The Worst New TV Shows of 2021

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 24, 2021

What were the biggest television duds of the past year? Above are the lowest-scoring first-year primetime TV series (including limited series and specials) debuting in the United States between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Shows are ranked by Metascore (an average of grades from top professional critics on a 0-100 scale) prior to rounding based on scores from December 21, 2021, and must have at least 4 reviews from professional critics to qualify.

5 of 11 photo by Lisa Rose/FOX

41 #6: Call Me Kat (Fox)

Jeopardy! host Mayim Bialik heads the cast of this Fox remake of the British sitcom Miranda. The multi-camera comedy centers on a 39-year-old single woman who takes the money her parents had saved for her wedding and uses it to open a cat cafe in Louisville. A decent cast that also includes Swoosie Kurtz, Cheyenne Jackson, Kyla Pratt, and Leslie Jordan failed to overcome the gimmicky, dated format, according to critics, but Kat is returning for a second season in a few weeks.

“Its trite attempts at humor and schlocky fourth-wall breaking might be an attempt at a nostalgic throwback but wind up making 'Kat' feel like a failed '80s sitcom.” —Kelly Lawler, USA Today

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