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It Was a Thing on TV Presents: TV Guide's 50 Worst Shows of All-Time List (Part 2)

·30 min·3 clips
One year later, the hosts finally re-rank TV Guide's 50 worst shows to create their definitive list.
This episode is a special presentation from the It Was a Thing on TV podcast, released one year after part one, focusing on re-ranking TV Guide's 2001 list of the 50 worst TV shows. The host begins by reading the original list, including shows like Barney and Friends at 50 and The Jerry Springer Show at 1. They note that the original list suffered from recency bias and that some shows, like The Ropers, may not deserve their spots. The hosts then share their new lists, starting with Mike, who keeps Jerry Springer at number one, arguing it reflects cultural downfall and spawned worse shows like Karamo. Chico presents his list, with Jerry Springer also at number one, and Greg reveals his, ranking 'You're in the Picture' as the worst due to its single airing and Jackie Gleason's apology. The hosts discuss disparities in their rankings, such as 'The Swan' being placed at 21 by Mike and 34 by Greg, and 'New Monkeys' in Greg's top 10 but lower on others' lists. They analyze specific shows, like Turn On being compared to TikTok for its short attention span appeal, and Cop Rock being experimental but not necessarily bad. The episode explores how perceptions change over time, with shows aging poorly or being rediscovered. It concludes with the hosts viewing the list as a living document that could be revisited in the future, especially as forgotten shows resurface. The format is a panel discussion among the hosts, with no external guests, focusing on collaborative ranking and debate.

As heard by us

A re-ranked worst-TV list makes its sharpest case with a one-airing flop, an apology, and lingering irritation over Whitney.

The special's second half returns to TV Guide's 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time and treats the re-ranking less as a stunt than as a running argument about what kind of failure earns a permanent place in TV history.

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Why you'd press play

You want a worst-TV countdown where a one-airing disaster can outrank Whitney? Press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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