The 10 Worst Sitcoms Ever
TV has its hits and misses, right? For every great sitcom, there’s a pile of crappy ones. Some get cancelled right out of the gate — others drag on for years, begging to be put out of their misery.
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Join us in this look back at the 10 worst sitcoms.
10. Veronica’s Closet (1997 –2000)
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Cast
Kirstie Alley - Veronica Chase
Dan Cortese - Perry Rollins
Wallace Langham - Josh Blair
Daryl Mitchell - Leo Michaels
Kathy Najimy - Olive Massery
Plot
Veronica (Kirstie Alley) is a romance expert, but not when it comes to her own life. A divorced woman, she owns a lingerie company called Veronica’s Closet and interacts with co-workers Olive (Kathy Najimy), Josh (Wallace Langham), Leo (Daryl Mitchell) and Perry (Dan Cortese).
Why it’s on the list
Some argue that the first season of Veronica’s Closet was funny, but the addition of Ron Silver in the second season was the kiss of death. Not sure we agree though – we wanted to like Veronica’s Closet after Kirstie Alley’s run on Cheers, but the only thing this had going for it was supporting players Wallace Langham and Kathy Najimy.
9. Charles in Charge (1984- 1990)
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Cast
Scott Baio - Charles
Willie Aames – Buddy Lembeck
James T. Callahan – Walter Powell
Nicole Eggert – Jamie Powell
Josie Davis – Sarah Powell
Alexander Polinsky – Adam Powell
Plot
Charles is more than babysitter to the Powell kids – he’s a friend! Charles in Charge focused on the college student’s interaction with the Powell family and how he managed his own social life. And don’t forget kooky sidekick Buddy Lembeck, played by Willie Aames.
Why it’s on the list
Hear us out on this. Yep, Charles in Charge had Scott Baio and Willie Aames at their finest - only their finest wasn’t especially good. It does have that kickin’ theme song. Charles in Charge is definitely a show that you love to hate (or is it hate to love?).
8. The Nanny (1993 – 1999)
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Cast
Fran Drescher – Fran Fine
Charles Shaughnessy – Maxwell Sheffield
Daniel Davis - Niles
Lauren Lane – Chastity Claire “C.C.” Babcock
Nicholle Tom – Margaret “Maggie” Sheffield
Benjamin Salisbury – Brighton Sheffield
Madeline Zima – Grace Sheffield
Plot
Flushing, New York cosmetics saleslady with nasal and whiny voice is mistaken for a nanny applicant for rich Manhattan widow Maxwell Sheffield – and she’s hired. Yet another sitcom (see Mr. Belvedere, Charles in Charge) of the hired help becoming part of the family dynamic. The twist here is the sexual tension between the nanny and the dad.
Why it’s on the list
Fran Drescher’s trademark laugh was a real comedy killer. How many times can you listen to that laugh without wanting to jab a sharp object into your ear?
7. Webster (1983 - 1989)
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Cast
Emmanuel Lewis - Webster Long
Alex Karras - George Papadapolis
Susan Clark - Katherine Calder-Young Papadapolis
Plot
A post-retirement football player and his wife have their lives shaken up when they take in the orphaned son of a former teammate. Capitalizing on the cute factor, Emmanuel Lewis was the answer to Diff’rent Strokes’ Gary Coleman.
Why it’s on the list
Cuteness aside, there were few laughs in this 80s staple. Former football player Alex Karras and his real life wife, Susan Clark, as fictional spouses George and Katherine Calder-Young Papadapolis didn’t deliver. Funniest thing about Webster? Papadapolis.
6. All-American Girl (1994 – 1995)
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Cast
Margaret Cho - Margaret Kim
Amy Hill - Yung-hee ‘Grandma’ Kim
J.B. Quon - Eric Kim
Jodi Long - Katherine Kim
Clyde Kusatsu - Benny Kim
Plot
All-American Girl was based on Margaret Cho’s stand-up routine and looked at the culture clash between an Americanized daughter and her very traditional Korean mother and father.
Why it’s on the list
Perhaps attempting to capitalize on the success of comedian-turned-sitcom-star Jerry Seinfeld, Margaret Cho took on her sitcom with tons of enthusiasm. The Asian-American storylines, however, just never grabbed audiences and the show ended up in the crapper.
5. Babes (1990 – 1991)
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Cast
Wendie Jo Sperber - Charlene Gilbert
Susan Peretz - Darlene Gilbert
Lesley Boone - Marlene Gilbert
Plot
Babes revolved around three overweight sisters, — who all lived together in a tiny New York City apartment — and their relationships and careers. The show came under some criticism for its “fat” jokes.
Why it’s on the list
The situations of three chubby chicks just didn’t work with the viewing public and the series got canned after its first season.
4. Mr. Belvedere (1985 – 1990)
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Cast
Christopher Hewett – Mr. Lynn Aloysius Belvedere
Ilene Graff - Marsha Cameron Owens
Rob Stone - Kevin Owens
Tracy Wells - Heather Owens
Brice Beckham - Wesley T. Owens
Bob Uecker - George Owens
Plot
Oh the hilarity of a British male live-in housekeeper/nanny serving an American family, right? Mr. Belvedere, the hired help, really became a part of their lives (not unlike Alice on the Brady Bunch) - there to handle the highs and lows of the Owens family.
Why it’s on the list
Dad was played by Bob Uecker. That should have been enough of a turn-off right there, plus British Belvedere’s moral and life lessons got old fast.
3. Family Matters (1989 – 1998)
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Cast
Reginald VelJohnson – Carl Otis Winslow
JoMarie Payton – Harriette Winslow
Kellie Shanygne Williams – Laura Lee Winslow
Darius McCrary – Edward “Eddie” James Arthur Winslow
Jaleel White – Steven “Steve” Quincy Urkel
Telma Hopkins – Rachel Crawford
Rosetta LeNoire – Estelle “Mother” Winslow
Plot
Family Matters is actually a spin-off of Perfect Strangers, which isn’t a good thing, considering Strangers made our list of worst sitcoms too. While the show is about the Winslow family, it’s really nerdy next door neighbor Stephen Urkel that steals the show. And Urkel wasn’t even part of the original cast!
Why it’s on the list
How did Urkel and the Winslow clan survive so long on television? With a patented catchphrase, the nerdy disguise (Glasses? Check. High water pants? Check. Suspenders? Check.) and the out-there voice, Urkel’s shtick wore out fast. Or did it? 10 years is a long run.
2. Life on a Stick
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Cast
Zachary Knighton – Laz Lackerson
Charlie Finn - Fred
Rachelle Lefevre - Lily
Saige Thompson -Molly Callahan
Amy Yasbeck - Michelle Lackerson
Plot
Again with the slackers, Life on a Stick followed Laz Lackerson and his friend Fred — and their adventures working at the local mall’s food court. Mean manager, cute co-worker and dysfunctional family are all part of the formula.
Why it’s on the list
Stick a fork in it, because Life on a Stick only survived one season. With good reason – few wanted to watch the goings on at the food court and the characters and comedy were light on laughs.
1. It’s a Living (1980 – 1982 ABC; 1985- 1989 syndication)
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Cast
It’s a Living had an ever changing cast during its six season run, but most notably featured:
Ann Jillian – Cassie Cranston
Gail Edwards – Dot Higgins
Marion Mercer – Nancy Beebe
Crystal Bernard - Amy Tompkins
Barrie Youngfellow – Jan Joffmeyer
Sheryl Lee Ralph - Ginger St. James
Paul Kreppel - Sonny Mann
Plot
Do you remember this one? Yeah, we don’t blame you if you missed it. Waitresses gettin’ by while working at a restaurant atop a hotel. Hmm.. yeah.
Why it’s on the list
This one was just bad on so many levels. Sorry Crystal Bernard and Ann Jillian fans, but It’s a Living was a total flop, with jokes that never got off the ground. Amazing this one lasted so long.