There have been lousy shows that sank without a ripple. There have been great shows that lasted year after year. There have been great shows that tragically ended way before their time. And there have been shows that by every measure should have been cancelled after their fourth episode, yet somehow managed to go on and on. What TV series do you think had the the most inexplicably high ratio of longevity to worth? (Note that an absolute bomb that somehow managed to complete a single thirteen-episode run might have a higher ratio than a mediocre show that lasted for ten seasons. Or vice-versa.)
**Wings
**
Nine seasons, and I’ve never met anyone who’s ever watched more than one episode.
I’ve never met anyone who loved Raymond, either. Or any of the shows cloned from it.
According to Jim. Unfunny comedy – OK, there are many of those – based on the premise that Jim was so unfailingly loveable that he could act as an utter selfish bastard toward everyone around him and just smile at the end and he’d be OK. It is inexplicable that his wife stayed with him for more than 13 weeks.
Honorable mention to Full House.
I agree it was an awful show. But apparently a ratings winner. So it does not seem to fit the OP.
As for Raymond it had an average 17 million viewers. Does not seem to fit the OP either
You have now. We not only watched, but we have it on DVD. 
Buffy.
Jesus, Airman, now you’ve done it.
Don’t have it on DVD yet, but I want it. So that’s two.
“Old soldiers never die, they just Fay DeVay.” And I have a picture of Antonio’s “Twister” Halloween costume on the wall of my office. Brilliant!
Hardly inexplicable, it had a dedicated fan base and a persistent audience.
For me, it would have to go back to some of the others mentioned, although I’ve never watched more than a few minutes of any of them. Meaning shows that consistently get reasonable ratings and keep running along, but you NEVER hear anyone talking about them, you never hear any buzz, they’re just THERE, year after year.
Because of your continued passionate defense of gun rights, I’m gonna pretend I didn’t read this.
Zack and Cody’s Suite Life. Even for drecky kidTV it is unutterably bad. Yet my boys like it enough to watch it every weekend for an hour or so. I tell ya, it makes Hannah Montana look like Shakespeare.
I second According to Jim. I think ABC just keeps giving him a free pass because he was lucky enough to have the last name Belushi.
Full House though!? :eek: That and **Family Matters ** were the cornerstone of TGIF back in the day when I was growing up. Everyone ages 4-14 watched that show when it was on.
I’ve watched lots of episodes of Wings. Partly because I’m damned lazy, and partly because Tim Daly is HOTTT.
Hee Haw
1969 to 1992,
23 Frickin’ years!
I liked Wings quite a bit, actually, though it was for the supporting characters.
I used to think pretty well of Crystal Bernard, but lately I’ve come to appreciate the charms of Rebecca Schull (Faye).
Becker
Obviously a formulaic vehicle for Danson, (Stern Doc, wacky staff and patients… new fun every week - oh boy!)
Mediocrity ensues…
I know it oinly lasted a few yrs, and became increasing issue / preachy, but really, it was just a stale formula, with stae writing, stale produiction and stale acting…
Glad its gone
FML
I’m a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, but honestly, I’m surprised it didn’t get canceled after the first season. Maybe the first season just suffers by comparison to the really good seasons that came later.
46 yo male here- 3 reasons I watch it-
Ashley Tilsdale
the chick that play London Tipton
the hottie Mom
Oh yes, and I was a fan of Wings when it was on. Not enough tho to follow it on syndication or get the DVDs. But if I ran into it while flipping channels, I might keep it on.