# Sit-com Rasputins: Worst sit-coms ever to last 5 or more years **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 11, 2005, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365 "2005-05-11T06:46:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/61 "2005-05-12T05:31:12Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > _Gilligan’s Island. > Beverlyl Hillbillies. > Green Acres._ > > They speak for themselves. I’ll give you the first two, but _Green Acres_ was surreal genius. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/62 "2005-05-12T05:52:11Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **don’t ask** : > We had one in Australia Hey Dad which, during it’s run from 1986 to 1994, was at one time the longest running sitcom on TV anywhere in the world. > [@Santos L Halper](#): > > Longest running in Australia maybe, but it couldn’t have ever held the record for longest running sitcom in the world. Several American sitcoms pre-dated it that ran longer: > > **Ozzie and Harriett** 1952-1966 > **Make Room For Daddy** 1953-1964 > **My Three Sons** 1960-1972 > **the Beverly Hillbillies** 1962-1971 > **All in the Family** 1971-1979 > **MASH** 1972-1983 > **Happy Days** 1974-1984 > **One Day at a Time** 1975-1984 > **the Jeffersons** 1975-1985 > **Alice** 1976-1985 > **the Facts of Life** 1979-1988 > **Cheers** 1982-19(9)3 > **Night Court** 1984-1992 What **don’t ask** meant was that by its final season, _Hey Dad_ was the longest-running **active** sitcom anywhere in the world (as Barry Bonds will be the leading active home-run hitter if he ever returns to the major leagues, even though he trails Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth on the all-time list). Your post doesn’t refute this thesis – once _Cheers_ ended, _Hey Dad_ took over the then-current honors, unless there was a longer-running sitcom still cranking out new episodes elsewhere in the world. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/63 "2005-05-12T09:33:48Z")
> [@KRC](#): > > **Wings** was one of the worst shows that ever saw the light of day. The first time the idiot Beeyotch Helen decided to slam her car into the building (Hey, how come she was never arrested?) was a warning of major suckitude. It wasn’t funny, it wasn’t cool, and in real life if one did that stuff they’d have to do a lot of explaining to a judge. And then she did it again in a later episode–God, I hope that show didn’t even make 5 seasons. I’m still having nightmares about that horrible excuse for a sitcom. I have to disagree here. Sure, the repeated driving into the building was a bit over the top, and the characters living on such an affluent island is illogical, but the show worked. Roy was funnier than a crutch, it seemed like he got all the good lines. But any show that features the eye candy of Crystal Bernard can’t be all bad. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/64 "2005-05-12T12:32:36Z")
How could someone mention Ben Savage and “Boy Meets World” without mentioning Fred Savage and “The Wonder Years”? I will now think of the Savage brothers as Rasputins for the rest of my life. The currently still running contender has to be “Malcolm in the Middle.” P.S. “Bosom Buddies” only ran two years, and had a great cast. I always thought it should have run longer. ---
**Author:** ![LonesomePolecat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a88e57/32.png) [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/65 "2005-05-12T12:48:45Z")
“Married with Children” was brilliant for the first three or four, maybe even five, years. After that, it became more or less a parody of itself. It should have ceased production at least five or six years sooner than it did. It definitely qualifies as a Rasputin. “Malcolm in the Middle” has outlived its usefulness, though I’m not sure its ratings are stong enough to allow it to survive into another season (which means it may not meet the five year rule set forth in the OP). ---
**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:** [May 12, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/66 "2005-05-12T12:49:13Z")
The difference is the The Wonder Years was actually good, unlike Boy Meets World. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/67 "2005-05-12T12:56:25Z")
> [@LonesomePolecat](#): > > “Malcolm in the Middle” has outlived its usefulness, though I’m not sure its ratings are stong enough to allow it to survive into another season (which means it may not meet the five year rule set forth in the OP). I’ve heard it’ll be back next year. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/68 "2005-05-12T13:00:28Z")
_Welcome Back Kotter_ was good, until there was no more Kotter in it. Gabe Kaplan “attituded” _himself_ into the breadline, and the _show_ into the crapper. ---
**Author:** ![Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f0a364/32.png) [@Rube\_E.Tewesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rube_E.Tewesday)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/69 "2005-05-12T13:07:30Z")
I haven’t seen any mention of _Coach_ … is it just me…Lasted 8 seasons, used up all its jokes in two episodes…or has every post mentioned it, and my brain just refuses to process the horror? ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/70 "2005-05-12T14:23:28Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > I’ll give you the first two, but _Green Acres_ was surreal genius. Fully agreed with that statement. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/71 "2005-05-12T15:10:51Z")
Noting the message regaring the Aussie shows got me thinking. My girlfriend grew up in England, amongst other places, and always loves to watch Are You Being Served. It must be for sentimental reasons, because it sure isn’t for its witty dialgoue. How long did that show run? Every single episode I have ever seen had the “old lady has pussy-cat” joke, the “Look at me, I’m gay” joke, and the “I’m a 70s guy who likes to hit on the blondes” joke. Ha-ha-ha! Oooooooh. It is soooo painful. (but I love her, so I have to watch it… as well as Eastenders. blech.) ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/72 "2005-05-12T15:17:20Z")
I also have to disagree with the criticisms of _Wings_. This show was never a comedic blockbuster, but it was a steady performer. It wasn’t always gut-bustingly funny, but it was hardly awful. In fact, I think that several of the criticisms here are a bit much. _Friends_ might not be your cup of tea, but it was hardly among the worst of the enduring TV sitcoms. Not by a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![Stone\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Stone\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stone_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/73 "2005-05-12T15:23:16Z")
> [@Try As I Might...](#): > > Noting the message regaring the Aussie shows got me thinking. My girlfriend grew up in England, amongst other places, and always loves to watch Are You Being Served. It must be for sentimental reasons, because it sure isn’t for its witty dialgoue. You don’t like Are You Being Served? :eek: I like the comedies on PBS. The New Red Green is hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/74 "2005-05-12T15:31:02Z")
> [@Stone Girl](#): > > You don’t like Are You Being Served? :eek: > > I like the comedies on PBS. The New Red Green is hilarious. I love blackadder, chef, and a bunch of others. generally I love English humor. I just think that Are You Being Served was horrible. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/75 "2005-05-12T15:38:33Z")
PBS runs _Are You Being Served_ marathons during pledge week. The implied threat seems to be that they’ll stop showing it when they reach the target amount. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/76 "2005-05-12T16:18:05Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > PBS runs _Are You Being Served_ marathons during pledge week. The implied threat seems to be that they’ll stop showing it when they reach the target amount. _snerk_ _Keeping Up Appearances_ is another Britcom that’s so formulaic it’s painful. Hyacinth puts on airs, Hyacinth criticizes Elizabeth (and in later seasons, tries to get an “in” with Elizabeth’s musician brother), Hyacinth has a major “do” of some sort, Hyacinth’s family embarrasses her there. That’s it, except for an occasional unheard conversation with Sheridan. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/77 "2005-05-12T16:49:48Z")
I believe [According to Jim](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285351/) is now in its fifth season. ---
**Author:** ![auRa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c4cdca/32.png) [@auRa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auRa)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/78 "2005-05-12T18:12:01Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > _snerk_ > > _Keeping Up Appearances_ is another Britcom that’s so formulaic it’s painful. Hyacinth puts on airs, Hyacinth criticizes Elizabeth (and in later seasons, tries to get an “in” with Elizabeth’s musician brother), Hyacinth has a major “do” of some sort, Hyacinth’s family embarrasses her there. That’s it, except for an occasional unheard conversation with Sheridan. Oh, god yes. My mother likes that show, for some unfathomable reason, and the “BuckÈE residence” line always makes me cringe. Are You Being Served with Ms. Slocum’s pussy brings about a similar visceral reaction. I think it’s odd that people have this inbuilt equation “British comedy=FUNNYFUNNYOMGSOFUNNYLOL(also note refined sense of humour)”. Not really. I mean, Monty Python: hilarious. The Fast Show:terrific. Smack The Pony: very funny. Shows like Keeping Up Appearances, on the other hand, should just curl up and die. It’s not that the actors are bad; I’ve seen both “Hyacinth” and “Richard” on other shows as other characters, and they’re fine. I think it’s the formulaic quality that **jayjay** mentioned. On a related note, it’s lately become a trend in Finnish TV to rerun old comedy series from the 70’s and 80’s. Mind you, these are all series that have introduced catchphrases into common language that are still being used today by people who weren’t even born at the time the series originally ran. I’ve watched a few episodes of a few series, to try to grasp the humor. Not happening. I just don’t find them funny. I think it’s also an inbuilt equation: “Old series=classic=must be funnyHAHAHAHAHA(even if I’m not getting it)”. Most of the humor is based on formulaic repetition,genitalia or flatulence, the characters are thin and one-dimensional, and some of the material is incredibly chauvinistic and/or racist. Yet, incredibly, they’re still gathering fair ratings. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/79 "2005-05-12T18:20:02Z")
Personally, I’d make a distinction between shows for which there is some reasonable explanation for its longevity, in particular, if it had a solid streak of artistic success which propelled it through a slow death. You could make that case for shows like _Seinfeld_, _Cheers_, _Friends_, _MASH_, _Wonder Years_, and several other shows that have been mentioned in this thread. _The Cosby Show_, for example, single-handedly initiated a rebirth of the American sit-com genre. There are other shows, such as _Full House_, and the others, which were simply execrable from beginning to end. Let me add to that list _Dear John_, starring Judd Hirsch – “Is it something … _sexual_?” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365/80 "2005-05-12T18:20:25Z")
Keeping Up Appearances is very formulaic, but that doesn’t mean the material isn’t originally funny. Some of the shows mentioned here were never funny in the first place and I think that’s much worse. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sit-com-rasputins-worst-sit-coms-ever-to-last-5-or-more-years/303365.md?page=5)