10 Great TV Shows With Awful First Seasons

It is almost universally accepted that the day of The Simpsons has long since passed. The show has, at the time of writing, completed its 37th season, and it could be argued that it hasn't been good for over two decades at this point. However, it's not like it started out great either.

The Golden Age, depending on who you speak to, runs roughly from between season two or three to around eight, or at a stretch nine. Season one is never included here, as The Simpsons was unrecognisable as the animation juggernaut it would become.

Based on the Tracey Ullman Show sketch, the future favourite family of America was yet to find its footing among shoddy animation (which could be forgiven on its own as discussed before), bland stories, and inconsistent characters. Looking back now, who wants to see Homer (Dan Castellaneta) as the serious dad who is embarrassed of his own family?

What made him, and the rest of the Simpsons, and in turn the series so popular, was that he was the incompetent oaf, relatable even when fighting for the Heavyweight Championship in boxing or going to space. The Golden Age of The Simpsons is some of the best television there is, with a deep and rich cast of characters to call upon, but it took time and hard work to get there.