# Popular TV shows that aren't anymore **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [December 22, 2024, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017 "2024-12-22T14:37:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/82 "2024-12-23T02:41:19Z")
It’s still playing on cable today (I see it listed in the onscreen guide from time to time) ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/83 "2024-12-23T04:07:18Z")
The one I miss the most is The Paper Chase, with John Houseman and James Stephens, 1978-1986. Was a pretty class show, sad it’s not remembered today. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/84 "2024-12-23T04:42:05Z")
Yes! I’ve only seen the first season, and I’d love to get a complete boxed set of the series. It’s another show I watched religiously when it was on. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/85 "2024-12-23T04:50:28Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > The prostitute who lived near the camp (I forget her name) Played by Marg Helgenberger who went to be on NCIS. The show also had Robert Picardo as a non holographic doctor, and looking at IMDB, Ricki Lake was in part of a season. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/86 "2024-12-23T04:55:31Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > It’s [The Cosby Show] still playing on cable today (I see it listed in the onscreen guide from time to time) I see it in the listings, too. It runs numerous times every day on [TV One](https://tvone.tv/), a cable network which targets Black viewers. They also show tons of repeats of “A Different World,” “black-ish,” “Living Single,” etc. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/87 "2024-12-23T05:21:27Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > > [@DocCathode](#): > > > > The prostitute who lived near the camp (I forget her name) > > Played by Marg Helgenberger who went to be on NCIS. **Nitpick:** She played Catherine Willows in the Las Vegas iteration of _ **CSI** _, not _ **NCIS** _. In the pilot of _ **NCIS** _, an airport security officer asks DiNozzo if NCIS is anything like CSI. DiNozzo replies “Only if you’re dyslexic.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/88 "2024-12-23T05:29:32Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > **Nitpick:** She played Catherine Willows in the Las Vegas iteration of _ **CSI** _, not _ **NCIS** _. Yes, I am having a brain fart night, at least I’m close. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/89 "2024-12-23T07:34:07Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > Played by Marg Helgenberger who went to be on NCIS. The show also had Robert Picardo as a non holographic doctor, and looking at IMDB, Ricki Lake was in part of a season. I was never a _China Beach_ watcher, but Harold Russell appeared in two episodes. I’d kinda like to see those, for historical/trivial reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/90 "2024-12-23T13:42:02Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > The one I miss the most is The Paper Chase, with John Houseman and James Stephens, 1978-1986. Was a pretty class show, sad it’s not remembered today. Sometimes if I had a work project that seemed endless but that I was absolutely committed to finishing, I would mentally refer to it as “Bell’s property outline”. But I never said that out loud because the reference was too obscure. Great show. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/91 "2024-12-23T14:09:28Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > At various times, the tentpoles were “Seinfeld,” “Cheers” or “Mad About You.” > [@vislor](#): > > Caroline in the City Caroline in the City was the first one mentioned in the OP article, and it even mentioned that it came on after Seinfeld. Yes, that’s why it lasted for a few years. I only watched it due to inertia and residual Lea Thompson crushing. Several comedies came and went in that 1/2 hour slot after Seinfeld while it was on the air. None hung on that long, despite the primeness of the spot. It was like one of those restaurant locations that seems like a prime spot, yet the restaurants keep going under and getting replaced by a different one. CitC was possibly the most successful of the tentpole-supported shows in that slot. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/92 "2024-12-23T14:55:24Z")
A couple of teen dramas: Dawson’s Creek and the original Beverly Hills 90210. Teen dramas don’t tend to age well and imagine music licensing rights also get involved. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/93 "2024-12-23T15:32:53Z")
I never heard anyone mention ‘Lexx’ until now! My husband and I were mesmerized by this WEIRD WEIRD sci-fi show. It had a famous guest star or two - Barry Bostwick and Britt Ekland did some bits, Malcolm McDowell, and Tim Curry - and some amazingly strange storylines. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/94 "2024-12-23T15:36:12Z")
My favorite episode- Non Spoilers Xev is dead somehow. Stan and (what was the assassin’s name?) take her body to a meeting of druids in hope of getting her resurrected. “This isn’t proper mead! It’s lager and golden syrup!” ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/95 "2024-12-23T15:41:44Z")
There was a review site for Lexx - [sadgeezer.com](http://sadgeezer.com) - I don’t know if it’s still around, but after the series ended someone wrote an amazing synopsis - it was like a PhD dissertation - revealing the hidden themes and meanings. Even the names meant something. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/96 "2024-12-23T15:43:53Z")
Was _Riptide_ ever as popular in its day as other Stephen J.Cannell stuff like _A-Team_ or _Rockford Files_ ? ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/97 "2024-12-23T15:47:19Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > I wonder if, ignoring the truths we learned about Bill Cosby, the show would hold up. I remember it being funny, but very goody two shoes Few families on television were as squeaky-clean as the Huxtables. That house seemed ridiculously cloying and the life lessons were often smug and condescending. Also, even as a Canadian teenager, I wondered how they afforded a three-story brownstone, and could park three cars there (in New York!!!), when Claire was seen actually practicing law, like, six times over the course of the series, and Cliff occasionally saw a patient in the basement. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/98 "2024-12-23T15:48:59Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Was _Riptide_ ever as popular in its day as other Stephen J.Cannell stuff like _A-Team_ or _Rockford Files_ ? Not to the same level, though it did run for a couple of seasons (so it must have been getting at least reasonably good ratings). It always struck me as being imitative of _Magnum P.I._. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/99 "2024-12-23T15:50:41Z")
Definitely, with some nerd thrown into the mix. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/100 "2024-12-23T16:07:39Z")
I agree with this. Riptide is the first show I remember having a hacker character. IIRC He built an orange robot. In its debut episode, the robot was blind because he hadn’t installed eyes yet. The orange robot’s head reminded me of the spies from Spy Vs Spy in Mad. The hacker used an excuse to get a villain’s credit card in one episode. He then used that informmation to find out everything there was to know about the villain. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017/101 "2024-12-23T16:16:53Z")
> [@vislor](#): > > Some of these show defined pop culture of their time. Maybe that’s exactly the issue? They were of a time and that’s gone? This thread is a fun nostalgic read, but I’m guessing that the wildly popular shows that have _stayed_ as part of cultural currency are much rarer than those mostly forgotten? A hand’s worth or so maybe? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-tv-shows-that-arent-anymore/1012017.md?page=6)