50 Forgotten TV Shows: Uncovering the Lost Gems of Television

Ever feel like you’re the only person who remembers a certain TV show? Like it was a figment of your imagination, a weird dream you can’t quite shake? You’re not alone! Plenty of fantastic, bizarre, and sometimes downright terrible TV series have seemingly vanished from the collective consciousness. We’ve compiled a list of 50 such forgotten gems (or maybe, forgotten horrors!). Get ready for a trip down memory lane, or perhaps a journey into the unknown recesses of television history.

One person confessed, “I was becoming convinced that I hallucinated this show until I found the pilot on YouTube. No one remembers it but me.” Sound familiar? Let’s dive in!

1. “My Mother the Car” This one’s pretty self-explanatory, and honestly, the title says it all. It involves reincarnation…into a car. Yes, really.

2. “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” (Cartoon) Based on the cult classic B-movie, this cartoon had a truly bizarre premise. The main female character would transform into a tomato whenever she was exposed to salt! Luckily, Pepper was always nearby with the cure. But here’s where it gets controversial… Was this show intentionally absurd, or just plain bad?

3. “Jack & Bobby” Airing on the WB, this show was a metaphorical, modern-day retelling of JFK’s life. One fan declared, “I loved it, but I don’t think anyone has ever heard of it.” It explored themes of destiny, leadership, and the burdens of power. And this is the part most people miss… The show subtly explored alternative historical scenarios, prompting viewers to consider the impact of individual choices on the course of history.

4. “Out of this World” This series featured a teenage girl who discovers she has superpowers because she’s half-human, half-alien. She could communicate with her alien father through a diamond cube-looking device and freeze time by touching her index fingers together. Many remember the catchy theme song!

5. “USA High” One commenter lamented, “USA High was really good, and no one seems to remember it. I can only watch on YouTube now.” This show followed the lives of American students attending an international school in Paris.

6. “Mummies Alive!” In this animated series, a random teenager is revealed to be a reincarnated pharaoh, protected by four mummified guardians. These mummies possessed magical pendants that could create armor. Think ancient Egypt meets modern-day adventure!

7. “Sweat” This Australian show, set in an athletic school, is notable for featuring a young Heath Ledger as a swimmer. It tackled themes of ambition, rivalry, and the pressures of competitive sports.

8. “Fridays” A late-night comedy show, “Fridays” was often considered a rip-off of “Saturday Night Live.” However, it served as a launching pad for comedic talents like Michael Richards (best known for his role as Kramer on Seinfeld).

9. “Out of the Blue (1979)” This ABC show centered around a guardian angel living with a family. The character was initially introduced as Fonzie’s guardian angel in an episode of “Happy Days.” It didn’t last long, though.

10. “Out of the Blue (1996)” Yes, another show with the same title! This one focused on teens working at a marine park in Florida. It was an American series with a predominantly Hispanic cast and was filmed in both English and Spanish.

11. “I was becoming convinced that I hallucinated ‘Dead at 21’ until I found the pilot on YouTube. No one remembers it but me.”

12. “Joey” The “Friends” spin-off starring Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani. Many fans agree: it was awful. One viewer noted, “In Friends, Joey was good at poker, and in the spinoff, he had no idea how to play it. The little things like that made it weird.” Was the spin-off’s failure due to poor writing, or simply because Joey worked best as part of the ensemble cast of Friends?

13. “Due South” From the early ’90s, this show had a unique premise: a Canadian Mountie moves to Chicago and helps solve crimes. Despite only running for a few seasons, it garnered a dedicated following.

14. “The Schnozzes” One commenter exclaimed, “I’ve never met another person outside of my family who remembers a cartoon called The Schnozzes!” It featured a group of animals with enormous noses living together.

15. “Max Headroom” A cyberpunk fever dream that pushed the boundaries of television in the 1980s. Its visual style and social commentary were ahead of their time.

16. “Spellbinder” One person admitted, “Literally had to consult ChatGPT to remember the show Spellbinder. All I remember is that there was this badass woman with red armor who kept hurling balls of electricity at kids.”

17. “Third Watch” This gritty drama followed the lives of NYC cops, paramedics, and firefighters from 1999 to 2005. It offered a realistic portrayal of the challenges and sacrifices faced by emergency service personnel.

18. “Early Edition” A man receives the newspaper a day early and spends his time preventing the accidents and tragedies reported within. A feel-good show with a supernatural twist!

19. “Biker Mice from Mars” A ’90s cartoon favorite! One fan recalled, “My favorite show in the ’90s was Biker Mice from Mars, but I can’t find where to watch it anywhere! It was one of those that had some adult humor in it as well as entertainment for the kids.”

20. “My Friend Tony” A one-season wonder that one viewer is still trying to track down.

21. “It’s About Time” A late ’60s show where two astronauts travel back in time to the caveman era. Hilarity ensues!

22. “Galaxy High School” An animated series that seems to have faded into obscurity.

23. “Round the Twist” A Danish viewer lamented, “I’m Danish, and I literally never meet anyone who remembers Round the Twist. I loved it as a kid, but no one else I know seems to remember this show!”

24. “Sister Kate” Starring Jason Priestley, this show featured a nun who takes charge of an orphanage filled with rebellious foster kids.

25. “Central Park West” A drama that one viewer enjoyed watching with their mom.

26. “California Dreams” While everyone remembers “Saved by the Bell,” its beachy counterpart often gets overlooked.

27. “Nearly Departed” Starring Eric Idle, this show’s theme song was so beloved that one fan recorded it on cassette by holding their tape recorder up to the TV.

28. “Recovery Road” A show that was canceled after only one season, leaving viewers hanging on a cliffhanger.

29. “House of Anubis” A Nickelodeon show that feels like a fever dream to one commenter.

30. “American Dreams” Set in 1960s Philadelphia, this ABC show followed an Irish Catholic family. Brittany Snow played one of the lead roles.

31. “Related” A WB series about four sisters living in NYC, featuring Lizzy Caplan, Jennifer Esposito, Kiele Sanchez, and Laura Breckenridge.

32. “The Oblongs” A quirky and somewhat disturbing cartoon that’s easily forgotten.

33. “Silk Stalkings” A crime drama that ran for eight seasons on USA, featuring Rob Estes and Mitzi Kapture, followed by a different set of leads.

34. “Beverly Hills Teens” An ’80s cartoon obsession for one viewer, now rediscovered on YouTube.

35. “My Life as Liz” An MTV show that aired for only one season in 2010.

36. “Downtown” Another MTV cartoon, this one capturing the grunge scene of young adults living in NYC.

37. “Today’s Special” A Nickelodeon show from the ’80s set in a department store where a mannequin comes to life at night.

38. “The Girl from Tomorrow” A trippy science fiction series.

39. “Dark Angel” Starring Jessica Alba, Michael Weatherly, and Jensen Ackles, this show was set in a dystopian America and featured genetically enhanced soldiers.

40. “Spencer” Starring Chad Lowe, this sitcom was a childhood crush for one viewer.

41. “Living Dolls” A spin-off of “Who’s the Boss?” that starred Leah Remini and featured Halle Berry’s first acting role.

42. “Man from Atlantis” Patrick Duffy starred as a merman in this show, which also featured Belinda Montgomery and Victor Buono.

43. “Caitlin’s Way” A show that one viewer discovered years after it originally aired.

44. “Young Americans” Where one viewer first saw Ian Somerhalder.

45. “Earth 2” A sci-fi series that seems to have been lost in space.

46. “The Black Donnellys” A show that one viewer wished had more seasons.

47. “Being Eve” A New Zealand show that one US viewer discovered in their early teens.

48. “James Bond Jr.” The animated adventures of James Bond’s nephew.

49. “You Can’t Do That on Television” A Nickelodeon sketch comedy show known for its green slime and barf burgers.

50. “Kratts’ Creatures” The animal show with the Kratt brothers that eventually led to the creation of “Zoboomafoo.”

So, what do you think? Did any of these forgotten shows spark a memory? Or do you have your own obscure TV series to add to the list? What’s the strangest TV show you can remember, even though it seems like no one else can? Share your memories (or lack thereof!) in the comments below. We want to hear all about it! Do you think some of these shows deserve a revival, or are they best left forgotten? Let’s discuss!