Paramount Television
The networks showed very little love to TV viewers during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day with only five new series premiering over the course of just two decades. One was another attempt to reboot a classic sitcom with a dramatic twist, and the rest faded into obscurity relatively quickly. Let’s take a look to see if you remember any of the series that premiered this week through the decades.
1950
- No new series premiered this week in 1950.
1960
- No new series premiered this week in 1960.
1970
- No new series premiered this week in 1970.
1980
- No new series premiered this week in 1980.
1990
- February 9 — Dramedy The Bradys premieres on CBS. The series was born out of a very successful 1988 TV movie A Very Brady Christmas which set record highs for a TV movie of the time. There had also been a previous 1981 sitcom, The Brady Brides, to which the new series was a sequel. The Bradys, though, was a one-hour drama with comedic elements (including a laugh track) that delved into more adult topics like politics, Bobby’s racing accident which left him a paraplegic, romantic break-ups, infertility, alcoholism … all the things the original sitcom was not, which may have been a factor in the show’s failure. CBS didn’t help matters by scheduling it on Fridays opposite ABC’s Full House and Family Matters in the 8:00 PM time slot. When an episode aired at 9:00 PM, ratings improved dramatically but CBS was unwilling to move the waning Dallas from its long-time Friday night slot (which would have also affected the waning Falcon Crest). All of the original cast returned except for Maureen McCormick who declined the role. Leah Ayres played Marcia. Jerry Houser and Ron Kuhlman reprised their The Brady Brides roles as Wally and Philip. Six episodes were produced, and after the last aired on March 9 CBS placed the show on hiatus with the intention of bringing it back at a later date. However, production never resumed and the show was quietly cancelled. This would mark Robert Reed’s final appearance as Mike Brady as he fell in in 1991, suffering from colon and bladder cancer which was exacerbated by his HIV infection. He died in May of 1992.
2000
- No new series premiered this week in 2000.
2010
- February 9 — Crime drama fantasy Past Life premieres on FOX. The series focuses on NYPD detective Price Whatley (Nicholas Bishop) who helps Dr. Kate McGinn (Kelli Gissish) investigate mysterious deaths. But there is a twist in that McGinn is an expert in reincarnation and their only clues come from their clients who are experiencing strange visions that seem to come from a past life, often including details of how someone died. Whatley is the sceptic who is tested by situations that seem to have paranormal explanations. The series was inspired by the book The Reincarnationist, whose main character solves a 21st century crime with memories from his own past life in ancient Rome. The series also starred Richard Schiff and Ravi Patel. Seven episodes were produced by FOX pulled the series after three airings, announcing the remaining episodes would return in May. Two more episodes were aired, but ratings were so bad FOX opted not to air the remaining two.
- February 12 — Docuseries Famous Crime Scene premieres on VH1. The series presents evidence from the last moments of a celebrity’s life and the subsequent chaos about their deaths. Seven episodes were produced focusing on Tupac, Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Selena, Marvin Gaye and The Notorious B.I.G. The final episode was broadcast on March 26, 2010.
- February 13 — Animated series Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil premieres on Disney XD. The series’ main character was Clarence Francis “Kick” Buttowski (voiced by Charlie Schlatter) who aspires to become the world’s greatest daredevil. The series was created by Sandro Corsaro, and many of the situation were based on his life growing up in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Each episode included two 11-minute segments. Two seasons were produced with 52 total episodes (104 segments). The series was last broadcast on December 2, 2012.
- February 14 — Comedy-drama series How to Make It in America premieres on HBO. The series follows two enterprising twenty-somethings, Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk), hustling through New York City’s fashion scene determined to achieve their vision of the American Dream. With the help of friend Domingo (Scott ‘Kid Cudi’ Mescudi) and Cam’s cousin Rene (Luis Guzmán), the entrepreneurs set out to make it big, experiencing success and challenges along the way. The main cast also included Lake Bell, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Shannyn Sossamon, Gina Gershon, Joe Pantoliano, Eriq La Salle and James Ransone. The series’ second season premiered on October 2, 2011 but citing the failure to draw a large audience or buzz, HBO announced the show’s cancellation on December 20, 2011. Excutive producer Mark Wahlberg hoped the show would find a new home on another network, but that did not come to pass. 16 episodes were produced over the show’s two seasons.
Did you or do you watch any of these show? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
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