Since the turn of the century, the general quality of television shows has improved exponentially. Studios are committing more funds and this in turn allows producers to attract a higher caliber of actors and more established directors. Things don’t always work out though.
Over the past few decades, there have been countless series that have failed to hit the mark with critics. Some are just plain bad, but there are others which manage to find an audience despite failing to impress the professionals. Although often not enough to save these shows from cancellation, it at least justifies all of the hard work that went into making them.
10 In Justice (2006) – User Score: 8.8 │ Metascore: 48
With its solid cast and interesting stories, In Justice offered a refreshing take on the crime drama genre. The cases that the National Justice Project took on each week were fascinating, as too were the lawyers themselves. At least that’s what the overwhelming majority of viewers thought, anyway. Critics took a very different view.
Some found the show to be both bland and nonsensical in equal measures, but one of the standout complaints was that it just wasn’t “fun” enough. Considering the subject material though, this is arguably a rather baseless criticism. Regardless, the show holds a lowly 48 Metascore as a result and was quickly cancelled after just a single season.
9 Men In Trees (2006) – User Score: 8.9 │ Metascore: 48
Given the vast amount of high quality comedies on television these days, Men in Trees was always going to struggle to make an impression. Despite this though, it had no trouble impressing its viewers thanks to its well-written characters and subtle humor. The critical response was a lot less positive though.
While some reviewers seemed to understand what the creators were going for, the majority were left unimpressed. Many took exception to the show’s writing while others found the delivery to be too wooden. One or two just didn’t seem to have understood the humor at all. Thankfully, this wasn’t enough to stop the show from coming back for a second season, although declining ratings ultimately prevented it from going any further.
8 The Black Donnellys (2007) – User Score: 8.7 │ Metascore: 45
The Black Donnellys shares a lot of similarities with Peaky Blinders, although it arguably lacked that larger than life character needed to really captivate the audience. Even so, there was a lot to like about the show, particularly its well-written narrative. As its user score suggests, most viewers loved it, although its Metascore tells a very different story.
Quite a few reviewers spoke positively about the show, but most were pretty damning. Bizarrely, several even compared it to The Sopranos which seems a little unfair considering that the latter is one of the best television dramas of all time. The ensemble cast also came in for some criticism, as too did the show’s writing.
7 Norm MacDonald Has A Show (2018) – User Score: 8.6 │ Metascore: 43
The higher-ups at Netflix seem to love commissioning comedic talk shows – and it’s easy to see why. The costs involved are generally quite low when compared to a drama or sitcom and the regular influx of famous faces can really help to draw in an audience. On the flip side though, it can place a lot of pressure on the host.
Norm MacDonald is a well respected comedian and is loved by many for his deadpan delivery. Unfortunately, however, not all of the critics were overly enamored by the industry veteran; with many struggling to get their heads around his dry sense of humor. Thankfully for Norm, the same cannot be said of the show’s viewers; as evidenced by its 8.6 user score.
6 What About Brian? (2006) – User Score: 8.9 │ Metascore: 41
With J.J. Abrams amongst the list of What About Brian?‘s Executive Producers, expectations for the show were fairly high. In many respects, it delivered too. The vast majority of viewer feedback was positive, with one person even touting the show as a potential successor to Friends. Sadly, a combination of mediocre ratings and a damning critical reception prevented it from ever coming close to taking up that mantle.
Critics picked apart just about every element of the show; with the characters themselves receiving the brunt of the criticism. Others complained about an overall lack of depth, with one or two describing it as a poor man’s Thirtysomething.
5 Surface (2005) – User Score: 8.7 │ Metascore: 39
When Surface first began airing in 2005, comparisons to Lost were not too far behind. Both shows feature beautiful cinematography as well as a plethora of unexplained sci-fi inspired monsters. Heck. Even the promotional material was reminiscent of the ABC show. Like Lost though, it too proved to be fairly divisive.
Most reviewers were critical with several bemoaning the lack of suspense and narrative tension. The characters also came in for some criticism; although the majority of viewers saw things a little differently. Despite plenty of positive ratings and reviews from audiences, however, the show never made it to a second season.
4 Pepper Dennis (2006) – User Score: 8.9 │ Metascore: 37
The Warner Bros. Television Network has released its fair share of stinkers over the years and, if critics are to believed, Pepper Dennis is one of them. The comedy drama currently holds a 37 Metascore with many reviewers labeling it as boring and unfunny. Regular viewers saw things a little differently though.
While not all user scores for the show are positive, the overwhelming majority are. Those who took the time to review it typically found it to be both funny and charming while many also singled out Brooke Burns’ solid performances throughout the show’s solitary season.
3 Moonlight (2007) – User Score: 9.0 │ Metascore: 38
With both Buffy and Angel having been brought to a close just a few years prior, there was a vampire-shaped hole in the schedule that CBS was eager to fill. The show that they put together to do so was Moonlight, but despite being made from a very similar mold as Joss Whedon’s vampire classics, it just didn’t quite fit in.
Critics were quick to make jokes about how the show “bites”, but viewers were generally a lot more forgiving. Many praised its format and casting, while others highlighted its impressive cinematography. This wasn’t enough to save the show though, with CBS ultimately staking it after just one season.
2 South Beach (2006) – User Score: 8.6 │ Metascore: 29
Produced by Jennifer Lopez and starring Breaking Bad‘s Giancarlo Esposito, South Beach had a lot of potential. It never quite fully realized it, although it arguably came a lot closer than its 29 Metascore would otherwise suggest. At least according to the show’s viewers, anyway.
Many praised the acting while others were captivated by its intriguing storylines. This was in stark contrast to reviewers, however, the majority of whom found the show to be both asinine and pretentious. Much to the ire of series fans, UPN seemed to side with the professionals and cancelled the show after a single eight episode season.
1 October Road (2007) – User Score: 8.6 │ Metascore: 23
October Road had a little bit of everything but not quite enough to impress critics. It likely didn’t help that many of those who reviewed the show were not amongst its target audience, but this didn’t seem to stop them from going to town.
Not one of the 25 reviews on Metacritic scored it above fifty, with the majority opting for ratings below 25. Three reviewers even gave it a zero; describing it as “wretched”, “woeful” and “appalling”. Conversely, most user scores were positive; with many viewers praising the show’s acting as well as its eclectic soundtrack.
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