5 Hilariously Bad TV Titles That Turn Viewers Away From Great Shows
These are proof of just how much a name can mean.
People can use very different tactics when it comes to picking their next show to watch. Some binge only on projects that have made a splash on social media, others trust their friends' recommendations. And then there are those who decide to tune in based solely on the title and poster.
In fact, the title plays an important tune in the orchestra of a TV series production. If it doesn't reflect the concept, message and tone of the plot, there's a good chance the show will sink into an oblivion.
Unfortunately, not all showrunners seem to realize this, and some pretty great series end up with titles that completely mislead viewers. Here are five notable examples.
iZOMBiE (2015-2019)
Network: The CW
With a title like that, you'd think this would be a commercial for Apple's latest gadget, but surprise - the project wasn't even made for Apple TV+. This supernatural procedural introduces us to a doctor-turned-conscious zombie who must eat brains to keep her mind functioning.
To gain access to her unique diet, the zombie joins a medical examiner's office, where she discovers an unexpected perk of her condition. Consuming brains gives her access to the memories of the deceased, which proves useful in cracking murder cases.
Cougar Town (2013-2015)
Networks: ABC, TBS
To be fair, the sitcom starring Courteney Cox was originally envisioned as a story of a freshly divorced woman navigating the modern dating scene in her 40s. But after a few episodes, the show's overall direction changed to a delightful exploration of friendship, mature romance, and rediscovering oneself.
The title, however, remained the same, as did the reluctance of new viewers to tune in. The sitcom even began playfully mocking its own name in its title cards starting in Season 2.
Selfie (2014)
Networks: ABC, Hulu
The comedy starring Karen Gillan and John Cho only lasted one season, but it managed to change two platforms. Many believe the reason for this failure was the title, which felt too blank and off-putting.
Meanwhile, the story of finding love and happiness in the age of social media was funny, deep and introspective. Viewers who discovered the sitcom after its cancellation found its wit and cultural references astounding, and even organized a campaign to greenlight another season, which sadly failed.
Terriers (2010)
Network: FX
It's hard to believe, but despite its title, this show has little to do with dogs, save for a brief arc in the pilot. The idea for the name probably came from the plucky protagonists, who are small-time private investigators battling the rich and powerful, just as terriers are known to hunt a much larger prey.
The connection isn't too obvious, however, and it wasn't evident in FX's marketing strategy, which, along with a few other missteps, led to the show's cancellation after just one season.
Scrotal Recall (2014-2018)
Networks: Channel 4, Netflix
The title might lead you to believe this is a porn parody of Total Recall, but it's actually an offbeat British sitcom about college buddies living under the same roof. While the initial focus is on the romantic escapades of the protagonists, the narrative gradually shifts to the complex dynamics within the circle of friends.
After its first season, the sitcom found a new home on Netflix and underwent a fortunate rebranding, shedding its misleading title and adopting the more fitting 'Lovesick,' which ensured two more amazing seasons.