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Always searching for cheap, buzz-worthy TV programming, network officials have been on the prowl for reality shows that will get people talking and tuning in on a regular basis. But as viewers tire of one type of reality format after another, producers have been tempted to create more outlandish and risqué scenarios. Some have developed reality shows that are so over-the-top, they backfire. Case in point: All My Babies’ Mamas. This reality show was to have aired on the Oxygen channel in 2013 and chronicled rapper Shawty Lo and his dealings with the 10 women who birthed his 11 children. Protests grew before a single episode aired and network executives finally opted to cancel the series. While not all of the below shows sparked similar controversy, each has garnered its share of criticism in recent years.

Television executives, long in search of big ratings and big profits, all too frequently cast their eyes on big-name stars in a never-ending attempt at launching the next successful TV series. But as the below examples prove, signing a blockbuster star to headline a sitcom or drama on the small screen does not guarantee ratings success. This has proven true whether the star is new to TV or previously headlined a successful series. Looking back, it’s hard to believe some of these entertainment stars were ever considered a good fit for the small screen.

Business analysts have long recognized the cyclical nature of the retail industry, but you don’t need an MBA to notice the seismic shifts happening in retail today. New industries and products are being born, as once-thriving businesses fade. In every case, changing behavior is behind these industry trends, and in most cases, new technology is driving these changes. Tablets, smart phones and similar devices have made life increasingly portable and, arguably, more efficient. That’s good for us, but not so good for many established businesses. Below are five business models that are going through tough times — and the future doesn’t hold much promise, either.

Be it morning, noon or night, these TV personalities came into our homes and captivated us with their own stories — and the stories of the guests they featured from one show to the next. The talk show is a genre that began during the dawn of TV and has been strong ever since. Some of these talk show hosts used their fame and TV show platform to make us laugh. Others took a different route and chose inspiration. Others decided to put the spotlight on sleaze and the degenerative aspects of society. Regardless of the format, here are 10 talk show hosts who have made their imprint in the TV landscape.

Determining the success of a TV series is hardly an exact science. Even a well-written, star-powered show doesn’t guarantee ratings gold. Actors fortunate to find steady work in a long-running hit series rarely replicate the scenario. But there are a few actors who have managed to buck the trend by headlining two or even three successful series during their careers. This list is not all-inclusive, but here are some of the most notable performers who hit it big more than once.

For decades, they not only defined our shopping habits, but our culture as well. Companies such as Woolworth and Montgomery Ward were iconic brands that at one time were a major force in the retail world. But these once mighty retailers all eventually fell on the sword of capitalism. Some failed to keep pace with increased competition, while others fell victim to poor management. In some cases, the retailers succumbed to new technologies and inevitable obsolescence. Here are 10 retailers that left an imprint in the American marketplace but have since faded into oblivion.

In the 1960s, enclosed shopping malls were all the rage. Advertisements touted the benefits of shopping in a climate-controlled setting year-round and purchasing an array of specialty products under one roof. The malls dethroned downtown shopping districts and reigned in the American retail landscape throughout the 1970s and 1980s. But as the turn of the century approached, many malls began losing favor. Open-air town centers are rising in their place as Americans seek more convenience. One by one, once-thriving malls are toppling, their demise hastened by the recession. There are usually several factors behind a mall’s failure: increased competition, changing demographics, safety issues (real or perceived) and poor city planning. Here are 10 so-called dead malls with interesting fates.

Looking to laugh? Or curl up to a good tearjerker? Maybe you want to learn a new recipe, or find inspiration to remodel your home. You’ll find TV shows offering all that in your cable or satellite TV lineup. More than 30 years into its maturity, cable TV offers programming for every taste — provided you are willing to shell out money each month for cable or satellite service. In a crowded programming landscape, a few channels stand out from the pack as trailblazers impacting pop culture. Here are 10 cable networks that have introduced us to new shows and personalities and changed our viewing habits.

In today’s fast-paced world, the TV theme song is all but extinct. If viewers are lucky, they might be treated to a 20- or 30-second theme to their favorite show. But more often, a quick title sequence with the show’s name serves as the remnants of a practice that at one time offered musical openings lasting as long as two minutes. From the dawn of TV well into the 1990s, blockbuster TV theme songs were common. In some cases, the music took on a life of its own and surpassed the TV series in popularity. In other cases, the themes worked alongside the shows and gained the affection of viewers and music aficionados. Here’s a look at the top 10 TV theme songs of all time, based on several factors, including their commercial success, their recognition factor and their cultural impact.

It’s a sitcom staple that’s as old as the genre itself. Television executives, eager to bring in hordes of viewers to the networks signing their paycheck, pull out whatever stops possible to try and bring in lofty TV ratings. One way of doing this, based on conventional wisdom, is creating a sitcom around a familiar personality. Through the years, many successful stand-up comedians have received their own series. There have been plenty of duds, but some of these laughers actually turned out to be smash hits and have endured the test of time through the TV afterlife known as reruns — not to mention lucrative sales of DVD box sets.