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In today’s television world, new pilots are being made and rejected every day which keeps creators on their toes. Some of the greatest TV shows of all time didn’t get off to the best start. Many fan-favorite shows that earned critical acclaim were initially criticized.
Not all TV shows are given a second chance. Rare as second chances may be, there are some shows that take their audience by surprise. A lot of the shows with the worst first episodes or seasons managed to turn the tables. These emerged as some of the most popular shows, gaining a devoted fan following.
10 The Roses Were Grade-A Snobs (Schitt’s Creek)
The very first episode of Schitt’s Creek witnesses the Rose family’s fall from grace. Victims of an embezzlement scheme, the Rose family went from riches to rags. The family were forced to move from a lavish mansion in the lap of wealth to a run-down motel in a town (Schitt’s Creek), that Johnny Rose had jokingly bought for his son, David Rose.
Depicted as a condescending, pretentious and entitled family of four in the very first episode, Schitt’s Creek took some time to warm up to viewers. Schitt’s Creek’s 6-season run saw an increased number of viewers each season, with the heart-warming series becoming one of the most popular TV shows.
9 Season 1 Was Too True To The British Version (The Office)
The first season of The Office was not popular. The dry, British sense of humor didn’t sit well with American audiences. Michael was treated too harshly by the other staff in the Dunder Mifflin office during season 1.
Rather than fixating on the British version’s characters, the creators decided to develop each character with what works best for the American audience. After implementing these changes, The Office became what it is today: an absolute fan favorite.
8 The First Season Was Too Bland (Parks And Recreation)
Parks And Recreation fell flat in the first season. Unable to connect with viewers, the humor was dry and the characters didn’t have any depth to them. Leslie Knope, the Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, wasn’t liked as the protagonist of Parks And Recreation.
Initially criticized for being too similar to The Office, Parks And Recreation took its time finding its rhythm. Parks And Recreation soon turned into the sensation it is today. The subsequent seasons are completely different from season 1.
7 Uneven Pacing Resulted In Its Early Unlikability (Breaking Bad)
One of the most critically acclaimed shows, Breaking Bad got off to a rocky start. While the first couple of episodes are fast-paced and filled with exciting events to get viewers hooked, the following episodes are slow. Due to slow story-building, viewers lost the initial interest they had developed.
Praised for the exceptional acting skills of the main cast, Breaking Bad has a religiously devoted fanbase. However, viewers who couldn’t get past the first few episodes didn’t experience the subsequent masterpiece Breaking Bad grew into.
6 Seinfeld Was A Bit Too Generic (Seinfeld)
Admittedly a one-of-a-kind sitcom, Seinfeld didn’t manage to blaze a trail from day 1. Although attempting a new setting for a sitcom, Seinfeld went through a trial-and-error period before it managed to produce the masterpieces it is so famous for.
Initially, Seinfeld doesn’t dive too deeply into the four main characters. Instead, Seinfeld relies more on the setting. In the first season, viewers rarely see a hint of the existential humor that the influential sitcom is so widely known for.
5 The Protagonist Wasn’t Popular In The First Season (Blackadder)
Blackadder follows the exploits and misfortunes of Edmund Blackadder who is a member of the same family dynasty in every season. Each season is set in a different, but related, point of British history. Although the first season is imperative to the development of the main character, it wasn’t very popular.
In the first season, Blackadder was portrayed as a dumb, gullible, and naïve person. He was intellectually inferior to his servant. However, in the later seasons, the situation is reversed which adds to the popularity of Blackadder.
4 Sam And Dean Took Some Time Getting Used To Each Other (Supernatural)
A thriller drama series, Supernatural follows vigilante sibling duo Dean and Sam Winchester. The pair explore and fight paranormal creatures. Not unlike any new programs, the characters took their time to develop. However, the relationship of the Winchester brothers and their interaction is crucial to the success of Supernatural.
Supernatural initially struggled to find its unique identity as it ran with pre-established mythologies. The slow development of the chemistry between Sam and Dean also caused Supernatural to take a hit during the first season.
3 The First Season Was All Over The Place (Star Trek: The Next Generation)
One of the most awaited shows of its time, the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation managed to thoroughly disappoint its audiences worldwide. A series made to extend the Star Trek universe, The Next Generation didn’t make the impact it was expected to.
Apart from haywire plotlines and weird costumes, the characters naturally took a lot of time to adjust to each other. The Next Generation picks up in the second season and establishes itself as one of the most well-liked sci-fi shows that fans have come to know and love today.
2 Season 1 Lacked Originality (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer took its time getting its footing. Terribly choreographed action scenes, plotlines that were all over the place, and questionable monsters, the first season may fairly be called a disaster.
The entire atmosphere of the first season of Buffy is jarringly different from the rest of the seasons and what it goes on to become. Extra corny with drastic shifts in tone, the first season was not a raging success. However, the rest of Buffy The Vampire Slayer makes up for it.
1 The Characters Weren’t Themselves Yet (Friends)
Although widely debated about its content, Friends is an undeniably iconic TV show which is still being watched by a large population. However, Friends wasn’t always the fan-favorite it is today.
With Rachel having left Barry at the altar and Joey being unlikable and boring, the first season wasn’t very well received. The characters took quite some time to gel with each other and land their jokes. While some characters are still not viewed in a positive light, Friends earned huge commercial success.
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