# The Graveyard of Television Crib-Death **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 31, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394 "2015-01-31T01:05:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/221 "2015-02-04T21:08:15Z")
[_My Mother, the Car._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Mother_the_Car) 6 months, 30 eps. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/222 "2015-02-04T21:14:46Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [_My Mother, the Car._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Mother_the_Car) 6 months, 30 eps. Can you sing the theme song? 🆒 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9kz3hfJweE0/hqdefault.jpg "My Mother The Car Pilot Opening/Closing Theme and Credits") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kz3hfJweE0) ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/223 "2015-02-04T23:45:16Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > **dwyr** , forgive my jumping in here like this, but you’re my new best friend. How could I forget one of my favorite shows EVAH? The stars of “Excalibur”; the hottest girl of the late '80s/early '90s in a feminist role? That opening bit of the first episode was PERFECT! > > I hang my head in shame. I really liked it. I really liked it too. And suffered much teasing because of it darn it. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/224 "2015-02-05T00:05:27Z")
“[Code Red](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081843/?ref_=nm_flmg_prd_6)” Irwin Allen show, Lorne Greene stars. 19 episodes. “[The Highwayman](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094479/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” Starring, that’s right, Sam J. Jones. 10 episodes. “[The Powers of Matthew Star](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083467/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” The adventures of high-school student Matthew Star, who is actually a superpowered alien prince from another world. 22 episodes. “[Shadow Chasers](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088606/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” A disparate duo investigates the paranormal. 14 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/225 "2015-02-05T00:10:49Z")
[All Is Forgiven (1986)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090393/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/226 "2015-02-05T00:21:15Z")
“[Paper Moon](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071029/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2)” Jodie Foster in Tatum O’Neal’s role. 13 episodes. “[All’s Fair](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073956/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4)” Richard Crenna and Bernadette _Hubba Hubba_ Peters. 24 episodes. **^** (Thanks,\*\* River Hippie\*\*) ---
**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:** [February 5, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/227 "2015-02-05T00:47:56Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Bernadette _Hubba Hubba_ Peters. Remember the scene where they first show her in _ **Silent Movie** _? True to life, true to life. :o ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/228 "2015-02-05T03:35:13Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > In that case, British programs probably should be excluded from this thread. A brief run is not crib-death in their case, not a sign of creative failure or executive meddling or an audience too ignorant to appreciate the show; it’s just a naturally shorter life-cycle. That being said . . . it’s certainly not the case that British TV never produces long-runners; look at _Dr. Who._ Even _Blake’s Seven_ lasted three years, _Monty Python’s Flying Circus_ four, _The Black and White Minstrel Show_ 20 years(!) and _Benny Hill_ (in various incarnations) from 1955 to 1991(!!). What is it that singles out some shows as long-runners? ---
**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:** [February 5, 2015, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/229 "2015-02-05T03:47:03Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > That being said . . . it’s certainly not the case that British TV never produces long-runners; look at _Dr. Who._ Even _Blake’s Seven_ lasted three years, _Monty Python’s Flying Circus_ four, _The Black and White Minstrel Show_ 20 years(!) and _Benny Hill_ (in various incarnations) from 1955 to 1991(!!). > > What is it that singles out some shows as long-runners? If a show is popular and if the actors and production staff are satisfied that quality can be maintained, it’s as likely enjoy a long run as anywhere else. Some, like Monty Python, have actually become part of the national culture. Sitcoms, which are cheap and easy to produce, can be just as lame and discarded just as quickly as anywhere else too; I daresay I’ve seen more bad sitcoms than good ones over the years. But I can’t think of any serious British drama I’ve seen that fits that mold. Judging from what I’ve seen, I’d say that ITV productions are not as concerned with maintaining quality over the long haul as the BBC is; look at what happened to _ **Space: 1999** _ over just two years (but then, that series kind of sucked from the beginning). ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/230 "2015-02-05T03:57:56Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I have that album on CD; it’s incredible. I’ve played some of those songs live and gotten good response (mostly from drunks). Do I have to spell it out? C-H-E-E-S-E-A-N-D-O-N-I-O-N-S, Oh, no! The film, “All You Need Is Cash” is equally hysterical. Then you’ll like their other album, [Archaeology.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000026WV6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1423108451&sr=8-2&keywords=rutles+archaeology) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/231 "2015-02-05T04:10:18Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Then you’ll like their other album, [Archaeology.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000026WV6/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1423108451&sr=8-2&keywords=rutles+archaeology) All right!! Much obliged!! Birthday coming up!! ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/232 "2015-02-05T06:03:04Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > [All Is Forgiven (1986)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090393/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2) I really liked that show too, featuring a very young and luscious Shawnie Smith! And I remember reading in TV Guide that it got both good reviews & good ratings. The only reason it was canceled was because NBC (I think) had so many hit shows at the time they had no room for it on their schedule! ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/233 "2015-02-05T12:08:10Z")
I don’t want to derail the thread but while most British TV is short-lived there are enough exceptions. Some of which are notable in their own right. I don’t think there will be much call for making a separate thread on a US based bulletin board about British shows but I would like to mention: **Coronation Street** : It’s only a soap opera but it is considered one of the best British soaps. Been in continuous production since 1960 (8500 plus episodes) and one actor has been in the show (not every episode) as the same character since the beginning! That’s “Ken Barlow” and the actor William “Bill” Roache is the father of Linus Roache who Americans may know from **Law and Order** and **Batman Begins**. **Casualty** : Or “CASUAL+Y” as it likes to call itself. The British equivalent of ER has been going since 1986 and is (according to Wikipedia) the longest lasting emergency medicine drama in the whole world. It’s had 29 seasons and over 900 episodes. Total change of cast over the years. It has had a spin off Holby City (set in the main hospital rather than the casualty - ER - department) running since 1999 and that alone has clocked up 750 episodes. **Blue Peter** : A show for kids and has changed presenters countless times but has been running since 1958 making it the world’s longest running kids show. Absolute British institution and adults often date themselves with which presenters they watched as a child: Are you a Valerie Singleton or a Leslie Judd, a Peter Duncan…? Theme tune for a while was by Mike “Tubular Bells” Oldfield - the nautical jig on the Tubular Bells album. British kids should be relieved they didn’t go for the main Exorcist Theme. **Dr Who** : Already been mentioned but this SciFi / Fantasy show has been going (not continuously) since 1963. Well over 800 episodes, spin off films and related shows. **University Challenge** : A quiz show for teams of students from, er, universities. Very distinctive (to UK viewers) and unchanged format, only ever two regular hosts, and became the basis for the plot of an otherwise unconnected cinema film. Began 1962 but had seven years off (1987 to 1994) between hosts. Meanwhile the quiz show **Countdown** is a newcomer dating from 1982 but goes out daily so has already clocked up an impressive 6,000 plus episodes. **Only Fools And Horses** : A much, much loved British Sit-Com. Ran for seven seasons between 1981 and 1991 but was so popular the public demand saw it keep returning with occasional “Specials” using the same cast until 2003. Still only managed 64 episodes but much loved. Also spun off a sequel series and a prequel series. **Minder** : Started as almost a drama with comedic elements but grew over ten seasons from 1979 to 1994 to pretty much pure comedy with dramatic elements. Massively popular. Because it had been so popular they tried rebooting it in 2009 but that was not successful. **Taggart** : Scottish based Police show. Based around the character of Taggart it gained a certain notoriety when the lead actor died but the show continued, stilled called “Taggart” but without the character in the show. He was too distinctive to replace. Managed 27 seasons although only 100 or so episodes between 1983 and 2010. The great Mark McManus (Taggart) dying in 1994. “ **Last of the Summer Wine** ”: A gentle, whimsical comedy about the misadventures of a gang of very old men. Began in 1973 and always on the verge of being cancelled it somehow kept going until 2010 with the main cast changing as original cast members literally died. However Peter Sallis was there at the beginning and end. Never wildly popular it had it’s fans. TCMF-2L ---
**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:** [February 5, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/234 "2015-02-05T15:30:49Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > “ **Last of the Summer Wine** ”: A gentle, whimsical comedy about the misadventures of a gang of very old men. Began in 1973 and always on the verge of being cancelled it somehow kept going until 2010 with the main cast changing as original cast members literally died. However Peter Sallis was there at the beginning and end. Never wildly popular it had it’s fans. It’s worth checking out if you want to see the guy who does the voice of Wallace (of _Wallace & Gromit_ fame). ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/235 "2015-02-05T16:18:59Z")
[James at 15](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075519/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), later changed to “James at 16”, a touching coming of age drama with plenty of life lessons, ran 21 episodes in 1977-78. I only remember it because Kate Jackson was in the pilot and my pre-teen self had a crush on her. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/236 "2015-02-05T16:21:44Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > I only remember it because Kate Jackson was in the pilot and my pre-teen self had a crush on her. You and every other straight male in the Free World. :o ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/237 "2015-02-05T16:50:39Z")
“[The Family Holvak](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072498/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” Rev. Holvak and his brood struggle to get by in 1930s Tennessee. Glenn Ford, Julie Harris, LANCE KERWIN. 10 episodes. “[Here We Go Again](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069592/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” The comedic problems that ensue when a newlywed couple moves into a home located very close to the homes of their former spouses. Dick Gautier, Larry Hagman. 13 episodes. “[Good Heavens](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074000/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” In this comedy anthology series, Mr. Angel was an emissary of Heaven who came down to Earth each week to grant wishes to those who had performed a good deed. Carl Reiner. 13 episodes. “[Highcliffe Manor](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078624/episodes?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1)” The creepy goings-on at Highcliffe Manor, home of a science institute staffed by bizarre people. Shelley Fabares. 6 episodes. “[Nancy](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065325/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)” Nancy Smith was the attractive young daughter of the President of the United States. She met a young veterinarian from Center City, Iowa (near Des Moines) and they fell in love. 17 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2015, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/238 "2015-02-05T17:04:13Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > I don’t want to derail the thread but while most British TV is short-lived there are enough exceptions. Some of which are notable in their own right. I don’t think there will be much call for making a separate thread on a US based bulletin board about British shows but I would like to mention: **Foyles War**. Pretty damn good, I own the full DVD set (except the added on 7th season) ---
**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:** [February 5, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/239 "2015-02-05T17:34:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > **Foyles War**. Pretty damn good, I own the full DVD set (except the added on 7th season) A good example of a show whose star was ready to pack it in but agreed to do more episodes to meet fan demand. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394/240 "2015-02-06T03:20:53Z")
The SyFy remake of Flash Gordon only lasted one season. I liked it more than most around here, but I freely admit that the combination of Ming as corporate CEO, Henchman-with-a-Segway, Hawkmen that can’t fly, just glide really well, etc was probably not a winning formula. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-graveyard-of-television-crib-death/711394.md?page=13)