It’s no secret that not all television shows make it past their first season. Many shows fail to gain traction and disappear without a trace. However, there are a select few that managed to defy the odds and make it past the dreaded first season. In this blog post, we’ll look at 10 of those shows that you may not have known were lucky to make it past their first season. We’ll look at the show’s origins, how it managed to survive, and the impact it has made on the world of television.
1) American Idol
American Idol is the iconic singing competition that started it all. It premiered in 2002 and has since become one of the longest running shows on television. The show has spawned several spin-off series and has won numerous awards. Its success is due in part to its loyal fan base, who have kept the show going through more than 15 seasons.
2) The Bachelor
A reality show that premiered in 2002, The Bachelor follows a single bachelor on their search for love. It has become one of the most popular shows on TV and is still going strong after 18 seasons. The show is hosted by Chris Harrison, who guides the bachelors and bachelorettes through their journey. Each season, the bachelor chooses between 25 potential matches in the hopes of finding true love.
3) Dancing with the Stars
The long-running dance competition show has been on the air since 2005, and has managed to remain a fan favorite for over a decade. It’s earned numerous Emmy awards, and continues to draw in millions of viewers each week.
4) So You Think You Can Dance
This dance-competition series premiered in 2005 and has now been on the air for sixteen seasons. It follows dancers of all ages and dance styles who compete for the title of America’s Favorite Dancer. This show has made a lasting impact on the reality-competition genre and continues to be a fan favorite.
5) Project Runway
The popular reality TV competition show Project Runway has been airing since 2004 and has been credited with popularizing the concept of high fashion on television. The show follows aspiring fashion designers as they compete to be crowned the winner of the season and is hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum. Project Runway is one of the longest-running fashion shows on TV and is still going strong after 16 seasons.
6) Survivor
Survivor is the popular reality TV show in which contestants compete in a series of physical and mental challenges to become the sole survivor and win the grand prize. The show premiered in 2000 and has been running for over 20 seasons, making it one of the longest-running shows on television. The show continues to be a ratings success and has spawned numerous spin-offs and international versions.
7) The Amazing Race
An Emmy-winning reality show, The Amazing Race takes teams of two on a race around the world to complete various tasks. The last team to finish the race is eliminated and the first team to reach the finish line wins the grand prize. With its thrilling competition and exotic locales, this show has been a fan favorite for many years.
8) Top Chef
This popular cooking competition show features chefs from all over the world who compete for the title of “Top Chef.” Originally premiering in 2006, it quickly became a fan favorite and has been running for a total of sixteen seasons. It’s also been honored with several Emmy awards.
9) The Voice
This singing competition show debuted in 2011 and has since become a fan favorite. It is currently in its 19th season and is hosted by Carson Daly. The Voice pits four celebrity coaches against each other as they compete to find the best vocal talent in America. Contestants sing and the coaches, with the help of their advisers, decide who they want on their team. The competition then begins until a winner is crowned.
10) Game of Thrones
This epic fantasy drama based on George R.R. Martin’s novels aired in 2011 and became one of the most popular TV shows in history. It was lucky to make it past its first season, as it was nearly cancelled due to its high production costs. The show went on to become a global phenomenon, winning multiple awards and becoming one of the highest-rated series of all time.