TV shows shape our culture and entertainment in ways we never expected. Bad TV can spread like wildfire, inspiring copycats that fill our screens with cheap tricks and lazy storytelling. These 16 shows became massive hits, but their success led other programs to copy their worst qualities — from overused plot twists to annoying character types that now appear in almost every series.
Looking back, these trend-setting shows created problems that still plague television today. Their influence went far beyond ratings and awards, permanently changing how stories are told on TV. While some started with fresh ideas, their methods became tired formulas that made television more predictable and less creative.
The Walking Dead
This zombie drama started strong but dragged on far too long, teaching networks that they could milk successful shows past their natural endings. Its habit of introducing new characters just to kill them off became a cheap way to create drama. The show’s declining quality proved that even great concepts can’t survive endless seasons of repetitive storylines. Its success led to too many copycat post-apocalyptic shows with identical themes.
American Idol
The singing competition created a flood of copycat talent shows that all follow the same tired format. Its mean judge approach changed how reality TV handles criticism, making cruelty into entertainment. The show taught networks they could fill prime time slots with cheap competition shows instead of scripted content. Its focus on dramatic backstories over talent became standard practice in reality TV.
Breaking Bad
While excellent, this show created an obsession with the anti-hero main characters in every drama series. Its dark tone made other shows think they needed excessive violence to be taken seriously. The show’s success led to countless copycats about ordinary people turning to crime. Its complex plotting made other series add unnecessary twists just to seem smart.
13 Reasons Why
This series handled sensitive topics poorly, making other shows think shock value equals depth. Its graphic content pushed boundaries in dangerous ways for teen programming. The show created a trend of series that use serious issues for entertainment without proper care. Its success led to more shows treating mental health as a plot device.
Game of Thrones
The show’s shocking deaths made other series think killing characters equals good drama. Its massive budget raised audience expectations beyond what most shows can deliver. The series made other shows think they needed excessive adult content to seem mature. Its disappointing ending showed how high expectations can ruin a show’s legacy.
Grey’s Anatomy
This medical drama made every show think it needed constant relationship drama to keep viewers interested. Its endless run proved shows can continue long after running out of good stories. The series created unrealistic workplace romance expectations on TV. Its success led to medical shows focusing more on personal drama than medicine.
Modern Family
The mockumentary style became overused after this show’s success. Its perfect family solutions made other shows avoid real conflict. The series created a template for family comedies that feel increasingly fake. Its character types became copied in many other shows without the same charm.
House of Cards
This show started the binge-watching trend that hurt weekly episode discussions and community building. Its dark political tone made other shows too cynical. The series convinced streaming services to release all episodes at once, changing how we watch TV. Its success led to too many dark political dramas.
Stranger Things
The show created an overflow of 80s nostalgia in television. Its young cast led to many shows trying to recreate the same kid adventure formula. The series made supernatural elements a requirement for teen shows. Its success caused other shows to rely too heavily on nostalgia instead of original ideas.
Emily in Paris
The show created a wave of unrealistic lifestyle content disguised as comedy-drama. Its shallow portrayal of cultural differences became a template for international shows. The series made other shows think pretty locations could replace good writing. Its social media success led to shows focusing more on Instagram-worthy moments than stories.
Bridgerton
This period drama started a trend of modernizing historical shows in ways that often don’t make sense. Its focus on scandal over substance influenced other period pieces. The series made explicit content a requirement in historical dramas. Its color-blind casting, while positive, led to other shows using diversity without proper historical context.
Squid Game
This show started a flood of deadly game shows on television. Its violence became the standard for international hits. The series made other shows think shock value alone could create global success. Its critique of capitalism became simplified in many copycat shows.
Money Heist
The show created a trend of overcomplicated crime plots that don’t make sense. Its mask imagery became a cheap way to create iconic moments. The series made other shows stretch simple stories into long seasons. Its flashback structure became overused in crime dramas.
Black Mirror
This anthology series made other shows think dark technology stories equal depth. Its twist endings became predictable in similar shows. The series created a wave of tech horror that lacks nuance. Its success led to too many shows about technology gone wrong.
Riverdale
This show turned classic characters into unrecognizable drama machines. Its random plot twists made other shows think coherent storytelling wasn’t important. The series proved any source material could be turned into teen drama. Its style over-substance approach influenced many adaptations.
Shadow and Bone
This fantasy series made other shows mix too many book plots at once. Its chosen story became even more overused in teen fantasy. The show created a trend of forcing diversity without proper worldbuilding. Its romance subplots influenced other fantasy adaptations negatively.
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