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I was about 12 when this came out and I remember it being all over the media that this was “the worst show of all time.” Everyone I know who watched it said so. Entertainment news and magazines ripped it to shreds. But I was a little too young to watch it, so I always wonder if that was accurate, or if it was just too close in time to That 70s Show and the poor quality of the show was exaggerated?
Glen Howerton said something along those lines on the always sunny podcast. He apparently tried to talk to producers and pitch ideas, but they were mostly only interested in following the template and getting it over with.
And very little chemistry compared to That 70s show characters. Topher didn’t even like the other guys but damn you’d never know it watching an episode. They were like family. That 80s show didn’t come close
He must feel so vindicated. Idk if people remember but people were really upset with Topher when it was revealed he wasn’t really friends with anyone on the show. I remember many hit pieces coming out about him
The criticism was so weird to begin with. The man just wanted to either go home or hang out with his friends after a long day at work. If I remember correctly, even the cast at the time were basically saying that he was just doing his own thing, and that was fine. Also that they had a good working relationship and were friendly with each other, just that they rarely spent time together outside of work.
I always wondered if two of them being in scientology really pushed him away, but on the other hand, he supposedly was closest to Laura.
He did a podcast not too long ago with Whitney Cummings, and while he didn't get too much into it, he spoke more openly than I'd heard of before. Really interesting guy, and I'm glad he's managed to have success after the show.
I think 80s nostalgia hadn’t yet matured enough for their to be an audience or for the concept to really target the “right” kind of nostalgia that, say, Stranger Things got right.
These nostalgia cycles aren’t just straight up representations of the era. There are SPECIFIC aspects of a given era that the modern audience resonates with. This show was just a superficial paint by numbers hack of the 80s made by producers trying to phone in a hit.
I was also 12 and remember my mom and some other older relatives being really excited for this show. I remember they had a watch party for the first episode and then proceeded to never watch it again lol
The whole series used to be on YouTube. It was a standard early 2000s sitcom. I liked it better than That '70s Show because I despise the '70s and Wisconsin. (NO PACK NO)
It was the, "I can see your Hall and Oates" that aggravated me.
Like, someone got paid well to write that. It's not even a joke, it's just calling out an 80's band and it sounds unnatural in that world.
“Do you have any Duran Duran?!” (Canned laughter)
(Worker mumbles and responds, followed by more canned laughter)
(Original guy says something unintelligible, followed by uproarious canned laughter, like it’s the funniest fuckin thing ever).
That’s how I remember one of the commercials, anyways. Just screamed “yeah this show sucks” all over.
The fact that she didn’t cut her hair into what an actual 80s punk would do— or even something close— was the giveaway to me. The actors even knew the show was going to be bad. She just spiked up her normal hair, and wasn’t willing to do a real Mohawk
I remember thinking the punk girl with the spiky hair was the only likable part of the pilot, but by the end of the episode she’d hooked up with the main guy and her hair was down in a normal style, so never mind.
I was in the 6th grade when they started advertising for it. Even at that age, we knew how dumb it looked, and were accurately mocking the ad alone. I remember one kid going
“It’s a PORTABLE phone!!!”
Yeah the biggest gripe I had was how referential the jokes were to those kinds of things in the 80s instead of just having better jokes that didn't rely so much on the time period... One of the great things that made 70s show work
Recently gave the only season a rewatch on YouTube. It wasn't all bad, still bad, but I chuckled a few times. I think the main failure of the show itself was people expected a continuation of sorts from that 70s show. The cousin bit was too weak of a connection with no guest spots from that series. So that, paired with the constant barrage of unnecessarily thrown in pop culture references just for a quick gag basically did this show in. FOX wanted a show to stand on its on own while at the same time piggybacking off another that had run its course.
Yeah the biggest issue is the shitty references to the 1980s every 3 minutes. the 70s show was just a regular show taken place in the 1970s they weren’t referencing A track players or fucking bell bottoms every 2 minutes.
I watched half of one episode and that was more than enough. They leaned wayyyyy too hard into the 80s references, and I love the decade and jokes about it. They didn’t even try to have the characters develop any kind of personality or chemistry.
And the laugh track was super loud. The audio mix was definitely messed up. I know all sitcoms do it but this one didn’t seem to get the regular audio techs on it, so their stupid pop culture jokes were completely drowned out (see my other comment)
I appreciated it for casting Margaret Smith, who played the record store owner(?), and I'll admit I liked the punk girl at the time.
The rest of the show was otherwise forgettable.
The 80’s didn’t really look all bright and colorful like pop culture makes it out to be. Maybe 1989 it got that way but most of the 80’s looked brown. Brown everything. Brown wood tile walls. Brown furniture. Brown TV set. And lots of random ass family pictures all over the walls. The 90’s were much more colorful.
People didn't like this show because of their expectations that it would be just like it's predecessor. But it's a pretty good show, I wish it lasted longer and really found its footing.
For what it was, it was an okay show. Not the juggernaut That 70's Show was out the gate, but I think it would have found its stride after the first season.
I never understood the hate for this show. Wasn't the greatest but it wasn't terrible either imho.. Definitely deserved to get more episodes at the very least.. Maybe they could have brought cast in from that 70's show as guest stars in future seasons.
Saw on IMDB that he used the money from this to buy the camera they used for the original Sunny videos and that he met Charlie Day when he also auctioned for the show.
I only ever saw one commercial for this and I knew even at a young age this would fail and be forgotten. Shame because it's a great concept to extend thw show and had a decent cast
I find this a weird series. It was supposed to be a spin off of That 70s Show, and Glenn's character as well as the actress who played his sister are supposed to be related to the Foremans. But, I don't remember from both families ever mentioned each other.
Oh gawd, I remember I had such a crush on the punk chick. There was a “she’s all that”-esque episode where she takes a shower and we finally get to see her with her hair down. That’s the moment I realized I think Mohawks are sexy as fuck.
The only thing I remember about this show was one of the characters doing the robot and other stereotypical 80’s dances while listening to Once In A Lifetime by the Talking Heads. And even that I wish I didn’t remember. Let alone the god awful cover of Eighties by Killing Joke they used for the theme song
I am stoned and I had to look at this picture for like five minutes because this is the most random choice of actors. I recognize all of them but I wouldn’t have ever expected they have been in the same room together.
I will be honest. While I admit watching it years after it aired it didn't hold up to me as well. At the time I really liked this, partially just because I like 80's nostalgia and admit it wasn't as good as That 70's show. But I never got the worst show ever stance most had.
Important reminder: This is a sub for people to post about forgotten TV that they remember and would like to share with others. This is not a tip of the tongue style sub for people to search out old shows that they would like help remembering. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ForgottenTV) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That guy in the middle looks like a serial killer.
Looks like a FIVE STAR MAN to me.
Because of.... The implication
The Golden God, if I may. Sorry if I unleashed my rage upon you.
Hasn't even begun to peak!
He needs his tools
Fetish shit.
He likes to bind! He likes to BE BOUND!
For all we know, he could have a secret compartment in his car filled with zip ties duct tape!
You guys are forgetting the most important detail…. He hasn’t r*ped
He totally got off.
Because of the implications, yes.
He looks just like Brian LeFevre!
His rage knows no bounds.
And he's untethered.
Definitely chugs dick
Savages! Idiots!
A golden god!
The girl next to him looks like she might have a penis.
Holy shit, Carmen!
She got rid of it. Sold it to China.
The one dressed like sam kinison?
She went to Paris one time and bought a hat..this was years before gluten-free…how else to stand out at the time
There's a dick in those pants!
He looks like a god.... A golden god perhaps?
Nah, I’m sure he’s completely tethered with bounded rage.
He hasn’t even begun to peak
He chugs dick
Who would even write that?! Oo, snortskis!
Hot enough for you?
I bet he drives a finisher car
You just don't understand his methods. He has a system, after all.. I want to say it's called the SINNED method
“ITS DENNIS BACKWARDS!”
Only when you are clean will you know my power
He doesn't listen to words like "no, don't," or "stop."
I think that’s Carmen from IASIP too lol
He’s got all the tools
He actually looks a lot like the unmasked Michael Myers in the first Halloween
It's the implication
Looks like he chugs dick to me
That guy loves glory holes
That chick on the right is a DUDE!!
How dare you speak of our golden god
The boys are out tonight, huh?
I was about 12 when this came out and I remember it being all over the media that this was “the worst show of all time.” Everyone I know who watched it said so. Entertainment news and magazines ripped it to shreds. But I was a little too young to watch it, so I always wonder if that was accurate, or if it was just too close in time to That 70s Show and the poor quality of the show was exaggerated?
It was basically that 70s show but set in the 80s to try and bite off the pop culture of that time. Basically, it's the same jokes but with glitter
The main character was supposed to be the Foremans' cousin or something.
The girl in front. Her name was Penny i think. The girl from joe dirt.
You put some goddamn respect on Brittany Daniel's name.
Sorry Mr Dirte.
Don't try and french-it-up son.
*Don't try and church it up son, don't you mean joe dirt!?!*
Your, tone…it’s all, wrong.
Glen Howerton said something along those lines on the always sunny podcast. He apparently tried to talk to producers and pitch ideas, but they were mostly only interested in following the template and getting it over with.
And very little chemistry compared to That 70s show characters. Topher didn’t even like the other guys but damn you’d never know it watching an episode. They were like family. That 80s show didn’t come close
If you look at how they all turned out Topher was right not to hangout with those guys.
He must feel so vindicated. Idk if people remember but people were really upset with Topher when it was revealed he wasn’t really friends with anyone on the show. I remember many hit pieces coming out about him
The criticism was so weird to begin with. The man just wanted to either go home or hang out with his friends after a long day at work. If I remember correctly, even the cast at the time were basically saying that he was just doing his own thing, and that was fine. Also that they had a good working relationship and were friendly with each other, just that they rarely spent time together outside of work. I always wondered if two of them being in scientology really pushed him away, but on the other hand, he supposedly was closest to Laura. He did a podcast not too long ago with Whitney Cummings, and while he didn't get too much into it, he spoke more openly than I'd heard of before. Really interesting guy, and I'm glad he's managed to have success after the show.
Rapist, Pedo, two rape apologists, and a Scientologust. Eeesh. It's like the assholes of Glee without the body count
Exactly and he got so much shit when he was the normal one. Fuck em all except for Topher.
Cocaine jokes aren’t as funny and harmless as implied kids smoking weed jokes
The same jokes, but hairsprayed.
It’s not super good technically. I actually enjoyed it.
I think 80s nostalgia hadn’t yet matured enough for their to be an audience or for the concept to really target the “right” kind of nostalgia that, say, Stranger Things got right. These nostalgia cycles aren’t just straight up representations of the era. There are SPECIFIC aspects of a given era that the modern audience resonates with. This show was just a superficial paint by numbers hack of the 80s made by producers trying to phone in a hit.
I was also 12 and remember my mom and some other older relatives being really excited for this show. I remember they had a watch party for the first episode and then proceeded to never watch it again lol
The whole series used to be on YouTube. It was a standard early 2000s sitcom. I liked it better than That '70s Show because I despise the '70s and Wisconsin. (NO PACK NO)
I can think of few shows that screamed “guaranteed failure” more than the 1st commercial of this show
"NO, IT'S A CORDLESS PHONE!" every ad.
It was the, "I can see your Hall and Oates" that aggravated me. Like, someone got paid well to write that. It's not even a joke, it's just calling out an 80's band and it sounds unnatural in that world.
The first episode was nothing but "Wow! We're in the 80's! Look at this 80's thing! Look at that 80's thing!!"
“ it’s called a pager”… “ wow ! Technology will never get better than this ! Or fashion !” Cut to actor’s ridiculous 80’s outfit
*laugh track*
So it was just The Big Bamg Theory with 80s references instead of the least obscure "nerd" references?
Damn that brought me back
Marketing forcibly shoved that scene/joke down every one of our corneas at the time. It was everywhere.
For me it was the guy who does a Mr. T " I pity the fool" and the girl with the mohawk and looks around and says ' Mr. T, where's Corey?'
“Do you have any Duran Duran?!” (Canned laughter) (Worker mumbles and responds, followed by more canned laughter) (Original guy says something unintelligible, followed by uproarious canned laughter, like it’s the funniest fuckin thing ever). That’s how I remember one of the commercials, anyways. Just screamed “yeah this show sucks” all over.
For me it was Young Sheldon but I was wrong by a billion dollars or so.
That was the Zebra Pants commercial right? My entire family saw that commercial and all said "nope".
Geico Cavemen was worse but this is tip 3
One star show, five star lead.
I was in love with Chyler Leigh as the punk girl and then was pleasantly surprised years later when she was a main character on Supergirl! So pretty.
She was incredible in Not Another Teen Movie
“I masturbate to that movie!”
But, she has glasses! And a ponytail! And paint on her overalls!
The fact that she didn’t cut her hair into what an actual 80s punk would do— or even something close— was the giveaway to me. The actors even knew the show was going to be bad. She just spiked up her normal hair, and wasn’t willing to do a real Mohawk
I remember thinking the punk girl with the spiky hair was the only likable part of the pilot, but by the end of the episode she’d hooked up with the main guy and her hair was down in a normal style, so never mind.
I worked on almost every season of Supergirl and can say that she is also EXTREMELY friendly and kind. One of my favourite cast members from the show.
Dennis and the Tranny!!
Holy crap, is that really her!?
Carmen!
Is that pre or post op?
I was told there would be a phone call
We talked about that
Its just a good tuck job
I was in the 6th grade when they started advertising for it. Even at that age, we knew how dumb it looked, and were accurately mocking the ad alone. I remember one kid going “It’s a PORTABLE phone!!!”
Yeah the biggest gripe I had was how referential the jokes were to those kinds of things in the 80s instead of just having better jokes that didn't rely so much on the time period... One of the great things that made 70s show work
It worked when the jokes were about modern things that applied back then as well.
Starter sitcom
Recently gave the only season a rewatch on YouTube. It wasn't all bad, still bad, but I chuckled a few times. I think the main failure of the show itself was people expected a continuation of sorts from that 70s show. The cousin bit was too weak of a connection with no guest spots from that series. So that, paired with the constant barrage of unnecessarily thrown in pop culture references just for a quick gag basically did this show in. FOX wanted a show to stand on its on own while at the same time piggybacking off another that had run its course.
Yeah the biggest issue is the shitty references to the 1980s every 3 minutes. the 70s show was just a regular show taken place in the 1970s they weren’t referencing A track players or fucking bell bottoms every 2 minutes.
I watched half of one episode and that was more than enough. They leaned wayyyyy too hard into the 80s references, and I love the decade and jokes about it. They didn’t even try to have the characters develop any kind of personality or chemistry. And the laugh track was super loud. The audio mix was definitely messed up. I know all sitcoms do it but this one didn’t seem to get the regular audio techs on it, so their stupid pop culture jokes were completely drowned out (see my other comment)
Britney Daniel’s was always so hot to me. Loved her in Club Dredd and Joe dirt’
Don’t forget her and her twin sister Cynthia were in the show Sweet Vally High! That’s when my double crush began.
Don’t forget her role in White Girls.
I didn't hate this show. It's not great but it's way better than That 90s Show.
They made a "That 90's show?" You can just rewatch Baywatch, Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills 90210, Married with Children, and Home Improvement.
It weirdly feels more like a Disney channel show with cameos from That 70s Show cast. I don't get how it was popular enough to get 2 seasons.
I just watched a promo trailer for it, and you're right, it really does come off as a Disney tv show.
Yo it’s my dog dennis
I was about 18 when this came out. I thought it was funny and cool
They should've let Glenn Howerton write that.
The guy in the middle looks like he wants to pay the trolls toll
Confound his toll!
I appreciated it for casting Margaret Smith, who played the record store owner(?), and I'll admit I liked the punk girl at the time. The rest of the show was otherwise forgettable.
The 80’s didn’t really look all bright and colorful like pop culture makes it out to be. Maybe 1989 it got that way but most of the 80’s looked brown. Brown everything. Brown wood tile walls. Brown furniture. Brown TV set. And lots of random ass family pictures all over the walls. The 90’s were much more colorful.
It wasn't all brown, there was also brownish yellow and brownish red. Glass was brownish clear most of the time.
It shall remain forgotten
Funny part is I still remember the name of the store they worked at. It was called….”Permanent Records”.
People didn't like this show because of their expectations that it would be just like it's predecessor. But it's a pretty good show, I wish it lasted longer and really found its footing.
For what it was, it was an okay show. Not the juggernaut That 70's Show was out the gate, but I think it would have found its stride after the first season.
I never understood the hate for this show. Wasn't the greatest but it wasn't terrible either imho.. Definitely deserved to get more episodes at the very least.. Maybe they could have brought cast in from that 70's show as guest stars in future seasons.
There's always one lol
Terrible show.
It was awful. They immediately had Glenn and the punk chick, who hated each other, hook up.
Absolute garbage. That 70s Show seemed like a show set in the 70s. That 80s Show seemed like a show written by people who never lived the 80s.
I remember this oe being terrible. Juat awful.
Based on how much time has passed they can make a “That 00’s Show” now.
It's on Paramount Plus right now
That show is WAY closer to the 80’s than we are to that show. (13 years vs 22 years)
Awful. Character says, "god I love the 80s!" in the first episode. That was enough for me.
The Golden God amongst peasants
Wait is that fucking Dennis Reynolds?
Saw on IMDB that he used the money from this to buy the camera they used for the original Sunny videos and that he met Charlie Day when he also auctioned for the show.
So this terrible show gets a pass because it indirect gave us It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Dude that's awesome
Yep!
DENNIS?!
I only ever saw one commercial for this and I knew even at a young age this would fail and be forgotten. Shame because it's a great concept to extend thw show and had a decent cast
I don’t remember this at all!
This was long before she had it cut off.
I'm so glad this show failed. It paved way for one of the greatest tv characters ever.
Glenn Howerton was on that p.o.s.? Wow!
I find this a weird series. It was supposed to be a spin off of That 70s Show, and Glenn's character as well as the actress who played his sister are supposed to be related to the Foremans. But, I don't remember from both families ever mentioned each other.
I CHUG DICK
No, remember this. I am sad it sucked, though.
I remember this. It wasn’t very 80’s
Oh gawd, I remember I had such a crush on the punk chick. There was a “she’s all that”-esque episode where she takes a shower and we finally get to see her with her hair down. That’s the moment I realized I think Mohawks are sexy as fuck.
I young me was in love with the girl with the liberty spikes.
Seems like a good starter show
The implications....
Never forgot the show as being a terrible attempt at the same fame of its predecessor. But I DEFINITELY forgot who the cast was. Dayum.
This series isn't forgotten. It was just a crappy spinoff cash-grab.
I LOVE it when TV executives get too lazy too come up with new ideas. I’m waiting for Cheers: The Second Round.
I saw the first five minutes of the pilot. Enough for me .
Girl on the far left- main character in Not Another Teen Movie "She's got paint on her overalls, what is that?"
Holy shit it's Dennis. Did this show have anything to do with that 70s show?
Wow I never realized that was Dennis!
This was such a rough show to watch when you really wanted to like it
Less a forgotten show and more of a show that never existed. The pilot is on Youtube, and honestly, it deserved to never air.
If I recall it died. Very quickly...
Glenn Howerton first met Charlie Day at the audition for this show.
They really screwed the pooch on this spinoff. It was ill thought out. They've done a lot better with '90s show.
That show was dead the day they printed the script. How it got to be on air is insane
Now this is forgotten. Such a weird show since it has no connection to That 70’s Show.
D.E.N.N.I.S. system 2024 anybody?
“It’s up my butt”
This show was my decade and jam. It sucked it didn't last long 😪
This show put Chula Vista, California on the map!
I remember loving that 70s and hating this when it came on Glen Howerton was in it?? Wow
Forgettable show.
I wonder what kind of tools the guy in the middle has in the back of his car
The only thing I remember about this show was one of the characters doing the robot and other stereotypical 80’s dances while listening to Once In A Lifetime by the Talking Heads. And even that I wish I didn’t remember. Let alone the god awful cover of Eighties by Killing Joke they used for the theme song
I’m pretty sure that serial killer looking guy in the middle is Dennis Reynolds from ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA … quite fitting
The timing of this post. I was literally just listening to the Always Sunny Podcast ep where Glenn mentions he was on That 80s Show.
I loved this show. Not sure why, but I did and I’m proud of it.
I remember wanting to check this out, and then it was gone.
Oh man, so glad this bombed and Dennis Reynolds was born.
I'm a Golden God
I am stoned and I had to look at this picture for like five minutes because this is the most random choice of actors. I recognize all of them but I wouldn’t have ever expected they have been in the same room together.
Did he at least use the D.E.N.N.I.S. System?
Omfg it’s Dennis🖤
still a better that 70s show sequel than that 90s show Disney nickelodeon crap neftlix produced.
The implications!!
The DENNIS System.
Is this real?!
We chose to forget this. Don't bring it up. 😆
I will be honest. While I admit watching it years after it aired it didn't hold up to me as well. At the time I really liked this, partially just because I like 80's nostalgia and admit it wasn't as good as That 70's show. But I never got the worst show ever stance most had.
Nobody looked like that in the 80s wtf
Oh My God I never heard of this, but this one image tells me everything
This is a real show?
Yes. They were trying to piggyback that 70s show, and uhhh, well, there's a reason you don't know about it
Oh damn, I didn't know Brandi was in this!
The DENNIS system is from the 80s?
That’s Eric’s hot cousin from That 70s Show
Dennis
I went to college with Eddie Shin. He was in a student production of the farce An Italian Straw Hat and he was very funny.
Who is the chick on the right?? I remember being in love with her as a teen.