20 TV Shows That Killed Their Ratings Chasing TikTok Trends

TV producers are always trying to keep up with how people watch shows now, especially with the rise of digital media and changing tastes of younger viewers. They often try to appeal to Gen Z by adding popular dances and internet language to their shows. However, this often doesn’t work well, as longtime fans can feel turned off by awkward lines and storylines that seem made only for quick social media clips. Shows that focus more on creating viral moments than telling a good story often lose viewers and receive negative reviews. The following series experienced this problem after trying too hard to follow temporary internet trends.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2021–2023)

As a big fan of the original, I was really hoping the reboot would capture some of that magic, but honestly, it just didn’t land. They tried to update things by making Instagram the new source of all the gossip, which felt a little forced. What really bothered me, though, was how much the writing leaned into current social media trends and buzzwords. It felt so inauthentic, like the characters were just spouting Twitter slogans instead of having real conversations. I couldn’t connect with anyone because everything felt performative. Sadly, it seemed like they prioritized being ‘relevant’ over actually developing the characters, and that’s why interest dropped so quickly. HBO Max ended up cancelling it after two seasons – it just didn’t have the staying power or cultural impact they were hoping for, and I was a little disappointed.

‘The Idol’ (2023)

The show tried to poke fun at the music industry and also become a viral sensation with attention-grabbing visuals. However, it relied too much on shock value and music video style, which felt designed for platforms like TikTok. Viewers found the stories weak and believed the show prioritized looking good over having meaningful content, seeming overly eager for online attention. Instead of becoming a cultural hit, it quickly failed, with ratings dropping consistently. HBO canceled the show after the negative feedback outweighed any attempts to create buzz on social media.

‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)

This Disney Plus series tried to combine superhero action with humor, legal themes, and internet trends, but the result was uneven. One scene, where the main character danced with a popular rapper, was meant to become a viral sensation, but it turned off many longtime fans. Many viewers felt the show focused too much on creating shareable moments and not enough on a strong story or well-developed characters. The show’s attempts to address online trolls felt more like it was trying to justify itself than being genuinely witty. Although it sparked a lot of discussion online, the controversial content led to viewers stopping watching.

‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)

This teen drama started strong, but later seasons became known for unbelievable plot twists that felt designed for viral clips. The show moved away from its original murder mystery, adding strange storylines about superpowers and even musical numbers. Many longtime fans stopped watching as it became more focused on over-the-top, attention-grabbing moments meant to be popular on social media. The dialogue also became filled with trendy slang that quickly made the episodes feel outdated. As the story became more about shocking the audience than making sense, ratings dropped significantly.

‘Velma’ (2023–2024)

This animated series, a prequel to the original Scooby-Doo, tried a new approach with a sarcastic and self-aware style, similar to online arguments. Instead of focusing on a good mystery, the show’s dialogue spent a lot of time analyzing and poking fun at common story elements, much like a heated Twitter debate. However, viewers found the humor unkind and the constant focus on social issues tiring. While the show surprisingly got a second season despite very low ratings, almost no one watched it by the time it returned. Trying to attract viewers who enjoyed criticizing the show didn’t prove to be a successful plan in the long run.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

Netflix’s attempt to turn the popular video game into a series didn’t go well. They mixed the game’s story with teen drama and included awkward references to internet jokes and adult websites, which didn’t fit the dark, post-apocalyptic world. Fans of the original games disliked the change in tone and the obvious attempts to attract younger viewers. The show failed to gain a new audience and instead turned off existing fans, leading to its cancellation soon after release due to low viewership and bad reviews.

‘The Fairly OddParents: Fairly Odder’ (2022)

As a big fan of the original animated series, I was really disappointed with the live-action sequel. It completely missed the mark, focusing entirely on the stepsiblings trying to become social media influencers. Honestly, the whole plot just revolved around getting followers and making viral videos, and it totally lost the magic that made the cartoon so special. It felt jarring to see the characters I loved in this new context, and the humor felt like a cheap imitation of whatever was trending online. The constant focus on phones and influencer slang made it feel very limited in its appeal, and it’s no surprise Paramount pulled it from their streaming service after just a few months.

‘How I Met Your Father’ (2022–2023)

The show, a spin-off of a popular sitcom, didn’t quite succeed because it leaned too much on clichés about dating apps and used a lot of current slang. The conversations often sounded like a string of internet memes instead of natural dialogue. Characters would mention viral trends that were already old news by the time the episodes came out. The canned laughter didn’t fit with the show’s attempts at being quirky and its focus on social media, and ultimately, Hulu cancelled it after two seasons because it couldn’t attract the same loyal audience as the original series.

‘Blockbuster’ (2022)

This comedy aimed to evoke fond memories of video rental stores, but it was filmed in a modern style. The show tried to be funny by referencing streaming services and internet trends, which felt out of place in the retro store setting. Many viewers found it lacked the warmth of other workplace comedies and instead offered predictable jokes about technology. While it was ironic that a streaming platform made a show about the decline of video stores, that wasn’t enough to attract a large audience. Ultimately, Netflix cancelled it after one season because it didn’t become popular enough.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

The recent live-action version of the classic anime aimed for a modern feel with fast-paced dialogue and editing styles similar to those found in Marvel films and on social media. However, longtime fans disliked the change in tone and how characters interacted, feeling it was geared towards a Western internet audience. While the filmmakers tried to create a visually dynamic experience with quick cuts, many viewers found the result looked low-budget. The show prioritized jokes and flashy action over the original anime’s thoughtful and serious themes, seemingly to encourage online sharing. Ultimately, Netflix cancelled the expensive series just weeks after it premiered.

‘Generation’ (2021)

I recently watched this new dramedy, and honestly, it just didn’t quite work for me. It tried so hard to be edgy and explore what it means to be a teenager today, focusing on identity and sexuality, but it ended up feeling really forced. It felt like the writers just ticked off a list of Gen Z trends – the slang, the fashion – and it all felt very surface level. The characters didn’t feel like real people; they felt like representations of different internet groups, and I couldn’t connect with any of them. Sadly, it’s not surprising HBO Max pulled the plug after one season – it just didn’t have the same impact as other teen shows we’ve seen.

‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ (2022–)

The revived mystery series tried to blend slasher horror with a contemporary teen setting, but it didn’t quite work for many viewers. Characters often talked like they were in therapy or used current social justice language in everyday conversations, which felt unnatural and pulled people out of the story. Attempts to include texting and social media bullying felt over-the-top and unbelievable. Although the show was renewed for a second season, excitement faded quickly as the initial shock value of the horror wore off. By focusing so much on current trends, the show risks feeling very dated when people watch it again in the future.

‘Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ (2023)

Okay, so I was really excited about this musical prequel, but honestly, it just didn’t work for me. They tried to mash up the 1950s with today’s pop music and how people talk now, and it felt really weird. I was hoping for that classic, nostalgic vibe from the original, but it felt more like a modern teen show… just with old-fashioned clothes. The musical numbers were especially strange – they looked like they were trying to go viral instead of feeling like real Broadway performances. It didn’t seem to appeal to anyone, not even longtime fans like me, or the younger audience they were aiming for. It’s no surprise Paramount Plus ended up taking it off their streaming service altogether – they basically wrote it off as a loss.

‘Willow’ (2022)

Disney tried to bring back the classic fantasy film as a series, but they updated the language and viewpoints to feel more current. This meant characters in a magical, medieval world used everyday American slang, which clashed with the original film’s established atmosphere. The costumes and makeup also looked modern instead of fitting the medieval setting. Fans of the original movie strongly disliked these changes to the beloved story. Ultimately, the series was cancelled after just one season and taken off the streaming service.

‘National Treasure: Edge of History’ (2022–2023)

When the adventure series moved to television, it shifted away from its roots. The original hero, who loved history, was replaced with a younger group who used smartphones and social media to solve puzzles. Many viewers felt the show lacked the excitement of the movies and seemed to be trying too hard to appeal to a younger audience unfamiliar with the franchise. The writing didn’t capture the magic of the films and felt like a typical teen mystery. Ultimately, Disney Plus cancelled the show after one season because it wasn’t performing well.

‘Head of the Class’ (2021)

This comedy series was a modern update to a show from the 1980s, following a group of ambitious high school students in today’s digital world. However, its humor, which heavily depended on specific apps and online trends, didn’t resonate with most viewers. The new characters weren’t as memorable as the originals, and instead felt like stereotypical teenagers. Trying too hard to make the show feel relevant to modern high school life resulted in a setting that felt fake and unrealistic. After just one season, HBO Max cancelled the series and removed it from its streaming platform.

‘iCarly’ (2021–2023)

The new version of the classic Nickelodeon show updated the main character by making them a professional social media influencer. Although the revival initially attracted viewers interested in nostalgia, it lost steam as it became overly focused on the details of making online content. Storylines often centered on how internet fame works, which turned off viewers who simply wanted a funny sitcom. The show tried to appeal to an older audience with its humor, but frequently relied on outdated internet trends. Ultimately, Paramount Plus cancelled the revival, leaving several storylines unresolved.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (2020–2021)

The show was a fresh take on the original, playfully mocking its outdated and sometimes awkward elements from the 90s. Its humor relied heavily on internet culture and clever references, which some found brilliant but others found tiring. It aimed to both celebrate and satirize classic teen sitcoms, but struggled to find a balance. Ultimately, Peacock cancelled it after two seasons because it didn’t attract a wider audience beyond those initially interested.

‘Q-Force’ (2021)

This cartoon spy comedy aimed to update and reclaim old stereotypes about LGBTQ+ people using internet humor and the style of adult animated shows. However, the first trailer received strong criticism for using outdated slang and jokes that many found offensive. While the show tried to develop its characters further, it couldn’t shake that initial negative impression. The writing often felt awkward, prioritizing internet memes over a good spy story. Ultimately, Netflix cancelled the series after just one season with little announcement.

‘Partner Track’ (2022)

This legal drama attempted to blend intense corporate law with the lightheartedness of a romantic comedy and current social media styles. However, the show’s use of breaking the fourth wall felt unoriginal, borrowing from other series without offering a fresh perspective. While the plot touched on diversity and inclusion, it came across as calculated and lacking in depth. Viewers found the connection between the main characters unconvincing and the legal storylines too shallow. Ultimately, Netflix canceled the show after one season due to low viewership.

Share your thoughts on which show tried too hard to be trendy in the comments.

2025-11-29 09:17