What were they thinking? It’s like they didn’t even want these series to succeed, and it turns out, they didn’t. Here are 10 shows with terrible names.
You would think television big shots would have better sense, but these series titles indicate otherwise. Here are 10 of the worst examples of poor foresight.
These shows with terrible names never stood a chance, and for some, it’s just too bad.
Cougartown
Creators of this show had a bit of an identity crisis between its inception and its subsequent seasons. While it may sound like it’s about a lusty middle-aged woman trolling for young men, it’s about so much more. It’s funny and quirky, and it could have been taken so much more seriously if it didn’t have this terrible name hanging over it.
Don’t Trust the B– In Apartment 23
Although the name is technically true about the premise of the show, it took a lot of heat for the use of a curse word, casting a shadow on its reception. If folks would have watched it, they would have discovered a quirky, topical little comedy with a pre-Jessica Jones, Krysten Ritter and James van der Beek playing a jerkier version of himself.
2 Guys, A Girl, And A Pizza Place
The title of this show is accurate, although it’s also quite a mouthful. They later shortened it to just 2 Guys and a Girl, but even Ryan Reynolds’ and Nathan Fillion’s early-’90s charm weren’t enough to get audiences on fire for this show.
Trophy Wife
This show’s name was just plain gross, especially since the wife in question is the lovely Malin Ackerman. Trophy Wife makes it sound diminutive and sexist, when the show is really about the nuances of blended family dynamics. It had a a star-packed cast, including Bradley Whitford, Marcia Gay Harden, and Michaela Watkins. It’s a real shame it was doomed from the start.
Bunheads
You shouldn’t have to have insider information to understand a show’s title. ABC Family’s Bunheads is a show about ballerinas, which are often referred to as such because of their classic hairstyle. It shouldn’t be work trying to decode a show’s name, and audiences rebelled accordingly. The show was charming and endearing, yet even Sutton Foster couldn’t overcome the handicap.
GCB
Based on the best-selling novel by Kim Gatlin, the title was an abbreviation for the book’s original title, Good Christian B—-es. Creators shortened it for obvious reasons, but the mystery crippled the show among audiences. Too bad Kristen Chenowith couldn’t razzle-dazzle viewers enough to get on board with a show about a bunch of mean, Christian women in West Texas. It was kind of cute.
Accidentally on Purpose
What does this even mean? This goofy show could have existed on Jenna Elfman’s charm alone, but it didn’t stand a chance with viewers. I’m all for stories about strong women, but this show just never recovered from that puzzle of a title.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Not only did this Aaron Sorkin vehicle have the unfortunate luck to debut around the same time as 30 Rock, it also had the world’s longest name. Most fans and critics shortened it to Studio 60 when they talked about it anyway, so who knows why creators didn’t just start there. It didn’t last long, but looking back, it doesn’t seem like it got the respect it deserved.
Dirty Sexy Money
Executives must have sat around their boardroom table and thought, “What is a collection of super generic buzzwords that might vaguely describe a show about rich people?” when they were brainstorming for this show. Just like so many other shows of its ilk, it’s about rich, white people, doing awful things to each other in pursuit of getting richer. And there’s some sex, obviously.
$#*! My Dad Says
You have to know any show based on a Twitter feed might not translate so well. Even though Americans love to see a long-suffering son deal with his disgruntled dad in 140 characters or less, nobody wanted to see William Shatner try to breathe life into this show.
Next: 15 of the weirdest shows to ever exist
Tell us your favorite terribly-named show in the comments below.