8 TV Shows I Sadly Gave Up On After Being A Fan For Years
Summary Some shows lose their charm over time due to a decline in quality, lack of excitement, or controversies.
Popular TV series may continue past their prime, putting viewers in an uncomfortable position to stick around.
It's okay to walk away from a show you once loved if it no longer holds your interest or offers the same enjoyment.
I’ve always loved to shine a light on my favorite TV shows, but sadly, certain series reached a point where I had to give up on being a fan after years of unquestioned devotion. This was always a difficult development, as whenever I connected with a TV series, I usually wanted to stick around until the very end and see how things panned out for characters I had grown to love. But sometimes, a decline in quality, a lack of narrative excitement, or even behind-the-scenes controversies meant I had to wave goodbye to a once beloved show.
Whenever a TV show has achieved great popularity, one thing I’ve noticed is that the creators often don’t realize the right time to throw in the towel, and fantastic series continued past their prime. This puts viewers in an uncomfortable position, and in some instances, I’ve decided to quit watching entirely mid-way through a lackluster episode. It’s always sad to give up on a show after being a fan for years, but sometimes you’ve got to do yourself a favor by walking away and never looking back.
8 House Of Cards (2013 - 2018)
6 seasons
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Back in 2013, the hype around House of Cards was palpable, and I decided to check out the show just to see what all the fuss was about. Thankfully, it lived up to its reputation, and Kevin Spacey as the chillingly amoral politician and eventual President of the United States Frank Underwood delivered a career-defining performance. As the first show produced specifically for Netflix, House of Cards felt like the beginning of something new, and its widespread acclaim signaled the dawning of the streaming era of television.
House of Cards kept its quality high for several seasons, although, by Season 5, it was running out of steam. Luckily, House of Cards was building towards its grand conclusion, and I decided to stick it out and see how Frank Underwood’s story would end. However, behind-the-scenes controversies of sexual misconduct meant the final season was made without Spacey’s involvement. Although the House of Cards writers did their best to wrap things up, I was not interested in watching a series without its most compelling character, and it felt like a good time to say goodbye.
House of Cards (2013) Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs, House of Cards follows unscrupulous politician Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) as he makes ruthless attempts to further his career. When he's passed over for an appointment as Secretary of State, Underwood decides to get ahead by any means necessary. His talent for manipulation and pragmatism sees him climb the political ladder despite his total lack of moral fiber. Cast Kevin Spacey , Michel Gill , Robin Wright , Kate Mara , Michael Kelly , Justin Doescher , Derek Cecil , Jayne Atkinson Release Date February 1, 2013 Seasons 6 Streaming Service(s) Netflix Writers Beau Willimon Directors Beau Willimon Showrunner Beau Willimon Main Genre Drama Creator(s) Beau Willimon Expand
7 Westworld (2016 - 2022)
4 seasons
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Watching the first season of Westworld was an extraordinary television viewing experience, as I tuned in each week to uncover the mystery of this Wild West-themed amusement park. I connected with Westworld because it felt like a show that did not underestimate the intelligence of its audience, and although its mysteries were complex, the clues were there to solve them. Adding to this, acting legend Anthony Hopkins added a level of prestige that made Westworld stand out as one of the most interesting TV shows produced by HBO.
This was certainly the case for the first season of Westworld, and even though I was starting to feel increasingly confused in the second season, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. But I’m sad to say that Westworld continued on its confusing trajectory, and every subsequent season became more complex and strayed further away from the Wild West aesthetic that I connected to in the first place. Although I was excited to see Aaron Paul join the cast for the final two seasons, I was completely lost and no longer enjoyed watching Westworld by that point.
Westworld Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available HBO’s Westworld is a dystopian science fiction western that is based on the Michael Crichton-directed film, Westworld. The series centers on high-paying guests who visit a western theme park full of human-like androids to live out wild fantasies. Westworld would later introduce a futuristic mid-21st century where the world is run by an artificial intelligence called Rehoboam. The series was incredibly popular during its four-season run but was canceled by HBO in November 2022. Cast Anthony Hopkins , Evan Rachel Wood , Shannon Woodward , Ed Harris , James Marsden , Jimmi Simpson , Jeffrey Wright , Tessa Thompson , Thandie Newton , Rodrigo Santoro Release Date October 2, 2016 Seasons 4 Network HBO Max Streaming Service(s) Max Writers Jonathan Nolan , Lisa Joy Showrunner Jonathan Nolan , Lisa Joy Expand
6 Skins (2007 - 2013)
7 series
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I remember watching the first season of the teen drama Skins when it aired in 2007, and it was like nothing I had ever seen on television before. Skins became a cultural phenomenon, and news reports even started to speak about how teenagers all over the world had been throwing their own ‘Skins parties’ to recreate the wild antics of the series' main characters. Not only that, but I loved the way that Skins tackled real-world issues young people were facing, like depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
The characters on Skins had fully realized narrative arcs, and I was disappointed when they were replaced with a new cast after two series. However, I once again connected with the new set of characters as Skins reinvented itself for the third and fourth series with a second generation. By the time the cast was replaced for a third time, though, I had grown tired of the Skins' constant reinvention, as it felt like the returns were diminishing with each subsequent generation, so I stopped watching altogether.
Skins Where to Watch *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available Created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, Skins is a British drama series released in 2007. This teen drama offers an introspective look at a group of teens in England as they navigate sex, drugs, mental health, death, and more over seven seasons, with the final seasons seeing a shift in the cast. An American remake was released in 2011 on MTV but only lasted one season. Cast Nicholas Hoult , Hannah Murray , Larissa Wilson , Joe Dempsie , Mike Bailey , Mitch Hewer , Dev Patel , April Pearson , Kaya Scodelario , Aimee-Ffion Edwards Release Date January 25, 2007 Seasons 1 Network E4 Streaming Service(s) Hulu Writers Jamie Brittain , Bryan Elsley Showrunner Jamie Brittain , Bryan Elsley Expand
5 Heroes (2006 - 2010)
4 seasons
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The first season of Heroes predated the MCU by two years, and I remember excitedly watching the earliest episodes and getting completely invested in its “save the cheerleader, save the world narrative.” In an era before superhero content had gained mainstream popularity, Heroes felt like it bridged the gap between American comic books and the Golden Age of Television. More so than anything, Heroes felt like a show with so much untapped potential, and that’s why it broke my heart when it was squandered so badly.
While Heroes delivered an astounding first season, the episode number of the second season was reduced due to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America Strike. This seemed to signal the beginning of the end for Heroes, and I was so saddened that its once rich and complex narratives were reduced to convoluted side plots with no consistent thematic relevance. Heroes devolved into a shell of its former glory, and none of the attempts to reboot the series have fixed the show’s problems.
Heroes Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available Heroes sees a number of people drawn to each other after a solar eclipse awakens incredible abilities in them. With their destinies seemingly intertwined, these evolved humans use their superpowers to influence the past, present, and future - for better and for worse. When a superpowered killer emerges who is stealing abilities from his victims, they must band together to stop him. Cast Hayden Panettiere , Santiago Cabrera , Jack Coleman , Tawny Cypress , Noah Gray-Cabey , Greg Grunberg , Masi Oka , Adrian Pasdar , Milo Ventimiglia , Zachary Quinto Release Date September 25, 2006 Seasons 4 Network NBC Streaming Service(s) Peacock Writers Tim Kring Showrunner Tim Kring Expand
3:02 Related 10 Problems Heroes' New Reboot Must Fix 14 Years After The Original Show Ended Heroes got off to a great start, but later seasons saw the popularity steeply drop, however, the reboot could excel if it makes simple changes.
4 The Walking Dead (2010 - 2022)
11 seasons
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The Walking Dead blew me away with its incredible pilot episode. I was immediately invested in Rick Grimes's story of survival as the world adapted to the horrors of a zombie apocalypse. This series was emotional, intense, and thrilling, and through strong characterization, it managed to stand out among all other zombie-based media. However, even by Season 2, the cracks started to appear, and there was the unnerving feeling the show was stalling as the characters marked time on the Greene Family Farm and the action slowed down.
However, whenever I considered giving up on The Walking Dead, the show would redeem itself with a fantastic string of episodes that reminded me why I loved it in the first place. This was how things were for several seasons until its lack of consistency became too much for me, and I decided to throw in the towel entirely. Once spin-offs like Fear the Walking Dead were announced, I realized this franchise was going nowhere, and the epic resolutions I had been so eagerly looking forward to were not coming.
The Walking Dead Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Season 8 Season 9 Season 10 Season 11 *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, AMC’s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series, developed for television by Frank Darabont, follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. The Walking Dead lasted for eleven seasons and spawned several spinoff shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
Cast Steven Yeun , Andrew Lincoln , Chandler Riggs , Laurie Holden , Jeffrey DeMunn , Sarah Wayne Callies , Melissa McBride , Norman Reedus , Jon Bernthal , Iron E. Singleton Release Date October 31, 2010 Seasons 11 Network AMC Streaming Service(s) Netflix , AMC Plus Franchise(s) The Walking Dead Directors Greg Nicotero Showrunner Frank Darabont , Angela Kang , Scott M. Gimple , Glen Mazzara Expand
3 Glee (2009 - 2015)
6 seasons
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I always had a soft spot for the campy musicality of Glee, as its over-the-top rendition of beloved music and melodramatic exploration of social issues made for some great guilty pleasure television. Characters like the scheming cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester made Glee incredibly watchable, and the earliest seasons were just plain fun. Watching the first few seasons of Glee as they aired was like nothing else on television. Glee stood as quirky entertainment that acted as the perfect antidote to a television landscape filled with sinister anti-heroes or ultra-violent crime stories.
However, with six seasons and 121 episodes, the old saying that you can have too much of a good thing was certainly the case for Glee. While I enjoyed watching the students of William McKinley High School find meaning through music, there were only so many regional, sectional, or national competitions I had in me, and when all was said and done, Glee overstayed its welcome. While I stand by my enjoyment of the earliest seasons of Glee, I have to admit that I never made it to the end of the show.
Glee Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available In order to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley’s glee club. Fox’s Glee was created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, and Ryan Murphy, with Leah Michele, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys. Cast Dianna Agron , Chris Colfer , Jessalyn Gilsig , Jane Lynch , Jayma Mays , Kevin McHale , Lea Michele , Cory Monteith , Matthew Morrison , Amber Riley Release Date May 19, 2009 Seasons 6 Network FOX Streaming Service(s) Hulu Writers Ian Brennan , Ryan Murphy , Brad Falchuk Showrunner Ryan Murphy , Brad Falchuk Expand
2 Rick And Morty (2013 - Present)
7 seasons
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I remember being so excited to check out Rick and Morty when it first aired, as I was already a huge fan of Dan Harmon’s previous show, Community. Then, I was ecstatic that Rick and Morty not only met my expectations but actually exceeded them, as Harmon’s passion for narrative resonance and strict adherence to Joseph Campbell’s hero's journey paired perfectly with the eccentric and absurd humor of co-creator Justin Roiland. These two disparate creators complement each other perfectly during the first three seasons of Rick and Morty.
While Rick and Morty remained an enjoyable series, it also felt like it started to lose its way as it progressed, which was made even worse by the offputting actions of its viewership. From the annoying popularity of Pickle Rick to the bizarre Szechuan sauce controversy, I got fed up with all the exhausting elements associated with Rick and Morty. Then, the straw that broke the camel's back was the sexual misconduct and assault allegations against co-creator Justin Roiland, and even though new voice actors replaced him, I gave up on Rick and Morty.
Rick and Morty Where to Watch Season All Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 *Availability in US stream
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buy Not available Not available Not available Rick and Morty is an adventure/Sci-Fi animated series that follows the intergalactic, inter-dimensional adventures of super-genius Rick Sanchez and his less-than-average grandson Morty Smith. Rick's daughter, Beth, his granddaughter, Summer, and his hated stepson, Jerry, also take center stage more often than not. Hailing from creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the series blends comedy with science fiction as a way of exploring a wide variety of themes aimed at an adult audience. Cast Spencer Grammer , Kari Wahlgren , Chris Parnell , Sarah Chalke , Ian Cardoni , Harry Belden Release Date December 2, 2013 Seasons 7 Network Cartoon Network Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Max Franchise(s) Rick and Morty Writers Dan Harmon , Justin Roiland , Tom Kauffman , Eric Acosta Directors Dan Harmon , Ryan Ridley , Lee Hardcastle Showrunner Dan Harmon Creator(s) Justin Roiland , Dan Harmon Expand
1 The Simpsons (1989 - Present)
35 seasons
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I’m sure no one will be surprised to hear that I quit watching The Simpsons many years ago, although I still fondly remember the show’s golden years. While Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie have become entrenched in popular culture, the later seasons of The Simpsons have lost the humorous spark that made it the longest-running American animated series of all time. I’ll never stop enjoying The Simpsons greatest episodes, like “Marge vs. the Monorail” or “Homer’s Enemy,” I sadly don’t have the heart to continue calling myself a fan of the entire run of the show.
Part of the reason I fell in love with The Simpsons in the first place was that, although it was very funny, it also had a lot of heart and emotional resonance. The classic iteration of Homer was a bumbling idiot, but he would still do anything for his family. Sadly, Homer and a multitude of other characters have since been Flanderized beyond all recognition, and even though Springfield will forever hold a special place in my heart, I’m certainly not tuning in every week to be continually disappointed by how much the quality has declined over the years.
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