TV Characters Who Almost Ruined Their Shows

Sometimes, it’s not just the overall mix of comedy, emotion, and engaging plots that captivates us in sitcoms and dramas. Occasionally, a particular character might disrupt this balance, transforming an excellent series into a challenging viewing experience instead.

In various ways – by being poorly crafted, not fitting the show’s ensemble, or simply seeming incongruous – certain characters can spoil the enchantment of a series. Here are ten TV personas who came close to undermining their shows, examining how their inclusion affected the cherished narratives we adored.

Scrappy-Doo

In the series ‘Scooby-Doo,’ which debuted in 1969 and is still ongoing, Scrappy-Doo, Scooby’s nephew, was added to the show in 1979 as a ratings boost. His boisterous personality often contrasted with the group’s relaxed demeanor, causing some fans who admired the original Mystery Inc. dynamic to become frustrated.

Rather than enhancing its appeal, Scrappy’s excessive actions and signature phrases such as “Puppy power!” tended to eclipse the original enchantment of the show with its intriguing mystery-solving elements. His presence often felt contrived, and I usually choose to bypass episodes where he takes center stage.

Cousin Oliver

In the final six episodes of ‘The Brady Bunch’ (1969-1974), Cousin Oliver made an appearance as a desperate attempt to revitalize the series. His overly cute and precocious demeanor seemed more like a trick, causing disruption in the previously established family dynamic.

Audiences found him annoying, and his inclusion marked a downturn in the show’s creativity. It’s uncomfortable to watch him struggle to belong in the Brady family, giving the impression that the writers had exhausted their creative resources.

April Nardini

In the TV series ‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000-2007), April Nardini, who is Luke Danes’ unexpected daughter, made an appearance in season 6. Her arrival disrupted the relationship between Luke and Lorelai. While her unique intellect was endearing, it seemed a bit incongruous within the context of the storyline.

Instead of centering around the main relationships that fans adore from Stars Hollow, her character’s narrative strayed, leaving many viewers disappointed and yearning for more of the show’s unique allure. In my opinion, her storyline seemed to weigh down the series, diverting focus away from what made it truly captivating.

Ted Mosby

In simpler terms, Ted Mosby, the storyteller in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ (aired from 2005-2014), initially came across as a charming romantic character. However, over time, he developed into a character who became whiny and excessively obsessive, particularly with his feelings for Robin. Despite her repeated rejections, Ted continued to pine for her, making it challenging for viewers to sympathize with him.

In the disputed ending, Ted’s pursuit of Robin following the mother’s demise seemed to reverse his personal development and left a bitter aftertaste. By the finale, I was worn out by his recurring romantic tales.

Piper Chapman

Piper Chapman, the main character in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013-2019), initially served as a relatable introduction to Litchfield Penitentiary. However, her self-absorbed actions and sense of entitlement eventually took center stage, overshadowing the more nuanced characters in the larger cast.

Over time, it seemed that the plotlines of her character became unnatural and took away from stronger figures such as Red and Taystee. It was a relief when the narrative switched to other characters, as Piper’s story felt monotonous.

Emily Waltham

In the sitcom ‘Friends’ (1994-2004), Emily Waltham was introduced as Ross’s romantic interest during season 4, causing a stir in his relationship with Rachel. Her dominating personality and absence of humor often made viewers find her displeasing.

At their wedding when Ross mentioned Rachel’s name, her sudden departure seemed like a welcome moment, since she tended to drain the humor from the show. During my viewings, I often skip her episodes to quickly return to the main cast.

Dawn Summers

In the fifth season of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003), a new character named Dawn Summers, who turned out to be Buffy’s unexpected sister, made her appearance with minimal backstory. Her persistent whining and knack for causing trouble grated on fans of the series, particularly those who admired its powerful female protagonists.

Her being around changed the spotlight from Buffy’s fights, which made the episodes seem less intense. I got frustrated whenever Dawn’s shenanigans delayed the action.

Randy Pearson

Randy Pearson became a part of “That ’70s Show” (1998-2006) in its eighth season following the departure of Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher. His character, with its ordinary, amiable demeanor, didn’t possess the same zest as the initial cast members, and it struggled to compensate for the gap left behind.

Viewers found themselves longing for the lively spirit that Eric and Kelso brought, as Randy’s interactions with the rest of the group seemed lackluster in the last season. It was challenging for me to engage with Randy’s storylines, as I yearned for the show’s initial charm to return.

Jo Wilson

In the ninth season of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, which began in 2005, Jo Wilson initially appeared as a promising intern. However, her character evolved into one that was overly whiny and secretive, which didn’t seem genuine. Her storyline with Alex Karev felt contrived and detracted from his development.

Instead of concentrating on her character, which sometimes overshadowed favorites such as Meredith and Cristina, her scenes felt tedious and I yearned for the show to emphasize more on its main characters that hold more impact.

Seven

In the television series ‘Married… with Children’ (1987-1997), Seven, the Bundys’ unexpected third child, was introduced in season 7 as a means to increase viewership. However, his arrival seemed incongruous within the storyline, lacking the witty humor characteristic of the main family members.

The audience disregarded him, and eventually, the program poked fun at his non-existence using a milk carton joke. His departure went unnoticed by me since he failed to contribute anything significant to the anarchy that characterized the Bundy household.

2025-07-07 23:14