Sitcoms are some of the best and most entertaining shows out there. They make us laugh with their witty dialogue and we quickly grow attached to their lovable, and often incredibly flawed, characters. But even though some of the best sitcoms are hilarious and heartwarming, it doesn’t mean every sitcom is enjoyable. While most sitcoms range from mediocre to excellent, there are also plenty of sitcoms we could have done without.
When it comes to the worst sitcoms of all time, the world of entertainment would have been better without them. Some of the worst sitcoms feature dull characters, predictable storylines, and boring dialogue while others are downright offensive and tasteless. The worst sitcoms on this list didn’t make it past the first or second episode before they were canceled.
Many of the sitcoms we shared below have been featured on several lists for the worst TV shows or sitcoms ever. While there is something humorous about how bad some of them are, you’re not missing anything if you’ve never seen them.
To create this list of sitcoms we would have been better off without, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous entertainment sources, including the TV Guide Network and IMDd. We also consulted sitcom ratings and looked into which sitcoms had the most negative reception. (Check out the Very Best Sitcoms of All Time.)
Here are 15 sitcoms that should have never been made.
“Joey” (2004)
- Aired from 2004 to 2006
- 46 episodes
“Friends” was one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, but trying to make a spin-off of a well-loved show rarely goes well. This series focuses on Joey’s life as an actor. While Joey is one of the best characters on “Friends,” the show isn’t the same without the rest of the Friends crew. “Joey” stopped airing after two seasons. The series premiere did well, but the rest of the series wasn’t popular enough to keep filming.
“Cavemen” (2007)
- Aired in 2007
- 13 episodes
In 2004, GEICO started airing TV commercials featuring cavemen with a catchy slogan: “It’s so easy a caveman could do it.” The commercials were so popular that ABC aired a sitcom based on the cavemen characters. Unlike the commercials, the series received incredibly poor reviews, with publications like the Chicago Tribune mentioning it on their list of the “Top 25 Worst TV Shows Ever.”
“Fred: The Show” (2012)
- Aired in 2012
- 24 episodes
Fred Figglehorn, a character created by Lucas Cruikshank, was originally a YouTube sensation with millions of subscribers. The popularity of the character led Nickelodeon to air “Fred: The Show,” a series created by Cruikshank. The show only made it through one season before it was canceled due to poor reception. Out of nearly 3,000 reviews on IMDb, “Fred: The Show” received 2 out of 10 stars.
“Homeboys in Outer Space” (1996)
- Aired in 1996
- 21 episodes
The title of this 1990s sci-fi spin-off may already make you raise your eyebrows. “Homeboys in Outer Space” follows the story of two astronauts who travel through space in the “Space Hoopty,” which is the name of their winged car. Although the actors clearly put in a lot of effort, the jokes and writing fell flat, leading to this UPN series making TV Guide’s list of the 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time.
“Mad About Alice” (2004)
- Aired in 2004
- 6 episodes
“Mad About Alice” was a sitcom on BBC that aired in 2004. The series tells the story of Alice and Doug, a divorced couple who live near each other because they have joint custody of their son, Joe. Their constant fighting in the show is meant to be funny, but witnessing their relationship is unbearable. “Mad About Alice” only lasted six episodes.
“Marvin Marvin” (2012)
- Aired from 2012-2013
- 19 episodes
Lucas Cruikshank makes the list again with his second Nickelodeon series, “Marvin Marvin.” The premise of this show is a teenage alien who was sent to Earth tries to fit in with the other teenagers. Although the character of Fred Figglehorn doesn’t make an appearance in this show, Cruikshank brings the same kind of energy and humor to “Marvin Marvin.” The unoriginal premise led to poor reviews of the show on Nickelodeon.
“My Mother the Car” (1965)
- Aired from 1965-1966
- 30 episodes
The premise of “My Mother the Car” is that while shopping for a station wagon, an attorney buys an antique car. He then discovers that the car is the reincarnation of his mother after hearing her speak to him through the radio. The premise was ridiculous enough to be funny, but instead, it was often confusing and inconsistent. The creators of the show, including Allan Burns and Chris Hayward, went on to create much more successful shows in the future, such as “Rhoda,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and “Barney Miller.”
“That 80s Show” (2002)
- Aired in 2008
- 13 episodes
Many fans of “That ‘70s Show” have reported they would have enjoyed a spin-off based in the ‘80s. However, “That ‘80s Show” wasn’t a spin-off of “That ‘70s Show,” despite the similar names. Although the premise is similar, none of the characters from “That ‘70s Show” are a part of the ‘80s version. The show wasn’t original enough to be a hit like “That ‘70s Show” and only 13 episodes of “That ‘80s Show” aired before the show was canceled.
“I Hate My Teenage Daughter” (2011)
- Aired from 2011-2012
- 13 episodes
“I Hate My Teenage Daughter” is a show about two single moms who have failed to discipline their teenage daughters. This leads to their daughters becoming entitled and spoiled while the two moms struggle to connect with them. While some tweaks to the show may have made it more likable, Annie and Nikki’s resentment of their teenage daughters doesn’t come across as humorous, even with the added laugh tracks.
“2 Broke Girls” (2011)
- Aired from 2011-2017
- 138 episodes
“2 Broke Girls” is the longest-running show on this list and there were mixed reviews about the series. This sitcom aired on CBS and follows the story of two young waitresses who are trying to open a cupcake business together. While many people loved the show, others criticized the overuse of sexual and racial humor. “2 Broke Girls” aired for six seasons before CBS canceled it.
“Work It” (2012)
- Aired in 2012
- 2 episodes
In 2012, ABC released a series called “Work It.” In this series, two men who were laid off try to get a job working for a pharmaceutical company. When they realize the company hires only female sales reps, the two men dress up like women to get the job. After reviewing the pilot, IGN gave the episode a 0/10 rating, labeling it as unbearable.
“Kath & Kim” (2008)
- Aired from 2008-2009
- 17 episodes
The “Kath & Kim” that premiered in 2008 was an American remake of the Australian show by the same name. The original “Kath & Kim” was well-received and became one of the highest-rated shows on ABC. The American remake, however, was not as highly rated. The remake didn’t do the original series justice and the viewers quickly decreased after the series premiere.
“Baby Bob” (2002)
- Aired from 2002-2003
- 14 episodes
The talking baby from “Baby Bob” originated from the FreeInternet.com commercials that aired starting in 2000. The commercials were popular so CBS created a series about new parents who discover their six-month-old son can talk. The series initially started with strong reviews, but they declined quickly as the series went on. “Baby Bob” was ranked number 14 on TV Guide’s list of “50 Worst TV Shows of All Time.”
“Mulaney” (2014)
- Aired from 2014 to 2015
- 13 episodes
“Mulaney” was a 2014 sitcom starring SNL writer John Mulaney. In the show, Mulaney plays himself and the plot follows his fictional struggles of being a comedian trying to make it big. The premise of the show wasn’t terrible, and there were many similarities to “Seinfeld.” In the end, the series felt like a mediocre version of “Seinfeld” and the writing wasn’t strong enough to make the show a hit.
“Heil Honey I’m Home!” (2009)
- Aired in 1990
- Cancelled after the pilot
It’s not difficult to figure out that any show that tries to make light of Hitler isn’t going to go over well. The premise of “Heil Honey I’m Home” is that Hitler, who is the protagonist in the show, and his wife live next to a Jewish couple. Eight episodes of this British show were filmed, but there was so much outrage after the pilot aired that the rest of the season never saw the light of day. (Don’t miss Annoying Sitcom Neighbors That Would Make You Want to Move.)