60. Fox Files: Newest TV newsmag.
Location: FOX, Thursdays at 9 EST. Show Type: News MagazineSynopsis: FOX brings its high production and reality basis to the news format.Has it spawned imitators?: It has only upped the stakes for prime-time news.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Check their schedule. An seventh night
of Dateline?Character you won’t see anywhere else: Tommy Lee in the interview chair.Apocalyptic Sign: IntegrityThings only a fan would know: One of the reporters is a MTV Road Rules Alum.Strengths: Everything else has been FOX-ized. Why not news?Weaknesses: Because it’s not entertaining, that’s why you ninnie!How often I watch: On any given slow Thursday night.Ranking Reasoning: You have to believe that the only reason this so exists is because FOX didn’t have enough footage to put together The Scariest Police Chases XXVII. As it is, it’s just another news show, with the usual touches of quick camera cuts and loud backing music. Wow, how inventive.
59. Martial Law: Starring Sammo Hung. (Huh-huh).
Location: CBS, Saturdays at 9 EST. Show Type: Comedy (is Supposed to be Action)Genre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: Far East cop is Far Out cop once he transfers to the US.Has it spawned imitators?: A Direct descendant of Walker
and Jackie Chan Movies.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Thankfully, NBC doesn’t dig the
martial arts.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Sammo, the only actor in Prime Time
without a firm grip on the English Language. (exceptions: Boomhouer (cool), Teletubbies
(not).)Apocalyptic Sign: The INS.Things only a fan would know: Sammo’s Hong Kong Movies.Strengths: Somewhat original.Weaknesses: Empty plot lines, no stories, Arsenio HallHow often I watch: Once. Biggest mistake I could make.Ranking Reasoning: Whoever thought that having a half-literate fat guy kicking people would be entertaining needs to sit down and try to watch this garbage. The fact that this hasn’t been canceled yet speaks more about the dearth of quality on TV today than anything on NBC.
58. Turks: Midseason replacement makes ratings ripples.
Location: CBS, Thursdays at 9 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Crime and PunishmentSynopsis: Irish Family become cops. Beat the snot out of criminals, and each
other.Has it spawned imitators?: Hill Street, NYPD Blue, and Homicide are all
anticedants.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Why not? They greenlighted Trinity, a
similar premise.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Uh.....Apocalyptic Sign: A Potato Famine.Things only a fan would know: When it's on.Strengths: The Lack of good cop shows.Weaknesses: This isn’t a good cop show.How often I watch: Never.Ranking Reasoning: Is there anything that has been said about this show that is remotely interesting or will make you want to watch this rip-off? I didn’t think so.
57. Boy Meets World: Another one of those TGIF shows.
Location: ABC, Fridays at 8:30 EST. Also in syndication.Show Type: ComedyGenre: Family FunSynopsis: Brothers learn how to grow up.Has it spawned imitators?: Who'd want to copy this?Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: TNBC, sure. But not for Prime Time.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Fred Savage's BrotherApocalyptic Sign: The Opening CreditsThings only a fan would know: The character’s names.Strengths: Brand-name recognition. Fred Savage’s brother.Weaknesses: Lots and lots of crap. Horrifyingly lame.How often I watch: Never.Ranking Reasoning: When this show debuted, it was about a tennis phenom and how he related to the pressures of youth athletics. It’s now just another show with older teens dating and arguing with parents. If I hear of another "Very Special Episode", I’m going to hurt someone.
56. America’s Most Wanted: Still on, presumably till all the criminals are caught.
Location: FOX, Saturdays at 9 EST. Show Type: Reality-BasedGenre: Video PlaybackSynopsis: Watch this show to find out who’s breaking the law.Has it spawned imitators?: Along with Cops, shaped
FOX’s image forever.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Suprisingly, yes. It’s success
prompted Dateline’s expansion.Character you won’t see anywhere else: The 11th Most Wanted.Apocalyptic Sign: Crime goes down.Things only a fan would know: The show’s host’s son was kidnapped by
one of the "guests".Strengths: Cheap to produce, patriotic, Not likely to run out of suspects.Weaknesses: Has outlived it’s purpose. It’s spawn is much less
entertaining.How often I watch: Not since ‘92.Ranking Reasoning: The first time I saw my friend’s relative featured on the show, I knew this show had been on too long. Sure, it’s a great public service. But I’d rather watch something else. Anything else.
55. LA Doctors: Old 30-something star gets another show.
Location: CBS, Mondays at 10 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Doctors and MedicineSynopsis: Not so rich Doctors heal very rich people.Has it spawned imitators?: Just another chance for Ken Olin to be on TV.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: NBC likes their comedies trashy, not
their dramas.Character you won’t see anywhere else: Nope. We've seen these guys
before.Apocalyptic Sign: Providence takes their cases, and viewers.Things only a fan would know: How many shows Ken Olin has been on.Strengths: Star power, a pretty decent time slot.Weaknesses: Writing, characters are a direct rip-off from ER.How often I watch: My mom thinks it’s one of the best shows on. And she
keeps trying to show me.Ranking Reasoning: Want to see retreads of other medical shows and soapy dramas? This is the show for you. Not a creative thought in here, but is succeeding in spite of itself.
54. Promised Land: Another Angel Rip-off.
Location: CBS, currently on hiatusShow Type: DramaGenre: Angels on EarthSynopsis: Family learns the ways of God amid daily life.Has it spawned imitators?: Hardly.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Why show this when we can air
Veronica’s Closet?Character you won’t see anywhere else: GodApocalyptic Sign: The Nielsons come out.Things only a fan would know: What happens on the show.Strengths: Major Dad.Weaknesses: time slot, poor scriptsHow often I watch: Never.Ranking Reasoning: CBS tries to get lightning to strike again with this knock-off of Angel. No dice. They were wise to stick it on Thursdays and let the prudes who turn of NBC tune into this. Otherwise, this thing gets cancelled faster than something with Pauly Shore.
53. Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place: Midseason replacement slides onto schedule.
Location: ABC, Tuesdays at 8:30 EST. Show Type: ComedyGenre: Twenty-somethings hang outSynopsis: Two Guys, a Girl, and a Weak Plot Device.Has it spawned imitators?: You must be kidding.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: This show’s a little too
reminiscent of Single Guy and Boston Common.Character you won’t see anywhere else: You’ll see these characters
EVERYWHERE else.Apocalyptic Sign: Originality becomes mandatory.Things only a fan would know: The show was supposed to air on FOX.Strengths: Safe, easy comedy. Time slot between Dharma
and Drew.Weaknesses: You’ve seen this before.How often I watch: I’ll catch a few minutes after Dharma.Ranking Reasoning: It’s hard to fault this show too much, since it sometimes rises to those it tries to imitate. Yet, this show is just too easy of a target. The name, the recycled actors (and scripts), and the hokey music add up to less-than-innovative televsion. Will occasionaly make me laugh, but not enough to be good TV.
52. Crime & Justice: Don't like ER? Then here's another show.
Location: ABC, Thursdays at 10 EST. Show Type: News MagazineSynopsis: A look at crime today.Has it spawned imitators?: Not a chance.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: They’d rather watch ER, thank you very much.Character you won’t see anywhere else: They appear on Cops first, during the apprehension.Apocalyptic Sign: OJ: The InterviewThings only a fan would know: Why you watch this.Strengths: Low expectations.Weaknesses: Audience in the single digits.How often I watch: Never.Ranking Reasoning: Charles Gibson hosts this look at criminals in America today. All you need to know is that it's on against ER. Next?
51. The Magnificent 7: Cowboys ride again.
Location: CBS, Fridays at 10 EST. Show Type: DramaGenre: Crime and Punishment (Western Style)Synopsis: Band of Law Officers dispense Justice on the plains.Has it spawned imitators?: A Western? What an original concept.Would NBC deem it "Must See"?: Fortunately, NBC isn’t recycling
Westerns, yet.Character you won’t see anywhere else: I dunno, Pecos Bill?Apocalyptic Sign: The Automobile.Things only a fan would know: Who the 7 are.Strengths: The Only Western on TV today.Weaknesses: There’s still a Western on TV today.How often I watch: Never.Ranking Reasoning: Looking for new episodes of Bonanza or Gunsmoke? Yearn for sequels to those Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns? Well, this isn’t it either. Keep looking.