The Worst Sitcom Ever Made
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
'I just want to go now'
30 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
So how did the failure that was Melody Rules affect the people involved? In this final episode, Geoff's on the road to find out and to discover what h...
'The Network would say, here's what we're going to do, blah blah blah'
24 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What were the Network people thinking when they made Melody Rules? Geoff gets their - surprisingly positive - take on the experience.Go to this episod...
'There was just... vitriol in the air'
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Melody Rules is finally unleashed on a hyped-up New Zealand public and is greeted with virtual (and actual) hostility.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz ...
'The one-eyed man in the kingdom of the blind'
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff tracks down John Vorhaus, the sitcom guru. How did John get the job of training the young writers and what did he make of it all?Go to this epis...
'Just f#&%ing stand there and say your line!'
02 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff tracks down the man who directed all 40 episodes of Melody Rules and hears about the challenges he faced: inexperience, arguments with the actor...
'Even I thought I was a terrible choice!'
26 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Even a badly chosen idea and a micro-managed script needs someone to play it. And casting is crucial... especially with inexperienced actors.Go to thi...
'What? You want us to write a kids' show?'
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Geoff and some of the original writing group talk about the 'odd' way Melody Rules came to be chosen, and how micro-management from the outset set the...
'I think of it like a cult'
12 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kiwi TV show 'Melody Rules' came out in the 90s and is widely regarded as one of worst sitcoms ever made. But just how bad was it? Geoff Houtman - one...
The mess, the 25 year old monkey and me
10 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a monkey on his back for 25 years. It's time to try to understand what happened to bring about such a monstrous failure.Go to this episode o...