# TV Shows which have almost completely dropped off the cultural radar screen **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303 "2008-10-24T03:46:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/41 "2008-10-24T16:09:43Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Sorry; it wasn’t quite the first season after all, but [another compilation](You definitely get a different spin on the book after you have kids.). My bad. [http://You](http://You) definitely get a different spin on the book after you have kids. is totally my favorite website now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/42 "2008-10-24T16:21:11Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#): > > I would hazard to say LOST, to some extent. > > I remember during most of the first and second seasons there would be a dope thread going during each episode’s original broadcast. The thread would easily hit 5-6 pages each week. I myself often took part, trying to put together clues. Watching those crazy videos that were released only on the web. Sifting through screencaps of old episodes, trying to put it all together. > > Then after about season 3, these threads stopped being a weekly occurance. It went from everyone and their brother watching the show to practically no-one. It was one of the largest turn-arounds in interest I have seen on a mass scale. I sensed at the very beginning of this show’s run (once I grokked the basic premise) that they would pull a [Chris Carter](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheChrisCarterEffect) on the viewer. Turns out I was right; a show which tries to engineer these kinds of convoluted plot twists galore kind of format is very susceptible to viewer backlash if they don’t give you a satisfactory payoff in a reasonably timely manner. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/43 "2008-10-24T16:28:15Z")
> [@neutron\_star](#): > > [http://You](http://You) definitely get a different spin on the book after you have kids. is totally my favorite website now. 😃 Dang. I blame Windows. Anyway, there’s a compilation DVD out there. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/44 "2008-10-24T16:42:39Z")
Roseanne, Grace Under Fire, the whole blue-collar genre (Earl doesn’t count). Home Improvement was huge in its day. Now Tim Allen is doing Santa Clause, Shaggy Dog, and probably thinking to himself, “I left prison for this?” Cybill Shepherd in general. Murphy Brown was once a cultural touchstone. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/45 "2008-10-24T16:43:44Z")
Jon Stewart mentioned **Wings** on his show last night as an example of ubiquitous cable programming which made me chuckle. I remember in the early-mid 90’s when USA and TBS each seemed to show syndicated episodes ten times a day but I haven’t seen the show on in _years_. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/46 "2008-10-24T16:57:41Z")
I only mentioned Lou Grant because of that very FJ. Hadn’t thought of the show since it went off the air. Does anyone still rewatch Maude? (other than Bea Arthur fetishists, that is) ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/47 "2008-10-24T17:00:51Z")
**Malcolm In the Middle** ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/48 "2008-10-24T17:08:32Z")
There are plenty of older shows that disappeared. Even among cult shows. I don’t think I’ve ever seen **Science Fiction Theater** on any form of video. I’ve seen one or two episodes, mostly on the SciFi channel, when they needed fuiller. Similarly, **One Step Beyond** , a Twilight Zone-esque shoe from about the same era, is almost completely forgotten. Again, no videos or DVDs. I’ve never seen it in syndication. But one of the most completely disappeared shows is **Man Into Space** , a circa 1959 near-future science fiction series. I can barely recall it from the original broadcasts of my youth. Again, AFAIK it’s never been syndicated or released on video. It never showed up on the cable networks, even SciFi. Unlike the other two I cite, it’s never had a book or a portion of a book devoted to it. Eventually, a couple of websites and synopses appeared on the internet (although it was YEARS after the others shows had been covered). I think it’s on IMDb now, and clips on YouTube. But it’s still virtually invisible. Yet this was a mature, hard science space drama (long before Star Trek made that claim), that ran in prime time. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/49 "2008-10-24T17:13:56Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Similarly, **One Step Beyond** , a Twilight Zone-esque shoe from about the same era, is almost completely forgotten. Again, no videos or DVDs. I’ve never seen it in syndication. The wonderful **AuntiePam** found that show on DVD and when she was finished with it, sent it to me so I could add it to the collection at the library I worka at. > [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I sensed at the very beginning of this show’s run (once I grokked the basic premise) that they would pull a [Chris Carter](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheChrisCarterEffect) on the viewer. Turns out I was right; a show which tries to engineer these kinds of convoluted plot twists galore kind of format is very susceptible to viewer backlash if they don’t give you a satisfactory payoff in a reasonably timely manner. I don’t understand. What backlash, what Chris Carter Effect and what loss in viewers? Lost is still tremendously popular and is still a huge part of the cultural landscape. Not to mention, it’s still good and just finished one of it’s strongest seasons yet. Which is why it’s still tremendously popular and still a huge part of the cultural landscape. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/50 "2008-10-24T17:24:26Z")
> [@The New and Improved Superman](#): > > **Malcolm In the Middle** The OP specified shows that aren’t rerun anymore and that no one has seen in ages. **Malcom** is rerun on FX and in local syndication several times a day. I can watch at least 4 episodes a day in my area, and in HD, too. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/51 "2008-10-24T17:27:58Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > ER > > Used to be “must see”, high profile. Now it’s not even easy to find reruns on thirdrate cable channels, and despite repeated attempts to regain viewers in its last season… nothing much. > Just got the collected series DVD. Love it. Same here. And I agree about ER, too, not that I was ever a huge fan. At one time it was “must see TV” now even my ex (huge fan at one time) doesn’t even bother. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/52 "2008-10-24T17:30:18Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > they would pull a [Chris Carter](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheChrisCarterEffect) on the viewer Great quote from the linked page: > [@](#): > > the ideal “answer/new question” ratio to keep the audience’s trust while still maintaining the mystery. (Hint to prospective TV show creators: after the first few episodes, it’s about one.) ---
**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:** [October 24, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/53 "2008-10-24T17:32:08Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Jon Stewart mentioned **Wings** on his show last night as an example of ubiquitous cable programming which made me chuckle. > > I remember in the early-mid 90’s when USA and TBS each seemed to show syndicated episodes ten times a day but I haven’t seen the show on in _years_. Sorry for the double post. Lost the edit window. Wings was run daily on TV Land and USA both until about a month or two ago. It’s still shown daily on USA. Married With Children runs several times a day on Spike TV and TBS. I would disqualify any program that is run daily on a national cable network as having dropped off the cultural radar. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/54 "2008-10-24T17:34:27Z")
Melrose Place seems to only be mentioned when the TV people are talking about Heather Locklear, totally discounting her quality work on TJ Hooker. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/55 "2008-10-24T17:38:30Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > The OP specified shows that aren’t rerun anymore and that no one has seen in ages. **Malcom** is rerun on FX and in local syndication several times a day. I can watch at least 4 episodes a day in my area, and in HD, too. News to me! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/56 "2008-10-24T17:43:41Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Great quote from the linked page: They forgot to add The Pretender, John Doe, and Journeyman. Oh and Joan of Arcadia. Wonderfalls. I swear, when I become World Dictator, one requirement of those “it’s all a great mystery” shows will be to have all the answers wrotten down and sealed in a mayonaisse jar, to be opned when (not if) the show gets canceled without all the questions/mysteries being revealed. The only legal use for torture who be on the show’s creative staff in case the mayonaise jar turns out to conatin a blank page or not every answer is in there. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/57 "2008-10-24T17:56:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > They forgot to add […] Wonderfalls. 😕 Are you under the impression that her sudden ability to have inanimate animals talk to her was a mystery subject to solution? _Wonderfalls_, like its current sister-show _Pushing Daisies_, has a central factor that is _mysterious_ in nature but is not a _mystery_, as such. We aren’t going to find out _why_ these tchotchkes started talking to Jaye, just like we’re not going to find out _why_ Ned can bring the dead back to life. And I, anyway, don’t care. Those aren’t mysteries that need solving. They’re just part of the overall world that the series is (are) set in. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/58 "2008-10-24T18:18:00Z")
KneadToKnow > [@](#): > > Both of these are rerun multiple times per day: > Quote: > Originally Posted by MOIDALIZE > Who Wants To Be A Millionaire > > on GSN I missed the part of the OP about “no reruns”, but I would argue that reruns on GSN don’t really qualify as reruns compared to reruns on a channel like TNT. Heck, I don’t even have GSN. The most important thing is that WWTBAM, when Regis was hosting, was popular and prominent in the collective national consciousness. IIRC, at one point it was on three times a week. Then one day everybody decided that they were sick of network game shows and that was that. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/59 "2008-10-24T18:23:17Z")
> [@The New and Improved Superman](#): > > News to me! Same with Roseanne, Twin Peaks, Home Improvement and Murphy Brown. I can watch these every day. I’m currently trying to record the whole series of Twin Peaks in the correct order. It’s wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303/60 "2008-10-24T18:43:23Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I don’t understand. What backlash, what Chris Carter Effect and what loss in viewers? Lost is still tremendously popular and is still a huge part of the cultural landscape. > > Not to mention, it’s still good and just finished one of it’s strongest seasons yet. Which is why it’s still tremendously popular and still a huge part of the cultural landscape. I wasn’t the one making the argument about its popularity, but I was calling attention to the apparent syndrome of making it up as they go along (which is what Chris Carter did with the **X-Files** , if you had bothered to follow my link). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-which-have-almost-completely-dropped-off-the-cultural-radar-screen/469303.md?page=4)