Let's face it. Even in the era of "Peak TV," there are some truly terrible TV shows available to watch. If you're a TV addict, chances are, you've referred to the Internet Movie Database for a number of reasons. Maybe you wanted to see how many seasons a certain favorite television show lasted, or maybe you were in need of a synopsis for a particular episode. Another use of IMDb, though, is to read, and write your own user reviews as well as rate your favorite and least favorite TV shows.
Some of the highest rated TV series include shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Firefly, and The Wire. At the bottom of the list? You'll find some expected reality series, teen dramas, spinoffs, and a few soap operas, but you'll also find some surprises.
Well, we've rounded up those TV shows that the seem to fall into the least favorite category. We've narrowed things a bit by limiting to the list to those shows that have at least 5000 ratings each. In other words, there are shows with lower ratings, but not enough IMDb users have weighed in. Interestingly, not every show with a low IMDb rating means it's unsuccessful, and critics definitely do not always agree.
With that in mind, here are the 20 Worst TV Shows Ever Made (According To IMDb).
The Secret Life of the American Teenager (Score: 5)
Well, this score could be worse, right? Coming in at number 20 on the list with a score of 5 out of 10 stars on IMDb is The Secret Life of the American Teenager. The series ran for five seasons on the network formerly known as ABC Family (now Freeform).
The low rating for the teen drama doesn't mean it didn't get some good user reviews, with several folks giving it the full ten stars on IMDb. Meanwhile, several brutal user reviews only gave it one star, criticizing the series for being unrealistic, stereotypical, poorly written, and too focused on sex.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager had mixed reviews from critics as well, but was popular enough to win a Teen Choice Award in its first season. It co-starred Molly Ringwald and was Shailene Woodley's first major role.
EastEnders (Score: 5)
The long-running British soap opera EastEnders ties The Secret Life of the American Teenager with a user rating on IMDB of 5 out of 10 stars. That low rating doesn't exactly mean very much, considering the fact that the soap opera has been on the air since 1985 (more than 30 years, kids). Of course, Eastenders has seen a number of changes since its early beginnings in the '80s.
Despite its popularity, many IMDb users have given it poor reviews, calling the soap opera predictable, clichéd, boring, and insulting. EastEnders is also known for its difficult themes and controversial storylines.
Some of the better user reviews on IMDb, on the other hand, call it interesting and brilliant, and others have commented on how much the soap opera has improved in recent years.
Cory in the House (Score: 4.9)
Here's one that didn't exactly last a long time. The Disney Channel family comedy Cory in the House lasted all of two seasons, running from 2007 to 2008. Its average score on IMDb is a mere 4.9 out of 10 stars. Cory in the House is a spinoff of That's So Raven, and it follows Cory Baxter, who moves to Washington, D.C. when his father gets a job at The White House.
Users have criticized the series for being predictable, tacky, poorly acted, and just flat out not funny. Luckily, the more recent spinoff of That's So Raven, Raven's Home, which premiered this year, has gotten significantly better ratings from its viewers. Currently, that show has an IMDB rating of 8.1 out of 10 stars.
MacGyver (Score: 4.9)
No, we're definitely not talking about the MacGyver you're thinking of. This low IMDb score is for the MacGyver reboot that first premiered in 2016 starring Lucas Till, not the original series that ran from 1985 to 1992, which starred Richard Dean Anderson. The original series? Its current score on IMDb is 7.7 out of 10. Maybe that means it's time to calm down with all the TV reboots?
In addition to poor user reviews that comment on the difference in quality between the reboot and the original TV series, this one also got generally negative reviews from critics (with similar criticisms). Still, the reboot remained popular enough to be renewed for a second season at CBS in the first place. Perhaps another season of MacGyver will change viewers' minds?
Shake It Up (Score: 4.8)
The Disney Channel family comedy series Shake It Up has an IMDb score of 4.8 out of 10 stars. Though it may not have the highest rating on IMDb, the series did produce some pretty well-known stars.
Shake It Up aired from 2010 to 2013 and stars Zendaya and Bella Thorne. It follows CeCe Jones (Thorne) and Rocky Blue (Zendaya), two friends with dreams of becoming professional dancers who currently work as background dancers on a local show called, Shake It Up Chicago.
Low user reviews call the characters unlikeable and criticize the series for being obnoxious, stereotypical, and mundane. Of course, Shake It Up has also gotten its fair share of good user reviews on IMDb, and plenty of folks have given it the full ten stars.
Teen Titans Go! (Score 4.8)
The first animated series on our list of worst TV shows ever made, Teen Titans Go! has an IMDb score of 4.8 out of 10. Teen Titans Go! is based on the DC comic book series of the same name, and it serves as the spinoff series of Teen Titans, which first premiered in 2003 and ran for give seasons. So far, Teen Titans Go! has aired four seasons, but it has mixed reviews from critics and of course, from viewers.
Some of the negative IMDb user reviews say the show is disappointing compared to Teen Titans, that it isn't funny, and that the lessons it teaches are essentially pretty inappropriate. For a bit of a comparison, Teen Titans currently has an IMDb score of 7.8 out of 10.
Hannah Montana (Score 4.8)
There was a time when actress and singer Miley Cyrus was known for one major thing -- her role on the TV series Hannah Montana. Yet another Disney Channel series to make our list (it kind of seems unfair, doesn't it?), Hannah Montana, which gave Miley Cyrus her start, ties Shake It Up and Teen Titans Go! with a score of 4.8 out of 10 stars on IMDB.
On Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus plays Miley Stewart, a teenage pop star who keeps her identity a secret by using a disguise (well, a wig) when she performs on stage. Hannah Montana ran for four seasons, from 2006 to 2007, and it was certainly more popular than its low IMDb score would suggest. Users criticized the show for being cheesy, boring, unrealistic, and poorly acted.
Dancing with the Stars (Score 4.7)
Of course, we're going to see some reality television on this list -- even some popular reality television. Dancing with the Stars is currently in its 25th season, and the series doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Still, on IMDb, it has a score of just 4.7 out of 10 stars. The reality competition series pairs celebrities with professional dancers and has them compete from week to week for a combination of judges' scores and viewer votes.
Some of the criticisms that users have expressed in their reviews are that they believe the competition is rigged and that the stars aren't big enough celebrities. Dancing with the Stars is based on the British series Strictly Come Dancing, which doesn't do a whole lot better in terms of an IMDb score. Its rating is currently a 5.9.
Jonas (Score 4.6)
Yep, another Disney Channel series makes the list of worst TV shows ever made. The Disney Channel's Jonas has a score of 4.6 out of 10 stars on IMDB. The series follows the pop band the Jonas Brothers, made up of Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, as they play their music and live their everyday lives.
Jonas can easily be compared to a series about The Monkees in the 1960s as well as A Hard Day's Night and Help (starring the Beatles).
Jonas ran for two seasons, from 2009 to 2010. Some of the low user reviews on IMDb criticize the series for being poorly acted, unoriginal, and simply not funny. Plus, let's face it, it sounds pretty darn similar to some other Disney Channel shows, doesn't it?
Dance Moms (Score 4.6)
Lifetime's Dance Moms, a reality series that follows young dancers and performers who learning their skills from dance instructor Abby Lee Miller, has been on the air since 2011. The reality show is full of drama, from bickering moms and an extremely strict dance teacher, to high stress situations for the young dancers.
The negative user reviews on IMDb are especially harsh for this one, saying that the show is annoying and calling it out for what they feel is essentially exploitation and child abuse. Abby Lee Miller has since been replaced by Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke as the dance coach on the show, since you know, Miller is now incarcerated. Dance Moms currently has a score of 4.6 out of 10 on IMDb.
American Idol (Score 4.2)
With Ryan Seacrest as its host, American Idol lasted 15 seasons in its first run and produced some of the most well-known names in the music business (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson, to name a few). American Idol also cycled through several judges, including Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban.
Chances are, you've watched American Idol, even if you don't like to admit it, and it's in fact so popular that the reality competition series is already being revived by ABC after ending at Fox just a little over a year ago. But despite its popularity, American Idol has a low score of just 4.2 out of 10 stars on IMDb. Negative user reviews have called the show pointless, shallow, and a waste of time.
Skins (Score 4)
MTV's Skins, a remake of the UK series of the same name, follows a group of teenagers during their final years of high school. The cast of the controversial series was made up primarily amateur actors, which was the same strategy used in the UK version. MTV's version of the show, however, didn't do well at all and only managed to last for ten episodes.
MTV made this statement when the series was canceled after just one season: "Skins is a global television phenomenon that, unfortunately, didn't connect with a US audience as much as we had hoped."
Users criticized the show for being a poor copy of the original, commenting on low quality of acting and disappointing writing. Its score on IMDb is a mere 4 out of 10 stars.
The Hills (Score 3.5)
The popular reality television series The Hills aired for six seasons on MTV, from 2006 to 2010, so it must have been doing something right. The series even aired a reunion special in 2016 to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the show.
The Hills is a spinoff series of MTV's Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and centers on the personal and professional lives of Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, Whitney Port, Heidi Montag, Lo Bosworth, Stephanie Pratt, and Kristin Cavallari, all living in Los Angeles, California.
The Hills ties with Teletubbies (just take a moment and let that sink in) with a score of 3.5 out of 10 stars on IMDb. Users criticize the drama-filled reality show for being boring and unrealistic, focusing on unlikable stars, and for appearing to be mostly scripted.
Teletubbies (Score 3.5)
Now we're getting to the really, really low scores. Teletubbies, a series for young children which haunts many of our nightmares to this day, has a score of just 3.5 out of 10 stars on IMDb. Seriously, many of the user reviews for Teletubbies comment on how disturbing and frightening the show is, with one user claiming that they constantly had to reassure their child that there were not Teletubbies hiding in the closet.
Other negative reviews complain that the show is pointless and that is simply has no educational value. Of course, there are plenty of positive user reviews on IMDb for this children's show as well, and the series has won several notable awards, including the BAFTA award for Best Pre-School Live Action Series.
Jersey Shore (Score 3.5)
Also with a low score of 3.5 out of 10 stars on IMDB is another MTV reality series, Jersey Shore. Much like the title would suggest, the reality television series follows a group of housemates who spend their time at the Jersey Shore in the summer. Heavy on the drama, Jersey Shore ran from 2009 to 2012, and it definitely managed to spark some controversy during its run.
Believe it or not, the series is so popular that it has actually been remade in several other countries. On top of that, the cast of Jersey Shore made Barabara Walters' list of most fascinating people in 2010. Still, the reality series has plenty of negative user reviews on IMDb, calling the series shameful, embarrassing, and fake.
The Bold and the Beautiful (Score 3.5)
This is yet another example that proves just because a series is successful doesn't mean it's going to have a high user rating on IMDb. The CBS soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, which is set in Beverly Hills and centers around the fashion industry, has been on the air for thirty years and still has an incredibly large audience. It seems like this is the kind of show people love to hate.
Despite all that, it ties Jersey Shore, The Hills, and Teletubbies with a score of 3.5 out 10 stars on IMDb. Users giving the soap opera those low reviews have complained that The Bold and the Beautiful is boring, cheesy, and poorly written and acted. Well then, it's a good thing a show's success isn't tied to these IMDb ratings in the slightest, right?
Bill Nye Saves the World (Score 3.4)
Sorry, Bill Nye! You might remember him from Bill Nye the Science Guy, but Bill Nye Saves the World, which is available on Netflix and premiered in April 2017, only has an IMDb rating of 3.4 out of 10 stars. The series has mixed reviews from critics, however, and it has a much higher rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. It was also nominated twice in the 69th Annual Emmy Awards, and it's been renewed for a second season. So, go figure?
Bill Nye Saves the World brings in excerpts and famous guests to discuss scientific issues such as climate change and alternative medicine. Guests have included Zach Braff, Rachel Bloom, and Wil Wheaton, among others. The negative user reviews on IMDb complain that the series is too political and at times, inappropriate.
House of Payne (Score 3.4)
Landing in the number three slot on our list of the worst TV shows ever made is Tyler Perry's House of Payne, with a score of 3.4 out of 10 on IMDb. The series ties with Bill Nye Saves the World according to IMDb. The Tyler Perry sitcom aired for eight seasons, which makes the low IMDb score pretty darn shocking.
Tyler Perry's House of Payne follows a multi-generational family living together in Atlanta. Users who gave this one a low rating complained that the series was too stereotypical, that the writing quality was weak, and that the jokes weren't funny. On the other hand, many positive reviews that give Tyler Perry's House of Payne 10 out of 10 stars have opinions that are completely the opposite.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (Score 2.8)
Guilty pleasure, anyone? It's not entirely surprising that as we get lower on the list, we find a show like Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The drama-filled reality series is certainly popular, but it's also the very definition of a guilty pleasure. The reality television series follows the Kardashian-Jenner family, focusing primarily on Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé Kardashian, and their half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner.
By the way, the series is now one of the longest-running reality series ever. Keeping Up with the Kardashians first premiered in 2007 and is heading into its fourteenth season this year, which premieres in October. So how about that rating? IMDb users have complained that Keeping Up with the Kardashians is a waste of time, feels scripted, and is too stereotypical.
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (Score 2.6)
Basically, no one is surprised that Here Comes Honey Boo Boo lands in the number one spot on this list. Yep, this series is officially the worst TV series ever made, at least according to IMDb's ratings. Its score is a very low 2.6 out of 10 stars on IMDb. .
The reality television series aired on TLC for several seasons and focused on a child beauty pageant contestant named Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson as well as "Mama" June Shannon. It's not just the IMDb ranking that's low, however. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo has also received generally negative reviews from critics.
IMDB users who gave this series a low rating criticized it for being obnoxious, unbearable, and embarrassing -- and those reviews aren't even the worst ones.
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What do you think? Are these TV shows in their rightful places? Do the IMDb scores matter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!