While HBO has always been known for making epic blockbusters, Showtime is famous more for taking risks and making shows that created smaller but heavily devout audiences.
Some of the network’s most famous series include Dexter, Ray Donovan, Homeland, and Shameless. But throughout the network’s history, it has also created some notable shows that have since been overlooked…not to mention a few duds that are best left forgotten. Here are Showtime’s five best (and five worst) forgotten series.
Forgotten Classic: United States of Tara (2009-2011)
Diablo Cody became a household name after her hit movie, Juno. Sadly, her sophomore film, Jennifer’s Body, was a total flop and was panned universally by both critics and audiences. It was a shock to everyone that her little-known series about a woman (played by Toni Collette) with multiple personalities went on to win two Emmys. The show became a sleeper hit, developing a cult following that, for a short time, went mainstream. Also notable in the cast was the still unknown Brie Larson.
Forget: Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
Showtime attempted to capture HBO’s True Blood audience after the series was canceled. Unfortunately, all Showtime was able to offer was a lackluster and sub-par alternative. While Penny Dreadful, inspired by gothic fiction from England and Ireland, was a critical hit, the slogging, convoluted plotlines made audiences grow bored. Even a standout cast including Josh Hartnett and Eva Green wasn’t enough to grab viewership. The combination of a declining viewership with the high production cost of the series meant the show was no longer worth the effort.
Forgotten Classic: Weeds (2005-2012)
At one point in time, Weeds was one of the most popular shows on television. Sadly, years and years of new drug-themed shows followed, like Breaking Bad, Narcos and Better Caul Saul. And here’s some bad news for any Breaking Bad fan out there: pretty much every single plot device used in the show had already been done in Weeds years prior.
Sadly, with an oversaturated market of shows revolving around drugs, it didn’t take long for Showtime’s comedy about a pot-dealing mom to be forgotten and left in the past.
Forget: The Real L Word (2010-2012)
In the year 2000, Showtime became ground zero for a heated debate about a series called Queer as Folk, which centered around the lives of gay men and women. Following the show’s massive success, Showtime created the all-lesbian version called The L Word. And due to that show’s success, the cable network decided to make The Real L Word, a reality show that followed overdramatic women in LA and Brooklyn. Imagine a lesbian version of Real Housewives — and did the word really need yet another Real Housewives? But fans need not worry as Showtime recently rebooted The L Word for a new generation.
Forgotten Classic: Dead Like Me (2003-2004)
Dead Like Me was everything you could have wanted in a great series. It made you laugh, it made you cry, it made you think. The show followed 18-year-old Georgia Lass. On her first day of a new job, a toilet seat from the ISS deorbits, slamming into her at terminal velocity. Little does Georgia know, she’s about to become a grim reaper. The show is about learning to live…after you’ve already died. Sadly, like everything Bryan Fuller does, the show didn’t last more than a few seasons.
Forget: Barbershop: The Series (2005)
Barbershop, based on the Ice Cube movies of the same name, had great intentions. It was trying to use comedy to discuss critical issues that the black community faces, like drug abuse and racism.
Sadly, even a show with a noble purpose can be ruined by lackluster characters and dull subplots. After only one season consisting of just 10 episodes, Barbershop was canceled.
Forgotten Classic: Masters of Horror (2005-2007)
In this unique series, each “episode” was a horror film directed by some of the genre’s biggest names, like John Carpenter (Halloween), Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), and John Landis (An American Werewolf in London). The series was well-received, and the movies were even released on DVD.
Another highlight of the show was that many of the films starred horror legends, like Fairuza Balk (The Craft), Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), and Tony Todd (Candyman). The series remains popular with horror fans to this day, and even went on to win an Emmy.
Forget: Look: The Series (2010)
Look is based on the 2007 movie of the same name. It follows interweaving plotlines of an ensemble cast in Los Angeles. The gimmick of the show was that it’s shot to look like the entire thing was filmed on security cameras. While the concept is interesting, in reality, it made for a nauseating and frustrating viewing experience. Showtime worked hard at promoting the show, trying to use things like the post-9/11 Patriot Act to rile up controversy and “reveal” that Americans were under constant surveillance. Despite their best efforts, the series received mixed reviews and only lasted one season.
Forgotten Classic: Fat Actress (2005)
For years, Kirstie Alley was tabloid fodder, constantly criticized for everything from her attitude to her weight. In 2005, the actress decided to fight back with the mockumentary show, Fat Actress, which chronicled her life and Hollywood struggle, including battles with the press, her weight, and her inability to get cast. The show was initially met with mixed reviews but has since gained a cult following. Fat Actress was also loaded with celebrity cameos, with everyone from John Travolta and Larry King to Jeff Zucker and Kid Rock.
Forget: Dice (2016-2017)
Do you remember Andrew Dice Clay? He’s a comedian who tried to be as raunchy as possible to gain publicity. For a while, it worked, and he was one of the biggest names in the business. But before long, he became a withered has-been. For some reason, Showtime thought it would be great to make a show set in Las Vegas, following the fictionalized antics of Clay, some 25 years after his career peak. Reviews for Dice were bad, holding only 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, and with many people not even remembering who he was, the show was canceled after 13 episodes.
