockoff with Eva Longoria as co-host. Lasted only two or three airings.

Speaking of UPN, anyone remember "The Watcher" (1995) with Sir Mix-A-Lot "watching over" crime and events in Las Vegas?
 
Eric Stein said:
johnnya2k6 said:
Speaking of UPN, anyone remember "The Watcher" (1995) with Sir Mix-A-Lot "watching over" crime and events in Las Vegas?
Click to expand...

I sure do...a good collection of short stories with a Twilight Zone feel. I believe it was the CW's 1st series on the air...I thought that CW had something going there in the beginning.
Click to expand...
 
There was SOUL UNLIMITED (a SOUL TRAIN rip-off created by Dick Clark). JOHNNY BAGO (CBS 1992-93), DiRESTA (UPN 1998-99), MANCUSO FBI (NBC 1989-90), FM (NBC 1989-90 with pre-HOME IMPROVMENT Patricia Richardson), CAMPUS COPS (USA 1996), THE OLDEST ROOKIE (CBS 1987-88), THE GOOD GUYS (CBS 1968-70), HOME FREE (ABC 1993), OUTLAW (NBC 2010), MERCY (NBC 2009-10), ISSUES AND ANSWERS (ABC's predcessor to THIS WEEK), BRACKEN'S WORLD (NBC 1969-70), KNIGHT AND DAYE (NBC 1989), and etc.
 
spencerkarter85 said:
There was SOUL UNLIMITED (a SOUL TRAIN rip-off created by Dick Clark).
Click to expand...

Also, "Future Shock", another mid-1970s Soul Train wannabee, hosted by James Brown. It was produced in Atlanta by WTCG, but it was also seen on KDOG (KRIV) in Houston around 1976.
 
Eric Stein said:
johnnya2k6 said:
The New Show (NBC, 1984), produced by Lorne Michaels during the Dick Ebersol era of SNL (Lorne would return to his creation the following year)
Click to expand...

Don't forget Lorne Michaels' other forgotten show of the '80s, "Night Music" (syndicated, 1989).

Now, for some of the more obscure entries in syndication:

The Bradshaw Difference (syndicated, 1996): PBS regular and self-help guru John Bradshaw hosted this short-lived talk show with "solutions." Eventually, poor clearances and time slots led it to be (at the time) the lowest-rated Nielsen-rated syndicated strip of all time.
Scoop! with Sam and Dorothy (syndicated, 1996): An entertainment-gossip talk show. Lasted about 2 months.
We, The Jury (syndicated, 2002): A dramatized court show focusing on the jury's decisions. Taped in Eugene, Oregon, of all places! Was also a victim of a weak station list.
Jury Duty (syndicated, 2007): Similar to "We, The Jury," but only with D-list celebrities playing the jury.
Ask Rita (syndicated, 2003): Comedian Rita Rudner takes questions from an audience in Las Vegas.
Space Precinct (syndicated, 1994): From "Space: 1999" creator Gerry Anderson comes a "space western."
The Talent Agency (syndicated, 2003): Urban "Star Search" knockoff with Eva Longoria as co-host. Lasted only two or three airings.

Speaking of UPN, anyone remember "The Watcher" (1995) with Sir Mix-A-Lot "watching over" crime and events in Las Vegas?
Click to expand...

Never heard of the Talent Agency. By this time ('03), talent shows in syndication were dying, and the network talent shows (American Idol, etc) really were taking off. I have listed Bradshaw Difference and The Scoop a couple times in RETRO: listings, Sam Rubin was the "Sam" on the Scoop (from KTLA, and still on there). Eric, do you know who the Dorothy was? Speaking of We, The Jury KEZI 9 aired the show in it's filming city of Eugene.

I don't know if these shows are on here yet, but here's some network/syndi. shows I'm adding
Kate Brasher (CBS, 2001) Drama about a mother living with two teens facing financial issues, and offered a job as a social worker. Six episodes were shown before it was cancelled.
Shipmates (syndicated, 2001-03) Show following blind dates on Carnival cruise ships
Courting Alex (CBS, 2006) Comedy about a successful single attorney named Alex Rose (Jenna Elfman). After being moved to Wednesday nights in March 2006, ratings took a huge dive, and it was gone by the week after.
Starting Over (syndicated, 2003-06) Semi-forgotten show about people who are having trouble in their lives and want to "start over" with life coaches. It's set in a house where six roommates try to avoid probation.
Pick Your Brain (syndicated, 1993-94) Semi-forgotten children's game show with (you guessed it) Marc Summers as host, assisted by a robot called 2-XL.
Common Law (ABC, 1996) Very short-lived comedy show starring Greg Giraldo as John Alvarez, a Latino at a WASPy law firm. Cancelled after four episodes
Night Stand (syndicated and on E!, 1995-97) Semi-forgotten late night comedy show with Dick Dietrick, satirizes talk shows like Jerry Springer
A Minute with Stan Hooper (Fox, 2003) Short-lived sitcom with Norm MacDonald. Six episodes had aired before Fox cancelled it in Dec. 2003.

-crainbebo
 
Eric Stein said:
The Talent Agency (syndicated, 2003): Urban "Star Search" knockoff with Eva Longoria as co-host. Lasted only two or three airings.
Click to expand...
Just like Bob Barker and "The Family Game" (ABC, 1967), Eva would put The Talent Agency out of her mind when "Desperate Housewives" came along the following year!
 
crainbebo said:
Never heard of the Talent Agency. By this time ('03), talent shows in syndication were dying, and the network talent shows (American Idol, etc) really were taking off. I have listed Bradshaw Difference and The Scoop a couple times in RETRO: listings, Sam Rubin was the "Sam" on the Scoop (from KTLA, and still on there). Eric, do you know who the Dorothy was? Speaking of We, The Jury KEZI 9 aired the show in it's filming city of Eugene.
Click to expand...

"The Talent Agency" was paired with a show called "Live in Hollywood," which was an urban variety show produced by a former syndicator of "It's Showtime at the Apollo" (they, along with Inner City Broadcasting, owner of WBLS radio, lost the rights to producing and distributing the show in an ugly battle). I don't know why "The Talent Agency" abruptly ended, but I supposed it had to do with some kind of legal issues.

"Dorothy" from "Scoop" was Dorothy Lucey, who is now co-host of "Good Day L.A." at FOX O&O KTTV.

"We, the Jury" was produced by Chambers Communications (KEZI's owner).

crainbebo said:
I don't know if these shows are on here yet, but here's some network/syndi. shows I'm adding
Kate Brasher (CBS, 2001) Drama about a mother living with two teens facing financial issues, and offered a job as a social worker. Six episodes were shown before it was cancelled.
Shipmates (syndicated, 2001-03) Show following blind dates on Carnival cruise ships
Courting Alex (CBS, 2006) Comedy about a successful single attorney named Alex Rose (Jenna Elfman). After being moved to Wednesday nights in March 2006, ratings took a huge dive, and it was gone by the week after.
Starting Over (syndicated, 2003-06) Semi-forgotten show about people who are having trouble in their lives and want to "start over" with life coaches. It's set in a house where six roommates try to avoid probation.
Pick Your Brain (syndicated, 1993-94) Semi-forgotten children's game show with (you guessed it) Marc Summers as host, assisted by a robot called 2-XL.
Common Law (ABC, 1996) Very short-lived comedy show starring Greg Giraldo as John Alvarez, a Latino at a WASPy law firm. Cancelled after four episodes
Night Stand (syndicated and on E!, 1995-97) Semi-forgotten late night comedy show with Dick Dietrick, satirizes talk shows like Jerry Springer
A Minute with Stan Hooper (Fox, 2003) Short-lived sitcom with Norm MacDonald. Six episodes had aired before Fox cancelled it in Dec. 2003.

-crainbebo
Click to expand...

A couple more:

Music Scoupe (syndicated, 1993): A weekly music video program first hosted by former MTV VJ Dave Kendall, then was re-tooled mid-season with a pair of hosts, one of which was Kelly Ripa. I believe the name was based off a series of commercial-break vignettes the producers created prior to the series, and they were sponsored by Hyundai.
Pigasso's Place (syndicated, 1994): A show for the preschool-aged set that featured Barney-like characters ("Pigasso" was a pig, of course) and some crude early CG animated segments. I remember reading a newspaper TV reporter saying that this was the lowest rated Nielsen-measured syndicated show at the time, and he had never heard of it before seeing the numbers.
On The Cover (PAX, 2004): A game show that had to deal with magazines.
 
How about the game show Studs with host Mark DeCarlo. It ran for 2 years from 1991-93 (seemed like it ran longer). According to Wikipedia, it was cancelled to make room for Chevy Chase's short-lived (very short-lived!) talk show.

A notable contestant in 1991: Ronald Goldman (later murdered in 1994 by a famous football player).
 
I do remember On The Cover, and also Balderdash (with Elaine Boosler), which aired from Aug. 2004-Feb. 2005 on PAX, before it turned into i and now ION.

A few more
Luis (Fox, 2003) Short lived sitcom starring Luis Guzman. Cancelled after five episodes, aired in the Friday night death slot of 8:30/7:30c.
Wild Oats (Fox, 1994) Short lived sitcom about twenty-somethings in Chicago. Cancelled after only a few episodes in Sept. 1994.
Our Family Honor (ABC, 1985) Short lived drama about two NYC families with competing "family businesses". Aired for a half a season in 1985-86.
Home Videos of the Stars (syndicated, 1994ish)

IIRC...I think Danny Bonaduce had a short-lived talk show as well around 1995ish.

-crainbebo
 
crainbebo:

From your neck of the woods, I believe that KING-TV's "Almost Live" was syndicated nationwide not just once, but TWICE (once on Comedy Central in 1991, and a second time to local stations in '97 or '98).
 
11 pages, and no mention of "Small Wonder" (syndicated, 1985-1989)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukSvjqwJixw

You know, the show with the robot kid?

I swear, our local affiliate (WJW/8, then the CBS station in the market) ran the heck out of that thing on Saturday afternoons.

I guess it ran four seasons, so it may not really be "forgotten".

How about "My Talk Show" (syndicated, 1990-1991)? It was a show about a housewife who got her own talk show, and did it in her house.

It is also when I first developed my lifelong crush on star Cynthia Stevenson...she was also on "Six Feet Under".
 
Eric Stein said:
crainbebo:

From your neck of the woods, I believe that KING-TV's "Almost Live" was syndicated nationwide not just once, but TWICE (once on Comedy Central in 1991, and a second time to local stations in '97 or '98).
Click to expand...

It was on KMCI in Kansas City around Midnight Sunday Night/Monday morning
 
Here's some more.

CUPID (CBS 2003) Simon Cowell's short-lived dating show. Didn't last long.
CLAUDE'S CRIB (USA 1997) a short-lived sitcom with Claude Brooks.
OLIVER BENNE (FOX 2002?) with ex-MURPHY BROWN star Grant Shaud.
KENNE EDDIE (FOX/BRAVO 2003-2004) with Mark Valley (now on NBC's HARRY's LAW) as a New York Cop comes to the UK. (a la DEMPSEY AND MAKEPEACE)
BRAM AND ALICE (CBS 2002) a short-lived sitcom with Alfred Molina and Traylor Howard (who later replaced Bitty Schram's Sharona Fleming as Natalie Teeger on MONK which ran on USA from 2002-09).
WORKING CLASS (CMT 2010) a great short-lived sitcom with Melissa Peterman and the legendary Ed Asner. Cancelled after one season.
FREE AGENTS (NBC 2011) Hank Azaria sitcom didn't last long.
THE PLAYBOY CLUB (NBC 2011) Risque TV show cancelled after a few episodes and replaced by ROCK CENTER WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS. Also, Mormon-owned NBC affiliate KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah said no on THE PLAYBOY CLUB and SNL as well.
THE JAY LENO SHOW (NBC 2009-10) Jay Leno's prime-time flop before the 11pm news. And the Conan/Leno conflict was a long story.
HERMAN'S HEAD (FOX 1991-94?) was a good sitcom with Yeardly Smith (aka the voice of Lisa Simpson)
SLEDGE HAMMER (ABC 1986-88) with David Rasche in a detective role. "Trust me I know what I'm doing!"
COUNTERSTRIKE (USA 1990-93) with Christopher Plummer and the late great Simon MacCorkindale.
CHINA BEACH (ABC 1988-91) who can forget that Emmy-awarding winning series takes place in the Vietnam war with Dana Delany (before BODY OF PROOF), ex-CSI Marg Helenberger, Michael Boatman (later on SPIN CITY), and Ricki Lake (who recently was in 3rd place on the 13th season of DANCING WITH THE STARS). It was sad that Cherry White (Nan Woods, not related to Dan Woods who was Mr. Raditch on the DEGRASSI series, now host of Speed's CHOP CUT REBUILD) was killed off :(
FIFTEEN (Nickelodeon 1990-91?) was sort of a teen soap.
THE SECRET WORLD OF ALEX MACK (Nickelodeon 1994-98) with Larisa Oleynik.
NATUALLY SADIE (Canadian TV show from mid 2000s) with Charlotte Arnold I think (I know she later played Holly J on DEGRASSI:TNG)
WILD AND CRAZY KIDS (Nickelodeon early 1990s) with Omar Gooding as co-host.
THE JON STEWART SHOW (MTV/Syndicated mid 1990s) Jon Stewart's talk show before he became host of THE DALY SHOW.
NASTY BOYS (NBC 1989-90) A short-lived action packed crime drama takes place in Vegas with 5 undercover cops. One of them was ex-L&O star Benjamin Bratt. The boss was post-HILL STREET BLUES/pre-NYPD BLUE Dennis Franz.
DUE SOUTH (CBS 1994-96/Syndicated 1997-98) was a great show with Paul Gross as Benton Fraser (RCMP) who comes to Chicago to solve his father's murder.
SPACE CASES (Nickelodeon 1996-97) with Walter Jones (ex-Power Ranger) and Jewel State (who was replaced by pre-GH Rebecca Herbst in the second season)
CBS NEWS NIGHTWATCH (predecessor to UP TO THE MINUTE)
NBC NEWS OVERNIGHT (NBC 1982-83) with Linda Ellerbee as co-anchor. Lasted 367 newscasts. It's successor was NIGHTSIDE (also off the air)
SUMMER SUNDAY, USA (NBC 1984) with Linda Ellerbee and longtime NBC correspondent Andrea Mitchell.
THE STATE (MTV 1994?) was a sketch comedy show. Loved the theme song, sounds like THE JEFFERSON's MOVING ON UP.
 
OhioMediaWatch said:
It is also when I first developed my lifelong crush on star Cynthia Stevenson...she was also on "Six Feet Under".
Click to expand...

Er, I meant "Dead Like Me" (though I think she made a guest appearance on "SFU").
 
OhioMediaWatch said:
11 pages, and no mention of "Small Wonder" (syndicated, 1985-1989)?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukSvjqwJixw

You know, the show with the robot kid?

I guess it ran four seasons, so it may not really be "forgotten".

How about "My Talk Show" (syndicated, 1990-1991)? It was a show about a housewife who got her own talk show, and did it in her house.

It is also when I first developed my lifelong crush on star Cynthia Stevenson...she was also on "Six Feet Under".
Click to expand...

Regarding Small Wonder - no, not forgotten...certainly not on this board - people go on about that show all the time. I think you had to be a kid when it was first run. If you were an adult (as I was) at the time, you realize what an awful show it was.

Regarding Cynthia Stevenson - On that we agree. There's something about her - she isn't particularly beautiful, but has a very sweet quality. Cynthia wasn't on Six Feet Under - you're probably thinking of Dead Like Me, which played on Showtime (not HBO like Six Feet Under), and reappeared in syndicated reruns. Actually, Stevenson played against type in that show , as the dead (ghost) girl's bitchy and selfish mother.

Speaking of forgotten shows - Stevenson co-starred in Bob - Bob Newhart's third, and only failed sitcom. She played his daughter, if I remember correctly.
 
NBC, after 1983 didn't have Nightside until about 1991.

Wild and Crazy Kids was on Nick GAS for a time in reruns until they changed the lineup around 2005-06 to mostly "GUTS", "Legends of the Hidden Temple" and "Figure it Out" reruns, before signing off in late 2007.

Adding one more
My Big Fat Greek Life (CBS, 2003) Short-lived sitcom with Nia Vardalos, continuing the story of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", a 2002 film. Didn't last long, maybe two months?

-crainbebo
 
Had a local Fox affiliate that ran a block of first run syndie sitcoms on Sunday morning, including a show about aliens that used a remake of the song that goes "Would you like to swing on a star" instead of using "or would you rather be a pig" the line was replaced with "or would you like to go to earth?". No idea what it was called.

It didn't get more un-PC that a summer replacement called "The Corner Bar"..with a super stereotypical gay charachter in the early 70s
 
borderblaster said:
Had a local Fox affiliate that ran a block of first run syndie sitcoms on Sunday morning, including a show about aliens that used a remake of the song that goes "Would you like to swing on a star" instead of using "or would you rather be a pig" the line was replaced with "or would you like to go to earth?". No idea what it was called.
Click to expand...

It was "Out of this World" (no pun intended):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_This_World_(TV_series)
 
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