Redditors Weigh In On TV Shows That Started Out Promising But Turned Out To Be Garbage

Some TV shows hook you fast, then somehow lose the plot before the first season even settles in. A strong premise, a memorable cast, and a little hype can make a series feel like the next big thing, until the writing starts to wobble and the momentum disappears.

That is exactly the kind of frustration Redditors are talking about here, as they call out shows that began with real promise but eventually turned into a letdown. From network dramas to cult favorites, the list is packed with series that left viewers wondering how things went so wrong.

Here are the shows Reddit thinks started strong and finished as a mess.

1. Under The Dome

u/stax_fira

2. Wayward Pines

u/plutoniumwhisky

Seems Wayward Pines really had so much promise

u/Buffaloney84

3. Revolution

u/ILikeLenexa

Revolution should have been a "one-season show or miniseries."

u/oil_can_guster

"In a similar way... Under The Dome"

u/Mightysmurf1

4. This user thinks that almost every CW superhero show started amazing and got worse over time.

u/Jaycro123

A few of these picks clearly hit a nerve with longtime viewers.

5. Stitchers

u/poachels

"After a season, I can confirm it's true."

u/Shadowfury45

So disappointed...

u/Oudeis16

6. Zoo

u/jase80

7. Heroes

u/EeJoannaGee

8. Save The Cheerleader, Save The World.

u/thecwestions

The Writers Guild of America strike ruined a lot of TV shows during that period.

u/GavinBelsonsAlexa

That comment points to a familiar turning point for a lot of fans.

Reminds me of the friend who left you out of vacation plans, then offered a “Travel Club.”

9. Once Upon A Time

u/mamiemelie

10. Arrow

u/Fanon64

11. Pretty Little Liars

u/olive_us_here

12. Designated Survivor

u/X-ander

13. The 100

u/Significant-Sir-321

14. Fairly Odd Parents

u/AccidentOk4378

15. Riverdale

u/deltaretrovirus

This stretch of the list is where the disappointment really piles up.

16. Dexter

u/Drillucidator

17. Vikings

u/FreudianFloydian

18. How to Get Away with Murder

u/thisisavailablee

19. Misfits

u/LondonDude123

20. The Walking Dead

u/-eDgAR-

There's nothing more disappointing than seeing a show that had great potential quickly sink into mediocrity or worse. It's not fun to feel like you wasted your time watching something that was never going to live up to its hype.

Do you have any TV show in mind that fits this description? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments section.

For a shared-dog fallout, see whether WIBTA when your partner neglects the rescue.