Articles: Obscure Television Shows
Each of these in-depth articles is about one individual television program. Each article offers a history of how it made a network’s schedule, its cast, its competition, when and why it was cancelled and the plots of various episodes. Many of the articles also offer information on Nielsen ratings, reviews from television critics and more. Plus plenty of audio and video.
“90 Bristol Court”
Originally Published March 8th, 2009
This umbrella series was made up of three sitcoms: Karen, Harris Against the World and Tom, Dick and Mary. Only one lasted the whole 1964-1965 season.
“Accidental Family”
Originally Published October 24th, 2004
A sitcom starring Jerry Van Dyke and Lois Nettleton as single parents thrown together on a farm trying to raise their children together.
“The Baileys of Balboa”
Originally Published June 11th, 2003
High society met the working class with hilarious results in this single-season sitcom starring Paul Ford.
“Camp Runamuck”
Originally Published January 1st, 2004
A low-key sitcom pitting the counselors of a boys’ camp against those of a girls’ camp.
“Cliffhangers”
Originally Published February 15th, 2005
An unusual hour-long series made up of three twenty-minute serials starring Susan Anton, Michael Nouri and Geoffrey Scott, respectively.
“Coronet Blue”
Originally Published December 29th, 2008
This drama starred Frank Converse as amnesiac Michael Alden. It was produced in 1965 but didn’t air until 1967. Find out why.
“Ferris Bueller”
Originally Published January 1st, 2004
This television version of the classic film was unable to recapture the magic.
“Freedom”
Originally Published August 26th, 2004
Broadcast from October of 2000 to January of 2001, this action drama is just as obscure as programs aired decades earlier. Learn why.
The Four Seasons“The Four Seasons”
Originally Published September 24th, 2009
Alan Alda created this sitcom, which was based on his 1981 film of the same title. Thirteen episodes ran on CBS but its initial strong ratings couldn’t be sustained.
“The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.”
Originally Published October 14th, 2003
Stefanie Powers starred as the sublimely named April Dancer in this spin-off of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
“The Good Guys”
Originally Published October 14th, 2003
Bob Denver and Herb Edelman starred in this easygoing sitcom as two friends trying to strike it rich.
“The Good Life”
Originally Published August 28th, 2006
A wonderful yet short-lived sitcom starring Larry Hagman and Donna Mills as a married couple posing as hired help.
“Home Free”
Originally Published May 8th, 2004
This family sitcom would have been right at home in the 1980s. Instead, it aired in 1993 and was quickly cancelled.
“The Interns”
Originally Published October 15th, 2008
Broderick Crawford starred in this “relevant” CBS medical drama that ran for 24 episodes during the 1970-1971 season. The interns were played by Stephen Brooks, Christopher Stone, Hal Frederick, Mike Farrell and Sandra Smith.
“Irwin Allen’s Swiss Family Robinson”
Originally Published October 10th, 2007
One of Irwin Allen’s forgotten television shows, a new take on the classic tale of survival.
“It’s A Man’s World”
Originally Published April 26th, 2006
This drama is fondly remembered today and sparked a “save our show” campaign when it was cancelled in November of 1961.
“It’s About Time”
Originally Published May 8th, 2004
The theme song to this series is memorable. The show, however, wasn’t and was cancelled after a single season.
“Janet Dean, Registered Nurse”
Originally Published September 3rd, 2007
This syndicated half-hour drama starring Ella Raines is most likely the first television show about a nurse.
“Joe and Mabel”
Originally Published February 27th, 2009
This sitcom took a torturous route to television, with scrapped episodes, several false starts and plenty of controversy.
“The Life And Times Of Grizzly Adams”
Originally Published May 8th, 2004
This family-friendly drama starred Dan Haggerty as a mountain man with a fondness for animals and the wilderness.
“Meet Millie”
Originally Published January 15th, 2009
A forgotten sitcom starring Elena Verdugo as millie Bronson, a young woman making her way in the business world.
The Mike Wallace Interview”
Originally Published March 28th, 2009
This half-hour series on ABC helped launch Mike Wallace’s career in the late 1950s. It also led to controversy, lawsuits and retractions.
“Mr. Lucky”
Originally Published March 21st, 2004
Henry Mancini’s music set the tone for this series, which deserved to last longer than a single season.
“My Living Doll”
Originally Published May 28th, 2009
Julie Newmar had a memorable role as a beautiful robot in this sitcom starring Bob Cummings.
“Nancy”
Originally Published August 13th, 2009
This sitcom starred Renne Jarrett as the daughter of the U.S. President and John Fink as the veterinarian she falls for.
“The New People”
Originally Published June 11th, 2003
One of my personal favorites, this drama about college students creating their own society on an island ran for the unconventional length of forty-five minutes.
“Otherworld”
Originally Published September 10thm, 2009
This science-fiction/fantasy drama saw the Sterling family trapped on an parallel Earth, traveling from province to province, putting things right that once went wrong, and hoping each time that their next province will be the province that leads them home.
“The Outsiders”
Originally Published February 1st, 2004
A quality drama continuing the story of the Curtis brothers, based on the classic young adult novel by S.E. Hinton.
“The Rebel”
Originally Published October 14th, 2003
Nick Adams starred in this thoughtful Western for two seasons as Johnny Yuma, a former Confederate soldier roaming the South.
“SEARCH”
Originally Published May 8th, 2009
Rotating as star of this high-tech drama were Hugh O’Brian, Tony Franciosa and Doug McClure. It ran from 1972-1973 on NBC.
“Sons And Daughters”
Originally Published October 10th, 2004
The drama of high school — and everyday life — in the 1950s was the focus of this quality series that never caught on with viewers.
“The Tab Hunter Show”
Originally Published December 14th, 2004
Tab Hunter starred in this sitcom as a bachelor and cartoonist.
“Together We Stand (aka Nothing Is Easy)”
Originally Published June 17th, 2004
This sitcom ran for thirteen episodes over the course of the 1986-1987 in four different timeslots with two different titles.
“Toma”
Originally Published August 19th, 2008
Based on the life of a successful cop, this drama ended after its first year when star Tony Musante walked away.
“The Ugliest Girl In Town”
Originally Published August 20th, 2003
A 1960s sitcom about a cross-dresser set in London that didn’t catch on? No way.
“The Young Rebels”
Originally Published March 21st, 2004
The rise of relevancy in the 1970s included this drama about a youthful band of Revolutionary War enthusiasts.
Last Updated October 15th, 2009