It's on! Aaaaand it's off. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the TV shows and seasons that seemed exciting and fresh– until they actually aired.
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00:00 "Holy mother of God."
00:02 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the TV shows and seasons that seemed exciting and fresh,
00:08 until they actually aired.
00:09 "We were hoping you would drop in on the celebration, Charlie."
00:12 "Not today, angels. But no, I'm always a phone call away."
00:16 Number 20, "Gotham Knights".
00:18 Taking a franchise in an entirely new direction is risky.
00:22 Fans have certain expectations, and can get angry when a piece of media strays from them.
00:26 "Arvey."
00:26 "Turner."
00:28 "I'm... it's your father."
00:30 "I'm so sorry, I don't even know how to tell you this."
00:37 "Gotham Knights" was intended to be a fresh take on the DC Universe,
00:41 one that exists in a world where Batman has been killed.
00:43 Initially, people were excited to see how the twist would be handled.
00:47 Unfortunately, the new characters' edgy personalities made it hard to connect with them,
00:51 as they ended up as caricatures of anti-heroes.
00:54 "Hey there, Harv. Remember me?"
00:56 Additionally, the darker plot came across more as fanfiction
01:00 than a genuine exploration of a post-Batman world.
01:02 While the potential was undeniable,
01:04 many felt the concept was better handled in video game form.
01:07 Number 19, "The Muppets".
01:10 For decades, these puppets were considered a family act.
01:13 However, this reboot tried appealing to a more adult audience with "The Muppets",
01:17 a sitcom based around their lives as famous celebrities.
01:20 "I'm not happy with a janitor knowing what I throw away."
01:22 "Can you have someone put a layer of generic trash over my private trash?"
01:25 "Okay, generic trash."
01:26 "And the line lights in my dressing room?"
01:28 "No."
01:28 "Don't smell line lacking enough."
01:29 While many were looking forward to the modern approach,
01:32 others weren't quite as excited.
01:33 Even before it was released, there were complaints of it being inappropriate.
01:37 "The following inappropriate words need to be deleted from tonight's script."
01:41 "Crotchety, twiddle, and gesticulate."
01:48 When it aired, there was a mixed response,
01:50 with most of the criticism coming from concerned parents.
01:53 They felt it was too mature for children, with moments like the Muppets drinking alcohol
01:57 being cited as particularly problematic.
01:59 "Welcome to the morning meeting, everybody."
02:01 "Right."
02:01 "Or should I say the 'whenever you decide to show up' meeting."
02:04 Beyond the complaints, the show also struggled to find a core fan base,
02:07 which led to it being cancelled after just one season.
02:09 Number 18, "St. George".
02:12 One experience that was common among younger Americans of a certain age
02:16 was enjoying the George Lopez show.
02:17 "You want me to wear a tie to an airplane parts factory?"
02:22 "Yeah, that'll work. You see, the problem with the propeller is..."
02:25 Not only did this sitcom solidify his legacy for a generation,
02:29 it also helped his popularity live on even after the show ended.
02:33 When it was announced he'd be returning to cable with "St. George", excitement was high.
02:37 However, it ended up having little of the charm of his breakout role.
02:40 "What do I want all kinds of kids for?"
02:42 "To help you move, to help you do the yard work, to answer the door, to get you a cigarette."
02:46 The new characters were mostly one-note, which made it harder to care about them.
02:50 The show also attempted to appeal to adults with mature jokes,
02:53 but went too far and ended up coming across as crass instead.
02:57 "Hey, I thought we settled this. Harper is my son."
02:59 "Okay, estupido. Prove it."
03:03 It was canned after 10 episodes,
03:04 and fans were left disappointed that their TV dad went out this way.
03:07 Number 17, "Joanie Loves Chachi".
03:11 "Happy Days" was so successful that it spawned multiple spin-offs,
03:14 some more successful than others.
03:16 "Saturday's the biggest day of our lives."
03:18 "Saturday? This Saturday?"
03:20 "Joanie Loves Chachi" was one that unfortunately didn't resonate with the public.
03:24 It was based around the couple attempting to start their music career.
03:27 While they were popular characters,
03:29 they quickly proved why not every beloved character deserves their own show.
03:33 They seemed to lack their original chemistry,
03:35 and the inclusion of musical performances every episode came across as a way to pad the runtime.
03:39 While the show seemingly had everything it needed to succeed,
03:46 it just couldn't connect with audiences.
03:48 After it was cancelled, the couple returned to "Happy Days",
03:50 proving that they never needed to leave in the first place.
03:53 "You know something, Joanie? You're 100% right.
03:55 I'm gonna go home so we can each think about this, alright?"
03:59 "Good. Good. Because there's a lot more involved here besides the physical attraction."
04:04 Number 16, "Bionic Woman".
04:07 Rebooting a beloved TV series is a huge risk to take,
04:10 but this show almost pulled it off.
04:12 "What have you done to me?"
04:13 "Jamie."
04:14 "Why did you do this to me?"
04:15 "You are going to die."
04:16 After a genuinely impressive premiere,
04:18 viewers were excited to see where "Bionic Woman" would go from there.
04:21 However, the rest of the season made people question if they were watching the same program.
04:26 "Don't make a liar out of me."
04:27 Complaints ranged from the way the fight scenes were choreographed to the dark tone,
04:31 which was a stark change from the original.
04:33 There were even debates around the casting of the protagonist.
04:36 While it showcased plenty of potential right up front,
04:38 by the end of the season, that energy had completely petered out.
04:42 It was a shame, as past supporters were excited to see a modern version of a classic hero.
04:46 "Maybe we could do this again sometime."
04:47 "What?"
04:53 Number 15.
04:54 "Halo".
04:55 Video game adaptations are becoming more popular,
04:57 thanks to the success of shows like "The Last of Us".
05:00 When it was announced that "Halo" would be adapted into a long-form show,
05:03 there was mass enthusiasm.
05:05 "Master Chief Betty Officer John 117."
05:08 Fans had waited for years to see their favorite characters brought to a wider audience.
05:12 However, they were watching like hawks to find any discrepancies from the original game.
05:16 When it aired, critics came out of the woodwork.
05:19 "What have I?"
05:20 They felt that the show strayed too far from canon,
05:23 and questioned why they even bothered using the existing IP.
05:26 It's too different for current fans, and not engaging enough to bring new ones in.
05:30 Despite it being renewed for a second season, many have already sworn it off.
05:33 "Goodbye, John."
05:34 Number 14.
05:39 "Hank".
05:39 Kelsey Grammer is an icon of the small screen,
05:42 so people were rightfully excited when a new sitcom starring the Cheers and Frasier alumnus
05:46 was announced by ABC.
05:48 Sadly, Hank was not even good enough to be called a poor man's Frasier.
05:51 Grammer is a business executive who was let go from his CEO job,
05:58 and moves his family from New York to Virginia.
06:00 Obviously, hijinks ensue.
06:10 Ten episodes were shot for this family comedy, but ABC only ended up airing five of them.
06:15 Hank was so unfunny, Grammer himself asked the network to drop the series.
06:19 Number 13.
06:28 "And Just Like That".
06:29 It's hard enough to capture lightning in a bottle once, let alone twice.
06:33 "I just think the gray age is you."
06:35 "No, you think the gray age is you."
06:37 "Because if we're friends and I'm this age, you can't be whatever age you're pretending to be."
06:41 Sex and the City has been one of the most popular programs of the new millennium,
06:45 particularly among female audiences.
06:47 It's gone through a renaissance in recent years,
06:49 with new generations enjoying the characters' antics.
06:52 So when the sequel series was announced,
06:54 anticipation was high across all age groups.
06:56 "I mean, we can't just stay who we were, right?"
07:00 "Absolutely."
07:01 Fans couldn't wait to see what kind of lessons they would be able to impart from experience.
07:05 Unfortunately, the show couldn't live up to its previous reputation.
07:08 It's even been called "inauthentic",
07:10 which is a word that would have never been used to describe the original.
07:13 From the lack of Kim Cattrall to the main cast's regression,
07:16 it's clear it doesn't have the same spark.
07:18 "Well, at least that's all behind me."
07:21 Number 12.
07:22 "Criminal Minds Beyond Borders".
07:24 If there's one genre with a dedicated fan base, it's crime shows.
07:28 One of the most popular, "Criminal Minds",
07:30 sets itself apart by focusing on criminals' behavioral patterns.
07:34 It was a hit, which eventually led to the creation of several spinoffs,
07:37 including "Criminal Minds Beyond Borders".
07:39 "He attacked Jeff first, the biggest threat."
07:41 "And he had a compulsive need to brand him like his prey."
07:44 With actors like Gary Sinise signing on,
07:46 it seemed like a sure shot to reach similar levels of popularity.
07:49 Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
07:52 Audience couldn't help but notice that the new team had very similar traits to the original,
07:56 which caused them to seem unoriginal.
07:57 "I may have let it slip that you're a Yeti believer."
08:00 "I'm sorry, it seemed relevant."
08:02 "I'm here for comm support."
08:03 Beyond all else, it didn't really have the heart of the original,
08:06 which ultimately led to its failure.
08:07 "Let's go home."
08:09 "Yes, please."
08:10 Number 11.
08:11 "The Romanovs".
08:12 You'd think that after creating a hit like "Mad Men",
08:14 the only way to go would be up.
08:16 That seemed to be the case for Matt Weiner's next series, "The Romanovs".
08:19 "Have you ever heard of the Romanovs?"
08:21 "Of course, the Russian royal family."
08:24 It had an interesting concept,
08:26 focusing on families that believed they were direct descendants of the infamous clan.
08:29 The cast changing each episode was also an interesting twist.
08:32 While the premise was undoubtedly ambitious,
08:35 viewers learned that it couldn't quite stick the landing.
08:37 "This is all I want for the line to continue."
08:41 The pacing in particular was called out, along with the poor character development.
08:45 While the idea was great, many felt that it would have been better executed
08:49 if there were only one plotline.
08:50 It just goes to show that it doesn't matter how impressive a premise is,
08:54 if the final result falls short.
08:55 Number 10.
09:00 "The Idol".
09:01 On paper, this show also had everything it needed to succeed.
09:04 From a star-studded cast consisting of accomplished entertainers,
09:07 to euphoria creator Sam Levinson at the helm,
09:10 it seemed that "The Idol" would be an instant success.
09:12 The dark aesthetic alone was enough to draw people in.
09:15 Unfortunately, the final product couldn't live up to its glamorous reputation.
09:19 "I'm a mess."
09:20 "I am a mess."
09:25 "I'd bet a billion dollars on this mess."
09:28 "Really?"
09:30 Even before it aired, people were making fun of clips that had been published to promote it.
09:34 Many audiences found it boring, even with the gratuitous sexuality.
09:38 Beyond that, the weekend's portrayal of Tedros was unintentionally funny at times,
09:42 turning supposed dramatic scenes into comedic ones.
09:45 "Nobody's talking to you."
09:46 "We're talking to my people, they're an extension of me."
09:48 It may have been swiftly cancelled,
09:50 but it will always live on, thanks to the power of the internet.
09:53 Number 9.
09:54 "Feed the Beast".
09:56 Maybe they should have let this one go hungry.
09:58 "Alright, bon appetit."
09:59 Clyde Phillips is an accomplished TV writer and producer,
10:03 who contributed to Dexter's early success as its showrunner.
10:06 In "Feed the Beast", he cast David Schwimmer as Tommy Moran,
10:09 a man with alcohol use disorder who's struggling to launch a restaurant in the Bronx,
10:13 but whose dream is rendered difficult by criminals and corrupt officials.
10:17 Good acting and visuals aside,
10:18 this crime drama was taken to task by critics for an overall bland plot,
10:22 and generally unlikable characters.
10:24 "How are you and the bottle getting along these days?"
10:26 "Really well, actually."
10:27 "Yeah?"
10:28 "Yeah."
10:28 It was cancelled by AMC after just a single 10-episode season.
10:32 "Oh, thanks for coming to the funeral, by the way."
10:34 Number 8.
10:36 "Power Rangers Super Megaforce".
10:38 While not an entirely new show,
10:40 the 21st season of this beloved fan fave built on the show's anniversary 20th season,
10:44 and came full circle by featuring older characters.
10:47 "Hey, guys."
10:48 "Tommy!"
10:48 "You don't have to do it alone this time."
10:51 This news was huge with past and present supporters,
10:54 with many speculating over how the new and old cast would interact.
10:57 But unfortunately, the acting wasn't great,
11:00 the story wasn't that impactful,
11:01 and the writing was lacking,
11:03 which led many fans to conclude that the concept was pretty much wasted.
11:06 "Ready, Rangers?"
11:06 "Time to create a new legend!"
11:10 While it could have been an excellent way of connecting multiple generations
11:12 of Power Rangers audiences,
11:14 all it did was remind them of what it used to be.
11:16 "We'll always be with you."
11:17 "Thank you."
11:19 Number 7.
11:20 "Iron Fist".
11:21 Marvel has proven in the past that their television shows can be just as well made
11:24 as their movies,
11:25 with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones being considered the cream of the crop.
11:29 Between that track record and Iron Fist's popularity as a hero,
11:32 it seemed like a story would be an instant hit.
11:34 Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
11:36 Viewers found that it was lacking the excitement and intensity
11:39 usually found in Marvel's repertoire.
11:41 "Here for a lesson?"
11:42 "How can two dollars get me?"
11:44 "A cup of coffee down the street?"
11:48 Beyond that, the protagonist was handled differently than he had been in other series,
11:52 which led to confusion about his portrayal.
11:54 Fans were disappointed that Netflix dropped the ball.
11:57 "Seems fair."
11:58 Number 6.
11:59 "That '80s Show".
12:00 A sequel to That '70s Show starring Dennis from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
12:04 Doesn't that sound great?
12:06 That '80s Show follows Eric Foreman's cousin,
12:08 Corey Howard,
12:09 a struggling musician who works at a record shop.
12:12 "Our tools, personal power and growth are-"
12:14 "Ahh! Please, God, no more of this, hey!"
12:17 Despite being created by the same minds responsible for the hit series That '70s Show,
12:22 this spiritual sequel struggled through its first and only season before Fox gave it the chop.
12:27 "Jim Morrison's a god."
12:28 "A god who thought my breasts looked like mushrooms."
12:33 While its predecessor used the '70s as a backdrop for its lovable cast,
12:38 That '80s Show is just a series of heavy-handed references to its decade,
12:42 creating a mostly laugh-free experience.
12:44 "How you doing, son?"
12:45 "I got nothing!"
12:47 Number 5.
12:50 "The Witcher - Blood Origin".
12:52 With a fanbase as loyal as the one The Witcher has cultivated,
12:55 it only makes sense that fans would have high expectations for any retelling.
12:58 "You've not changed."
12:59 "You have."
13:01 After the success of the original series,
13:03 the studio moved forward with a prequel that would be set over a thousand years beforehand.
13:07 Fans were excited to see more world-building
13:09 and the exploration of Zentreya before it was destroyed.
13:12 "I should have died with my clan."
13:13 "Me too."
13:17 Their hopes were quickly dashed.
13:18 Not only had the writers not stayed faithful to the source material,
13:21 they also altered the lore.
13:23 This made it come across as a marketing tactic for the main show,
13:26 rather than a genuine continuation of the story.
13:28 It quickly became one of Netflix's worst-reviewed projects,
13:31 and any eagerness for future adaptations was gone.
13:34 Number 4.
13:35 "Joey".
13:36 A massively successful and influential sitcom,
13:39 "Friends" is seemingly set to flourish forever in the form of reruns.
13:42 With that sort of impact, a spin-off was inevitable,
13:45 and Matt LeBlanc's "Joey" was the one to receive the push.
13:48 "No, no, oh, stupid, stupid, stupid."
13:52 Unsurprisingly, removing five of the six reasons people loved the original series
13:57 had an adverse effect on the end product.
13:59 Lasting less than two seasons,
14:01 NBC's spin-off plummeted in ratings during its second year
14:04 due to airing in the same time slot as Fox's "American Idol".
14:07 "Oh, God, they voted me off the show."
14:10 "Of course they did, I suck."
14:11 "Joey" was unlikely to ever match the high standards set by "Friends",
14:15 but even so, most expected better.
14:17 "Oh, Gina, you didn't see me in those auditions.
14:19 I've lost it.
14:20 I can't do my job anymore."
14:22 Number 3.
14:24 "Velma".
14:24 "Scooby-Doo" is one of the most beloved series in American history,
14:28 and has maintained its popularity for several decades.
14:30 While many spin-offs and movies have been created,
14:33 one in particular became controversial, "Velma".
14:36 "What?"
14:36 "I'm bored."
14:37 "Norville, get off my jock and let me solve this mystery."
14:40 The bespectacled detective was a fan favorite,
14:42 which led to an initial wave of excitement for the series.
14:45 The announcement of Mindy Kaling playing the titular role
14:47 also piqued viewers' interests.
14:49 However, that interest quickly faded once episodes started rolling out.
14:53 "I need a favor.
14:54 I need you to get me my mom's cold case file."
14:56 "Why would I do that?"
14:57 "We're not friends anymore.
14:58 We're nemesises."
14:59 "Nemeses."
15:00 "That's why."
15:01 The show was mostly panned for poor attempts at self-aware humor
15:04 to a lack of character development.
15:06 Fans were also unhappy with how much the gang had been flanderized,
15:10 particularly Fred.
15:11 "The police need the list to keep hot girls safe."
15:13 "Oh, so like charity work?
15:14 Okay, but if this doesn't help restore my public image as a good guy,
15:18 I'ma be pissed."
15:19 It could have been a great continuation of the franchise,
15:21 but the poor execution quickly killed any support for it.
15:24 Also, where is Scooby?
15:26 Number 2.
15:27 "Charlie's Angels".
15:29 Getting a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes is considerably harder than earning a 100,
15:33 especially for TV shows.
15:34 "Who are you?
15:35 You don't look like cops."
15:37 "We're not.
15:38 We're angels."
15:39 If nothing else, the reboot of Charlie's Angels can take pride
15:42 in having earned membership in an exclusive group.
15:45 The original 1976 series was hardly a critical darling,
15:48 but the first two seasons found a huge audience.
15:51 "Wow, she wasn't lying about your mad hacking skills."
15:53 "Okay, uh, I'm not a big fan of the H-word.
15:55 It's like telling Picasso he's good at throwing paint onto a canvas."
15:58 This remake, on the other hand, was criticized for an uninteresting cast,
16:02 terrible action scenes, and was promptly cancelled before airing the season finale.
16:06 This ill-advised series is basically just a footnote in the franchise's history.
16:10 "Please tell me she's not really gone."
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16:27 #1 Inhumans
16:31 Suddenly, Iron Fist looks pretty good.
16:33 Based on the comic book property of the same name,
16:36 Inhumans centers around an inhuman royal family forced to hide out on Earth after a military coup.
16:41 "What would your parents think of you now?
16:42 Protecting the family they so detested."
16:46 Originally planned as a movie,
16:47 Marvel Studios tried to have the best of both worlds by screening an IMAX version of the first
16:51 two episodes.
16:52 "Take me to where you took the others."
16:56 Sitting at only 11% on Rotten Tomatoes as of November 2023,
17:00 Inhumans lacked the budget to do its source material justice.
17:03 Criticized for a bland story and weak characters,
17:05 sadly, there is little good to be said about this huge disappointment.
17:09 "Not much without your hair, huh?"
17:12 Have you ever been excited for a TV show,
17:14 just for it to fall short of your expectations?
17:16 Let us know in the comments below.
17:18 "Look at you."
17:20 "I know, look at me."
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