10 Times Fans Altered The Course Of A TV Show With Their Comments
What the fans want, they get!
Television shows are easily one of the most exciting forms of entertainment. We watch one episode, it ends with a cliffhanger, and we get hooked.
This happens so often that many people make it a habit to plan their days around the release date of episodes if they are released weekly. If all episodes in a season are released at once, some fans won't mind sitting down for eight hours to binge a full season.
Indeed, it can get very addictive over time; doubt us? Ask Game of Thrones fans. People become so engrossed in these shows that they start seeing the characters as part of their lives.
The truth is, as important as TV shows are to fans, the fans are also crucial to the show’s lifespan. Their ratings and viewership can either shorten or extend the time a TV show airs.
Undoubtedly, fans are extremely powerful. Their passion knows no bounds, and it's not unusual for them to disagree with directors and even make recommendations on what they feel would spice up their favorite show.
Believe it or not, directors listen. Some fan comments receive so much backing that they end up influencing the plot of an entire TV show.
You probably can't think of some examples off the top of your head, but no need; that's why we're here. We've compiled a list of fan comments that became so powerful that directors had to make changes to please their viewers.
Check out the list below.
1. Lucifer
Fox / Netflix / Courtesy of Everett CollectionIn 2018, when Lucifer was about to be canceled, #SaveLucifer became the No. 1 trend on Twitter — it worked! Netflix took over and kept the series afloat.
It didn't end there. Fans were eager to see Tom Ellis's butt, and their wish was granted.
Again, fans pressured Netflix to give them one more season after it was announced that season 5 would be the finale.
2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Fox / NBC / Courtesy of Everett Collection
Fox decided not to renew the show, as they wanted to stream Bob’s Burgers and Thursday Night Football instead. Fans made their voices heard, forcing Fox to change plans and keep the show on air.
3. Game of Thrones
HBO / Courtesy of Everett Collection
During Gendry's ongoing absence from Game of Thrones, he became a topic of discussion, with fans making jokes about his last scene on Reddit and Twitter. Well, the directors saw the jokes and infused them into the show during Gendry's last appearance.
4. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The WB / UPN / Courtesy of Everett Collection
Spike was only supposed to be on the show for five episodes. However, fans loved him so much that he received more screen time. They simply refused to let their beloved character die.
5. The Office
NBC / Courtesy of Everett Collection
In the show, Jim was supposed to become a co-manager, but Dwight continued to try to get him fired. This put Dwight in a bad light in the series, which fans didn't like.
In the end, much of the original storyline was altered due to the backlash.
6. How I Met Your Mother
CBS / Courtesy of Everett Collection
Fans hated how the series ended. The outrage was so significant that the show creators had to release an alternate ending.
7. Jericho
CBS / Courtesy of Everett Collection
Jericho was supposed to end after its first season, but fans weren't going to accept that. They devised a brilliant plan to send 40,000 pounds of nuts to executives.
The question is, why nuts? The act was inspired by a statement made by Skeet Ulrich's character in the season one finale. When he was asked to surrender, he replied, "Nuts."
Fortunately, the nuts strategy worked. Following that, all the nuts were donated to charity.
8. Gossip Girl
The CW / Courtesy of Everett Collection
Fans got rid of Aaron Rose because he didn’t resemble the character in the book.
9. Scrubs
NBC / ABC / Courtesy of Everett Collection
Due to the love fans had for The Janitor, he stopped being a figment of JD’s imagination and became a real character.
In addition, fan comments also prompted the showrunners to maintain the iconic "I'm no Superman" theme song. The crew opted for a slower version in season two, which displeased fans immensely. It didn't take long for the original song to be reinstated.
10. Veronica Mars
UPN / The CW / Hulu / Courtesy of Everett Collection
After the cancellation announcement, fans set up a Kickstarter to fund another season and a Veronica Mars movie. Fans are incredibly powerful, and there’s a lot they can achieve when they decide to come together. We bet you’re in awe of all the incredible things they were able to accomplish. So are we!
Which of these changes pleased you the most? Let us know in the comments below!