Just because a TV show is popular as it airs doesn’t make it timeless.
Hit, innovative shows like Seinfeld and The Sopranos remain culturally relevant today, but not every popular series enjoys the same fate.
Even the most popular shows of yesterday have become an afterthought, as is the case with these former hits.
Ally McBeal
The David E. Kelly hit was at the forefront of 90s pop culture, thanks in part to how often it would embrace it. Ironically, you could say that was part of its downfall when it comes to remaining relevant today.
Due to its heavy use of licensed music, making Ally McBeal available on streaming has been extremely difficult. Sadly, no matter how popular the show was 30 years ago, it has become an afterthought today. My parents loved it, though, so there’s that.
The Drew Carey Show
This one hurts. I loved The Drew Carey Show. It’s impressive how well his brand of comedy holds up today, and I will always maintain that he’s the best host for Whose Line Is It Anyway?
However, as is the case with Ally McBeal, licensing issues have made it hard for the beloved show to find a new audience. It will always live on in my memory, though.
The Practice
Maybe David E. Kelly is cursed, though the spin-off Boston Legal seems to have enjoyed some staying power even today.
There arguably is no equal today when it comes to legal dramas, but despite the numerous awards The Practice won, it’s fallen off a cliff in terms of modern relevance. One possible reason? The cast. There’s nothing wrong with the ensemble here, but they were certainly outshined by Boston Legal‘s James Spader and William Shatner.
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L.A. Law
Speaking of acclaimed legal dramas, it seems like a great time to bring up L.A. Law, which won 15 Emmy Awards.
The most impressive feat of the show is its impressive guest cast, featuring Don Cheadle, David Schwimmer, James Avery, Bryan Cranston, Stephen Root, and more.
Dallas
Arguably the biggest show of its time, you couldn’t go anywhere without someone talking about it.
Of course, the question on everyone’s mind, even through the ’80s and ’90s, was all about who shot J.R. Today, most people know J.R. as Jim Ross, the iconic wrestling announcer.
Coach
While Coach was never exactly a ratings juggernaut, there’s no denying its popularity as a top ten sitcom during its run.
Yet you never see it in syndication, nor is it rarely talked about. I’d argue that Craig T. Nelson has become more recognized for other roles.
3rd Rock from the Sun
Another iconic series that wasn’t a ratings juggernaut, you’d figure that 3rd Rock from the Sun has all the elements of becoming a cult classic.
The ensemble cast is filled with an impressive amount of star power, most notably from Jon Lithgow, yet as quickly as it debuted on television and into our lives, it’s all but gone without a trace.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Once upon a time, shows like Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous or MTV’s Cribs gave us a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous.
Today, there’s no need, as advancements in social media give us those glimpses on a regular basis. As a result, no one cares about these shows.
Fantasy Island
One of the reasons shows like Fantasy Island have fallen out of pop culture, as well as failed with modern-day revivals, is that they’ve essentially been replaced.
The premise of Fantasy Island has all the makings of success, even in today’s market, but superior shows like Black Mirror are far better and more popular.
Tales from the Crypt
Speaking of Black Mirror, it is for sure the modern-day Tales from the Crypt.
As iconic as the show was with its guest stars and music, the latter has resulted in it being a headache when it comes to streaming rights. As a result, today’s kids have no idea the show even exists.
Oz
Once you get past Oz‘s initial shock value, you’re left with an iconic, genre-defining HBO series that helped put the channel on the map before the days of Tony Soprano and Jon Snow.
Can we talk about this cast for a second? Ernie Hudson, Rita Moreno, J.K. Simmons, Dean Winters, my goodness, it was impressive.
The Ren & Stimpy Show
Despite outgrowing them, several old-school Nicktoons remain culturally relevant, and no, I’m not talking about SpongeBob SquarePants.
Personally, Rocko’s Modern Life is something I still watch on a regular basis. Hey Arnold! remains an incredibly progressive show for its time. Yet the most popular back in the day, other than Rugrats, was Ren & Stimpy, yet it’s all but fallen off the face of the Earth.
Murphy Brown
One of the factors that contributed to Murphy Brown’s popularity was its incorporation of current events into the show.
The issue there is that few people, if any, will care about jokes relevant to the ’90s in the 2020s.
St. Elsewhere
One of the most acclaimed medical dramas in television history, complete with one of the most impressive casts you’ll ever see, was all the rage in the 1980s.
Sadly, following an unpopular series finale, as well as the popularity of other medical dramas like E.R. and Grey’s Anatomy, most people have forgotten all about St. Elsewhere.
The Cosby Show
If it weren’t for the actions of Bill Cosby himself, The Cosby Show would remain one of the most popular sitcoms of all time.
During its original run, it was the #1 show on television for five consecutive years. However, due to the actions of Cosby, it was pulled from syndication in the 2010s.
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