...Why Is This On?

[AndyC]

Specifically, there are too damn many mindless talk shows. Learning ancient Sanskrit would be both more entertaining and more useful than watching Tyra or Maury or Bonnie  et al.

I used to like talk shows back in the early 90s, when they still had some variety in guests and topics. I used to enjoy Jerry Springer during the brief period after he stopped being too preachy and serious, but before his show went completely freaking nuts. For a while, talk shows were entertaining, but that didn't last.

Funny, I can't think of any current shows that have overstayed their welcome. These days, if I don't want to watch it, I just don't notice it. There's always something else to watch or something else to do. Unless something catches my interest, it stays off my radar. I usually have a few shows I make a point of following, and when they're not on, I'm watching a movie, reading or doing something constructive. I couldn't tell you what the current hit shows are.

I suppose there is The Simpsons. I used to be a big fan, but it started to run out of steam by the late 90s. To be honest, I haven't paid attention to the show for a few seasons now.

[frankofthefuture]

Any fake "reality" shows featuring ignorant spoiled rich kids and their incapable parents. "The Kardashians", "The Hills", etc. etc.

Also, what is with shows that take attractive women and somehow make them "stern"-looking via overdone makeup. I've never watched "Desperate Housewives" but some of those women were on other shows and very attractive. But now they look plastic. On this point, Jennifer Love Hewitt looks like Pinnochio on "The Ghost Whisperer." Makeup overkill. Sooner or later the more "natural" look will make a comeback hopefully. I still won't watch those shows though.

[AndyC]

Any kind of home improvement show that came out in the last 10 years.

I can't recall too many home improvement shows in the last 10 years. I've seen lots of shows where you watch professionals do over a house with a lot of expensive stuff the sponsors provided. As far as shows where the host shows you how to do projects around your own house, I haven't seen too many. The only one I've liked is Holmes on Homes, just because it can be pretty funny watching Mike react to severely shoddy work.

I have to agree with the previous posters who said the Simpsons have overstayed their welcome. That's got to be the most glaring example - 20 years on TV and it probably should have gone out with some dignity ten years ago. I wouldn't know if they occasionally hit the mark with an episode, because I stopped watching a couple of years ago. But a good episode now and then can't make up for the fact that they've beaten the show to death and just about completely run out of ideas. Last I watched, there was one show after another that just looked like the writers were putting characters and situations together in any combination they haven't done before. And all of the characters have continued to do their same shtick, but in a way that has gotten progressively exaggerated, with any subtlety or complexity going out the window. The multi-layered and often intelligent jokes of the earlier seasons are nowhere to be seen. I've said it many times - The Simpsons has been running on pure momentum for years.

[InformationGeek]

I have to agree with the previous posters who said the Simpsons have overstayed their welcome. That's got to be the most glaring example - 20 years on TV and it probably should have gone out with some dignity ten years ago. I wouldn't know if they occasionally hit the mark with an episode, because I stopped watching a couple of years ago. But a good episode now and then can't make up for the fact that they've beaten the show to death and just about completely run out of ideas. Last I watched, there was one show after another that just looked like the writers were putting characters and situations together in any combination they haven't done before. And all of the characters have continued to do their same shtick, but in a way that has gotten progressively exaggerated, with any subtlety or complexity going out the window. The multi-layered and often intelligent jokes of the earlier seasons are nowhere to be seen. I've said it many times - The Simpsons has been running on pure momentum for years.

I think the Simpsons having been doing fine.  I hate it when people complain the newer seasons aren't has good as the older seasons (I fine some of the newer seasons way better than some of the old ones).  I've been watching the show since season 10 and I haven't been really disappointed with what've seen (Outside of that jazz episode in season 18).

Interestingly enough, I found some of the older seasons rather uninteresting, unfunny, and extremely overrated.  Like Season 8, everyone claims that is the best season of all times from the show, but I've watched all the episodes and I find that statement a complete lie.  Sure, the season had some fine episodes, but some episode weren't fun to watch. Especially Homer's Enemy (Hate that episode with a passion despite everyone saying it's great).  Personally, the only great old season was 5 and 6.  Season 1-2 were boring, Season 3-4 were dull and unimpressive, season 7 is lackluster, season 8 is extremely overated, season 9 was an improvement, and season 10 was awesome.

Back to the main topic, I personally don't find there any good reason to have Family Guy, American Day, most animated shows on Adult Swim, or South Park on anymore.  People say The Simpsons over stayed its welcome, I say those 3 shows overstayed their welcome.  They aren't really that funny or entertaining to watch (Personal opinion people!). 

[Doggett]

Big Brother.


Make it stop.


Please.

[lester1/2jr]

Fuel TV seems to think I am as interested in wakeboarding as I am in street skating and i would tend to disagree with that assesment

[Leah]

the NEW Nick and Cartoonnnetwork.
Really, they need to show TV series like all that (and the 80's Nick shows, i don't know the names)
also, Law & Order. It's like on three stations! Seriously?

[Psycho Circus]

Big Brother.

Make it stop.

Please.

It's just been cancelled as of next year. 

[Javakoala]

Big Brother.

Make it stop.

Please.

It's just been cancelled as of next year. 

Circus Circus can make your wishes come true.  Just rub his clown makeup off three times....

[JPickettIII]

American Idol. Simon's tight tshirts,Paula's drunkeness,Randy's same old lingo, and Ryan Seacrest for being Ryan Seacrest are all great reasons for this show to be kicked to the curve. There is only so many times you can watch really awful people thinking that they can sing and find it funny.

Personally I have never watched this show.  I do believe that it has stayed on the air because it is a terrorist plot to numb the world out of our skulls.  The terrorist will be able to take over the world much easier.  

Later,

John

[JPickettIII]

Sadly, I have to say "The Simpsons."  I loved the early years, but I think it ran its course long ago.  Ten seasons would have been enough.

Rev Powell, sad to say, I will have to agree with you.  I loved the show in the ealier years.  I think that they are starting to stretch for stories now.  I think that they should end the show while it is still on top.

Later,

John

[JPickettIII]

Jon and Kate Plus 8 and any other show that featues screaming kids and parents exploiting them for 15 minutes of fame. 

Maybe we could put "Jon and Kate plus eight" and "Seventeen and Counting" on "Survivor".  That would be very interesting.  Especially if we include Jon's no hoochie mama.   

Later,

John

[AndyC]

American Idol. Simon's tight tshirts,Paula's drunkeness,Randy's same old lingo, and Ryan Seacrest for being Ryan Seacrest are all great reasons for this show to be kicked to the curve. There is only so many times you can watch really awful people thinking that they can sing and find it funny.

Personally I have never watched this show.  I do believe that it has stayed on the air because it is a terrorist plot to numb the world out of our skulls.  The terrorist will be able to take over the world much easier.  

I usually get sucked in by the early auditions, which are actually funny, then wind up watching the whole season. I have to admit, the classic songs they sing while competing are better than any of the crappy songs the winners are given to record afterward. And I do have to give the show credit for the powerful showbusiness machine it is, finding people who can sing, grooming them, molding them, conducting market research on them and putting them in a competition that builds them an instant fan base and pads their resumes by putting them onstage with music legends. In a couple of months, you get bankable new singing stars who are still naive and greatful for the opportunity. Diabolical. The TV show is worth more to the industry as a tool than it is as a TV show.

So it comes as no surprise that as the formula starts to get a little stale, even for a reality show, the producers are busily trying to keep it fresh. The last season had more manufactured drama than ever, and a level of tinkering that bordered on desperate. And they added the fourth judge, who was annoying even by American Idol standards, and added nothing but 33 percent more gabbing.

What has freshened the show for me is finally discovering the online critics of the show, who provide some very funny and spot-on analysis. I especially love http://www.votefortheworst.com, where in spite of the name, they actually cheer on the most interesting contestants, while heaping abuse on the ones we are obviously being encouraged to like. Good fun. Adds a whole new dimension to the show.

[Nightowl]

Mercy. If you took a bad version of ER and added an overflowing amount of cheesy romance & storylines, you would have the awful Mercy. I wanted this show to do great because I remember watching Michelle Trachtenberg in Harriet The Spy, but after two episodes I just couldnt take it anymore.

[BlackAngel75]

I have to say, anything that is not music related on Mtv.  I'm sorry but The Real World and all the show like it have got to go.  Whatever happen to Yo, Mtv Raps, Headbangers Ball and MUSIC VIDEOS!!!!??????????????  What the hell happened to music videos???  At least Vh1 got some music related shows (outside those celebrity "reality" shows).  Now Mtv has My Super Sweet Sixteen and Road Rules.  I just wish the "m" in Mtv stood for music again.