# Longest running yet most forgotten (or forgettable) TV Show? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 5, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064 "2013-03-05T03:00:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/81 "2013-03-06T03:18:48Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I came to say \*According To Jim \*but I gotta say…I don’t remember a single thing about _Yes Dear_. > > As an avid consumer of pop culture I usually no a little about shows that I’ve never seen but I’m drawing a total blank on _Yes Dear_. I would have to say the reverse. I am aware of _Yes Dear_ if for no other reason than it has been brought up in previous threads about crappy shows that lasted a long time; but, I cannot believe \*According To Jim \* lasted more than a season. I do not even know the premise of the show–only that it starred Jim Belushi. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/82 "2013-03-06T03:28:27Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > Touched by an Angel: > “[Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touched_by_an_Angel)” > > and I can’t remember one episode. Horrible show IMHO Sounds like maybe someone was “touched by an angel” one time too many. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/83 "2013-03-06T03:44:28Z")
Actually… I seem to recall some sit-com that was on when I was a kid where a girl could freeze time by touching her two fingers together. The theme song was “if you like to swing on a star, carry moon beams home in a jar…” Anyone remember what that show was and how long it was on? ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/84 "2013-03-06T03:47:42Z")
[Hart to Hart](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hart_to_Hart) ran for 110 episodes, and I remember it being heavily promoted, but it’s forgotten culturally. Ditto [Grace Under Fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Under_Fire) (112) and [Head of the Class](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_the_Class) (114). ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/85 "2013-03-06T03:49:49Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Actually… I seem to recall some sit-com that was on when I was a kid where a girl could freeze time by touching her two fingers together. The theme song was “if you like to swing on a star, carry moon beams home in a jar…” Anyone remember what that show was and how long it was on? [Out of This World](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_This_World_%28TV_series%29) ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/86 "2013-03-06T03:59:11Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Step by Step ran 7 seasons but I have never met anybody who has ever seen it, despite having relatively “big name” stars. This is a show that I am waiting to be made available on DVD because it is one that I grew up watching, 🙂 🙂 🙂 God bless you always!!! Holly ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/87 "2013-03-06T04:07:57Z")
Thanks April. Only 4 seasons… nothing too terrific. And evidently you remembered it 😛 I’m still thinking Yes, Dear is the best we’ve come up with so far. Just in my humble opinion. I mean, how did I grow up never even having ever heard of this show? That was right in the time I was in high school and early college. Crazy. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/88 "2013-03-06T04:13:23Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Thanks April. Only 4 seasons… nothing too terrific. And evidently you remembered it 😛 > . I watched way too much TV as a kid. 😉 It is kinda the same as [The Secret World of Alex Mack](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_World_of_Alex_Mack). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/89 "2013-03-06T04:15:32Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > _[Drew Carey Show](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drew_Carey_Show)_ > Season Years Rank Rating > Season 1 1995–1996 #48 10.1 > Season 2 1996–1997 #18 11.5 > Season 3 1997–1998 #16 11.1 > Season 4 1998–1999 #14 9.9 > Season 5 1999–2000 #24 9.5 > Season 6 2000–2001 #41 8.2 > Season 7 2001–2002 #57 5.9 > Season 8 2002–2003 (last half over the summer) #119 3.3 > Season 9 2004 (summer only) #150 3.1 I wouldn’t call the Drew Carey Show forgettable. After all, he’s still in our homes every day as host of The Price is Right. And his co-star, Craig Ferguson (Mr. Wick), is on every night. It may have fallen out of syndication, and its last season was a summer burn-off, but I’ll always fondly remember the Batmobile episode, Drew accidentally buying a KISS casket for his father’s funeral, or Mr. Wick insisting that he and Drew pretend to be a married gay couple so that Wick can stay in the US. And what else can I say, “Cleveland Rocks” is a totally bitchin’ song, whether it’s by Ian Hunter or the Presidents of the U.S.A. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/90 "2013-03-06T04:19:36Z")
I have no recollection of _Yes, Dear_. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/91 "2013-03-06T04:21:44Z")
I loved _Yes, Dear_ You all suck 😛 ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/92 "2013-03-06T04:26:34Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I loved _Yes, Dear_ > You all suck 😛 You have to recuse yourself seeing as how you seem to know every TV show. Sorry, just… that’s the way it has to be! ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/93 "2013-03-06T04:47:30Z")
[QUOTE=drastic\_quench;16070051[Head of the Class] ([Head of the Class - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_the_Class)) (114). [/QUOTE] Simone co-starred with Winnie Cooper in my adolescent fantasies (turned 35 this past weekend) ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/94 "2013-03-06T04:57:36Z")
The recent death of Bonnie Franklin reminded me how surprised I was when I heard “One Day At a Time” ran for nine seasons. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it in syndication. It doesn’t come up when people talk about classic shows of that era. And I think the only times I’ve even heard anyone reference it over the past 20 years was when Mackenzie Phillips was involved in some scandal or another. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/95 "2013-03-06T05:20:32Z")
Does anyone remember [Providence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence_%28TV_series%29)? ---
**Author:** ![janebush08](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@janebush08](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janebush08)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/96 "2013-03-06T12:13:18Z")
Big Brother ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/97 "2013-03-06T12:50:06Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > The recent death of Bonnie Franklin reminded me how surprised I was when I heard “One Day At a Time” ran for nine seasons. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it in syndication. It doesn’t come up when people talk about classic shows of that era. And I think the only times I’ve even heard anyone reference it over the past 20 years was when Mackenzie Phillips was involved in some scandal or another. That’s what I was going to mention. I’ve never seen reruns of ODAAT. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/98 "2013-03-06T13:24:07Z")
Becker? ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/99 "2013-03-06T13:27:07Z")
The BBC sitcom My Family apparently did quite well in viewing figures over its 11 seasons (presumably because everyone gets the BBC but not everyone has cable or satellite), but got terrible critical reception and even the stars said some of the scripts were dross and they were amazed it was still running. This is a prime-time BBC comedy with successful actors as the leads, not some minor show on a minor channel, and it only finished recently, so it’s not forgotten yet, but if it’s remembered at all in a few years’ time, it might be for being famously bad. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064/100 "2013-03-06T13:41:52Z")
_Wings_ came immediately to mind but only because of Quagmire’s rant about it. “Screw you guys…I love _Wings_…” > [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > Does anyone remember [Providence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence_%28TV_series%29)? Yep. Glurgy family show with puppies and Melina wossname who went to _CSI:NY_. > [@SciFiSam](#): > > The BBC sitcom My Family apparently did quite well in viewing figures over its 11 seasons (presumably because everyone gets the BBC but not everyone has cable or satellite), but got terrible critical reception and even the stars said some of the scripts were dross and they were amazed it was still running. I’m certainly amazed it lasted as long as it did. So many good actors, so many bad scripts. But then there’s no accounting for taste, especially with regard to BBC sitcoms. People seem to like _Mrs Brown’s Boys_ and that makes me want to throw my television through the window. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/longest-running-yet-most-forgotten-or-forgettable-tv-show/652064.md?page=6)