Television has been around for a considerable amount of time. Over the course of this time there have been both good shows and bad shows (the majority falling into the latter category). Shows like “Seinfeld” and “Jeopardy” will be able to stand the test of time and still be just as moving and applicable 20 years down the road.

But what about the shows that weren’t moving or applicable even when they first premiered? Shows that were so bad that television executives were sent to live on islands in obscurity somewhere, people wrote angry letters in the trillions and those watching were left with the simple query: “why?”

I have attempted to compile a brief list of some of the worst television shows that I could come up with. The following list is by no means unbiased, comprehensive or based on hard facts. I also included the very important caveat that no reality shows were to be allowed on the list. The reason being that this list would be inundated with The Real Housewives of Wherever and “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.” No, this list is only the worst sitcoms and game shows that ever were and believe me, there are far worse ones than those listed here.

“Cavemen”

It is my understanding that, strictly on a content basis, this show actually wasn’t entirely bad. The reason this show made the list is based primarily on principles. You do not, DO NOT, make a commercial into a sitcom. Never ever ever. Are the commercials entertaining? Sure they are, but only for 20-second spats. I don’t find myself wondering what would happen if those easily offended cavemen had a son they didn’t know about, or what would happen if some of them opened a coffee shop.

But lets face it, something this awful was going to happen sooner or later and I’m of the opinion that you should just bite the bullet and get it over with. This one was a pretty big bullet and the eight episodes it stayed around for were certainly trying times.

“The Hills”

We now have Heidi and Spencer. The U.N. should probably charge MTV with a war crime for this.

“Emeril”

It isn’t often that you are able to know everything about a sitcom just from the title, but this is one of those rarities. The popular chef Emeril (of “Bam!” fame) had his own fictional television show that centered around a chef named Emeril who had his own cooking show. Based on the premise alone one would assume the plot couldn’t be more firmly within Emeril’s acting wheelhouse, but 10 episodes in the show was pulled.

Episode two, titled “Blind Dates” was an episode about Emeril setting up two coworkers on dates, but somehow the results weren’t as Emeril intended! Oops!

“Mind of Mencia”

Comedy Central had such a hit with “Chappelle’s Show” that it was just assumed that comedian Carlos Mencia would be able to fill in Dave Chappelle’s absence. All he had to do was create almost the exact same show. This tactic fell more than flat on its face, it was unoriginal and more importantly, not too funny.

“Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?”

There are certain times when, as a society, we need to ask not so tough questions like, “do we really need something like this?” What must other countries think about us actually keeping something like this on television? There are already negative stereotypes regarding our country, so why would we go and exacerbate it?

Jeff Foxworthy proves himself to be inept at hosting, bringing the whole thing down another few notches. The reason “Jeopardy” and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” are so popular is because the hosts honestly seem like they would know the answer even if they weren’t holding the cards. You can place trust in those hosts. Foxworthy can just seem confused at times and not at all correct for the part.

I would suggest watching the show if for nothing more than how badly Foxworthy telegraphs the correct answers. Regis Philbin had a way of keeping you on the edge of your seat; you honestly had no idea if it was the right answers right up until he told you so. Foxworthy makes repeated lame attempts at this and as a result it comes across as just kinda lame. Perhaps redneck jokes should be the extent of his performance.

“Moment of Truth”

Contestants are hooked up to a lie detector and they have to tell the truth for money. “Do you think fat people are weak?” Is an example of a question asked on this show. The questions grow increasingly personal as the contestant attempts to earn up to $100,000 for answering their questions truthfully.

One may be drawn into the show from the claim that a Mr. Mark Walberg is hosting. But this isn’t Marky Mark the underwear model; no this is just some guy, also named Mark Walberg. For a show that is purportedly all about telling the truth, they don’t get off to a great start.

In one episode a young lady’s final question involved her ex-boyfriend being brought onto the stage where he asked the contestant if she would divorce her husband, who happened to be on the stage, and marry the boyfriend if she was given the choice. That is some compelling stuff right there. But I feel that why should they stop there? Throw the boyfriend and husband into some kind of arena and just let them fight to the death. I wouldn’t say either way has the moral high ground over the other.

“Teletubbies”

That’s right, “Teletubbies.” England managed to give us the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Monty Python and I’ve been told other things as well, but this kid show, turned full-fledged cult following, rotted the minds of almost everyone. It is tempting to include other children’s shows as a lot of them have been very bad, but at least the other shows had characters that could talk. And it is common knowledge that a half hour show where nothing happens is simply not necessary.

The show claimed they weren’t able to talk so as to connect with an even younger group of children, which must be the demographic that still couldn’t hold their heads up properly. But do kids that young need a television show geared towards them? Probably not. It’s like in the ’50s when Coca Cola was advertised for all ages, including infants, as well as the idea that the earlier you start them the better. I think by now we know that might not really be the case for a whole lot of things.

There you have it, my opinion of the worst, most morally bankrupt shows that have existed in a non-reality show format. You have to take the good with the bad I suppose.