# Popular sitcoms that suck(ed) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000 "2011-10-08T15:26:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/81 "2011-10-10T02:57:21Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > I’m a nerd as well, and while I don’t find it offensive – I can watch episodes when nothing else is on – I am mystified by how popular it is. It is a show targeted at nerds with [Kaley Cuoco](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0192505/)in it liking and dating nerds. It may outlast Gunsmoke and The Simpsons with that formula. It makes many a mother’s basement very happy. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/82 "2011-10-10T03:12:06Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > .I’m sure we all feel superior to 90% of the rest of the posters in this thread, and to 99% of the untermenschen out there in TV Land. > > Well done all. So, is the irony intentional? I can’t tell 😕 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/83 "2011-10-10T03:23:39Z")
Of course. Unintentional irony is so…network. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/84 "2011-10-10T04:10:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Now that everybody has had a chance to show how superior their taste in TV shows is, and the requisite “I don’t even _own_ a TV” elitists have weighed in, I’m sure we all feel superior to 90% of the rest of the posters in this thread, and to 99% of the untermenschen out there in TV Land. > > Well done all. Dear God. Nobody can ever criticize anything, I guess, for fear of hurting someone’s widdle feewings. I, for one, had no idea that saying a TV show sucked was a means of feeling superior - I naively assumed it was merely voicing your opinion on what shows you didn’t like. Damn. I guess since people mentioned _Seinfeld_ and _Arrested Development_ in this thread, both of which I like, I need to reassess my whole aesthetic, since it means I’m de facto inferior. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/85 "2011-10-10T04:13:57Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > The actress who plays London, Brenda Song, is an 11 out of 10 when it comes to looks, and seems like a nice person as well from what I can tell from seeing her on talk shows and PSAs. Her character and her show, however, both suck. > > [Brenda Song Website](http://www.brendasongsite.com/) Brenda Song, Ashley Tilsdale (esp before the nose job) & Z&C’s Mom are all hotties. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/86 "2011-10-10T05:31:04Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > no line has ingrained itself more in the American psyche than “I don’t think so, Tim” I assume you’re joking, but the humor has gone right over my head. I’ve never heard this line before. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/87 "2011-10-10T14:10:27Z")
I have to say that I really don’t like any american sitcoms at all, and I really don’t know why. Its not like its a cultural thing (I’m a brit), because I love the animated shows, and the Daily Show can be hilarious. “Big Bang Theory” should be titled “The lets-all-laugh-at-aspergers half hour”. “Friends” should be called “Enemies”, as the entire cast was so unlikeable. “Two and a Half men” should be called “Two and a half jokes”. Seinfeld is probably the worst, because it was almost ok, but then completely ruined by editing. Who thought the show was improved by stopping every thirty seconds to look at buildings and listen to slap bass? Made me want to smash my TV. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/88 "2011-10-10T14:20:55Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Dear God. Nobody can ever criticize anything, I guess, for fear of hurting someone’s widdle feewings. I, for one, had no idea that saying a TV show sucked was a means of feeling superior - I naively assumed it was merely voicing your opinion on what shows you didn’t like. Damn. I guess since people mentioned _Seinfeld_ and _Arrested Development_ in this thread, both of which I like, I need to reassess my whole aesthetic, since it means I’m de facto inferior. Sigh. I’m hardly offended. In my opinion most of the shows mentioned **do** suck. But every thread like this ever done on this board and countless others always turns into a bunch of pretentious assholes pontificating on how superior their tastes are over those of the plebes, and bemoaning the falling standards of Society and Culture. I’m just as guilty as everybody else here. I posted my choices upthread. Just thought I’d drop in a little reality check for those who thought their opinion matters a whit (which it doesn’t. Mine either.) ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/89 "2011-10-10T15:05:00Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Now that everybody has had a chance to show how superior their taste in TV shows is, and the requisite “I don’t even _own_ a TV” elitists have weighed in, I’m sure we all feel superior to 90% of the rest of the posters in this thread, and to 99% of the untermenschen out there in TV Land. > > Well done all. Not me. I’m only feeling superior to threadshitters. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/90 "2011-10-10T15:24:42Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > I _AM_ a nerd, and I find this show as offensive as Amos 'n Andy. That’s part of the reason I dislike The Big Bang Theory. The other is that I’ve spent too much time around people like Sheldon. I didn’t like them in real life, and I don’t like them on television. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/91 "2011-10-10T15:37:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m hardly offended. In my opinion most of the shows mentioned **do** suck. But every thread like this ever done on this board and countless others always turns into a bunch of pretentious assholes pontificating on how superior their tastes are over those of the plebes, and bemoaning the falling standards of Society and Culture. I’m just as guilty as everybody else here. I posted my choices upthread. Just thought I’d drop in a little reality check for those who thought their opinion matters a whit (which it doesn’t. Mine either.) I agree none of our opinions matter. I think, however (and maybe I’m projecting), that the reason people post their choices is because it’s fun, not because they want to put down the intellectual capacity of the hoi polloi. I certainly understand that others derive the same pleasure from their favorite shows as I do from mine, which is what it’s all about. And I wouldn’t write anyone off as a drooling moron for enjoying _The Big Bang Theory_. But I will give my opinion when asked, realizing, as you said, my opinion amounts to nothing close to a definitive statement on quality. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/92 "2011-10-10T15:58:37Z")
Fresh Prince of Bel Air? Married… with Children? Shut your mouths! I will love these shows forever! I’m not even going to address the crazy person who said Arrested Development. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/93 "2011-10-10T16:08:56Z")
Some things are just as inevitable as Nazi analogies in political threads. In any “worst \_\_\_ ever,” threads, somebody will name your personal favorite \_\_\_\_. In any “I’m new to \_\_\_\_, where do I start?” thread, someone will suggest the OP “start” with the most obscure, hard-to-find, hard-to-appreciate \_\_\_\_ there is, while disparaging other recommendations with purist objections. In any \_\_\_ appreciation thread, four or five people will stop in just to tell you they never liked \_\_\_\_ and don’t see what the fuss is. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/94 "2011-10-10T16:15:54Z")
Yes, but anyone who criticizes \*my \*favorite is factually wrong. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/95 "2011-10-10T16:29:54Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Fresh Prince of Bel Air? Married… with Children? Shut your mouths! I will love these shows forever! I’m not even going to address the crazy person who said Arrested Development. I thought _Fresh Prince_ was a pretty boilerplate cheesy sitcom for the most part, but Carlton dancing was always comedy gold. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/96 "2011-10-10T16:38:42Z")
Oh, it totally was textbook cheesy sitcom. Substitute white people with black people, and it’s pretty much Full House set in SoCal, but I have too much nostalgia for it to dislike it. Plus Carlton was A+. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/97 "2011-10-10T16:59:37Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > It is a show targeted at nerds with [Kaley Cuoco](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0192505/)in it liking and dating nerds. It may outlast Gunsmoke and The Simpsons with that formula. It makes many a mother’s basement very happy. To be fair, Cuoco’s character … I have no idea how the actress herself feels about nerds … has very ambivalent feelings about the male leads, including the one she dated. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/98 "2011-10-10T17:18:23Z")
I think ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ is an interesting sitcom in this particular. Many people think it was wonderful. Many people think it was awful. And not many people think it was anywhere in between. I personally could not stand it for more than five minutes at a stretch. But the bipolar nature of responses to it indicates to me there must be some attraction it has for some people. To me it seems very insular and New Yorkish (i.e., New York and environs, I realize the characters were not Manhattanites). Seinfeld was New Yorkish but did not derive the whole of its humor from its New Yorkishness. But from what little I saw of ELR, it kind of DID derive the whole of its humor from its characters’ ethnic background. So maybe that was the appeal. Other than that, I got nothin’ … it’s a mysteriously bad show, in my opinion. I’ll add to the list “Gilligan’s Island” … formulaic dreck. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/99 "2011-10-10T17:33:01Z")
The thread reminded me of the Ricky Gervais series called Extras. In the first season/series, his character was a struggling actor getting bit parts (as an extra) in movies and television shows. In the second season/series, he was starring in a sitcom that he wrote. Unfortunately, the show was heavily rewritten, to the point that it’s really shitty, but unaccountably, it’s really popular. So he’s famous, well-paid, getting tables at good restaurants but the show is terrible. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000/100 "2011-10-10T17:40:06Z")
Are you 'aving a laugh? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-sitcoms-that-suck-ed/599000.md?page=6)