# Shows with a stupid premise executed really well **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 28, 2018, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319 "2018-03-28T04:02:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/21 "2018-03-28T19:00:18Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > _ **Pushing Daisies** _. Dammit. You had to go there. That scab will never heal. Sob. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/22 "2018-03-28T19:14:42Z")
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. All-American California high school girl discovers she is a vampire slayer chosen one. Silly title but the show has plenty of action, drama, and humor. Green Acres. A city couple move to the country and don’t fit in. Oliver does farming in a suit and tie. Much more wacky and surrealist than The Beverly Hillbillies. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/23 "2018-03-28T19:18:01Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Buffy the Vampire Slayer. All-American California high school girl discovers she is a vampire slayer chosen one. Silly title but the show has plenty of action, drama, and humor. All of Joss Whedon’s shows are like this.“It’s a cheerleader who fights vampires!” “It’s a PI who is a vampire!” “It’s cowboys in space!” They all sound dumb, but they all were pretty great, sometimes very great. ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/24 "2018-03-28T20:18:33Z")
> [@pohjonen](#): > > Inspired by Friedo’s thread, I wanted to recommend the movie **Radius** on Netflix. The premise was that a guy gets in a car accident, and afterwards any one (or animal) that gets within 50 feet of him instantly drops dead. Pretty similar to [this](https://imgur.com/gallery/I71V6) X-men story. ---
**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:** [March 28, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/25 "2018-03-28T20:22:19Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Dammit. You had to go there. That scab will never heal. Sob. Agreed. FWIW, I’d classify Pushing Daisies as a weird premise, not a stupid premise, but then, it’s still one of my all-time favorite shows, so I’m biased. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/26 "2018-03-28T20:59:57Z")
British cop show called Life on Mars. Present-day cop gets hit by a car and wakes up in the same place, but in 1973 (or1976 maybe?). He walks into his precinct (or whatever they call it) and it’s a bunch of good ol’ boys who love head-knockin’. The premise sounds goofy, but the show is fantastic. It gets quite nuanced and poignant as it moves along. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/27 "2018-03-28T21:29:07Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > British cop show called Life on Mars. Present-day cop gets hit by a car and wakes up in the same place, but in 1973 (or1976 maybe?). He walks into his precinct (or whatever they call it) and it’s a bunch of good ol’ boys who love head-knockin’. The premise sounds goofy, but the show is fantastic. It gets quite nuanced and poignant as it moves along. The American version sucked, but I’ve seen bits of the British show and liked it. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/28 "2018-03-28T21:44:08Z")
**BoJack Horseman** has a really dumb premise about an animated, crude humored show, starring anthropomorphic animals and dealing with a main character who is a washed up famous TV show horse who is suffering from severe and crippling depression. And it is brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/29 "2018-03-30T05:40:17Z")
_Herman’s Head_ was excellent. Been copied since. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/30 "2018-03-30T06:29:30Z")
_Spongebob Squarepants_. You may now close the thread. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b2d939/32.png) [@Go\_Arachnid\_Laser\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_Arachnid_Laser_1)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/31 "2018-03-30T06:30:05Z")
> [@Wallaby](#): > > _Herman’s Head_ was excellent. Been copied since. You’re talking about Inside/ Out, I assume. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/32 "2018-03-30T15:37:58Z")
thanks for the list of newer stuff to try out. in the old time list add Hogan’s Heroes for sure. I loved the show but think it should win Worst Premise Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/33 "2018-03-30T17:53:44Z")
[The Detectorists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detectorists): A British drama/comedy about people walking around with metal detectors, and generally not finding anything, has got to be one of the most boring premises I can imagine. However, the series is wonderful. Dr. Who: An alien and his human companions travel through space and time in a telephone box. Uh huh, sure. In terms of movies: [The lobster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lobster), has a premise that simply makes no sense what so ever, but once it is accepted on faith, make for a very good movie. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/34 "2018-03-30T18:43:20Z")
A detective agency run by a scientist who is a floating anthropomorphic box of fries, and his roommates, a pathologically lying milkshake and a shape-shifting ball of ground meat, who live next door to a balding, middle-aged, sex-crazed sports fanatic. Somehow, they make it work. [Aqua Teen Hunger Force.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_Teen_Hunger_Force) Of course, I could list nearly any Adult Swim show, but this one is probably the most prototypical. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/35 "2018-03-30T18:47:02Z")
Yes, I know, it’s an insult to my Jewish heritage, but my wife turned me on to this delight. You boil it an hour until it turns gray. Then you can eat it cold. The flavor of pork and garlic is unforgettable. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/36 "2018-03-30T18:49:42Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Yes, I know, it’s an insult to my Jewish heritage, but my wife turned me on to this delight. > > You boil it an hour until it turns gray. Then you can eat it cold. The flavor of pork and garlic is unforgettable. What network is that on? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/37 "2018-03-30T18:57:54Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > [The Detectorists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detectorists): A British drama/comedy about people walking around with metal detectors, and generally not finding anything, has got to be one of the most boring premises I can imagine. However, the series is wonderful… I gotta give this one a try. Is it something you loved right away, or did it take awhile for it to grow on you (like a wart)? ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/38 "2018-03-30T19:06:29Z")
Quantum Leap ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/39 "2018-03-30T21:21:21Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I gotta give this one a try. Is it something you loved right away, or did it take awhile for it to grow on you (like a wart)? Takes a couple episodes before the magic happens. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319/40 "2018-03-30T22:08:10Z")
“The Detectorists,” a UK comedy about nerdy metal detector hobbyists. I mean, who the heck would read this description and be eager to see it? It sounds less fun than watching paint dry. It’s bloody brilliant! It’s a funny and sometimes poignant show with fantastic acting - MacKenzie Crook (Gareth from the Brit version of “The Office”) is a main character and directs, writes, and produces the series. I can’t say enough good things about this show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shows-with-a-stupid-premise-executed-really-well/811319.md?page=3)