Seasons: 1
Starring: Christina Ricci, David Hoflin, David Strathairn
Description: “Z: The Beginning of Everything” is a bite-sized adaptation of Therese Anne Fowler’s “Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald.” The show presents a fictionalized version of the life of American writer and socialite Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald in the 1920s. The show’s first and only season follows her marriage to the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, who is not yet famous.
Why it’s a stinker: The series suffers a formless storyline and over-the-top characterizations and failed to make a second season, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise considering “The Last Tycoon’s” failed attempt to succeed.
Mad Dogs (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Ben Chaplin, Michael Imperioli, Romany Malco, Steve Zahn, Phil Davis
Description: "Mad Dogs" focuses on the angst of a group of 40-something underachieving men who become caught in a vacation from hell. After the old friends gather to celebrate an early retirement in Belize, a series of unfortunate events unfold, exposing dark secrets and, you guessed it...murder!
Why it's a stinker: Like every TV show with four male leads, the plot is a cocktail of testosterone and poor decision-making. Let's be honest. It's a stale midlife crisis tale, one we've seen one too many times.
The Last Tycoon (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Matt Bomer, Kelsey Grammer, Lily Collins, Dominique McElligott, Enzo Cilenti, Mark O'Brien, Rosemarie DeWitt
Description: The pre-World War II show takes place in 1936 Hollywood. "The Last Tycoon" follows studio exec Monroe Stahr, studio head Pat Brady, and Brady's daughter, Celia, a young woman trying to make her way into the industry.
Why it's a stinker: As you may have guessed, the glamorous "The Last Tycoon," based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished last novel, was an expensive production! While time, money, and a lot of attention went into production, the show's writing is not persuasive, and the final product is, how do we put this lightly... sort of substance.
Good Girls Revolt (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Genevieve Angelson, Anna Camp, Joy Bryant, Erin Darke, Hunter Parrish, Chris Diamantopoulos,
Description: The "Mad Men"-Esque series follows a group of young female researchers working at News of the Week magazine in 1969. Many of these researchers were more talented and better educated than their male counterparts, and yet, they were paid less. The women realized just how much lower their pay was, and though their writings were accepted, the stories were published only under the men's names.
Why it's a stinker: We were expecting a revolution, and we didn't get one, which was a total bummer. The show may have managed to discover a stronger voice in the second season but never got the chance to, as it was canceled after one season.
Doctor Thorne (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Tom Hollander, Stefanie Martini, Alison Brie, Harry Richardson
Description: This three-part television adaptation of the 1858 Anthony Trollope novel by the same name follows Mary Thorne, who grows up under the guardianship of her uncle, Dr. Thorne. Mary spends many of her formative years in the company of the Gresham family, a family that lives on a neighboring estate. Their lives seem fine until the Gresham family's financial woes disrupt Mary's peaceful life, and her past comes back to haunt her.
Why it's a stinker: Those who loved "Downton Abbey" were excited, to say the least, when its creators announced "Doctor Thorne.” Unfortunately, the show is a minor canvas compared with “Downton Abbey."