Just because a television show is highly acclaimed doesn’t mean it’s worthy of that critical praise.
There are plenty of times critics and fans disagree; that’s just part of the human experience. Everyone will have their own unique, individual opinion. We can, however, now look back at some of the more recent television series that have come and gone, including a handful that are still here, and realize that they’re ultimately overrated.
That’s not to say that they’re bad. Okay, maybe some of them are bad, but regardless, someone needs to call out these shows for what they are: overrated and not as good as we remember.
This Is Us
I couldn’t go anywhere in the late 2010s without hearing about This Is Us, so naturally, I did what any curious TV watcher would do: I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I could barely make it through the first season without bowing out.
The biggest thing This Is Us has going for it is how different it is compared to other shows on television. Yes, it’s far more authentic in its storylines and on-screen representation, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a nonstop attack on your emotions.
After a while, you just become numb to the sadness on screen. As a result, it’s just a ho-hum, average-at-best television drama.
The Mandalorian
When this series first came out, it was appointment viewing for me. I even happily watched The Book of Boba Fett when it came out, despite the negative reception.
Over time, though, something became quite clear: it’s a problem that has plagued many recent Star Wars movies and shows. There’s just so much fan service that it can’t always stand on its own. Don’t get me wrong; when The Mandalorian soars, it really does soar. Most of the time, though, it’s a little too busy winking at the audience for its own good.
Fan service is good in moderation. Too much, and you lose me.
Gilmore Girls
As a millennial, I am fully ready for the pitchforks that are going to be headed my way.
I’m convinced that one of the reasons why Gilmore Girls is so popular among my demographic has nothing to do with the show’s quality, but instead what it represents.
It’s fantasy fulfillment; people see relatable, imperfect characters on the screen. They can see themselves on the screen, but more importantly, they can see these imperfect characters living the lives they wished they were living.
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The Bear
Maybe it’s because I’ve done too much work in a restaurant in the past, but there’s something about The Bear that just never clicked with me.
Yes, much has (rightfully) been made about the show being billed as a comedy when it’s anything but, and the first season was truly enjoyable. Having said that, this show is like an anxiety attack waiting to happen for anyone who has ever worked in the service industry.
Sure, that might mean it’s doing a good job of capturing what it’s like working in a restaurant, but I want to watch TV to escape from reality, not immerse myself in it.
Squid Game
This is honestly more of a case of a show overstaying its welcome more than anything.
Squid Game was undeniably a big winner of the post-COVID streaming era. Unlike something like Tiger King, it was a genuinely good watch rather than something we did because there was nothing else to do.
Unfortunately, what should have been a one-off season was extended to three seasons, tainting the legacy of the show in the process.
Ozark
It feels like so many shows tried to be the next Breaking Bad without realizing what makes Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul so enjoyable.
Ozark tries way too hard to toe the line between dark comedy and serious crime thriller. By doing so, it lacks the natural emotion that makes Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul so good. Things are only happening in Ozark because it’s what the script demands. Nobody talks like this; it’s not normal for vital characters to appear out of nowhere, and killing off characters simply for shock value is one reason why Game of Thrones fell off so hard.
You can’t build a TV show around moments; you have to naturally build up to them.
Euphoria
Everything I just said about Gilmore Girls applies to Euphoria and Gen Z.
I can at least see the appeal in Gilmore Girls at times. With Euphoria, however, I just can’t. It’s straight-up fantasy fulfillment to the max, but done so in the most unrealistic way possible.
Are teenagers really living like this? Maybe, but I’m convinced that most wished this is what every day was like. You can’t convince me that this is a normal, everyday experience for people.
The White Lotus
Maybe this is just a fantasy fulfillment for middle-aged adults who lack excitement in their lives?
On the one hand, I get it; the characters are supposed to be unlikable or unredeemable. There are plenty of shows that I enjoy that feature these types of characters. The problem, though, is that those shows are all comedies, and I’m laughing at them. I’m supposed to be rooting for some of these people, and yet I can’t help but find myself uninterested in everything that’s going on.
I need some substance along with my style, and White Lotus doesn’t have it.
Emily in Paris
There are a lot of unlikable characters in television history, but Emily Cooper may just take the cake.
I mentioned it when talking about Gilmore Girls, but it applies here too: Emily in Paris is pure fantasy fulfillment, but this takes things to another level. Its combination of privilege, arrogance, and complete whitewashing is just some of the many, many reasons why Emily in Paris is overrated.
I get why it has an audience. Again, it’s fantasy fulfillment ot the max. That being said, there are plenty of other shows out there that do it better.
The Walking Dead
I remember sitting down to watch the first episode of The Walking Dead as its first season was airing. “It’s incredible! It’s one of the best pilots ever!”
Hard disagree there.
The biggest issue is that The Walking Dead capitalizes on the peak popularity of the zombie genre, combined with the same premise as Game of Thrones, where the real focus is how the people interact, not the horror or fantasy backdrop the show is taking place in. Having said that, the flaws of The Walking Dead, with its filler episodes and misdirects, were happening earlier than you realized when first watching the show.
The Office
Here’s the thing about The Office. It’s not a bad show. It’s good, funny, and certainly groundbreaking and innovative.
Is it the greatest sitcom of all time? Absolutely not. Is it the best thing NBC has produced in the modern era? Also, no; it wasn’t even the best show to air in the same programming block (shout-out to 30 Rock).
The Office’s humor relies too much on awkward cringe moments, plus one of its lead characters (Jim Halpert) isn’t as likable as he thinks he is. That hasn’t aged all too well today, and, as a result, the show suffers for it.
Friends
From one iconic NBC series to another.
I’m convinced that there’s a line in the sand in some television war between Seinfeld and Friends fans. I’m Team Seinfeld, which means that, you guessed it, I find Friends highly overrated.
It feels like Friends is just one big, non-stop inside joke that is trying way too hard.
Oh, and Ross is the most annoying character in television history.
Yellowstone
If you’ve ever watched a Paramount-owned network recently, and if you watch the NFL, you most certainly have, then you’ve seen a commercial for Yellowstone.
Here’s the thing: Yellowstone’s first season is legitimately good! The problem, though, is that subsequent seasons have come nowhere close to matching its quality. Despite that, its fanbase still puts it on a pedestal it hasn’t resided on in quite some time.
It’s the classic case of a network taking a good thing and milking it dry.
The Shield
If there’s one thing modern television has in spades, it’s well-written dramas.
That wasn’t always the case when The Shield was airing, which helped make it feel like a much-welcomed breath of fresh air. However, the show was ultimately an uneven affair, with thrilling highs and depressing lows.
It’s still regarded as one of the best police serials in television history, but I’d argue that’s more for its innovation rather than the actual quality of the show itself.
Young Sheldon
I’m not here to do a deep dive while critiquing the quality of shows like Young Sheldon and its predecessor, The Big Bang Theory.
While I’m not the target demographic for either show, I’m not ashamed to admit that I laughed at The Big Bang Theory and understand its appeal. Plus, its success was felt everywhere, not just in television but in pop culture as well.
I fail to comprehend the success of Young Sheldon, mostly because it’s nowhere near as visible as its predecessor. There’s no way this show was good enough on its own.
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