# Semi-popular/cult TV shows that don't make it to syndication **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 29, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429 "2002-11-29T01:55:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/1 "2002-11-29T01:55:42Z")
There was a thread today asking about the number of episodes a show has to have before it goes into general syndication. That thread had to be deleted (ask Euty). So I’m going to re-post it: The rule of thumb is a show needs 100 episodes to make it into syndication. There are plenty of exceptions, of course. Genre-themed shows can make it (_Max Headroom_, for example, is currently being shown on TechTV). Basic cable channels desparate for programming will pick up a few shows (_The Critic_ on Comedy Central, for example). The big question would be that, when and if video-on-demand becomes a common thing, will the owners of these orphaned shows offer them? You could pay a fee per episode(s), download them and burn them to a DVD. Box sets of TV shows on DVD have taken off quite well. I think it would save the studios a lot of money by offering this service. There are plenty of shows I’d like to see again (ie _Quark_) that will likely never be shown on TV again. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/2 "2002-11-29T02:45:28Z")
I would kill and eat kittens to see Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman on T.V. or video again. Unfortunately, it was killed by ABC after four seasons (88 episodes, give or take), falling just short of a syndication guarantee. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/3 "2002-11-29T02:55:33Z")
Lois and Clark has been running pretty much continually on TNT. If it had gone into syndication odds are it wouldn’t have gotten many people to pick it up since stations aren’t interested in one hour dramas in syndication typically. Anyway, kill and eat your kittens and then check the listings (I don’t know if you can get TNT in Calgary but you’ve got a shot; maybe get one of those dishes that the government doesn’t want you to have 😉 ). The Tick (the cartoon) is something I’d love to have seen in syndication. Comedy Central ran it for a few years and on occasion I spot it on the listings for something like 2am. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/4 "2002-11-29T02:56:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dread Pirate Jimbo \* > \*\*I would kill and eat kittens to see Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman on T.V. or video again. Unfortunately, it was killed by ABC after four seasons (88 episodes, give or take), falling just short of a syndication guarantee. \*\* If you promise not to eat any kittens, I’d be happy to tell you that _Lois and Clark_ can be seen on TNT at 8am on weekdays. ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/5 "2002-11-29T03:00:51Z")
Sorry, no TNT for me. ☹ But maybe now I can motivate my wife into investing in digital cable… ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/6 "2002-11-29T03:07:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > > **The big question would be that, when and if video-on-demand becomes a common thing, will the owners of these orphaned shows offer them?** If there’s money to be made, yes. If not, no. If you’re really hurting to see “Quark” again you might try to find a tape-trading group that may have some episodes. Meanwhile I’m still waiting for TV Land to realize the comic genius of “The Bill Cosby Show” from 1971. ---
**Author:** ![innocencetrip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@innocencetrip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/innocencetrip)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/7 "2002-11-29T14:52:18Z")
“Homefront” was a great show. It was on one of the big three networks in the early nineties. It was abruptly cancelled after only two seasons. I’m not sure why. Does anyone remember this show? ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/8 "2002-11-29T18:58:06Z")
Although it only aired for a couple of years, ABC’s memorable sketch comedy show **Fridays** disappeared after its run. I’m surprised Comedy Central or another specialty cable network never ran it. **Archie Bunker’s Place**. which ran for four years, was never syndicated. **Chicago Hope** hasn’t been syndicated yet. **WKRP in Cincinnati** was wildly popular, but seldom shown in syndication. I don’t remember **Wonder Years** ever being in syndication; it probably was, but in few markets. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/9 "2002-11-29T19:17:18Z")
> [@](#): > > WKRP in Cincinnati was wildly popular, but seldom shown in syndication. That may have to do with licensing. I am led to believe at any rate that wrangling over licensing agreements on the music which permeates that show is the reason it has not made it nor is likely to make it to DVD. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/10 "2002-11-29T19:18:48Z")
I know the **Wonder Years** was on TVLand for awhile. I don’t know if it is anymore though… ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/11 "2002-11-29T20:02:34Z")
> [@](#): > > WKRP in Cincinnati was wildly popular, but seldom shown in syndication. There seem to be several shows missing from that era; _Barney Miller_ and _Night Court_ were also quite popular at the time but I don’t remember seeing much evidence of them in syndication either. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/12 "2002-11-29T20:06:57Z")
There’s a whole untapped subcategory of show that has a premise so intrinsically flawed that even top-notch scripts and amazing casts can’t make the concept fly, which is why the following VERY ENTERTAINING shows will likely never be seen again, even on TNT: ARNIE BOSOM BUDDIES BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE HACK (Not cancelled yet, but it’s pretty doomed) THE MAGICIAN WE GOT IT MAID (MADE?) WHEN THINGS WERE ROTTEN What else belongs on this list? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/13 "2002-11-29T20:26:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Barney Miller and Night Court The former was on TVLand until recently, and the latter was on A&E as recently as a couple of years ago, on top of having enjoyed a heavy-rotation tour of syndication even before it was cancelled: I remember watching _Night Court_ back-to-back at 7 p.m. weekdays circa 1990-1991. ---
**Author:** ![MSU\_1978](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/14 "2002-11-29T20:29:30Z")
Dukes of Hazzard! It used to be on TNN when it was Nashville, not since it de-countrified itself. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2002, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/15 "2002-11-29T20:57:26Z")
I’ve unfortunately never seen an episode of **Dr. Who** , and really don’t know a thing about it, so I hope someone starts playing reruns of that someday. Also, hope they bring back M_A_S_H_ one of these days\*. \*JK, of course. (I’ve sorta informally renamed FX “The MASH Channel”). ---
**Author:** ![Repent\_Harlequin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@Repent\_Harlequin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Repent_Harlequin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/16 "2002-11-30T04:05:10Z")
Moe, do you have PBS where you live? Dr. Who is usually on weekends on most of the PBS stations I’ve encountered. For me I’d have to say I’d love to see Tales of the Darkside make the rounds in syndication again (is it on the Sci-Fi channel?) or the 1980s version of the Twilight Zone. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/17 "2002-11-30T04:49:39Z")
I hear “77 Sunset Strip” was big enough in its day to be syndication worthy, if not for its hour length… And, I’ve seen enough WKRP on local channels to make me tired of it… ---
**Author:** ![Alias](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@Alias](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alias)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/18 "2002-11-30T05:36:28Z")
I’ll second _Tales From the Darkside_, but I’d also like to see _The Prisoner_ and _Soap._ They showed _Soap_ on Comedy Central a few years back, but THEN THEY STOPPED!!! God, I miss that show. I thought it was hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/19 "2002-11-30T14:57:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Repent!Harlequin \* > \*\*…or the 1980s version of the Twilight Zone. \*\* If you’re lucky, you can catch the Twilight Zone on TNT, but it’s usually on at 5-6am. Sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429/20 "2002-11-30T16:12:49Z")
Still wishing they’de show _The Family Guy_ somewhere. I’m sort of surprised _Once & Again_ wasn’t picked up by one of those second-tier channels, too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semi-popular-cult-tv-shows-that-dont-make-it-to-syndication/139429.md?page=2)