The Fall From Fan Favorite
A strong start doesn't guarantee a lasting impression. Some of TV's brightest characters became tired tropes or walking contradictions. Fans noticed, and slowly, the applause gave way to sighs.
Ted Mosby, How I Met Your Mother
Ted started strong in 2005 by capturing hearts as a hopeful romantic. However, by Season 5, his controlling nature and overly long monologues had become grating. The finale's twist—discarding nine seasons of buildup—left many viewers feeling misled, especially when he ended up with Robin after everything.
10 minutes of Ted Mosby by amilyyy
Lori Grimes, The Walking Dead
Introduced as a mother surviving the apocalypse, Lori quickly drew attention to her complex decisions. By Season 2, choices like urging Rick to kill Shane—then blaming him—sparked backlash. By 2013, Reddit and LiveJournal threads had labeled her as disliked, and interviews revealed that writers struggled to shape her arc.
Lori Grimes Season 1 Scenepack by rheelogoless
Ross Geller, Friends
The whole "we were on a break" debate still divides fans. As the show went on, Ross's jealousy and need to control started to eclipse his charm. Even David Schwimmer admitted in a 2020 Guardian interview that some of Ross's behavior might not land so well with today's audiences.
The Funny Ones with Ross | Friends by Friends
Serena Van Der Woodsen, Gossip Girl
By Season 4, critics and fans felt Serena's character had stalled. Her tangled relationships and impulsive choices sent the story in circles. Declining ratings by Season 5, as noted in Wikipedia, and critical reviews like the Los Angeles Times suggest audience fatigue, though creator Josh Schwartz did not confirm this.
Serena Needs To Go | Gossip Girl by Warner Bros. TV
Cory Matthews, Boy Meets World
Cory Matthews began as a likable, curious middle-schooler who was exploring family and school life. But in later seasons, his personality shifted into nagging and overly anxious territory. Fans on forums like Reddit began noting that Cory's charm wore off as the show leaned harder into teen drama and preachiness.
Cory And Topanga Moments From Season 7 (Boy Meets World) by Boy Meets World Weekly
Daenerys Targaryen, Game Of Thrones
In the 2019 episode "The Bells", Daenerys shocked fans with an unexpected attack that left a city in ruins. Critics blamed the rushed final season for her sudden turn. Until Season 6, she had earned global praise for freeing slaves and dismantling corrupt rulers.
Daenerys Targaryen - Best Moments | Game of Thrones (Season 1 - Season 4) by Mr. Anybody
Rachel Berry, Glee
Rachel Barry entered the spotlight in 2009 as an ambitious underdog with standout vocals. As Glee progressed, her relentless self-focus began to wear thin. By Season 4, reviewers noted her growing disconnect from the ensemble. Offscreen controversies involving Lea Michele later revived viewer criticism and reexamined Rachel's grating tendencies.
rachel berry annoying every single human on earth for 5 minutes by qualitea
Villanelle, Killing Eve
Villanelle mesmerized audiences early with her flair and unpredictability, but by Season 3, her arc began to repeat with fewer surprises. Ratings slipped as fans grew tired of the endless cat-and-mouse chase with Eve. Jodie Comer expressed concerns in a 2020 Rolling Stone interview about keeping Villanelle fresh.
Villanelle being a child for 3 minutes straight by villanelle
Jess Day, New Girl
When New Girl began in 2011, Jess felt like a fresh voice—quirky and offbeat. That charm faded by Season 3, as audiences critiqued her babyish tone and awkward behavior. Think pieces in Slate and The Atlantic questioned her place in modern sitcoms. The show subtly rebalanced its ensemble afterward.
New Girl | Jess Meets Jake Peralta and the 99th Precinct Department by Peacock
Jim Halpert, The Office
Jim started as the witty, lovable prankster who kept things light at Dunder Mifflin. Over time, though, fans began to notice how his sarcasm veered into smugness. Critics and viewers alike felt his charm faded, especially as his storyline with Pam became less engaging.
jim halpert being a red flag for 12 minutes straight | The Office US | Comedy by Comedy Bites
Emily Cooper, Emily In Paris
French media quickly criticized the show's cultural stereotypes, and as the seasons continued, reviews remained lukewarm while viewer enthusiasm declined. Netflix later acknowledged that the early backlash prompted script changes. In 2020, Emily debuted with an eye-catching style and impressive viewership statistics.
FINANCIALLY AUDITING Emily Cooper (Emily in Paris) by Cara Nicole
Clarke Griffin, The 100
Clarke's leadership once symbolized strength and sacrifice. However, starting in Season 5, fans began to question her morality, particularly after her controversial decisions, such as allying with McCreary. Viewer trust declined on forums and ratings sites. The showrunner acknowledged that the growing backlash influenced how her story ultimately concluded.
Clarke Griffin || You Decided by MVIVII
Walter White, Breaking Bad
Critics warned early on that viewers were idolizing a villain while overlooking the more profound cautionary message woven into Walter's arc. Creator Vince Gilligan echoed the concern. Though his descent spanned from 2008 to 2013, admiration faded as each decision exposed the growing danger of ego and control.
Breaking Bad - Walter White's Best Scenes by Rotten Tomatoes TV
Piper Chapman, Orange Is The New Black
By Season 3, even longtime fans admitted Piper's presence had become background noise. She earned an Emmy nomination in 2014, but the focus shifted quickly. The ensemble cast grew stronger over time, while Piper, once the show's focal point, faded into a less essential role.
Orange Is the New Black - Scared Straight Scene (S1E10) | Rotten Tomatoes TV by Rotten Tomatoes TV
Don Draper, Mad Men
In Mad Men, Don's sharp suits and quiet confidence once made him the magnetic center of the story. As seasons passed, however, his repeated stumbles wore down viewer sympathy. By Season 7, AMC's promotions began highlighting the ensemble, including Peggy and Roger, alongside Don.
Mad Men - Don Draper Calm & Confidence by Mad Men Videos
Carrie Bradshaw, Sex And The City
In the late 1990s, Carrie's fashion sense and bold voice made her an icon, but over time, viewers began to notice her selfish choices and unstable relationships. Reviews from The Cut and others questioned her likability, and HBO's revival of And Just Like That reignited those debates.
Carrie Bradshaw’s Computer Crashes | Sex And The City | HBO by HBO
Joey Tribbiani, Friends
Joey won over fans early with his charm and goofiness. However, by the final seasons, his jokes became repetitive, and his intelligence seemed forced. The spin-off, Joey, failed to find its footing. Even Matt LeBlanc later said he felt the role had run its course.
Joey's Best Moments! | Friends by Warner Bros. TV
Raj Koothrappali, The Big Bang Theory
Fans criticized Raj's arc as one-note in later seasons, particularly in Seasons 11 and 12, as noted on Reddit. His early silence around women once felt fresh, but his character's lack of evolution left many disappointed. Kunal Nayyar, however, praised Raj's ending in a Digital Spy interview.
Raj's Best Moments! | The Big Bang Theory by Warner Bros. TV
Kimmy Schmidt, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
When Kimmy premiered in 2015, critics praised her energy and optimism. But by Season 3, some viewers felt the show's tone grew too chaotic. Episodes tackling race sparked backlash, per The Atlantic, and creators adjusted their approach in later seasons. Ellie Kemper's Variety apology addressed a separate personal controversy.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Trailer by IGN
Jake Peralta, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Balancing jokes with solid detective work gave Jake early fan appeal. By 2020, the show began reworking episodes to reflect police reform. His humor, once a strength, had begun to undercut profound moments. Andy Samberg supported the change, even as he acknowledged the tonal shift was difficult.
Best of Jake Peralta | Brooklyn Nine-Nine by Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy
Meredith began as the emotional heart of Grey's Anatomy in 2005. But after more than a decade of screen time, critics pointed to character fatigue. Ellen Pompeo scaled back her role in Season 19. By 2022, ABC's focus shifted toward a younger cast of interns.
The Story of Meredith Grey by Jefferson
Betty Cooper, Riverdale
Once the grounded anchor of Riverdale's chaos, she later joined the FBI and tracked the development of a so-called "darkness" gene. Critics saw the changes as a stretch, and Rotten Tomatoes scores fell below 60% as fans questioned the character's increasingly erratic direction.
Sad Betty Cooper Scenes (+2x08) [Logoless+1080p] (Riverdale) by whglaxv edits;
June Osborne, The Handmaid's Tale
Writers would later acknowledge fan frustration and promised a tighter focus in Season 5. Earlier, viewers had grown weary of repeated trauma and slow plot movement by Season 4. Yet back in Season 1, June Osborne's strength and Elisabeth Moss's performance drew awards and acclaim.
The Handmaid's Tale | Final Season Trailer | Hulu by Hulu
Eleven, Stranger Things
Eleven was the breakout figure in 2016, which combined superpowers with vulnerability. But Season 3 drew backlash for placing her in a mall-centered subplot and stretching her powers. Fans and Millie Bobby Brown voiced concerns. Showrunners rewrote her arc for Season 4 in response to growing frustration.
Stranger Things 4 - Official Clip | Eleven's Powers by MillieBobbyTime
Finn Hudson, Glee
Cory Monteith's 2013 death brought unexpected finality to a role that had already started to falter. Viewer support declined after Finn's confusing behavior, including a breakup with Rachel. Finn's arc faced narrative challenges, as implied by Ryan Murphy's TVLine interview, which discussed post-death adjustments and Reddit critiques of inconsistency.
Glee - Finn finds out the truth about how his dad died 3x10 by Glee Scenes
Aria Montgomery, Pretty Little Liars
Buzzfeed ranked Aria the weakest liar by Season 7, which reflected a shift in fan sentiment. Her romance with Ezra, once a central part of the plot, drew growing criticism. While she stood out early for her mystery and style, even the show's creators admitted the pairing was divisive.
Aria Montgomery season 1 scenepack (Pretty Little Liars) 1080p by Dracs_s0ul
Andy Bernard, The Office
Introduced in Season 3 as a quirky rival to Jim, Andy became a fan favorite during his redemption arc. But by Season 9, erratic behavior and unexplained absences frustrated audiences. Ed Helms' off-screen availability influenced the arc, and the writers struggled to maintain consistency in the character's portrayal.
Andy Bernard Being Absolutely AWFUL with Women for 10 Minutes - The Office US by The Office
Jack Shephard, Lost
By Season 6, characters like Locke and Sawyer were drawing more attention while overshadowing Jack Shephard's role. His moral rigidity, once seen as a sign of leadership, began to wear thin with fans. Lindelof and Cuse later admitted they adjusted the story direction once Jack's connection with viewers started to weaken.
Jack Shephard (Lost) | Paralyzed by DFPUR
Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls
Rory earned praise early for her ambition and focus, but her time at Yale marked a turning point. Viewers began questioning her choices and growing self-importance. The 2016 revival sparked renewed criticism, and Alexis Bledel later addressed the backlash in post-release interviews.
rory's graduation speech by Gilmore Girls
Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood
Grounded in a chaotic supernatural setting, the series was anchored by a strong lead, earning Anna Paquin a Golden Globe in 2009. But over time, fans grew tired of endless love triangles. After Season 5, creator Alan Ball exited, and the story lost focus.
Betty Draper, Mad Men
At first glance, Betty appeared to be a typical 1960s housewife, calm and reserved. As the episodes unfolded, her struggles hinted at more profound dissatisfaction. Viewers often saw her as cold, though critics later reframed her as a tragic feminist symbol. Matthew Weiner said she wasn't meant to be liked.
MAD MEN - The TRAGIC Life Of Betty Draper by Mad Girl
Dan Humphrey, Gossip Girl
Dan began as the Brooklyn outsider with a heart. But by the finale, fans were stunned to learn he had been Gossip Girl all along. The twist contradicted much of his character's behavior. The backlash was swift, and even Penn Badgley admitted in interviews that it made little sense.
Serena Needs To Go | Gossip Girl by Warner Bros. TV
Tony Soprano, The Sopranos
As the show progressed, Tony's violent acts became increasingly difficult to overlook, even as viewers continued to root for him. David Chase later said audiences misunderstood him as a role model. The debate over the 2007 finale lingers, though Tony was portrayed as dangerous from the very beginning.
Tony Soprano's Best Moments | The Sopranos | Max by Max
BoJack Horseman, BoJack Horseman
The show earned early praise for its raw look at addiction and mental health. By Seasons 5 and 6, BoJack's repetitive cycle tested viewer patience. "Free Churro" scored 9.8/10 on IMDb, yet reviews for later episodes dipped. The creator said the discomfort was intentional.
BoJack Horseman Darkest Moments (Seasons 1-6) by Nikos Felekis
Dexter Morgan, Dexter
A forensic killer with a code, Dexter Morgan stood out as a chilling yet oddly principled figure. As seasons passed, his arc unraveled with baffling choices. The lumberjack finale became a running joke. Even Michael C Hall admitted the ending left many viewers disappointed.
Dexter’s Smartest Moments by Dexter on Paramount+ with Showtime
Elena Gilbert, The Vampire Diaries
Elena's early seasons placed her at the center of a supernatural love triangle and a mysterious family legacy. But as plotlines repeated, fans grew frustrated by her lack of growth. Nina Dobrev left after Season 6. Writers later said the departure revived creative momentum.
Elena Gilbert being Elena Gilbert for 4 minutes 25 seconds straight by Stelena Aesthetic
Rick Grimes, The Walking Dead
Back in 2010, Rick entered the series as a dependable center amid growing chaos. Fan enthusiasm began to fade as Rick's story became weighed down by endless moral conflicts. Andrew Lincoln departed in 2018 while citing fatigue. AMC later acknowledged that the spin-off drew mixed reactions.
The Story Of Rick Grimes by Trophy Productions
Carrie Mathison, Homeland
Carrie earned early praise for her intensity and intellect, winning two Emmys, just like Claire Danes. But Season 3's erratic plotting caused fan backlash. Writers admitted they reset the show's direction in later seasons. Despite the critical recovery, many early viewers didn't return for the revised tone.
Carrie Mathison (Homeland) - Thousand Eyes by cemeterythings
Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory
His central figure in the early seasons earned Jim Parsons four Emmys. Viewers began to notice recycled jokes and a stalled growth in Sheldon's arc by Season 10. Although the spin-off Young Sheldon softened his public image, questions lingered about his role as the show's centerpiece.
Unforgettable Sheldon Cooper Moments (Seasons 4-6) | The Big Bang Theory by Big Bang Theory
Archer, Archer
A reckless spy with sharp instincts, Archer was beloved early on for his over-the-top wit and unfiltered confidence. But after Season 7, his dream-state arcs muddled that edge. As his character drifted further from reality, fans began tuning out, and the momentum fizzled.
Best of Archer Season 7 by Blue Bird Reviews
Hannah Horvath, Girls
The show's early acclaim included a Peabody Award and an Emmy for creator Lena Dunham. However, over time, Hannah's self-centered worldview tested the audience's patience. In 2021, The Guardian and NPR revisited the finale and noted that Dunham herself acknowledged how polarizing Hannah had become.
Hannah Horvath being the Voice of her Generation - GIRLS by room with a vu
Joe Goldberg, YOU
Netflix introduced Joe in 2018 as a dark, ironic antihero. However, as the series progressed, fans began romanticizing him. Penn Badgley pushed back publicly by calling the glamorization disturbing. By Season 4, critics noted a decline in story logic and a decrease in tension due to Joe's repetitive behavior.
Joe From You Is Too Creepy | Netflix by Still Watching Netflix
Shiv Roy, Succession
Shiv entered Succession in 2018 as a bold counter to her ruthless family, but fans' views shifted after the third season. Her inconsistent choices and sharp tactics frustrated viewers. Reflecting on her complexity, Sarah Snook later called Shiv one of TV's most divisive characters.
Succession - The Best of Shiv Roy by Moron Productions
Marnie Michaels, Girls
Marnie was known for making viewers squirm, especially from Season 2 onward. BuzzFeed's 2016 poll ranked her the "most toxic friend" on television. Her awkward music career became a running gag online. Even Allison Williams admitted in interviews that Marnie was difficult to defend.
Marnie Michaels being the WORST for 9 minutes straight - GIRLS by room with a vu
