You can always tell when a show is running out of steam

[chrish]

A clear sign that a show is running out of steam or as they say about to jump the shark. When they bring on what they think will invograte the show, a supposedly cutsie new kid, two examples are: When they brought in Stephnie to replace Gloria and the Meathead on all in the family and the tryout of Sevin on Married with Children. It delayed the inevitable on Archie Bunker but a total failure on Married with Children

 

[azumanga]

A clear sign that a show is running out of steam or as they say about to jump the shark. When they bring on what they think will invograte the show, a supposedly cutsie new kid, [such as] the tryout of Sevin on Married with Children... a total failure on Married with Children

In this case, they brought in Seven to brighten up the series (like a few others, such as Robbie Rist on "The Brady Bunch" and Ricky Segall on "The Partridge Family"), but apparently, the producers were so disenchanted with Seven, they, very quietly, took him out of the series. The last mention of Seven was not until several months after his last appearance, where his picture was on a milk carton, as a form of a "missing child" ad typical of the time.

 

[landtuna]

Another is the storyline. Season 7 of "2 1/2 Men" was clearly not up to previous seasons and one look at the tabloids would tell you that's when Sheen and the producers (Lorre) were having their ego contest.

Season 8 jumped the shark with Kutcher replacing Sheen, the virtual absence of the previous supporting cast, and the show taking (some would say 'tanking') a huge left turn into oblivion. It's probably the most obvious and sudden failure of a very popular show I've ever witnessed.

 

[spencerkarter85]

Examples: Are You Being Served? when Mr. Lucas (the late Trevor Bannister) was replaced by Mr. Spooner (Mike Berry). IMHO, that started the demise of AYBS?

Another on Chico and The Man following series co-star Freddie Prinze's suicide in 1977, they tried to replaced him with a kid named Raul in the 1977-78 season. It failed.

Also on Miriam McDonald's departure, that started the demise of the current Degrassi series. Her so-called replacement (Aislinn Paul) isn't a drama queen.

The final season of My Three Sons (sans Robbie) left with Chip and Ernie. It doesn't looked like the show anymore. But different story when Mike got married in the first color/CBS episode in 1965 and left.

I haven't watch much of The Office since Carrell left.

 

[KML0224]

It's for an entirely different reason (the death of the show's star), but 8 Simple Rules was nearly unwatchable when John Ritter died. They soon brought in both David Spade and James Garner. Sad to say that the highest ratings that sitcom ever got was the third episode of the second season...the last one which John was in. :'(

 

[landtuna]

It's for an entirely different reason (the death of the show's star), but 8 Simple Rules was nearly unwatchable when John Ritter died.

I disagree. Ritter was, well, Ritter but he had a great supporting cast behind him. There were a lot of people besides me who considered that show one of the better comedies on TV at the time.

They soon brought in both David Spade and James Garner.

I don't personally think Spade added anything to the show and the longer he was on the less he added. He took away from what the cast had left after Ritter died and IMHO hastened the demise of the show.

Garner, OTOH, was a good addition.

Sad to say that the highest ratings that sitcom ever got was the third episode of the second season...the last one which John was in. :'(

That was to be expected as the curiosity effect took hold.

 

[dave73]

How about Beverly Hills 90210. After Shannon Dougherty & Jason Priestly left the show, along with the end of the college years, the show wasn't the same. I tried to watch the show when everyone left college, but the storylines were dull. The 1998-1999 season was the last season I showed any interest in Beverly Hills 90210. I was sad that its spinoff, Melrose Place was cancelled, & thought that show still had some life left in the show. Too bad the remake on the CW was a complete flop, despite bringing Heather Locklear back to the show (whose character, Amanda Woodward was the one that saved the original Melrose Place from cancellation on Fox).

 

[ixnay]

I thought The Facts of Life jumped the shark when

Edna's Edibles burned down
and
Andy (Mackenzie Astin) was added; I considered him a distraction for some reason

OTOH I liked Pippa (Sherrie Krenn) and didn't care OWOTO when Beverly Ann (Cloris Leachman) replaced Edna (Charlotte Rae).

ixnay

 

[KeithE4]

A clear sign that a show is running out of steam or as they say about to jump the shark. When they bring on what they think will invograte the show, a supposedly cutsie new kid, two examples are: When they brought in Stephnie to replace Gloria and the Meathead on all in the family and the tryout of Sevin on Married with Children. It delayed the inevitable on Archie Bunker but a total failure on Married with Children

Or, they hire Ted McGinley. ;D

 

[firepoint525]

There was the red-headed kid on Diff'rent Strokes (Sam?) with two different actresses (Dixie Carter and Mary Ann Mobley) playing his mother.

And Raven on The Cosby Show.

 

[onairb]

There was the red-headed kid on Diff'rent Strokes (Sam?) with two different actresses (Dixie Carter and Mary Ann Mobley) playing his mother.

And Raven on The Cosby Show.

Also 'cousin Pam'(Erika Alexander), who joined in 1990. That was when they were trying a little too hard to be 'hip'.

 

[chrish]

Ted McGinley was the one thing Married with children did right, Steve was boring....nothing funnier than Jefferson making fun of Marcie behind her back with just about everyone, especially Al and Bud.

 

[firepoint525]

A clear sign that a show is running out of steam or as they say about to jump the shark. When they bring on what they think will invograte the show, a supposedly cutsie new kid, two examples are: When they brought in Stephnie to replace Gloria and the Meathead on all in the family and the tryout of Sevin on Married with Children. It delayed the inevitable on Archie Bunker but a total failure on Married with Children

In most instances when a child is brought into an existing TV show, it is to "replace" an older child (who may not even be leaving the show) who is aging out of the "cute" phase. That was not the case with Stephanie, as (to the best of my knowledge) she did not replace any other children in the show. She may have indirectly replaced Gloria (who was Archie's "child" but was an adult for the entire show's run) and the Meathead, and later even Edith herself, when Edith was written out of the show.

 

[notalkallstatic]

A clear sign that a show is running out of steam or as they say about to jump the shark. When they bring on what they think will invograte the show, a supposedly cutsie new kid, [such as] the tryout of Sevin on Married with Children... a total failure on Married with Children

In this case, they brought in Seven to brighten up the series (like a few others, such as Robbie Rist on "The Brady Bunch" and Ricky Segall on "The Partridge Family"), but apparently, the producers were so disenchanted with Seven, they, very quietly, took him out of the series. The last mention of Seven was not until several months after his last appearance, where his picture was on a milk carton, as a form of a "missing child" ad typical of the time.

I think that's what saved the show for 4 more seasons, is that the producers noticed that they made a big mistake with Seven, and kicked him off the show as fast as they could.

 

[TVCOOL]

How about Beverly Hills 90210. After Shannon Dougherty & Jason Priestly left the show, along with the end of the college years, the show wasn't the same. I tried to watch the show when everyone left college, but the storylines were dull. The 1998-1999 season was the last season I showed any interest in Beverly Hills 90210. I was sad that its spinoff, Melrose Place was cancelled, & thought that show still had some life left in the show. Too bad the remake on the CW was a complete flop, despite bringing Heather Locklear back to the show (whose character, Amanda Woodward was the one that saved the original Melrose Place from cancellation on Fox).

Example #1 i stopped watching in 1996. 90210(the Original) last 2-3 seasons too long should've had the farewell episode either in 1996 or 1997.

Also 'cousin Pam'(Erika Alexander), who joined in 1990. That was when they were trying a little too hard to be 'hip'.

Example #2 when they went head to head with The Simpsons when FOX expanded to thursdays. Should've ended The Cosby Show in either 1989 or 1990 as society changed and The Cosby Show still thought it was 1985.

 

[cspotrun]

The Andy Griffith Show after don knotts left, when they brought in ken berry it was OVER! and maybe the season before that.

 

[LKellerIII]

The Andy Griffith Show after don knotts left, when they brought in ken berry it was OVER! and maybe the season before that.

Jack Burns was the guy hired to replace Don Knotts in the comical deputy role. He based his character of Warren Furguson on the stand-up act he performed with partner Avery Schreiber.

But you're right - when the star of the show (Andy Griffith) bugged out a year later, there was no saving the show, especially when your name is the title of the show.

 

[trapper12]

The Andy Griffith Show after don knotts left, when they brought in ken berry it was OVER! and maybe the season before that.

Jack Burns was the guy hired to replace Don Knotts in the comical deputy role. He based his character of Warren Furguson on the stand-up act he performed with partner Avery Schreiber.

But you're right - when the star of the show (Andy Griffith) bugged out a year later, there was no saving the show, especially when your name is the title of the show.

There is no way Jack Burns or anyone else could have replaced Don Knotts on that show. Filled in maybe. Replaced? NOWAY.

 

[cspotrun]

for me the various Lucy shows after i love lucy were over before they started. although they got an an audience for a season or two, before they realized "Desi" wasn't comming back.