In Depth
NBC, Take Heed
Network’s Four Fall Premieres Join Fox’s ‘Do Not Disturb’ Among Top 5 Worst Shows
“Do Not Disturb” may have had a short life, but it made a big impression on critics.
The three airings Fox gave its hotel-set comedy were enough to convince participants in TelevisionWeek’s semiannual Critics Poll to declare it the worst show on TV this winter.
But while Fox claimed the top of the poll, the worst list this year really belongs to NBC. All four of the network’s new scripted series—“Knight Rider,” “Kath & Kim,” “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Crusoe”—made the top five.
First, though, some thoughts on “Do Not Disturb”:
“What a waste of talent. What a painfully unfunny show,” lamented Mekeisha Madden Toby of the Detroit News.
“I want to believe Kevin Reilly had nothing to do with this,” added Florida Sun-Sentinel critic Tom Jicha, referring to Fox’s head of entertainment.
Mr. Reilly did, indeed, have something to do with “Do Not Disturb.” He was not, however, involved in any of the new NBC series that had critics depressed.
That includes “Knight Rider,” the No. 2 series on the worst list and a series that Daily Variety Assistant Managing Editor of Features Stuart Levine declared simply “an embarrassment.”
“Just knowing that show is on makes small portions of my brain melt every day,” added Melanie McFarland of IMDb.com.
NBC newcomer “Kath & Kim,” No. 3 on the worst list, also had critics hurling invectives at executives. Alan Sepinwall of New Jersey’s Star-Ledger summed up his reaction to the show thus: “Ben Silverman hates us, part one.” (Part two of the hate saga, per Mr. Sepinwall: “Knight Rider.”)
The presence of Christian Slater didn’t stop “My Own Worst Enemy” from landing in fourth place. “Ludicrous and lame,” declared John Griffiths of US Weekly. “Should have never gotten past the scribble-on-a-cocktail-napkin phase.”
“Crusoe,” which was stranded on Fridays before moving to Saturdays, generated enough ill will to land at No. 5 on the list, tied with Fox’s silly stunt show “Hole in the Wall.”
Another game show, ABC’s “Opportunity Knocks,” tied for No. 7 with NBC’s failed attempt at reviving variety, “Rosie Live.” James Poniewozik of Time called the latter event “a self-indulgent retro-cheese nightmare, Broadway-style.”
CBS squeezed into the worst top 10 with its short-lived Friday soap “The Ex List.” “It had one of the least appealing main characters of any recent network show I can remember,” said John Crook of Tribune Media Services.
Rounding out the top 10: A tie between ABC’s perennially maligned, apparently unstoppable “According to Jim” and CBS’ own male-centric domestic comedy, “Gary Unmarried.”
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Comments 65
Inf
My Own Worst Enemy was like a beacon in the morass of "reality television" -- it was sharp and clever, implausible, but entertaining -- it's been cancelled and replaced with Momma's Boys, more reality tv -- I worked nights for 14 years and told myself I didn't care about television, that it was stupid and mind-rotting, I recently switched to days, found MOWE a huge step up from the which "biggest loser survivor wants to marry america's next top chef/model/american idol/my dad" fare that has permeated every single channel -- and so of course MOWE got cancelled. I'm going back to my original position: television is stupid.
Chris the TV Sage
Actually, a collection of the finest television critics in the country just stated en masse that, in fact, "My Own Worst Enemy" was stupid. I believe them over you.
You sure know a lot about prime-time TV for someone who hasn't watched it in 14 years, by the way.
Eric
30 Rock belongs on that list in place of Kath & Kim.
Rose
Gee tv sage , evidently you don't have enough intelligence to make your own decision about a tv show, and believe critics opinions instead of having your own. Perhaps sage is not the proper name for you....
My Own Worst Enemy is one of the most intelligent and well acted, directed and written television shows that I have seen in years. Yes, it takes a functioning frontal lobe to understand what is going on, hence the critics dislike, but some of us are sick of mind numbing crime procedurals with high school drama club level acting and predictable plots and a bunch of actor/actress wannabees pretending they're not in reality tv shows.
As far as professional critics, their opinions mean nothing to me, because they do nothing; nothing except criticize people who are doing something. In my opinion, a dishonorable way to make a living. Perhaps they should get of their asses and do something themselves.
There, I feel better now....
Chris the TV Sage
I'm glad you feel better.
James
I can't understand how NBC executives think they can float a network on The Biggest Loser and Knight Rider. Sweet baby Jesus, Knight Rider!! I had to have my retina's reattached after five minutes of the TV movie. How can one even bring back something that bad?!
I'm not sure why I'm surprised. Journeyman, My Own Worst Enemy. Escapism television has always been some of the greatest entertainment over the years. NBC got it wrong.
Bet we'll always have the ilk of Chris the TV Stooge to guide us along our way. I can hardly wait till we can see more reality programs such as Dog Swap or Amazing Tax Audits.
NBC, please sell USA Network before you screw up Monk, Burn Notice or Psych.
Chris the TV Sage
My feelings are hurt now. Maybe I should go take it out on some anonymous person on the internet?
tigeratwork
the critics have gotten it wrong, "my own worst enemy" was a good show and I'm sad to see it go. Christian Slater stood out with his jekyll/hyde character, the serial was lavishly produced and the writers should have gotten a chance to close out the fascinating storyline. shame....
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20 million people can be wrong ( if theyre americans)
Mitch
I find simply amusing how the critics deem "Gary Unmarried" as the number 10 worst show and yet it won "Favorite New TV Comedy" award at the 35th People's Choice Awards.
I've personally never seen the show but I do think it speaks volumes that the 'critics' simply have no idea what the 'people' want.
Frankly, I'm tired of my only options being Reality TV, overly dramatic soap operas that are aired weekly and at night instead of during the day, or these overly gory crime or medical related shows. I watch TV to be entertained. I want to see something that's mentally stimulating that doesn't gross me out and yet is still able to provide me with an interesting storyline.
Ayric
How does Knight Rider stay on the air, but Crusoe get's canned? While not "good" and utterly ridiculous, it's a nice break from cynical, depressing stuff... and as a Christian it's nice to hear main characters that share my beliefs on TV. The first episodes were really almost unbearable to watch, but by 13 (the last one) I really got into it. Go back and watch TV from the 80s and 90s that later got rave reviews and you'll see the first 1/2 season was equally HORRIBLE. When will execs and critics give shows any chance to mature and come into their own? You have too much to compete with to leave audiences high and dry... Once Lost, 24 and BSG are done... I'm canceling cable for good.
RJ
Gary Unmarried is hilarious! :)
Larissa
Crusoe is such an awesome show! Not enough people know about it and never watched it. It has to continue! It's definitely one of the best shows I have ever seen!
anna
u guys gotta keep crusoe on air its a great show my family and i love to watch it, i love the characters and the scenes,and i really like how they put some christian stuff on there, and that is probably why the critics don't like it cause it has some christian things.
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