Seasons: 1
Starring: Chris Diamantopoulos, Drew Logan Powell, Kyan Zielinski, Erinn Hayes, Gabriel Bateman
Description: Based on a book by the same name, Bryan Cranston co-created this six-episode comedy-drama series that had everyone feeling sentimental in a fraction of that time. The show tells the story of brothers who, along with their mother, are trying to process the death of their father. Their father left behind a dangerous book that transports the boys into a magical world that serves as a sort of family therapy.
Why it’s a stinker: Amazon had the chance to take an amazingly creative idea and use it to set them apart from other streamers. Instead, the final product turned out to be a generic network television show, which is why it didn’t come as much of a surprise when Amazon announced that they had canceled the series after one season.
Jean-Claude Van Johnson (WORST)
Seasons: 1
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Moisés Arias, Kat Foster, Phylicia Rashad
Description: "Jean-Claude Van Johnson" follows martial arts and action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme, portraying himself. Pretty solid up until now, right? Well, that's when the story takes an exciting twist! It is revealed that Van Damme's movie career and personal history are all a cover story! The "actor" is a secret agent known as Jean-Claude Van Johnson. He goes undercover with the help of his assistant and make-up specialist - his handler and weapons master, respectively.
Why it's a stinker: Unfortunately, as unexpectedly satisfying and refreshing as the show's original pilot was, there was very little to say and not much story to tell after its release. That being said, "Jean-Claude Van Johnson" is not one of Amazon's best productions.
Absentia (WORST)
Seasons: 3
Starring: Stana Katic, Matthew Le Nevez, Patrick Heusinger
Description: The series tells the story of Emily Byrne (Stana Katic), an FBI agent who disappears without a trace and is declared dead in absentia. Six years later, she reappears, clinging to life, with absolutely no recollection of the years that she was missing. All this time, the FBI believed she had been killed by the serial killer she had been hunting at the time of her disappearance. Now, Byrne sets out to reclaim her identity and family and resume her life.
Why it's a stinker: We're just going to come out and say it, "Absentia" is as basic as it gets. The production didn't take any risks, leaving its lead and somewhat intriguing mystery plot treading water.
Lore (WORST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Aaron Mahnke, Robert Patrick, Holland Roden, Colm Feore
Description: Amazon has given us an anthology hybrid horror-docuseries that provides us with a taste of vampires, werewolves, possessed dolls, and more. Blending dramatic scenes, animation, archive, and narration, "Lore" reveals the hidden truths behind our favorite horror legends. The series combines both documentary and cinematic footage to tell horror stories and their origins.
Why it's a stinker: As a podcast, "Lore" was highly addictive. As a television show, it didn't succeed at truly distinguishing itself in any way. Pass!
Hunters (WORST)
Seasons: 2
Starring: Al Pacino, Logan Lerman, Josh Radnor, Jerrika Hinton, Kate Mulvany
Description: If you're into history, drama, and Al Pacino, this next one is for you. The series inspired by real events, "Hunters," follows a group of Nazi hunters in New York City in 1977. The diverse band of Nazi hunters learns hundreds of Nazis fled to the United States. When they learn that there's a conspiracy to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S. - they seek to aim for justice and get revenge.
Why it's a stinker: With a solid cast and an even stronger sense of justice, there's something about "Hunters" that somehow feels "off" to us. Perhaps season two will manage to do the show with a promising premise justice?