20 Worst TV Shows Of All Time

Today, we'll cover what I think are the worst 20 TV shows to ever air...

20. Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman (1993-1998)

Cast

Jane Seymour – Dr. Michaela ‘Mike’ Quinn

Joe Lando – Byron Sully

Shawn Toovey – Brian Cooper

Chad Allen – Matthew Cooper

Orson Bean – Loren Bray

Plot

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman followed Jane Seymour in the title role, as a doctor in the old west. Dr. Quinn gets support in the wild west from friend (and love interest) Byron Sully (Joe Lando) and midwife Charlotte Cooper (Diane Ladd). After the midwife is bitten by a rattle snake, she asks Dr. Quinn to look after her three children. After an outpouring from fans following Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman’s cancellation, two TV movies were made.

Why it’s on the list

We know that Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman was a popular show, but it lost viewers over the years and was reportedly canceled when it failed to appeal to a younger demographic. The show ran for six seasons and grabbed tons of fans, but we can’t help think it ran out of steam pretty early on.

19. Blind Justice (2005)

Cast

Ron Eldard – Detective Jim Dunbar

Marisol Nichols – Detective Karen Bettancourt

Rena Sofer – Christie Dunbar

Reno Wilson – Detective Tom Selway

Frank Grillo – Detective Marty Russo

Michael Gaston – Lt. Gary Fisk

Saul Rubinek – Dr. Alan Galloway

Plot

Created by NYPD Blue’s Steven Bochco, Blind Justice starred Ron Eldard as a cop blinded in the line of duty. After winning a lawsuit, he was able to continue to work on the police force.

Why it’s on the list

A blind cop? Carrying a gun? Does this seem like a good idea to you? Despite Ron Eldard’s solid performance on Blind Justice, viewers weren’t too keen on a sightless man packing heat. Blind Justice was cancelled after 13 episodes.

18. Father Murphy (1981 – 1983)

Cast

Merlin Olsen – John Michael Murphy

Katherine Cannon – Mae Woodward

Timothy Gibbs – Will Adams

Moses Gunn – Moses Gage

Plot

Father Murphy was created by Little House on the Prairie’s Michael Landon and starred his Little House co-star (and former NFL player) Merlin Olsen. Olsen played 1870s frontiersman John Michael Murphy, a drifter who pairs up with prospector Moses Gage (played by Moses Gunn), pretending to be a priest to protect a group of orphans from being sent to the work house.

Why it’s on the list

This slice of family fare didn’t stretch beyond the second season once Father Murphy’s true identity was revealed and he married the school teacher. Michael Landon stopped writing and directing and the series failed without his attachment to the project. The formula of new kids in each episode (Hey, look! Shannen Doherty, Kelly Martin, Christina Applegate!) and a weekly villain grew stale quickly.

17. The OC (2003 – 2007)

Cast

Peter Gallagher – Sandy Cohen

Kelly Rowan – Kirsten Cohen

Benjamin McKenzie – Ryan Atwood

Adam Brody – Seth Cohen

Rachel Bilson – Summer Roberts

Melinda Clarke – Julie Cooper

Mischa Barton – Marissa Cooper

Plot

The old “boy from the wrong side of the tracks” story in teenage soap opera form – Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie) is taken in by richie-rich Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan). The drama unfolds as this outsider and his surrogate brother Seth (Adam Brody) take on the personalities of high-class Orange County, California.

Why it’s on the list

The answer to Fox’s next Beverly Hills, 90210, The OC was at times overly dramatic – even by teen angst standards. Girl drama unfolds with characters like Summer Roberts and Marissa Cooper, played by Rachel Bilson and Mischa Barton – neither of whom could act their way out of a wet paper bag. Plenty of pretty faces to look at… but not much substance.

16. One Tree Hill (2003 – present)

Cast

Bethany Joy Galeotti – Haley James Scott

Sophia Bush – Brooke Davis

Paul Johansson – Dan Scott

Hilarie Burton – Peyton Sawyer

Chad Michael Murray – Lucas Scott

James Lafferty – Nathan Scott

Plot

One Tree Hill is a teen drama that has lasted the test of time. To shake things up during season five, the One Tree Hill gang fast forwarded four and a half years past their high school graduation – things are vastly different for the characters, with Lucas coaching the Ravens, Nathan and Haley raising their son (and, oh yeah, Nathan was in an accident that nearly paralyzed him and crushed his basketball dreams). Brooke is wildly successful, while Peyton quits her crappy job and returns to Tree Hill.

Why it’s on the list

One Tree Hill is one TV drama that just will not go away. For some reason, people keep tuning in to the same old tired storylines. Moving the stories ahead four years into the future may just be the most desperate attempt to freshen the show up. Jump the shark much?

15. Touched by an Angel (1994 – 2003)

Cast

Roma Downey – Monica

Della Reese – Tess

John Dye – Andrew

Valerie Bertinelli – Gloria

Plot

Touched by an Angel chronicled a group of angels on various missions – sent by God to assist the human race in making big life decisions. The angels, played by Roma Downey, Della Reese and John Dye, delivered messages from God to provide guidance, deliver hope and restore faith. Valerie Bertinelli was introduced in season eight, playing inexperienced angel Gloria.

Why it’s on the list

There’s nothing wrong with good, clean, wholesome entertainment – as long as it entertains. Trying to drag out the tired angel plotlines week after week left many of the show’s original fans feeling tired themselves.

14. Highway to Heaven (1984 – 1989)

Cast

Michael Landon – Jonathan Smith

Victor French – Mark Gordon

Plot

On Highway to Heaven, Michael Landon starred as angel Jonathan Smith, sent back to Earth to help people (yep, the precursor of Touched by an Angel), along with his human companion, ex-policeman Mark Gordon (Victor French). The pair carried out their missions from “the Boss,” traveling the country to spread their love, hope and positive mojo.

Why it’s on the list

This show was heavy on the cheese factor, but the ever-popular Michael Landon rode his Little House on the Prairie likeability straight on to the Highway to Heaven. With a sassy sidekick in Victor French, Highway to Heaven was heavy on clichés and family drama.

13. Commander in Chief (2005 – 2006)

Cast

Geena Davis – President Mackenzie Allen

Harry J. Lennix – Jim Gardner

Kyle Secor – Rod Calloway

Ever Carradine – Kelly Ludlow

Caitlin Wachs – Rebecca Calloway

Donald Sutherland – Nathan Templeton

Plot

Commander in Chief answered the question “What happens when a woman becomes president?” Geena Davis starred as the first female President of the United States, taking on the role when the previous commander unexpectedly died of a cerebral aneurysm. Commander in Chief actually did pretty well in the ratings, despite a lot of criticism.

Why it’s on the list

When bad shows happen to heavy hitters – Geena Davis and Donald Sutherland have excellent acting resumes, so why did they take on this oftentimes unbelievable drama? A total waste of their talents. West Wing… it was not.

12. Fantasy Island (1978 – 1984)

Cast

Ricardo Montalban – Mr. Roarke

Hervé Villechaize – Tattoo

Plot

Fantasy Island was a magical location where people paid to have their fantasies fulfilled by island leader Mr. Roarke (played by Ricardo Montalban) and his petite sidekick Tattoo (Herve Villechaize). Think “The Love Boat” – only on land.

Why it’s on the list

Yep, we all know Tattoo’s catchphrase: “De plane! De plane!” – but what about the rest of the show? Anyone else totally creeped out by Mr. Roarke and Tattoo’s white suits? Mr. Roarke was truly magical, but boy did this show suck. And damn the producers – they fired Villechaize before the final season! Asses.

11. Summerland (2004 – 2005)

Cast

Lori Loughlin – Ava Gregory

Merrin Dungey – Susannah Rexford

Ryan Kwanten – Jay Robertson

Jesse McCartney – Bradin Westerly

Shawn Christian – Johnny Durant

Kay Panabaker – Nikki Westerly

Nick Benson – Derrick Westerly

Taylor Cole – Erika Spalding

Zac Efron – Cameron Bale

Jonathan Slavin – Colby Freed

Plot

When Bradin (Jesse McCartney), Nikki (Kay Panabaker) and Derrick’s (Nick Benson) parents are killed in a car accident, the Kansas kids go to live with their aunt Ava (Lori Loughlin) in California. Naturally, the kids turn Ava’s life upside down – she, a struggling clothes designer, who lives with her best friend, an ex-pro surfer and her ex-boyfriend. She’s trying to raise the kids as well as she can, despite Bradin running with the wrong crowd, Nikki trying to fit in and Derrick looking for a male role model.

Why it’s on the list

Another one of those “look at all the pretty people” dramas, rampant with clichés — where you’re supposed to ignore the fact that the plotlines and acting suck. This was one of our first glimpses of pretty boys Zac Efron and Jesse McCartney, so that counts for something.

10. The Bedford Diaries (2006)

Cast

Penn Badgley – Owen Gregory

Victoria Cartagena – Zoe Lopez

Corri English – Natalie Dykstra

Milo Ventimiglia – Richard Thorne III

Matthew Modine – Professor Jake Macklin

Darien Sills-Evans – Aaron Evans

Tiffany Dupont – Sara Gregory

Ernest Waddell – Lee Rasmussen

Plot

The Bedford Diaries looks at six very different students’ New York City college experiences. Each brought together by a common sexuality seminar, where they explore sex, love, passion and abstinence. Each student has to complete their weekly class assignment with video diaries.

Why it’s on the list

Just as well this dud didn’t pan out – Milo Ventimiglia went on to Heroes and Penn Badgely took on the fabulous Gossip Girl world. We’re better off having them in these new shows than keeping the drudgery of The Bedford Diaries going.

9. Head Cases (2005)

Cast

Chris O’Donnell – Jason Payne

Adam Goldberg – Russell Shultz

Krista Allen – Laurie Payne

Jake Cherry – Ryan Payne

Richard Kind – Lou Albertini

Rockmond Dunbar – Dr. Robinson

Rhea Seehorn – Nicole Walker

Plot

Head Cases starred Chris O’Donnell as attorney Jason Payne, who suffers a nervous breakdown and goes to a wellness center to recover. He’s paired with lawyer Russell Shultz (Adam Goldberg), a patient with problems all his own. And voila! The two nutjobs open their own law firm.

Why it’s on the list

Where to even begin with this piece of crap drama? Luckily, it was over before it even started – put out of its misery after two episodes due to horrible ratings. Head Cases had the prestigious honor of being the first cancellation of the 2005-2006 season. Way to go!

8. Skin (2003)

Cast

Ron Silver – Larry Goldman

Kevin Anderson – Tom Roam

Rachel Ticotin – Laura Roam

Pamela Gidley – Barbara Goldman

Olivia Wilde – Jewel Goldman

D.J. Cotrona – Adam Roam

Plot

Skin was a modern day Romeo and Juliet, with Adam (D.J. Cotrona) and Jewel (Olivia Wilde) playing the star-crossed lovers. The pair’s families are feuding – his dad is the LA District Attorney trying to take down her father (played by Ron Silver), who runs a porno company. Sexy.

Why it’s on the list

This was a story going nowhere fast – proven by its cancellation after just three episodes. Poor ratings and crappy reviews led to Skin’s demise. We hope you didn’t waste your time in hopes of actually seeing some skin.

7. LAX (2004 – 2005)

Cast

Heather Locklear – Harley Random

Blair Underwood – Roger De Souza

Paul Leyden – Tony Magulia

Frank John Hughes – Henry Engels

Plot

An inside look at the day-to-day goings on at the Los Angeles International Airport, LAX starred Heather Locklear as runway chief Harley Random and Blair Underwood as terminal boss Roger De Souza. Both characters (and their egos) were jockeying for the position of airport director.

Why it’s on the list

LAX deserves to be on this list of worst TV dramas because even Jay Leno commented it was “so bad that the actual Los Angeles Airport is thinking of changing its name to avoid being associated with the show.”

6. Big Shots (2007 – 2008)

Cast

Michael Vartan – James Walker

Christopher Titus – Brody Johns

Joshua Malina – Karl Mixworthy

Paige Turco – Lisbeth

Nia Long – Katie Graham

Dylan McDermott – Duncan Collinsworth

Plot

Big Shots looked at four male friends, their careers and relationships – and their friendship with one another. The self-centered guys and their male bonding, however, didn’t relate well to audiences.

Why it’s on the list

With eye candy Dylan McDermott and Michael Vartan, Big Shots had such huge potential – but the show fell short. Way short. The biggest gripe from critics and viewers was that Big Shots tried too hard to be Entourage or the male version of Sex and the City. It didn’t live up to either of those shows.

5. Beauty and the Beast (1987 – 1990)

Cast

Ron Perlman – Vincent

Linda Hamilton – Asst. Dist. Atty. Catherine Chandler

Plot

Beauty and the Beast featured Linda Hamilton as New York assistant district attorney Catherine and Ron Perlman as the beast, Vincent. The series chronicled their forbidden romance, as Catherine lived in the city and Vincent dwelled in the underground tunnels. Catherine was later killed off (she had Vincent’s baby first, however) and Jo Anderson took on the female lead as a private investigator.

Why it’s on the list

This laughable modern day take on the classic fairy tale had us rolling on the ground laughing. The makeup job on Vincent is ridiculous – really, Ron Perlman without makeup is beastly enough. And they couldn’t find a better beauty than Linda Hamilton? We like romance and all, but this beauty/beast matchup was a stretch.

4. Manimal (1983)

Cast

Simon MacCorkindale – Jonathan Chase

Melody Anderson – Brooke Mackenzie

Michael D. Roberts – Tyrone “Ty” C. Earl

Reni Santoni – Lt. Nick Rivera

William Conrad – Narrator (Opening scene)

Plot

Manimal featured a man who could shape-shift into any animal to suit the crime fighting situation. The following was narrated at the beginning of each episode: “Dr. Jonathan Chase… wealthy, young, handsome. A man with the brightest of futures. A man with the darkest of pasts. From Africa’s deepest recesses, to the rarified peaks of Tibet, heir to his father’s legacy and the world’s darkest mysteries. Jonathan Chase, master of the secrets that divide man from animal, animal from man… Manimal!”

Why it’s on the list

Crappy special effects aside, Dr. Chase seemed limited by the animals he could transform into – how many times during the series’ eight episodes did he either become a hawk or a black panther? (Alright, to his credit, he did also turn into a bull, snake, dolphin and horse) Manimal fans can rest assured that the show did at least become popular in South Asia and Peru.

3. Silk Stalkings (1991 – 1999)

Cast

Mitzi Kapture – Police Sgt. Rita Lee Lance

Rob Estes – Sgt. Chris Lorenzo

Charlie Brill – Capt. Harry Lipschitz

Plot

Silk Stalkings was a USA Network crime drama that offered plenty of sultry plotlines in steamy Palm Beach, Florida. The original detectives were portrayed by Mitzi Kapture as Rita Lee Lance and Rob Estes as Chris Lorenzo.

Why it’s on the list

This was at once cheesy 90s goodness and crappy drama, with lame sexual tension between main players Rob Estes and Mitzi Kapture that eventually led to her pregnancy and the detectives’ marriage. New, younger partners were introduced on Silk Stalkings during the fifth season — when Rob Estes’ character was killed off and Mitzi Kapture left the series – and later, another two detectives replaced the original replacements. Yeah, we’re confused too.

2. Baywatch Nights (1995 – 1997)

Cast

David Hasselhoff – Mitch Buchannon

Angie Harmon – Ryan McBride

Lou Rawls – Lou Raymond

Eddie Cibrian – Griff Walker

Donna D’Errico – Donna Marco

Dorian Gregory – Diamont Teague

Plot

Baywatch Nights was a spin-off of the popular series Baywatch, starring David Hasselhoff. For those who couldn’t get enough of David Hasselhoff on the beach, Baywatch nights showed a different side of his character, Mitch Buchannon. The spin-off featured Mitch moonlighting as a private detective.

Why it’s on the list

Baywatch – only with crime solving and no sexy bathing suits? No wonder Baywatch Nights only made it through two seasons. In an attempt to keep viewers tuned in, Baywatch Nights took on a decidedly X-Files feel during the second season… but one cared.

1. Cop Rock (1990)

Cast

Teri Austin – Trish Vaughn

Anne Bobby – Off. Vicki Quinn

Barbara Bosson – Mayor Louise Plank

Ronny Cox – Chief Roger Kendrick

Vondie Curtis-Hall – Det. Warren Osborne

David Gianopoulos – Off. Andy Campo

Larry Joshua – Capt. John Hollander

Plot

Steven Bochco, creator of the successful Hill Street Blues, attempted to combine a police drama and a musical. A concept ahead of its time… or just stupid television? No matter if you loved the idea or hated it, critics slammed it and it was canned after 11 episodes.

Why it’s on the list

Cop Rock’s format had never been tried before – and had critics and viewers divided. Cops and robbers breaking into song? Junkies rapping? A police captain rockin’ out with a hidden podium organ, urging his staff “Let’s be Careful Out There”… it was little surprise Cop Rock struck out in the ratings.

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See you tomorrow.