Before everyone and their goldfish could have their own YouTube channel, good old television was the only way to see what fringe celebrities and off-beat concept were happening.

This means, there were a lot of thing competing for ratings, many that just make it. Do you remember these shows that lasted for a blink of an eye?

The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show

Hey, if The Monkees could be an institution, so could Portland garage rockers The Hudson Brothers. Since they were zipping into teen idol territory, Brett, Bill and Mark Hudson gave the musical comedy variety show a try. They started weekly prime time show for about a month, that they turned into a Saturday morning kids show. It lasted less than a year in 1974 and 75, but created a generation worried about emu attacks and weird bear friends.

The Kids From C.A.P.E.R.

Music producer Don Kirshner, who helped bring fourth The Monkees and The Archies, tried another show on Saturday mornings, featuring four young cool spies working for Civilian Authority for the Protection of Everybody, Regardless (aka C.A.P.E.R.). Each of these happening sleuths had different personalities sure to appeal to young teens, not to mention a shark puppet. Yet it didn’t make it. The13 episodes ran for less than a year from 1976-77 with one big hiatus in between.That dang theme song still rings in my ears.

When Things Were Rotten

Eighteen years before Robin Hood: Men In Tights, Mel Brooks did a Robin Hood parody series for television. It had cast that went on to some successful tv, including Dick Van Patten, Bernie Kopell of The Love Boat and Misty Rowe of Hee Haw, with appearances from Dudley Moore, Ron Glass and more. This series, that replaced The Bionic Woman of all things, and made it to 13 episodes before getting the axe. Prime time just wasn’t ready for the tight TIGHT tights.

Quark

In 1977, Saturday Night Live and Get Smart writer and actor Buck Henry created a screwball comedy about space trash collectors starring Richard Benjamin as Adam Quark. There were a pair of busty clones (the Bettys), played by the Doublemint Twins, a “trans-mutant” gender fluid crew member, a plant-based human, and a big cranium toting genius “The Head” and, of course, a robot. It lasted a mere 8 episodes, even with punny character names like Princess Libido (played by Joan Van Ark).

The 70s did have some interesting blick-and-you’ll miss it fare, but this last one carries into the early 80s.

Open All Night

Character and voice actor George Dzundza was the owner of a 24-hour convenience store, with his wife, Susan Tyrrell, and weird teen son. That’s pretty much the premise. It was very character-driven as it showed the comings and goings of crew and customers, including many regulars like Bubba Smith and Tony Mantegna. It only made it 12 episodes when it airred in 1981. It has some pretty cool guests, like David Letterman, Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Judge Reinhold, and many more and was pretty hip considering it just couldn’t get off the ground.

Thanks to YouTube, you can see some clips and even full episode of some of these beauties, but that might be a rabbit hole you don’t want to tap yet.

Of course, judging from how short the run for each of these show was, it might not take too long.