# What was the stupidest premise for a TV show ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 7, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303 "2005-03-07T03:22:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/121 "2005-03-08T19:31:44Z")
> [@Scott\_plaid](#): > > ::Grump, Grump, Grump.:: > > This is all making me vary grumpy. Most of the idea here seem to be about shows that display magical realism, that is to say, have everything take place in the real world, save for one thing is diffrent. Sure, so most of the shows named did not execute very well, but that didn’t make the concept stupid. Well sue me, but I just thought the premise of Herman’s Head was clever, whereas the premises of Bewitched and/or I Dream of Jeannie were hackneyed. It wasn’t the unrealistic element of them _per se_ that made them stupid premises, it was that the _particular_ element they chose was stupid. The Herman’s Head premise lent itself to all kinds of clever, insightful jokes about human nature, while the “my wife is a witch” premise only lent itself to inane sight-gags and broad situational bits like, “Gee, the boss is coming over and there’s a goat in my closet” or whatever. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/122 "2005-03-08T19:58:29Z")
Err, what? I understand that Herman’s Head was a nice show. I listed it as one of my favorites in the next half of the quote you are quoting. So why respond to mine? I guess I was not being clear. I was listing good shows and what made them unique. I think you might have been looking for[post 48.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5919217&postcount=48) Let me reiterate. > [@Me](#): > > Many of my favorite shows dispayed this quality (magical realism), such as: > > Beetlejuice, the animated series “(ghosts are real), Jumanji, the animated series(it is possible to escape to a land of adventure), The Great American Hero (superheroics are possible), Herman’s Head (having the segment of a personality argue about what to do), “Malcolm In The Middle” (he can talk to the audience” and It’s Garry Shandling Show (like the lastone, but moreso) ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/123 "2005-03-08T21:53:38Z")
What I consider the best show of all-time had one of the stupidest premises of all time: NOTHING! ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/124 "2005-03-08T22:09:49Z")
> [@Scott\_plaid](#): > > Err, what? I understand that Herman’s Head was a nice show. I listed it as one of my favorites in the next half of the quote you are quoting. So why respond to mine? I guess I was not being clear. I was listing good shows and what made them unique. I think you might have been looking for[post 48.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5919217&postcount=48) > > Let me reiterate. No need for that. I understood you quite well. I just think your grousing was misplaced. You constructed a strawman: > [@](#): > > Sure, so most of the shows named did not execute very well, but that didn’t make the concept stupid. I was one of the ones who cited unrealistic shows as being bad premises, and I wanted to point out that, contrary to what you think, I don’t believe that lack of realism makes them bad _per se_. I understand that we both liked Herman’s Head. I just don’t think you understand that saying: “This show that did X was a bad premise”, doesn’t necessarily mean we’re saying _all_ shows that do X are a bad premise. Is that any more clear? ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/125 "2005-03-08T22:34:56Z")
Ah. Sorry, it just seemed that since so many of these seemed to be well written, that it seemed like the concept was being blamed. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/126 "2005-03-08T23:05:03Z")
There was some TV show in the 70s that dealt with a family moving from the big city to a small town in some place like Arizona or New Mexico and running a small TV station out of their house. Not quite sure what the premise behind that was, but it couldn’t have been too good since the show only lasted a couple of episodes. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/127 "2005-03-08T23:19:33Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > I thought this thread was about bad _premises_. Sci-Fi/Fantasy story set on a space station? How is that a bad premise? The fact that is was being done by another show? Is that proof that it’s a _bad_ premise? (Of course, the two shows were being developed nearly simultaneously, so the “rip-off” claims are suspect. Sometimes it just happens – two volcano movies, two tornado movies, two killer asteroid movies at the same time – that’s life). (Aside – the fact that DS9 managed to marshal better acting, better dialogue, and better storytelling than B5 and managed to be the best Star Trek series of all really puts paid to the notion that there was a faulty _premise_ involved.) Difference of opinion. I do not think DS9 was the best Trek. I found it almost altogether boring, save for a few eps and parts of the the final arc. And, here’s the biggie, the very premise is what kills it for me. A static setting in the Trek Universe. BLEAH. So, FOR ME, DS9 fits with this thread. Obviously, ymmv. (As to your aside: your fact is merely another opinion. One I do not share.) Not trying to start any Trek War here. Opinions and tastes vary. You and I are simply examples of this phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/128 "2005-03-08T23:51:23Z")
There was a “Mod Squad” rip-off once. Three attractive young special operatives, whose mentor was a scientific genius, foil the machinations of the enemy. I don’t remember the title, but the mentor was Ben Franklin, and the series was set during the American Revolution. ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/129 "2005-03-09T00:45:05Z")
I still say **Manimal** is leading the field at this point, though I’m surprised no Australian or Brit Dopers have yet mentioned [Catweazle](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063881/). This show freaked me out as a kid. Basically, the premise is an 11th century magician is transported to the 20th century and has these adventures. Adults never saw him and children shielded him from the world, in effect. Doesn’t sound too shocking until you see him - he looked like a homeless bum who hadn’t ever washed and he had this strange hissing sound that he made when talking. He also cried a lot, IIRC, which I think was because he didn’t fit in with 20th century society and consequently got himself into trouble all the time. What a fucking bizarre show. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/130 "2005-03-09T01:05:01Z")
Well, heck, for silly premises, my fellow Canadians will surely remember _The Littlest Hobo_, in which a superintelligent German Shepherd wanders the country, solving crimes and whatnot. And it was spoofed in the second-to-last episode of a British TV show called _Spaced_, which completely floored me as I was unaware anyone outside of Canada had even _seen_ TLH. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/131 "2005-03-09T01:10:36Z")
> [@buns3000](#): > > I still say **Manimal** is leading the field at this point, though I’m surprised no Australian or Brit Dopers have yet mentioned [Catweazle](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063881/). This show freaked me out as a kid. Basically, the premise is an 11th century magician is transported to the 20th century and has these adventures. Adults never saw him and children shielded him from the world, in effect. Doesn’t sound too shocking until you see him - he looked like a homeless bum who hadn’t ever washed and he had this strange hissing sound that he made when talking. He also cried a lot, IIRC, which I think was because he didn’t fit in with 20th century society and consequently got himself into trouble all the time. What a fucking bizarre show. Good heavens, I remember _Catweazle_! I hadn’t thought of it in years. You’re right. It was \*\*very \*\* strange and rather frightening for a child. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/132 "2005-03-09T01:16:01Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > [Dad gives up a lucrative LA career and moves the family to Iowa.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070967/) Yeah, right. **Green Acres** was about a husband leaving New York City to live in a small farming community. And he and his wife stay! Sometimes the Trio channel shows episodes of **Kolchak: The Night Stalker**. It’s not that bad of a show. It has the dad from **A Christmas Story** and that’s good enough for me. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/133 "2005-03-09T01:24:43Z")
**Kolchak: The Night Stalker** was a series spun off from an incredibly (and surprisingly) successful TV movie. That series was one of Chris Carter’s inspirations for **The X-Files**. Carter even brought back Darren McGavin to appear in an episode as an homage. Kolchak had a pretty small budget and the effects are somewhat comical. And after a while, they ran out of monsters and supernatural beings to terrorize Chicago. But that show gave me the creeps when I was a wee lad. Not that I would miss it. Very good theme song. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/134 "2005-03-09T01:36:20Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Difference of opinion. I do not think DS9 was the best Trek. I found it almost altogether boring, save for a few eps and parts of the the final arc. And, here’s the biggie, the very premise is what kills it for me. A static setting in the Trek Universe. BLEAH. > > So, FOR ME, DS9 fits with this thread. Obviously, ymmv. > > (As to your aside: your fact is merely another opinion. One I do not share.) > > Not trying to start any Trek War here. Opinions and tastes vary. You and I are simply examples of this phenomenon. You notice, all that opinionating was after the “aside.” The point is that this is a discussion about _premises_ and I can’t accept that a show about a space station is a bad premise for a sci-fi show. And, by definition, if it wasn’t a bad premise for Babylon 5, it can’t be a bad premise for DS9. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/135 "2005-03-09T02:40:33Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Didn’t _Blacke’s Magic_ starring Hal Linden recycle this premise? Yup, and then [JonathonCreek](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118363/) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/136 "2005-03-09T02:51:14Z")
I’m watching _Blind Justice_, the show that inspired this thread. Eight minutes in. Boy, does this suck. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/137 "2005-03-09T02:54:36Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > **Robot Chicken** > > There used to be this show I would whatch when I was a young’n. It was a British show (I think). I can’t remeber what I was called but the premise was; this cuople living in the middle of suburbia was bound and determined to “live off the land” So all the food they ate had to be grown in their little back yard, they to wash clothes by hand ect… Plus they had these snoby neighbors that absolutely HATED them because of all this. > > Does anybody know what show I’m talking about? As already mentioned, that’s\* The Good Life.\* One of the best loved Britcoms of all time, nearly equal with Fawlty Towers. It made stars of the four principal actors. The Queen was a fan, apparently. No way should this be on the list of worst premises. Note : The snobby neighbours were actually their best friends. As for the worst idea of all time [Heil Honey I’m Home](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259776/) ---
**Author:** ![dare\_devil007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@dare\_devil007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dare_devil007)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/138 "2005-03-09T02:58:17Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > I’m watching _Blind Justice_, the show that inspired this thread. > > Eight minutes in. Boy, does this suck. I actually want to watch it, but my brother is studying, so I can’t. Is it really that bad? ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/139 "2005-03-09T03:02:18Z")
> [@Peter Morris](#): > > As for the worst idea of all time [Heil Honey I’m Home](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259776/) Oh. My. God. We have a new winner. “Plot Outline: In Berlin, 1938, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun have a love-hate relationship with their Jewish neighbours in this bizarre spoof of 'fifties American sitcoms” Furthermore the author posts a defense on the IBMD board! Beyond belief. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303/140 "2005-03-09T03:05:20Z")
> [@dare\_devil007\_](#): > > I actually want to watch it, but my brother is studying, so I can’t. Is it really that bad? The main character keeps making dump quips about his blindness, his dog, etc. Already his superduper other senses have picked up on a clue missed by the sighted (but hot) female detective, who has a chip on her shapely shoulder for being assigned to the blind guy in the first place. Blech. Play-by-play commentary to follow, with spoiler tags as necessary. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-stupidest-premise-for-a-tv-show-ever/293303.md?page=8)