The Worst Television Shows That Ever Made It To Air

Television history is full of experiments that reached living rooms and then vanished in a hurry. Some launched with famous creators and big promotional pushes, while others tried to ride the wave of a cultural moment. What they shared was a brief window on air before viewers moved on and schedules changed again.

This roundup looks at shows that actually aired and then ran into hard numbers, abrupt cancellations, or headline making controversies. You will find short runs, pulled episodes, and formats that confused audiences more than they connected, along with clear details on networks, episode counts, and what happened next.

‘Turn-On’ (1969)

This sketch series premiered on ABC with rapid fire blackout gags and a computerized editing style that focused on quick shock humor. Several affiliates cut the broadcast before it finished and ABC canceled the project immediately after its debut.
Only one episode aired nationally and additional completed material was shelved. The show is often cited in network histories as an example of a same week cancellation and an affiliate revolt that shaped later content decisions.

‘My Mother the Car’ (1965–1966)

NBC built this sitcom around Jerry Van Dyke as a lawyer who discovers his mother has been reincarnated as a talking 1928 Porter, voiced by Ann Sothern. Thirty episodes were produced and aired across a single season.
The concept relied on weekly problem solving with the car guiding her son while he tried to keep the secret from friends and rivals. Despite a full order, the network closed the book after the season and the series never returned.

‘Cop Rock’ (1990)

ABC combined a police procedural with original songs, with episodes that intercut investigations and courtroom scenes with musical numbers. Steven Bochco led the production and the season ran for eleven episodes.
The show drew significant attention for its ambitious format and a sizeable launch campaign. Ratings fell across the run and ABC ended the experiment within the fall season while releasing a soundtrack that now serves as its main archive.

‘Homeboys in Outer Space’ (1996–1997)

UPN programmed this sci fi sitcom about two spacefaring friends who took odd jobs around the galaxy while dealing with a sarcastic onboard computer. Twenty one episodes aired across one season.
The network scheduled the series alongside other first run comedies during its early expansion. Viewership trailed expectations through the year and UPN replaced it at season’s end with a new slate.

‘The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer’ (1998)

UPN set this sitcom inside the Lincoln White House with a British valet narrating his experiences. Nine episodes were produced and four aired in the United States.
The premise prompted protests before the premiere and the audience numbers remained low after launch. UPN removed it from the lineup within weeks and the unaired episodes later surfaced in limited international runs.

‘Cavemen’ (2007)

ABC adapted the popular insurance commercial characters into a single camera sitcom about young professionals navigating work and relationships. Thirteen episodes were produced and six aired in the United States.
The pilot went through reshoots and the show moved time periods early in the season. Ratings slipped quickly and the network ended domestic broadcasts while remaining episodes saw play in select markets overseas.

‘Viva Laughlin’ (2007)

CBS introduced a musical drama based on the British series that mixed crime stories with pop song performances. The network aired two episodes before canceling the show.
The project featured a prominent producer list and a guest appearance from Hugh Jackman in the premiere. A planned full season rollout stopped after the early episodes drew low national ratings.

‘Emily’s Reasons Why Not’ (2006)

ABC launched this romantic comedy starring Heather Graham with a heavily promoted January premiere. One episode aired in the United States and the show was removed from the schedule.
The network had ordered a set of episodes for a weekly run. After the launch underperformed, ABC shelved the remaining installments domestically and international broadcasters later aired the full batch.

‘Work It’ (2012)

ABC programmed this sitcom about two unemployed friends who present as women to land sales jobs at a pharmaceutical company. The network broadcast two episodes before canceling the series.
The premise drew criticism from advocacy groups and the ratings did not improve in week two. ABC cleared the timeslot for repeats and new titles and ended production.

‘Do No Harm’ (2013)

NBC premiered this modern Jekyll and Hyde medical drama in late winter with a Thursday night slot. The show posted a very low adults eighteen to forty nine rating in its first week and fell further in week two, prompting an immediate cancellation.
Thirteen episodes had been produced for the season. NBC ran the remaining installments later in the year during the summer period when schedule pressure is lighter.

‘The Paul Reiser Show’ (2011)

NBC introduced a meta comedy in which Paul Reiser played a fictionalized version of himself trying to reboot his career after a long break. Two episodes aired before the network removed it from the schedule.
The series had completed seven episodes and was designed for a spring run. After the quick pull, NBC backfilled the slot and the unaired episodes became available in limited international markets.

‘The Chevy Chase Show’ (1993)

Fox attempted to enter late night with a talk show fronted by Chevy Chase following the end of a syndicated hit in the same hour. The program debuted in September and was canceled after five weeks.
The show taped in Los Angeles with a traditional monologue, desk segments, and celebrity interviews. Fox reworked the hour with movies and specials and the theater later hosted other productions.

‘The Brady Bunch Hour’ (1976–1977)

ABC revived the famous family for a prime time variety series that combined sketches, songs, and guest appearances with the original cast. Nine episodes aired along with a pilot special.
The show rotated popular tunes with comedy bits and elaborate costumes in weekly themed installments. Ratings faded across the winter and ABC closed the production in the spring.

‘Heil Honey I’m Home!’ (1990)

This British sitcom aired on the Galaxy channel and presented a parody of 1950s American domestic comedies with Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun as its central couple. One episode aired before the broadcaster canceled the series.
Eight episodes were produced with studio audience laughter and traditional set pieces. After the premiere, the channel pulled the show and kept the remaining completed episodes off air.

‘The Will’ (2005)

CBS premiered this reality series about an affluent individual choosing a beneficiary for a large estate through weekly challenges among friends and relatives. The network canceled the show after its first telecast.
Promotions emphasized a season long competition ending with a final selection. After the debut drew weak numbers, CBS cleared the schedule and later episodes found a home on cable.

‘I Wanna Marry “Harry”‘ (2014)

Fox scheduled this dating format in which contestants believed they were courting a man presented as Prince Harry. A lookalike lived with the group while producers staged royal themed events.
The network pulled the show after four episodes as ratings declined in successive weeks. Remaining installments were released online and on international channels to close the storyline.

‘Utopia’ (2014)

Fox adapted a Dutch format that placed a group of participants in a remote compound to build a new community for up to a year. The network planned a large multiscreen presence with live feeds and two weekly primetime hours.
High production costs and steady audience erosion led to a cancellation within two months. The set was dismantled and the extended experiment ended ahead of the original timeline.

‘Kid Nation’ (2007)

CBS filmed this reality series in New Mexico with forty children who tried to run a frontier style town while earning gold star awards and positions of leadership. Thirteen episodes aired in the fall.
The production drew scrutiny from parents and observers over safety, schooling, and compensation. CBS completed the season and then discontinued the format for future years.

‘Allen Gregory’ (2011–2012)

Fox aired this animated comedy created by Jonah Hill with a focus on a precocious seven year old navigating elementary school and an upscale home life. Seven episodes ran across late fall and winter.
The show premiered after a football boosted night and then settled into regular Sundays. Ratings softened through the run and Fox ended the series at midseason.

‘Manimal’ (1983)

NBC launched this adventure series about a criminology professor who could transform into animals to solve cases with a police detective partner. Eight episodes aired in the fall.
The production relied on practical and optical effects for the transformations and filmed as a weekly procedural. With costs high and ratings light, NBC removed it from the lineup before midseason.

Share your picks in the comments and tell us which shows you would add to the list.