BLOGS
Last week, we ranked the must-see new fall shows, so this week we're doing the opposite. These are the shows you should really avoid at all costs. It's too late for us, since we diligently sat through all of the pilots, but you can still save yourselves (and your DVRs).
10. Hart of Dixie
We like Rachel Bilson. We like Jaime King. We really like Scott Porter. And we enjoy Josh Schwartz-produced shows. Despite all those things being combined in one convenient place, this is a forgettable mess thanks to Bilson playing a heart doctor (wrap your head around that for a second) named Zoe Hart (gag!) and a Sweet Home Alabama-esque fish-out-of-water storyline. Our only question: will The CW cancel this first or H8R?
9. Unforgettable
With that title, you'd think we might be able to remember what this show was about, but every time the name pops up, we have to remind ourselves that it is the one with Poppy Montgomery as a detective who has the useful talent of being able to remember every minuscule detail of every minuscule moment of her life (except, natch, the one that matters most). It's a crime-solving procedural with a "twist," but we can see through its not-so-clever disguise. This one's a snooze.
8. Last Man Standing
We've seen Home Improvement, we don't need another one. Changing the sons to daughters and throwing in references to websites doesn't count as original, Tim Allen.
7. Man Up
Friends With Benefits, Perfect Couples and Mixed Signals all tried and failed last season to attract viewers to a group of pals with quirky character traits who are all in various states in their relationships. Only the similarly themed Happy Endings survived, and we're not entirely sure how. We're predicting Man Up will face a similar fate as the cancelled series. Will we have to tell these video game-obsessed men that their show is over via Xbox Live?
6. H8R
Mario Lopez. Various celebrities. The people that hate them. Exactly what about mixing these elements together sounded like a good idea to anyone? We'd really like to have Herman's Head-like access to the network executives at The CW to find out what they were thinking when this got the greenlight.
5. How to Be a Gentleman
Kevin Dillon (aka Johnny Drama) is an old gym rat lunkhead (think Ronnie from Jersey Shore) who bullies and physically intimidates David Hornsby into giving up his classy life in order to write a column for a men's magazine. Dave Foley and Mary Lynn Rajskub are sadly involved in this mess and we really feel awful about that. Then again, this show is on CBS and could be the next Two and a Half Men in terms of inexplicable longevity and popularity... but we really hope not.
4. Free Agents
A terrible workplace comedy that makes us wonder if some of those atrocious episodes of The Office weren't all that bad by comparison. We hope that Hank Azaria put a lot of that Simpsons money in the bank.
3. I Hate My Teenage Daughter
Two horrible women hate the obnoxious teens that they raised. This desperately wants to be AbFab, but it doesn't even come close to the cleverness of that superior UK show. Instead, it might be one of the worst (non-animated) Fox pilots we've seen in a long time. And that's saying something.
2. Whitney
How do we describe what is easily the worst show of the fall? Dreadful? Painful? Appalling? The kind of torture that is like going through an MRI machine while having a root canal while Fran Drescher's laugh plays on loop and Dr. House tries to kill/cure you? Something along those lines. This multi-camera sitcom sucks the life out of comedienne Whitney Cummings (who is usually wickedly funny in her stand-up and on those Comedy Central Roasts). Here she's trying to be edgy, but the show plays into every single stereotypical sitcom trap that we've seen a million times before. None of the characters are remotely likable. The laugh track is irritating. And every time we think about the possibility of having to watch another episode, we break out in hives.
1. Whitney
This show is so insanely bad that it counts twice. It's a double warning to those who might be tempted. Check out the sharp Cummings-produced 2 Broke Girls instead and count your blessings.
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I can wrap my head around Rachel Bilson as a doc just out of school, transplanted to a small town. It's not Gray's Anatomy. Besides, I like the Doc Hollywood angle and I've missed Rachel Bilson. Scott Porter looks good too. I hope the show stays on.
Why do you insist on taking a dig at Happy Endings at every possible opportunity on this website? "You're not sure how" it survived? Maybe because it's a funny show with a lot of potential, and ABC recognizes that and gave it the post-Modern Family slot. You even admitted you don't watch the show, so stop beating us over the head with this nonsense.
Why do you insist on taking a dig at Happy Endings at every possible opportunity on this website? "You're not sure how" it survived? Maybe because it's a funny show with a lot of potential, and ABC recognizes that and gave it the post-Modern Family slot. You even admitted you don't watch the show, so stop beating us over the head with this nonsense.
I actually like friends with benefits better than happy endings, but I'm a Ryan Hansen fan and the lead happy endings girl is awful.
I tried to type 'awful' in her annoying 'ahh-MAH-zing' voice, but it didn't work
Paula, I'm with you. Other than the "heart doctor named Zoe Hart" (which is awful), the description of the show still makes me want to watch it! And I loved the preview.
LOL I can't believe I never made that connection between heart doctor and Dr. Hart. I guess we both see there's more to the show than that. :))
Heh. Try getting this list through my sister and brother-in-law's heads. They think half the shows mentioned here are comedy gold. *gag*
The absolute worst for me though is "Last Man Standing." WHY??? Who the hell asked for more Tim Allen?
Sad, I really love Happy Endings but no one at TWoP ever seems willing to give it a shot. I laugh out loud several times per episode. But maybe I'm just an easy target? Anyway I hope it lasts for several more seasons. It's a lot of fun.
Happy Endings got annoying to me. It's like every episode they had to remind us Max is gay. I didn't need to be reminded every week, after the first episode I knew who was what. They didn't keep reminding us of everybody elses status. It's like they thought having a gay character would some how make them hip, so they had to keep reminding us. It made things seem forced instead of having a natural flow.
Happy Endings got annoying to me. It's like every episode they had to remind us Max is gay. I didn't need to be reminded every week, after the first episode I knew who was what. They didn't keep reminding us of everybody elses status. It's like they thought having a gay character would some how make them hip, so they had to keep reminding us. It made things seem forced instead of having a natural flow.
So I'm guessing the scenes in the promos, where Whitney's boyfriend messes with her in the bathroom, really are the funniest bits on the show. Too bad. On the other hand it never fails to crack me up when he spritzes her with his deodorant.
I have to agree with Jessica, if you've never watched Happy Endings, don't comment on it. The show has a lot of potential and is a lot funnier and more clever than you give it credit for.
What? The new Tim Allen sitcom isn't funny? I don't believe it.
I don't care what anyone says Happy Ending is ah-mah-zing! I hope it last for a few more seasons. I'm willing to watch the pilot of a few of these shows before I judge. How many times have people said certain shows were going to get cancelled and they ended up being a cult favorite?
Yeah Happy Endings is great, I mean the pilot was a cliche shit but the rest of the season are very creative, friends with benefits is like an exact copy of happy endings (how the hell did Ben get the idea of a food truck?) oh right from DAVE!!!
I didn't hate Whitney nearly as much as you did. It's one of those shows that I think will develop into something good if it gets the ratings. A lot of nervous network meetings probably went into developing this sitcom, but if she gets people watching, she can leverage that into getting more of her standup style. Be patient. This could be the next Seinfeld or Roseanne (at their best).
I actually didn't mind the pilot of Free Agents. Perhaps some of the office-based comedy was a bit tortured, but I like Kathryn Hahn and I thought her chemistry with Hank Azaria was charming. Also - Anthony Stewart Head!! I'm willing to give it another shot.
I think Whitney looks funny from what I've seen so I'm surprised you hate it so much. I'll definitely check it out just to see. Also, I really like Happy Endings, and I also don't really get the hate for it. It's a little hit and miss sometimes but overall I think it's pretty solid. It can't be worse than a new Tim Allen show.
I really liked Free Agents as well. I love Kathryn Hahn and Hank Azaria and I thought they played well off each other. And ditto on the Giles love. I wasn't even going to check it out because everyone seemed to hate it, but I was bored so I checked it out. And I'm going to check out Hart of Dixie as well, the preview looked awesome and I love the three leads mentioned. And Happy Endings is awesome. gingersmom - I think the reason it's like that is because all the episodes were out of order so the flow of the episodes was a bit off. Hopefully it becomes more linear in the second season.
It's like they had to remind you that Max was gay? How, by treating his character exactly the same way that they treat every other character and not treating his sexuality like either a dirty little secret or a Very Special Episode? And sweetie? They "reminded" you of "everybody elses [sic] status" in every single episode, by having them go on dates with members of the opposite sex or having sex with members of the opposite sex or being married to someone of the opposite sex or endlessly rehashing leaving someone of the opposite sex at the altar. Moron.
I'm hoping that Hart of Dixie proves the naysayers wrong. It has that 'Doc Hollywood' vibe going for it.
How did New Girl not get a nod? Admittedly, I haven't seen any of these pilots, so maybe they're bad enough to oust New Girl on this list, but I should think it was at least bad enough for an honorable mention.
I love that you listed Whitney twice. That made me laugh more than that show ever will.
I appreciate the snark directed towards "Happy Endings". That show tried so desperately to come across as hip and topical, and ended up seeming like something some coked-up thirty-something producer wrote on his spare time from banging young ingenues. Elisha Cuthbert is hot and all, and I appreciate the attempt, but come on. The pandering done to the LGBT community alone was pathetic and redundant.
Anyways, besides that I agree with Zoe that "New Girl" should have at least been an honorable mention on this list. Deschanel as... herself. Twee can only last a few episodes, and then it'll get annoying.
"2 Broke Girls" looks promising, but it's rare a show directed towards young women is released and isn't either saccharine-Disney-bland, or stupid-Reality-skank vicious.
Being gay myself, and having many gay and straight friends, I know the conversations and story lines were forced. I don't have a problem with a prominent gay character, I just don't feel like I need a constant PSA announcement. If they gave the character a boyfriend and showed the natural interaction between them that would have been great. Like the last year of Ellen, when she had a girlfriend. The point is, they didn't treat him like the other characters. They made his sexuality an issue by exploiting it to look hip. But, what do I know, I'm just a moron.
Also, sweetie, when the other characters went on a date, there wasn't a discussion about how they were heterosexual. They just lived their lives. I know when I'm being pandered to. The rest of the time I thought the show was ok.
Actually the only two shows I feel worth watching are Last Man Standing ans Whitney, and if these two make it I am going to love to see you guys have your head explode.
I saw part of Free Agents, and I thought it was okay. Better than trying to watch the new season of HIMYM. Hart of Dixie has potential beyond the boatload of hearts. I also third or whatever New Girl for this list.
Love! Love! Love! Happy Endings! So glad it's renewed.
I agree with everything on this list, save Free Agents. I actually enjoyed the pilot; they are normally wrought with exposition and I thought the way it was done on FA was enjoyable. I thought it was amusing and the editing was great. I doubt the longevity of the program, but will enjoy it until it is inevitably cancelled.
I agree with everything on this list, save Free Agents. I actually enjoyed the pilot; they are normally wrought with exposition and I thought the way it was done on FA was enjoyable. I thought it was amusing and the editing was great. I doubt the longevity of the program, but will enjoy it until it is inevitably cancelled.
I stumbled across Free Agents last week and actually loved it - and I'm not really a sit-com watcher. I thought it was hysterical, plus GILES!!! When he showed Azaria the actual flying dutchman move - I died.
I'm also SO looking forward to Hart of Dixie. Love Rachel Bilson, love VP Hoynes. DH happened to wander through the family room while I was watching the preview, and he thought it looked cute. I got the warm fuzzies from the preview - so I definitely will be giving it a shot.
Free Agents had a few minor laughs and doesn't deserve to be on this list, although I do predict its quick cancellation.
I fourth the New Girl hate. I saw this made the "Best" list and almost screamed. Every time I see the commercials for this I want to stab my eyes out! Can screenwriters please stop writing these b.s. Manic Pixie Dreamgirls? Everything about her seems fake and shallow. I know nerdy Hollywood writers love to make hot girls nerdy, but it's obnoxious.
I do find it refreshing that Max is not a stereotypical stock gay male character that is often seen on every other TV show that writes a gay male character. Max is totally an overgrown fratboy who happens to be gay, and that hasn't really been portrayed on TV before.
As for anyone who doesn't like Happy Endings or won't give it a chance, how can you not love a show that incorporates food trucks, hipsters and zombies all into one episode? Brilliant.
Okay, most of these choices I can understand, but frankly in a landscape full of procedurals, and even procedurals built around fairy tales (Grimm, Once Upon a Time) I can't fathom why you choose to pick on Unforgettable. It won't be spectacular, but it looks watchable.
Additionally, I know Whitney is unbearable, but I'm confused about why New Girl is either getting a pass or getting raves. Zoey D's lead is an interesting character (but the concept of her being an early elementary school teacher is ludicrous given the amount of free time she has). More importantly, though, this show consists of Zoey being as aggressively quirky as possible for as long as possible against the backdrop of three clueless twerps. I consider myself a Zoey fan (I even liked her turn in Yes Man), and it's just way too much.
I think Hart of Dixie was trying for Doc Hollywood endearment and just missed.
NEW GIRL!!! ZOE is the MOST annoying actress ever!
Whitney is the worst show ever made.
Hart of Dixie had a chance; nice premise. However, Bilson lead character is terrible written. She comes off to ditzy to be a doctor and just way to young looking for the part. It is just not believable and gets annoying quickly. Rest rest could work if her character would have been put together with a little intelligence.
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My my my! Should have read this first. We wasted two weeks of Whitney time thinking this has to get better. Must disagree on Last Man Standing. Pretty decent in all respects especially what the comedy of the moment "writers" are spewing.
How is 'Revenge' not on this list? Also, I don't understand the Happy Endings hate. I caught it last night after Modern Family and laughed my ass off. That being said, Revenge should have taken the number #2 spot. That is just the most laughably terrible show I've seen.
Happy Endings is actually much better than Modern Family. If you don't like it, it's ok, ABC is really sorry that you don't have an appreciation for what comedy is.
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Two broke Girls is even worse. If you think it's edgy or "different" then you clearly haven't been watching these terribly cliched "hip" sitcoms for the last decade or so.
Cummings' pap is in the running with Chuck Lorre's garbage as the worst thing to happen to sitcoms since all those Friends rip offs back in the late 90s/early 00s.
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