The Last Five.
5. MOOSE MURDERS-- One-night-run play became theater synonym for bomb. (Never heard of it.)
4. 1964 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES-- Blew NL pennant after holding 6.5 game lead with 12 games left. (How about the Cubbies anytime?)
3. BELL ROCKET BELT-- (1960s) Maximum flight time 23 seconds. (Definitely would not have tried to do this. That and motorcycles.)
2. SMELL-O-VISION-- (1960)-- Technically, the Scent of Mystery, the first and only film in this format, stank. (Something definitely fishy here.)
1. FORD EDSEL-- (1957-1959)-- Faulty engineering? Misguided marketing? The grille's proboscis? Whatever was to blame, Ford sold about 116,000 Edsels and lost $350 million. (Small loss compared to today's automotive losses.)
Go Ahead and Pick Some More on the Poor Edsel. --RoadDog
Showing posts with label Biggest Flops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biggest Flops. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 9
10 The SYMBOL NAME formerly used by the artist formerly known as Prince. (Formerly, formerly, formerly a hit-maker, but no more.)
9. SUSAN B. ANTHONY ONE-DOLLAR COIN-- (1979-1981)-- Tens of millions never left US Treasury vaults. (Make it look like a silver dollar, not a quarter.)
8. WEBVAN.COM-- (1999-2001) Online grocery service crashed within 18 months of raising $375 million in an IPO. (Poor, poor investors.)
7. PAPER CLOTHING (1960s)-- Must have been a hippie or green thing.)
6. MICHELLE PHILLIPS-DENNIS HOPPER-- (1970) She was the second of his five wivws; he her second of five husbands. The Mamas and Papas singer later recalled her marriage with the Easy Rider star as "the happiest eight days of my life. (Dennis Hopper, the corporate sell-out.)
Five More to Go. --DaCoot
9. SUSAN B. ANTHONY ONE-DOLLAR COIN-- (1979-1981)-- Tens of millions never left US Treasury vaults. (Make it look like a silver dollar, not a quarter.)
8. WEBVAN.COM-- (1999-2001) Online grocery service crashed within 18 months of raising $375 million in an IPO. (Poor, poor investors.)
7. PAPER CLOTHING (1960s)-- Must have been a hippie or green thing.)
6. MICHELLE PHILLIPS-DENNIS HOPPER-- (1970) She was the second of his five wivws; he her second of five husbands. The Mamas and Papas singer later recalled her marriage with the Easy Rider star as "the happiest eight days of my life. (Dennis Hopper, the corporate sell-out.)
Five More to Go. --DaCoot
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 8
15. CARRIE, THE MUSICAL-- (1988)-- Broadway musical based on Stephen King's book.
14. WIN-- (1974)-- Whip Inflation Now. President Ford's weapon for fighting inflation. (Where is my old button?)
13. RUDY GIULLANI '08-- Presidential campaign chest $66 million. Republican delegates: 0. (I didn't even vote for him.)
12. PREMIER-- (1988)-- R.J. Reynolds' "smokeless" cigarettes.
11. BAY OF PIGS INVASION-- (April 17-19, 1861)-- Of 1,400 invaders-- Cuban exiles trained by the CIA-- 1,200 were captured by Fidel Castro's troops and ransomed for $53 million in baby food and other pharmaceuticals.
14. WIN-- (1974)-- Whip Inflation Now. President Ford's weapon for fighting inflation. (Where is my old button?)
13. RUDY GIULLANI '08-- Presidential campaign chest $66 million. Republican delegates: 0. (I didn't even vote for him.)
12. PREMIER-- (1988)-- R.J. Reynolds' "smokeless" cigarettes.
11. BAY OF PIGS INVASION-- (April 17-19, 1861)-- Of 1,400 invaders-- Cuban exiles trained by the CIA-- 1,200 were captured by Fidel Castro's troops and ransomed for $53 million in baby food and other pharmaceuticals.
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 7
20. XFL-- (2001)-- One season was enough.
19. DELOREAN-- (1981-1982) Only 9,000 made. (Way too expensive for me, even if Michael J. drove one.)
18. COMB-OVER HAIR STYLE-- Doesn't Fool Anybody. (How about a toupee?)
17. PLAYING BASEBALL IN SHORTS-- (1976)-- Chicago White Sox. Slide! No don't!! (How about those uniforms as well. Then, there were those nifty uniforms from the early 80s. Then, there was the Sox 80s logo featuring the guy with the incredible hitch in his batting stance. And, I am a big White Sox fan.)
16. NEW COKE-- (April 23-July 11, 1985)-- Coca-Cola's 99-year-old formula was banished in favor of the New Coke. Public outcry led to Old Coke coming back as Classic Coke.
More of a Pepsi Fan Myself. --DaCoot
19. DELOREAN-- (1981-1982) Only 9,000 made. (Way too expensive for me, even if Michael J. drove one.)
18. COMB-OVER HAIR STYLE-- Doesn't Fool Anybody. (How about a toupee?)
17. PLAYING BASEBALL IN SHORTS-- (1976)-- Chicago White Sox. Slide! No don't!! (How about those uniforms as well. Then, there were those nifty uniforms from the early 80s. Then, there was the Sox 80s logo featuring the guy with the incredible hitch in his batting stance. And, I am a big White Sox fan.)
16. NEW COKE-- (April 23-July 11, 1985)-- Coca-Cola's 99-year-old formula was banished in favor of the New Coke. Public outcry led to Old Coke coming back as Classic Coke.
More of a Pepsi Fan Myself. --DaCoot
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 6
25. ROSIE MAGAZINE AND ROSIE O'DONNELL-- Rosie O'Donnell was no "O" as in Oprah. (Didn't watch it.)
24. US PSYCHIC ESPIONAGE RESEARCH-- (970s to 199r) (Did they stare at goats?)
23. JELL-0 GELATIN FOR SALADS-- Celery, Italian salad, mixed vegetables and seasoned tomatoes flavors. (Sound gross.)
22. CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC-- (1980)-- The Disco-era film disaster starring the Village People and Olympics star Bruce Jenner inspired the annual Razzle Awards for the worst film. (didn't see it.)
21. MONKEES-JIMI HENDRIX TOUR-- (July 1967)-- Prepubescent TV pop fans drove king of acid rock to quit. (Daydream Believer Meets Purple Haze.)
And I Thought I Could Retire and Not Pay MORE Taxes. --DaCoot
24. US PSYCHIC ESPIONAGE RESEARCH-- (970s to 199r) (Did they stare at goats?)
23. JELL-0 GELATIN FOR SALADS-- Celery, Italian salad, mixed vegetables and seasoned tomatoes flavors. (Sound gross.)
22. CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC-- (1980)-- The Disco-era film disaster starring the Village People and Olympics star Bruce Jenner inspired the annual Razzle Awards for the worst film. (didn't see it.)
21. MONKEES-JIMI HENDRIX TOUR-- (July 1967)-- Prepubescent TV pop fans drove king of acid rock to quit. (Daydream Believer Meets Purple Haze.)
And I Thought I Could Retire and Not Pay MORE Taxes. --DaCoot
Saturday, November 14, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 5
30. THE TRANSFORMED MAN-- (1968) Star Trek captain William Shatner's spoken-word album. (Didn't hear it, but that had to have been b-a-d!!!
29. SWINE FLU IMMUNIZATION-- (1976)-- canceled after ten weeks of public fear. (You could really getsick from it. Getting sick from the cure?))
28. ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH-- (2002) Starring Eddie Murphy. Made for $100 million. Global box office $7.1 million. (Never heard of it. This will have to be an NTN question if I can remember it.)
27. 2002 US MEN'S OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAM-- 1st, 2nd and 3rd-ever loss by NBA All-Stars. (I loved it!)
26. SONY BETAMAX-- First home videotape that was outmaneuvered by the VHS format. (And now, VHS is on its way out as well. I still use it though, but never let it be said I'm "Up" with the times.)
Still Using Cassette Tap Old Me. --Cooter
29. SWINE FLU IMMUNIZATION-- (1976)-- canceled after ten weeks of public fear. (You could really getsick from it. Getting sick from the cure?))
28. ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH-- (2002) Starring Eddie Murphy. Made for $100 million. Global box office $7.1 million. (Never heard of it. This will have to be an NTN question if I can remember it.)
27. 2002 US MEN'S OLYMPIC BASKETBALL TEAM-- 1st, 2nd and 3rd-ever loss by NBA All-Stars. (I loved it!)
26. SONY BETAMAX-- First home videotape that was outmaneuvered by the VHS format. (And now, VHS is on its way out as well. I still use it though, but never let it be said I'm "Up" with the times.)
Still Using Cassette Tap Old Me. --Cooter
Friday, November 13, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 4
35. FASHION CAFE-- (1995-98) oxymoronic, super-model themed business that served food. (What? Not around here.)
34. CHER-GREGG ALLMAN-- (1975-1979) Bad marriage produced a bad album, "Two the Hard Way." (What was their son's name?)
33. WATERGATE BREAK-IN-- (1972)-- (Goes without saying.)
32. GERBER SINGLES-- (1974) The baby food giant introduced single-serving pureed entrees for adults-- creamed beef, chicken Madeira-- in jars. Adults didn't bite (or was it gum?)
31. FORMER DEMOCRAT JOHN CONNALLY'S $11 million bid for 1980 Republican presidential nomination netted him one delegate, Ada Mills of Arkansas. (Wasn't he the one in the car with Kennedy when he was shot?)
Keeps Getting Better. --DaCoot
34. CHER-GREGG ALLMAN-- (1975-1979) Bad marriage produced a bad album, "Two the Hard Way." (What was their son's name?)
33. WATERGATE BREAK-IN-- (1972)-- (Goes without saying.)
32. GERBER SINGLES-- (1974) The baby food giant introduced single-serving pureed entrees for adults-- creamed beef, chicken Madeira-- in jars. Adults didn't bite (or was it gum?)
31. FORMER DEMOCRAT JOHN CONNALLY'S $11 million bid for 1980 Republican presidential nomination netted him one delegate, Ada Mills of Arkansas. (Wasn't he the one in the car with Kennedy when he was shot?)
Keeps Getting Better. --DaCoot
Thursday, November 12, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 3
Back to AARP's November Bulletin with list prepared by Betsy Towner.
I don't agree with all of them, but remember most. My comments in parentheses.
40. MILLI VANILLI'S GRAMMY-- award in 1990 for an album the duo didn't make. (They were lip-synching, but whoever made that album sure did a good job.)
39. PSYCHEDELIC PEZ-- (1967) They were flower-flavored. As in roses. (Never heard of it, but I do like my Pez products. What a sugar shot.)
38. THE CAPEMAN-- (1998) Paul Simon's rock opera about a murdered teen. (Never heard of it.)
37. BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JORDAN'S-- baseball career (1994) (But he sure made the lives of those Birmingham players better. He more than made up for it with those never-ending commercials he made and we had to endure here in the Chicago area.)
36. YOU'RE IN THE PICTURE-- (1961) Poor ratings persuaded Jackie Gleason to cancel his game show after one episode. In week 2's time slot, the Great One apologized for "the biggest bomb in history. (I don't remember it, but with just one TV in the house, we watched whatever the parents did.)
Well, I Remembered Two of Them. --DaCoot
I don't agree with all of them, but remember most. My comments in parentheses.
40. MILLI VANILLI'S GRAMMY-- award in 1990 for an album the duo didn't make. (They were lip-synching, but whoever made that album sure did a good job.)
39. PSYCHEDELIC PEZ-- (1967) They were flower-flavored. As in roses. (Never heard of it, but I do like my Pez products. What a sugar shot.)
38. THE CAPEMAN-- (1998) Paul Simon's rock opera about a murdered teen. (Never heard of it.)
37. BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR MICHAEL JORDAN'S-- baseball career (1994) (But he sure made the lives of those Birmingham players better. He more than made up for it with those never-ending commercials he made and we had to endure here in the Chicago area.)
36. YOU'RE IN THE PICTURE-- (1961) Poor ratings persuaded Jackie Gleason to cancel his game show after one episode. In week 2's time slot, the Great One apologized for "the biggest bomb in history. (I don't remember it, but with just one TV in the house, we watched whatever the parents did.)
Well, I Remembered Two of Them. --DaCoot
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
World's Biggest Flops-- Part 2
45. NFL QUARTERBACK RYAN LEAF-- (1998-2001) He signed a $31.3 million contract. Career stats: 14 touchdown passes; 36 interceptions; 4 wins; endless run-ins with teammates, management, media and fans. (That reminds me of the wonderful Cade McNown, the Bear's Mr. Wonderful. I bet neither one gave their ill-got money back, or even some of it.)
44. 1988 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE-- Michael Dukakis. (Well, he didn't win, but a lot of candidates have lost. What makes him so special?)
43. MY MOTHER THE CAR-- (1965-1966) TV show about a lawyer and his reinCARnated mother. (To my credit, I didn't watch it.)
42. APPLE LISA-- (1983-1985) The computer's cost stung at $9,995 ($21,660 today). Apple buried its last 2,700 Lisas in a Utah landfill in 1989. (Never heard of it, but never used a 'puter till 2000.)
41. GERALDO RIVERA-- opening Al Capone's "vault" on live TV in 1986. (Hey, sometimes in history work you don't find the treasure or anything for that matter. The American public always expects something interesting, but in historical research of any sort, it is usually 1% excitement and something really interesting to every 99% NOTHING!!)
Oops Up Side the Head. --Cooter
44. 1988 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE-- Michael Dukakis. (Well, he didn't win, but a lot of candidates have lost. What makes him so special?)
43. MY MOTHER THE CAR-- (1965-1966) TV show about a lawyer and his reinCARnated mother. (To my credit, I didn't watch it.)
42. APPLE LISA-- (1983-1985) The computer's cost stung at $9,995 ($21,660 today). Apple buried its last 2,700 Lisas in a Utah landfill in 1989. (Never heard of it, but never used a 'puter till 2000.)
41. GERALDO RIVERA-- opening Al Capone's "vault" on live TV in 1986. (Hey, sometimes in history work you don't find the treasure or anything for that matter. The American public always expects something interesting, but in historical research of any sort, it is usually 1% excitement and something really interesting to every 99% NOTHING!!)
Oops Up Side the Head. --Cooter
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
World's Fifty Biggest Flops-- Part 1
The November issue of AARP (Yes, I'm older than dirt) had an article by Betsy Towner called "Biggest Flops."
I've heard of most of these and don't agree with all she said, but very thought provoking nonetheless. My comments in parentheses.
50. WORLD BELLY FLOP RECORD-- (2008) 35.5 feet into one foot of water, by Darren Taylor, aka Professor Splash. (Not the smartest thing I can think of.)
49. OPTI-GRAB-- (1979) Eyeglass handle invention that bankrupts Navin R. Johnson in Steve Martin's movie The Jerk. (The White Guy who thought he was black.)
48. TEN-CENT BEER NIGHT-- (June 4, 1974) Rowdy fans trigger Cleveland Indians forfeit. (Kind of like Disco Demolition at old Comiskey Park?)
47. COP ROCK-- (1990) TV crime drama with singing boys in blue. (Watched about ten minutes before gagging.)
46. MCDONALD'S ARCH DELUXE-- (1996-1997) Over $300 million in burgers lost. (I liked this McD Answer to the Whopper.)
Obviously, a Few More to Go. --Da Coot Man
I've heard of most of these and don't agree with all she said, but very thought provoking nonetheless. My comments in parentheses.
50. WORLD BELLY FLOP RECORD-- (2008) 35.5 feet into one foot of water, by Darren Taylor, aka Professor Splash. (Not the smartest thing I can think of.)
49. OPTI-GRAB-- (1979) Eyeglass handle invention that bankrupts Navin R. Johnson in Steve Martin's movie The Jerk. (The White Guy who thought he was black.)
48. TEN-CENT BEER NIGHT-- (June 4, 1974) Rowdy fans trigger Cleveland Indians forfeit. (Kind of like Disco Demolition at old Comiskey Park?)
47. COP ROCK-- (1990) TV crime drama with singing boys in blue. (Watched about ten minutes before gagging.)
46. MCDONALD'S ARCH DELUXE-- (1996-1997) Over $300 million in burgers lost. (I liked this McD Answer to the Whopper.)
Obviously, a Few More to Go. --Da Coot Man
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