Everyone knows Dick Wolf, Anthony Zuiker (CSI), and Chuck Lorre, amongst others, as creators of timeless, legendary shows. But did you know that they've also created their fair share of ratings disappointments? Also, did you know that your favorite procedural drama franchise wasn't comprised
of all hits? Take a look below and see some of the hits and misses created by some of the most famous television creators today.
The Hits and Misses of Dick Wolf
Hits
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Up and Coming
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Misses
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Law & Order (20 seasons)
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Chicago PD (4+ seasons)
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Law & Order: LA (1 season)
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Law & Order: SVU (17+ seasons)
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Chicago Med (1+ seasons, strong start)
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Law & Order: Trial by Jury (13 episodes, 12 aired on NBC)
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Law & Order: Criminal Intent (10 seasons)
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Conviction (13 episodes)
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Law & Order: UK (British show, 8 seasons)
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Players (18 episodes)
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Chicago Fire (5+ seasons)
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Mann & Machine (9 episodes, only 4 before pulled from the schedule) |
CSI Franchise (Anthony Zuiker)
Hits
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Misses
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CSI (15 seasons)
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CSI: Cyber (1.5 low-rated seasons)
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CSI: Miami (10 seasons)
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Whodunnit? (9 episodes)
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CSI: New York (9 seasons)
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NCIS Franchise
You've heard of NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: NO, all hits at one point or another, with NCIS remaining one of CBS's main staples and NCIS: NO also doing better than most dramas. But did you know that in between NCIS: LA and NCIS: NO, CBS was planning a spinoff of the franchise tentatively titled NCIS: Red? Well, despite being a part of their prized franchise, the show never made it past the pilot stage--meaning it must have been bad, and I mean BAD, since they didn't trust in the power of the NCIS franchise to save the ratings of this one.
Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
In the winter of hit CBS drama Criminal Minds' sixth season, CBS premiered a spinoff entitled Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. After premiering well it went down to a 2.4 A18-49 number for its second episode, airing out of a 3.2 for the parent show. For its season (and series) finale, Criminal Minds was a repeat and hit a 1.4--Suspect Behavior fell down to a 1.8, and given that just five years ago were much different times, it was cancelled, never to make it past its 13 episode order.
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland
In the 2013-2014 season, ABC ordered a spin-off of Once Upon a Time. It was originally intended to air as a bridge series while Once Upon a Time would go on winter hiatus, but when the schedule was released it was revealed it grabbed a fall spot in the dreaded time slot of Thursday at 8. It premiered to a weak 1.7, and it was all downhill from there. By the time of its finale it hit a 0.9 A18-49 number--and that wasn't even the season low. Putting things into perspective, Once Upon a Time had a 2.1 that week, and Wonderland's lead-out of Grey's Anatomy had a 2.7.
Other: Chuck Lorre
Even though Chuck Lorre hasn't really created any franchises, I think he's also a solid case.
| Hits | Up and Coming | Misses |
| Two and a Half Men (12 seasons) | Mom (3+ seasons) | France’s Turn (6 episodes) |
| The Big Bang Theory (10+ seasons) |
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| Mike & Molly (6 seasons) |
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| Dharma & Greg (5 seasons) |
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| Grace Under Fire (5 seasons) |
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| Cybill (4 seasons) |
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