Ever since it was first published back in January 2004, my article discussing 10 of the most outlandish concepts for television shows of all has consistently been one of the most popular articles here at Television Obscurities. It was also one of the most difficult to revise, which is why I’ve only just finished working on it. I decided to remove two of the shows from my list: Holmes and Yoyo and The Trouble with Larry. I replaced them with The Patty Duke Show and Me and the Chimp. Why those two? You’ll have to read the article to find out. Here’s the updated description:
Television shows with outrageous concepts have been around practically as long as television itself. Many popular and not-so-popular shows have involved premises that strained credulity. The 1960s were filled with fantastic sitcoms like I Dream of Jeannie, The Munsters and My Living Doll. But there are some television shows, some concepts that are just too bizarre and outrageous to be believed. This article covers ten of the most outlandish television concepts of all time, ranging from The Patty Duke Show and its identical cousins to Cop Rock and its singing, dancing police officers.
I’ve greatly expanded the sections for each show, adding more critical reviews and information on Nielsen ratings.
I would have kept ‘Holmes & Yoyo’ and ‘The Trouble with Larry’ and just retitled the article ’12 of the Most Outlandish…”
Dumont, I considered expanding to 12 shows. I eventually decided that due to its science fiction/fantasy theme Holmes and Yoyo should get a pass even thought the concept is pretty bizarre. It was not much different than My Living Doll or Hermie on Get Smart. As for The Trouble with Larry, the premise itself — that a woman remarried after her husband was presumed killed by baboons only for him to return ten years later — really wasn’t all that outlandish. The baboon angle was certainly strange but it was simply setting up the concept for the series.