10 TV Shows The Critics Got Completely Wrong

Audiences often turn to reviewers to gauge whether a show is worth their time and investment. However, this evaluation process can be imperfect. Some shows take a few seasons to hit their stride and improve significantly, even if they initially receive unfavorable assessments. In such cases, a show can transform into one of television’s greatest achievements, despite early skepticism. While reviews provide valuable perspective, they do not always accurately predict the long-term success of a series. Reviewers bear the challenging task of assessing a show’s potential in its beginning stages, which is an incomplete snapshot. Certain series requiring time to develop characters and mythology may seem clumsy at first.

Critics writing reviews risk dismissing diamonds-in-the-rough. Just because early episodes display unevenness, does not necessarily doom a series from blossoming at a given time. Some modern classics, like the short Seinfeld season 1, took time to find rhythm and refine their strengths. Had they premiered in today’s fragmented marketplace, premature cancelation may have robbed audiences of their eventual excellence. As crucial contributors to the television landscape, reviewers supply indispensable insight. Allowing greatness to emerge, however, remains an inexact science, one warranting a degree of patience and second chances.

10 The Vampire Diaries

Initially written off as a cheesy teen drama

When supernatural teen drama The Vampire Diaries premiered, it was dismissed for its apparent guilty-pleasure indulgences as laughable fluff. Harshly assessing familiar tropes of the young adult genre, early reviewers wrote off the show’s overall merit and long-term potential (via AV Club). However, once allowed room to develop character dynamics and unapologetically lean into its horror-tinged romanticism, The Vampire Diaries won over passionate fan affinity through credible performances and steering into its horror strengths with stylish verve. Rather than cheap cheese, the series ultimately offered creative force befitting its chilling influences. Initial assessments focused too narrowly on presumed limitations, undervaluing fresh spirit emerging from its formulaic origins.

9 Full House

Critics felt the show was unfunny and lifeless

Critics dismissed the family sitcom Full House for its broad sentimentality and felt it lacked substance or laughs. Reviews labeled the show devoid of compelling characters or narrative ambition (via The New York Times). However, once afforded room to mature, Full House discovered considerable charm in its straightforward affirmations of domestic bonds, finding humor through sincerity. While initially pronounced vanilla and derivative, the show ultimately struck a chord with those seeking uncomplicated heartwarming affirmation. Despite Full House being full of sad moments, the show distinguished itself, leaning into compassion and proving more refreshing than critics initially guessed.

8 Boy Meets World

Initially thought of as being disingenuous

Before the seven seasons of Boy Meets World became a hit, the classic show was overlooked for its derivative waste, recklessly perpetuating sitcom tropes without authentic purpose. Early reviews also declared the show unoriginal and phony (via The Hollywood Reporter). However, Boy Meets World eventually tapped into fundamental resonant stories about growing up. It earned devotees by grounding wider cultural touchstones within an affecting coming-of-age narrative aligned with its youthful protagonists. While initially pronounced as utilizing a shallow formula, the show found its voice speaking to universal adolescent experiences. Critics focused too narrowly on presumed conventions rather than how these archetypes served intimate, relevant themes.

7 Ja’mie: Private School Girl

The main character was initially downplayed

The Australian show Ja’mie: Private School Girl was initially dismissed for its abrasive teenager Ja’mie being an insufferable lead. However, as Ja’mie took the spotlight, star Chris Lilley’s committed performance revealed unexpected depth, gaining devoted supporters. Critics initially underestimated the writers’ and Lilley’s ability to infuse humanity into Ja’mie’s vapid persona (via The Hollywood Reporter). As she exposed insecurities beneath her external bravado, Ja’mie evolved into a complex antiheroine deserving of her own storyline. Early assessments focused too narrowly on surface elements, overlooking the latent promise of the unfolding narrative.

6 NCIS

Thought to be an unintelligent and redundant show

Initially dismissed as slow-witted by critics, NCIS defied early negative assessments to become a widely popular and well-liked show (via The Chicago Tribune). Despite the critiques, the series, with its redundant title according to some, eventually won over viewers with its engaging narrative and the remarkable chemistry between the main characters. The early criticism proved to be shortsighted, as NCIS evolved into a show that captivated audiences and garnered widespread acclaim for its enduring appeal and character-driven storytelling. The initial skepticism from critics highlights the importance of giving a series the opportunity to develop and reveal its true potential over time.

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5 Game Of Thrones

Initial appearances were proved wrong as the show progressed

While hard to believe, Game of Thrones was only seen for its fantasy theme centered around dragons and warlocks. Some critics doubted its potential, criticizing it as “white, straighter, and more patriarchal.” (via The Sunday Times). However, as the series progressed, Game of Thrones proved its critics wrong, evolving into a cultural phenomenon. The initial reviews, including doubts about the Dungeons & Dragons aesthetic, and the cautious acknowledgment of its appeal to role-players, highlight the show’s journey from initial skepticism to widespread acclaim and popularity.

4 The Wire

The show unfolded through patience

Initially met with skepticism from critics, The Wire faced early dismissal for its seemingly slow-paced narrative and intricate sociological approach, which some deemed ordinary compared to flashier contemporaries (via The New York Post). Critics questioned its engagement value and empathetic character portrayal. However, patience with the creators’ methodical storytelling revealed a series that excelled in authentic insights and nuanced character dynamics. The Wire‘s best episodes defied early skepticism, interweaving police procedurals and criminality with rare resonance. The initial skepticism demonstrated a failure to recognize television’s capability to convey profound commentary through a profoundly understated style, underestimating the show’s eventual status as an all-time great drama.

3 Friends

Its impact was severely underestimated

The first season of Friends was considered to be a show about banal conversations that lacked purpose and comedy (via The New York Times). Critics doubted its justification for weekly viewership, deeming it mundane filler. However, as the writers allowed character dynamics to develop, the show’s strength in finding humor through relatable truths about drifting young adults emerged. Despite early accusations of boredom, Friends resonated culturally by offering nuanced and humorous insights. Early naysayers focused too narrowly on surface mundanities, overlooking the honest insights and comedic talents that generated enduring resonance. As the series matured, it’s clear that the skeptics greatly underestimated its impact.

2 Breaking Bad

Surpassed initial expectations

Upon its debut, Breaking Bad faced criticism for being a gimmicky dark comedy fixated on an absurd premise rather than credible characters. Detractors, assessing early episodes where unassuming Walt enters meth-making, found the show tonally messy, narratively convoluted, and striving for quirky shocks (via The Chicago Sun Times). Yet, as Walt evolved into the menacing Heisenberg, Breaking Bad surpassed expectations with layered storytelling. While initial installments hinted at questionable indulgences, the series ultimately crafted a modern-day tragedy with unparalleled emotional intricacy. Early doubters severely underestimated the creators’ ambitions in brewing a definitive drama that examined human extremes with care, insight, and imagination.

1 The Office

The heartfelt humor was initially seen

The Office Season 1 was said to be devoid of the edge found in Ricky Gervais’ incarnation, appearing to be a “gross miscalculation.” (via Deseret News). However, once granted license to find its own voice, NBC’s The Office flourished with strong performances and heartfelt humor. Initial complaints rightfully addressed its derivative start but failed to anticipate the creators discovering the right balance of awkwardness and endearment. Over time, The Office refined an accessible balance that resonated with American sensibilities. Critics, while correctly identifying a clumsy launch, eventually witnessed emerging rhythms that contributed to its enduring resonance.