1. The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
This one has become infamous, even among fans who try their best to forget it ever happened. Airing just once on CBS, it tried to blend variety show vibes with sci-fi adventure, and the result was as chaotic as it sounds. Chewbacca’s family was introduced, we got an animated debut of Boba Fett, and there was a performance by Jefferson Starship—yes, really. George Lucas reportedly hated it so much he tried to erase all copies shares Screen Rant.
People who saw it at the time were mostly confused, and today it’s mostly passed around as a so-bad-it’s-funny bootleg. It’s become a bit of a cult curiosity, but there’s a reason it was never re-aired or officially released. Even diehard Star Wars fans admit it was hard to sit through. It’s a reminder that even the galaxy far, far away isn’t immune to awkward missteps adds Stacker.
2. Heil Honey I’m Home! (1990)
Yes, someone greenlit a sitcom that starred Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun living next door to a Jewish couple. It was a British satire meant to spoof bad ’50s sitcoms, but the concept was so deeply offensive that only the pilot aired before it was pulled. The show was framed like a classic black-and-white comedy, complete with a laugh track says Air Mail.
Even though the creators claimed it was intended as anti-fascist satire, the tone missed the mark by miles. Viewers were horrified, and it’s rarely talked about now—probably because everyone involved would rather pretend it never happened. The backlash was immediate and intense. It’s hard to imagine how it got past the pitch stage, let alone onto TV shares Daily Express.
3. KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978)
This bizarre NBC special was meant to cash in on the rock band’s popularity, but it ended up being an awkward blend of Scooby-Doo-style mystery and low-budget superhero antics. The band members barely acted, and most of their dialogue was dubbed. The plot involved robots, an evil inventor, and a theme park gone wild.
Fans of the band were left scratching their heads. Even KISS themselves later admitted it was a mess. It only aired once, and that was more than enough. Today, it’s mostly brought up in conversations about weird TV experiments that never should’ve happened.
4. The Brady Bunch Variety Hour (1976–77)
Technically a short-lived series, but its pilot aired as a one-off special that set the tone—and it was something else. The Brady family traded their wholesome sitcom lives for sequins, song-and-dance numbers, and sketches. With a new actress playing Jan and the rest of the cast visibly uncomfortable, it felt more like a fever dream than a family reunion.
The studio hoped to turn the show into a variety hit, but audiences weren’t buying it. The clash between the original Brady charm and the over-the-top Vegas-style production was jarring. It was cheesy even by ’70s standards. Most fans pretend it didn’t exist, and the footage is tough to find for good reason.
5. The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island (1981)
Somehow, someone thought bringing the Harlem Globetrotters to a deserted island would make for good television. It was a follow-up to the original Gilligan’s Island and a previous reunion special. The plot revolved around evil robots and a basketball game to save the island.
The combination of slapstick basketball and the already-strained premise of the islanders never getting rescued just didn’t work. Even die-hard fans of the show were baffled. The Globetrotters deserved better, and so did audiences. It only aired once and was largely forgotten after that.
6. Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979)
This stop-motion Rankin/Bass special tried to combine two beloved characters in one long, overly complicated summer adventure. It involved a circus, a magical amulet, and a villain trying to eliminate all holiday magic. The runtime stretched to feature length, but the charm was lost along the way.
Kids were confused by the out-of-season storyline, and even the animation felt tired compared to earlier specials. It didn’t have the warmth of the originals, and the whole thing felt like a contractual obligation. It quietly faded into obscurity. Most people who watched it once never returned for a second viewing.
7. The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976)
This campy ABC special had everything: disco numbers, a kiss from KISS, Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Paul Lynde at his most flamboyant. It was a mash-up of Halloween, comedy, and musical performances that tried to ride the wave of variety specials but ended up sinking.
Lynde was a favorite on Hollywood Squares, but this special pushed the weirdness past the point of fun. It aired only once and became more of a “what were they thinking” moment in TV history. It eventually became a cult classic, but not for the reasons the network had hoped. The mix of spooky and strange just didn’t land.
8. It’s Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (1977)
In this Peanuts special, Charlie Brown finally gets a kiss from the Little Red-Haired Girl—but it came with controversy. The football gag was played again, but this time, the team blamed Charlie for losing the game, and Lucy came off especially cruel. It didn’t sit well with fans who were used to more heartwarming stories.
Even Charles Schulz reportedly regretted some of the character portrayals. While it aired once and has since been included in collections, it’s rarely shown on TV anymore. The tone just didn’t feel quite right for a Peanuts holiday event. Fans tend to skip over it for better-loved specials.
9. The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973)
This animated holiday special followed a curious bear who wanted to find out what Christmas was all about instead of hibernating. It had a sweet message but lacked the pacing and polish of other animated hits. The animation felt stiff, and the humor didn’t quite land.
Despite a solid voice cast, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. It only aired once and was quietly shelved. Some people vaguely remember it, but it’s not one of those nostalgic staples. It was just too forgettable to earn a second showing.
10. Fergie & Andrew: Behind the Palace Doors (1992)
This American TV special tried to dramatize the troubled marriage of Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew, and it was every bit as awkward as it sounds. Poor acting, over-the-top drama, and a rushed script made it feel more like a tabloid reenactment than a respectful biopic.
The real-life royals didn’t comment on it, but viewers did—and most of them weren’t impressed. It aired only once and was never revisited. The idea had potential, but the execution missed the mark. It’s now a footnote in the long list of royal-themed misfires.
11. Cindy (1978)
This CBS musical special reimagined Cinderella with an all-Black cast and a 1970s Harlem setting. The idea had promise and some memorable musical moments, but it struggled with uneven pacing and a lack of promotion. Stephanie Mills starred as Cindy, but the production felt rushed and underfunded.
Despite good intentions, it failed to find an audience. It wasn’t rebroadcast, and it faded into obscurity not long after. Many people who did see it remember it fondly, but the network didn’t give it the support it needed. Today, it’s hard to even find a copy.
12. A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978)
This isn’t the one you probably remember with Big Bird and Bert and Ernie. This was a strange, unrelated Christmas special with different guest stars and a totally different tone. Leslie Uggams hosted, and while some of the usual Muppets appeared, it didn’t feel like a true Sesame Street episode.
The writing was off, and the heart of the series felt missing. Even longtime fans were confused by it. It aired once, then disappeared almost completely. When people talk about Sesame Street specials, this one is usually left out—and honestly, that might be for the best.