My favorite tv flops

All of the tv show cancellations in the past couple days have reminded me of my long list of favorite tv shows that flopped (or ended before I got to enjoy them). So let's take a look at some of the best of the worst.


VR.5 – (1995) Lori Singer, Michael Easton, David McCallum, Louise Fletcher, Anthony Head, and a few episodes with Tracey Needham

This show was so cool because it was kind of an underground, mind-altering, computer/tech show. It was kind of a before-it’s-time sci-fi show.


Sister Kate – (1989) Stephanie Beacham, Hannah Cutrona, Jason Priestly

I started watching this one because of Stephanie Beacham, whom I had loved in her recurring role on Dynasty. Another favorite was Hannah Cutrona, who’d had a guest role on an episode of Facts of Life (She reminds me of Leah Remini). Sadly, I think I’ve only got one or two episodes of this on vhs.


The Yellow Rose – (1983) Cybill Shepherd, Sam Elliot, David Soul, Edward Albert, Susan Anspach, and more

Oh, how excited I am that this complete series is coming out on dvd in another month! Sadly, it’s another series with great potential, but pulled way too quickly. This had the makings of a great primetime western soap.


Mr & Mrs Smith – (1996) Maria Bello, Scott Bakula, Roy Dotrice, Aida Turturro

This was my introduction to Maria Bello, and such a cool show. Maria & Scott’s characters working together in a top-secret intelligence agency and posing as a married couple when the situation warranted. I don’t think it lasted a full season.


The Boys Are Back – (1994) Suzanne Pleshette, Hal Linden, George Newbern, Kevin Crowley

While the premise of the show (grown kids & their families moving back in with the parents) was quite hokey, the greatest part of this series was the cast. Suzanne & Hal were great to watch as the parents.




L.A. Firefighters – (1996) Christine Elise, Jarrod Emick, Alexandra Hedison, Miguel Sandoval, Brian Smiar

If there’s ever one show that would be tops on my list to bring back, this would be it. Back in the mid-90s, there usually weren’t tv shows set in a firehouse like there are nowadays. Christine Elise was my main reason for watching. She had just finished her recurring role on ER, and of course she had previously been on China Beach as KC’s daughter in the final season. This was my first introduction to Jarrod Emick and Alexandra Hedison. It was a great cast.



Baywatch Nights – (1995) Angie Harmon, David Hasselhoff, Gregory Alan Williams

Yes, I know. An even cheesier spinoff to a cheesy show. However, this was my intro to Angie Harmon. Therefore, I’ll love it forever.


C-16: FBI - (1997) Angie Harmon, DB Sweeney, Eric Roberts

I don’t actually remember this show making it through a full season, but I know I have an episode or two on old vhs tapes. Another Angie Harmon flop that I couldn’t resist watching. They were a maverick squad of FBI agents. The writing on this series was in need of serious help!


Total Security – (1997) Tracey Needham, James Remar, Jim Belushi, Bill Brochtrup,

High tech detectives. Great cast, but they weren’t given much of a chance as it was pulled quickly. If I remember correctly, I think both Total Security and C-16: FBI premiered on the same day. I was excited to watch both Tracey Needham & Angie Harmon on the same day.


Can’t Hurry Love – (1995) Nancy McKeon, Mariska Hargitay, Louis Mandylor, Kevin Crowley

This show was one of those many horrible comedies to come out in the mid-90s. But if I have one major weakness, it’s the ladies from the Facts of Life. Therefore, I couldn’t resist watching Nancy McKeon. Considering all of the very cheesy “Lifetime victim of the week” tv movies Nancy did, this comedy was actually enjoyable. This was also my first taste of Mariska, as this was a couple years before her recurring stint on ER. Kevin Crowley I recognized from the previously mentioned “The Boys Are Back”. Overall, I enjoyed the cast. The writing, however…


Carol & Co – (1990) Carol Burnett, Meagan Fay, Richard Kind,

Another reincarnation of the Carol Burnett Show. Instead of her regular mini-skits, this show had one full-show skit each week. The best part was all of the great guest stars, including Carol’s daughter, Carrie Hamilton, where they did a great skit that also included Robert Urich (I know I have that one on vhs somewhere)


Madman of the People – (1994) Cynthia Gibb, Dabney Coleman, Concetta Tomei, Craig Bierko

While I loved the cast, and even the concept of this show, Dabney Coleman was quite annoying as the main character. However, that may be because I loved the rest of the cast, mainly Cynthia Gibb (from the movie, Youngblood), and Concetta Tomei (from China Beach). Looking back on this show, I remember that Craig Bierko’s character was very much like Tony DiNozzo (NCIS) set in a newspaper office instead of a being a federal agent.


Bless This House – (1995) Cathy Moriarty, Andrew Dice Clay, Don Stark

I think I categorize this show as the ‘curse of the big mouth’. Andrew Dice Clay was known as a foul-mouthed comedian. I think his reputation hurt the show. I enjoyed the chemistry between Cathy & ADC. They made a believable couple. Don Stark was so funny as sidekick, Lenny.


Champs – (1996) Ashley Crow, Timothy Busfield, Paul McCrane, Kevin Nealon, Ed Marinaro

Another one that was yanked before getting a chance to grow. This was a great cast. I loved the concept of Ashley & Timothy as a married couple, because they played girlfriend/boyfriend in the baseball movie, Little Big League, a couple years before this series came out. Paul, Kevin & Ed as the buddies were great as well. Alas, the curse of the mid-90s comedies struck again.


Cover Up – (1984) Jennifer O’Neill, Jon-Erik Hexum, Antony Hamilton

While most series have the task of finding their niche early on and keeping their viewers, this show had an incredibly daunting task of continuing on while losing their star to tragedy. As Mac Harper, Jon-Erik Hexum was very charming and quite handsome as a model & crime fighter. However, it ended in tragedy on set when JEH was killed with a prop gun. Enter Antony Hamilton as Jack Striker, who was handsome & charming in his own right, but just could never measure up to the standard that had been set by JEH.


Voyagers! – (1982) Jon-Erik Hexum, Meeno Peluce

Two years before the tragedy on Cover Up, there was Jon-Erik Hexum as a time traveler – a voyager, if you will – named Phieas Bogg. He & his sidekick, Jeffrey, travel through time in order to ‘fix’ history in times when it has somehow gone wrong. It was kind of like an Indiana Jones for time travel.


Macgruder & Loud - (1985) John Getz, Kathryn Harrold

Yes, I’ll admit. The show was quite cheesy, but I LOVED it! Malcolm Macgruder & Jenny Loud were both beat cops. They were partners. They were secretly married (because regulations required that spouses couldn’t be partners on the force). They lived in side-by-side apartments, with a secret passageway between them (to fool their boss, who dropped by often and didn’t know they were married)



Misfits of Science – (1985) Courtney Cox, Kevin Peter Hall

It’s the superheroes of the mid-80s. It was also my introduction to Courtney Cox. The reason I remember this one is because it was one of my brother’s favorite shows. One could shrink, one had telekinetic powers, and the others… I don’t exactly remember!


My Sister Sam – (1986) Pam Dawber, Rebecca Schaeffer, Joel Brooks, Jenny O’Hara, David Naughton

This show did make it into the second season, but contrary to popular belief, it was actually cancelled before Rebecca Schaeffer was brutally murdered. As a fan of the series, Mork & Mindy, I watched this one initially because of Pam Dawber, and immediately was drawn to Rebecca’s character, with her youthful enthusiasm.


Philly – (2001) Kim Delaney, Kyle Secor, Tom Everett Scott, Rick Hoffman, Scotty Leavenworth

I didn’t want to like this one, but I did. This is what Kim Delaney left NYPD Blue for. It had a strong cast, but basically, it was ‘just another lawyer show’ at the turn of the century. I think my favorite character ended up being Patrick, the young son.


Double Trouble – (1984) Liz Sagal, Jean Sagal, Barbara Barrie

Ah yes, the Sagal sisters. Yes, they are Katey Sagal’s (Married w/ Children, Sons of Anarchy) sisters. And they are twins. So, of course the whole premise of this show was twin antics. It actually lasted two seasons, but since it aired in ’84 & ’85, I was always busy with too many high school activities to have a chance to watch, and didn’t have a vcr of my own. Thus I missed many an episode of this series.


The Division – (2001) Bonnie Bedelia, Tracey Needham, Nancy McKeon, Lisa Vidal,

This show has somehow become the bane of my existence. A female cop show, lots of personal stories, excellent cast – everything I love in a tv show. And I didn’t know it was on – until the last few episodes when I had been channel surfing one night and saw Bonnie and Nancy on my screen. Then of course, finding out that Tracey was in the first season – and I missed that as well – I was even more miffed. The only saving grace is that it’ll somehow find its way to dvd soon. I’m not very optimistic. I have seen a few episodes (all cut into multiple segments) on YouTube, but it’s just not the same. One thing I loved about this show is that they hade Alex Rocco as Nancy McKeon’s dad – the same as back on Facts of Life. So adorable!


Women’s Murder Club – (2007) Angie Harmon, Laura Harris, Aubrey Dollar, Paula Newsome, Rob Estes, Tyrees Allen

Yes, even after three years, I’m still pissed that they ended this one. Even though it’s almost the same as Rizzoli & Isles, I’m not afraid to say that I actually love WMC more. Both have Angie; Both have cool partners (Jacobi / Korsak); WMC had ex-husband issues/ R&I has family issues. Jane has Maura, but Lindsay had Jill, Claire & Cindy. I really miss the girls. I miss the “club”. Yes, I really love R&I, but I really miss WMC more.


The Naked Truth – (1995)  Tea Leoni, Holland Taylor, George Wendt

I believe there were three seasons of this, however, I only started watching towards the end (that’s the way my luck goes!) This was Tea Leoni in her heydey, before she got more into movies.



Night Heat – (1985) Scott Hylands, Jeff Wincott, Susan Hogan

I know this one actually ran for a few years. However, I only remember watching in late-night reruns of it about a decade later. And of course, no dvd collections for it.