Top 10 Failed TLC Shows

Top 10 Failed TLC Shows

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Failed TLC Shows.

For this list, we’ll be looking at short lived series that aired on The Learning Channel.

Would you give any of these strange shows a chance? Let us know which one you’d like to see back on air!

#10: “Cheer Perfection” (2012-13)

This show was likely TLC’s response to the vast success of Lifetime’s “Dance Moms,” but failed to gain the same cult following. “Cheer Perfection” followed a cheerleading team from Arkansas, led by their coach Alisha Dunlap. You may recognize Dunlap from her brief appearance on “Toddlers & Tiaras” with her daughter, Cassadee. The cheer competition series had a sixteen episode run, but trouble ensued when two of the adult cast members were arrested for separate crimes. TLC never directly commented on the controversy, but they quickly pulled the plug on the show and decided never to air reruns.

#9: “Craft Wars” (2012)

You’ve heard of “Star Wars,” but now, prepare yourself for… “Craft Wars.” This “do it yourself” competition series was hosted by actress Tori Spelling, and featured folks attempting to complete projects in hopes of a ten thousand dollar grand prize. The show only lasted for a single ten episode season on TLC, despite its fairly benign premise. We have no clear statement as to why it was taken off air, but some viewers noted the series’ oddly uncalled-for intensity. For example, Spelling was often strangely strict with the contestants throughout the episodes. I mean, it’s just crafts, Tori.

#8: “Big Hair Alaska” (2011)

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you imagine the state of Alaska? Mountains, bears, or… big hair? If you answered hair, boy do we have the canceled TLC series for you! “Big Hair Alaska” had a whopping two-episode run on the network, and took place in an Alaskan hair salon called the Beehive Beauty Shop. The parlor’s claim to fame was one particular client – politician Sarah Palin, who also briefly had her own TLC show. While we may never again witness the happenings of this remote beauty salon, we can take solace in the fact that it once brought many Alaskan women joy.

#7: “Sarah Palin's Alaska” (2010-11)

Oh alright, well while we’re on the subject… Yes, Sarah Palin’s TLC show tanked as well. Responsible for this series is executive producer and television staple Mark Burnett, who has spearheaded beloved series such as “Survivor,” “Shark Tank,” and “The Voice.” However, “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” did not make a similar lasting impression. On the short-lived series, we follow the daily life of the former Alaskan governor while she does various outdoorsy activities. But the show came to a fast conclusion, as Palin did not want the reality show persona to overshadow her political aspirations. What a world.

#6: “D.U.I.” (2011-12)

If you didn’t already know not to drink and drive, this show will surely bring that message home. Or, it would have, had it lasted longer than a season. “D.U.I.” tracked the process of Oklahoma cops pulling over drunk drivers and following through with the legal repercussions of the crime. Not exactly the most feel-good program to watch, if you ask us. The show’s format is somewhat similar to the hit Fox cop show, “COPS,” but did not have nearly the same level of popularity. But we’d like to imagine that it was canceled because everyone in Oklahoma tuned in and collectively decided not to operate vehicles under the influence. That would be nice.

#5: “Alaskan Women Looking for Love” (2013)

Did you miss hearing us talk about Alaska? We sure hope so, because here’s another TLC series that took place in the big state to the north! Everyone loves a good old fashion reality dating show, but who knew we needed one to hone in on a group of ladies in the Great North? This series broke barriers, shattering the pervasive stereotype that Alaskan women are not looking for love. We’re kidding, of course. But it was taken off the air after only one six-episode season, so we will never know if this lovelorn bunch achieved their collective goal.

#4: “Mall Cops: Mall of America” (2010)

We’d assume that the popularity of fictional mall cop Paul Blart had something to do with the inception of this series. This show takes place in the largest shopping mall in the United States, the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. And as the title implies, we watch the establishment’s extensive security squad as they handle mall related incidents and threats. And once again – for whatever reason – we have a thrilling Sarah Palin cameo. This show actually was extended from being an hour long special to a full season, but did not last beyond its twelve episodes.

#3: “Best Funeral Ever” (2013-14)

Yes, that was actually the name of a real show on TLC. If you didn’t happen to catch it during its eight episode stint on the network in 2013, here’s what you missed. A Texas family ran a funeral home that specialized in… specialty funerals. One fancy funeral included a Christmas theme, another a boxing theme - they even executed a breakfast service that made certain no one left hungry. While this concept is absolutely bonkers, it’s weirdly nice to see families go to such great lengths to fulfill their loved ones final wishes.

#2: “My Teen Is Pregnant and So Am I” (2012-13)

The title pretty much says it all: this is a series all about mother and daughter duos that happen to be pregnant at the same time. In terms of trashy reality television, “My Teen Is Pregnant…” seems to fall comfortably within the genre of similar MTV series that had plenty of viewership. However, this show was not received well by TLC’s audience. The troublesome situations that each pair were facing were handled quite poorly. The producers leaned too hard into the quote unquote drama of these families' genuinely terrible circumstances, making it uncomfortable to watch.

#1: “Buying Naked” (2013-14)

Alright we’ll be honest, this show seemed pretty hilarious– despite its extremely bizarre premise about realtors who specialize in finding homes for nudists. Just when you think you’ve seen every real estate series under the sun, this is one that would have surely turned some heads. Our star is agent Jackie Youngblood, who – besides having an epic last name – is known for selling properties within clothing optional communities. Similarly to many of the other programs on this list, “Buying Naked” did not survive for longer than a season. But you know what they say, better to have loved “Buying Naked” and lost than to have never loved at all.