12 TV Shows Not Very Many People Remember

Feeling nostalgic? We rounded up some of the best fan answers to the question of what TV shows not very many people remember, but they used to love. How many of your favorite shows made this list?

The Caveat

John Goodman and Rick Moranis in The Flintstones (1994).
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

This is another one of those TV show lists where we had to stop at some point, leaving so many great options out. And while we’re on the subject, these shows were picked because they came up most often… Which I guess means that some people do remember them after all!

The Elephant Show

Paula Gallivan, Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, and Bram Morrison in Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show (1984).
Image Credit: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Skinamarinky dinky dink, skinamarinky doo… I love nostalgic 90s shows too! The song may live on, but sadly this Canadian music trio (and their show) is no more.

3-2-1 Contact

3-2-1 Contact (1980).
Image Credit: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Sometime between Sesame Street and Sid the Science Kid, we had what I’d argue to be the golden era of entertainment. 3-2-1 Contact was one of the earlier science-focused shows, running for 7 seasons from 1980 to 88.

While you may not remember it, it’s likely thanks to shows like this that we got other hit educational series’ like Bill Nye the Science Guy and Magic School Bus.

Today’s Special

Today's Special
Image Credit: TVOntario.

Another Canadian-made show, Today’s Special, was set in a children’s department store that comes to life at night. Assuming you didn’t watch this one on TVO (TV-Ontario) as I did, you might remember catching Today’s Special on Nickelodeon as a kid.

Pirates of the Dark Water

Pirates of the Dark Water.
Image Credit: Hanna-Barbera Productions.

You probably haven’t forgotten about Bugs Bunny or The Flintstones, but do you remember this early 90s Hanna-Barbera show? Created by David Kirschner (the man behind Child’s Play, Fievel Goes West, The Pagemaster, and Titan A.E.) and featuring a celebrity voice cast, the reason you probably don’t remember Pirates of the Dark Water is because it had such a short run.

I fall into the “not many people remember” category for Early Edition, and I’m sorry I missed this show when it was airing! The premise is simple: a guy named Gary starts getting the next day’s newspaper delivered to his home. With this future knowledge, he embarks to save as many people as possible from tragic headline events.

Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat

Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat
Image Credit: PBS.

More cartoons! This one I do remember; it’s a cute show based on the book of the same name. Set in China, Sagwa ran for 40 episodes starting in 2001. Despite the relatively short series, reruns of this show ran for a while after its release.

Ghostwriter

Todd Alexander, Blaze Berdahl, William Hernandez, David López, Mayteana Morales, Tram-Anh Tran, and Sheldon Turnipseed in Ghostwriter (1992).
Image Credit: BBC.

A collaboration between BBC Television and Sesame Workshop, Ghostwriter was originally created to help kids build reading and writing skills beyond the preschool age. Besides the educational value, Ghostwriter was groundbreaking in its depiction of realistic and diverse people in the stories.

I included Ghostwriter on this list because it came up often, but people do actually remember it! The show was rebooted for Apple TV in 2019 and is currently in its 3rd season.

Dead Like Me

Dead Like Me.
Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

One of my favorite TV shows that I love, but not many people remember, Dead Like Me, is a hilarious 2 season comedy with a cult following.

If the name doesn’t ring a bell, the story goes like this: A young woman is killed when a toilet seat falls from the sky. After she dies, she’s given the job of grim reaper.

Eureeka’s Castle

Eureeka's Castle.
Image Credit: Nick Jr.

Another one from your childhood, Eureeka’s Castle, was featured on the Nick Jr. block of Nickelodeon. Like many early 90s shows, the cast was made up of puppets living in a magical world. In this case, it was a giant’s castle-shaped music box.

Whether you remember this show or not, you’ll be interested to know it was written by children’s horror author R. L. Stine.

Freakazoid

Freakazoid.
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Silly and self aware, shows like Freakazoid are probably why the 80s and 90s kids have such a love for “random” and fourth-wall breaking comedy. The reason most people missed this show is because it had airing issues. That is to say; they kept changing the time slot!

Parker Lewis Can’t Lose

Parker Lewis Can't Lose.
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures.

Very of its time, this 1990 teen sitcom stars a guy (Parker Lewis) who seems to have everything going for him. The character and show were heavily influenced by Ferris Bueller’s Day off and it definitely shows in the writing.

At the time it was pretty popular, but seems to be forgotten alongside so many other great 90s shows.

Wishbone

Wishbone
Image Credit: PBS.

I’m really not a dog person but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love Wishbone. There were 50 episodes of Wishbone created, and chances are if you watched TV in the mid-90s you caught a few yourself.

Besides being an amazing introduction to classic literature for kids, Wishbone won a slew of awards including 4 Emmys.

12 TV Shows That Are Often Called “The Best TV Show Ever”

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson in Mad Men.
Photo Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC.

This is such a subjective topic. While I’d love to share my thoughts on the best TV show ever, I thought it would be better to scour the internet to find out what, in your opinion, is the best show ever from a variety of fans.

12 Shows Often Called “The Best TV Show Ever”

The Abrupt Endings of These 8 Netflix Shows That Left Viewers Unsatisfied

Timothy Olyphant, Drew Barrymore in Santa Clarita Diet Season 2
Image Credit: Saeed Adyani/Netflix.

The worst part of having your favorite show canceled is that you never get to see the ending and never find out what happened to all the characters. If there was a good ending, the fans might not be upset!

The Abrupt Endings of These 8 Netflix Shows That Left Viewers Unsatisfied

10 Overrated Netflix Shows That Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

Outer Banks. Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 303 of Outer Banks
Image Credit: JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX.

Ever watched a show that was so hyped up but you thought was terrible? The show everyone was talking about and watching and you just couldn’t see the appeal? That was the question posted on Reddit, “Which Netflix show is overrated?”

9 Most Overrated Netflix Shows

7 True Crime Shows on Netflix That Are Criminally Addictive

Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. Sarma Melngailis in Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix.

Love learning about real-life crime and can’t get enough? Netflix has become the go-to for binge-able series about crimes and the criminals who commit them.

7 True Crime Shows on Netflix That Are Criminally Addictive

Unpopular Opinion: 15 Shows Everyone Raved About, but We Couldn’t Stand

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton in episode 205 of Bridgerton
Image Credit: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX.

Ever been excited about a show that someone recommended, but you couldn’t get into it? A show that everyone loved, but you couldn’t stand it? Here are 15 shows people couldn’t get into despite the hype.

Unpopular Opinion: These 15 Shows Everyone Raved About, But We Couldn’t Stand
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Everett has been writing about media, technology, and parenting since 2014. His work has been featured on MIT Technology Review, HuffPost, and various blogs. When not writing or binge watching TV shows, you'll find him playing video games or spending with with his kids.