Despite being in a golden age of television, there are still plenty of things TV shows do that frustrate us.
We try so hard to fall in love with a new series, only to encounter hurdles. Sometimes, a show keeps moving timeslots. Other times, we can’t get invested in the plot because it requires too much homework.
We love TV and want to keep loving it, but something needs to change. These are the things that TV shows must stop doing.
Stop Taking Years Between Season Releases
Here’s a random stat: Stranger Things has seen the same number of presidential administrations as it has seasons: four!
It’s hard to believe that the Netflix smash hit has been around since 2016 when it’s only seen four seasons, but here we are. Look, I love Stranger Things, but waiting years upon years for a new season is awful and killing the hype I have for its finale.
Relying on Cliffhangers to Keep Viewers Engaged
I understand why cliffhangers are popular in storytelling. You want to give viewers a reason to come back, especially after a break between seasons.
If those breaks between seasons take years, as I just mentioned, then I forgot the major cliffhanger that a new season will resolve, which means I’m lost when the new season begins.
Too Many “Mystery Box” Plot Points
It’s not just cliffhangers that can frustrate us. Sometimes, a show will go all-in on the “mystery box” storytelling technique for their characters.
This means their motivations are shrouded in mystery, and the viewer needs to pay attention to understand the narrative’s twists and turns. However, if we have to wait several years between each series, we’re going to forget the clues laid out before us.
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An Overreliance on Shock Factor
I don’t blame shows for going in on this trend following the success of Game of Thrones, but that was less about the shock factor and more about reminding the audience that actions will have consequences.
Instead, other TV shows didn’t get that memo and seemed content to kill off beloved characters for the sake of killing them off.
Generic Storytelling
At the end of the day, you need a good story to become invested in. Whether it’s a gripping drama or a comforting sitcom, a good story will keep us watching every week.
Shows can’t rely on viewers always being there, especially in later seasons, just because they’ve always tuned in. If your story is generic and boring, people will stop watching.
Stop Making Views Do Homework To Understand the Show
I’m talking to you, Marvel Cinematic Universe.
My hope with the MCU branching out to TV shows on Disney+ was that we could get more original, self-contained stories. That’s how it started with Wandavision. Even if it continues the story of Wanda Maximoff, it does a good enough job of keeping the viewer informed of events they may have missed.
Since then, it seems that most MCU TV shows require external knowledge of not just the movies but the entire comic history.
Constant Remakes
With the rising costs of budgets, it’s easy to lean on beloved TV shows from the past rather than try something new and fresh.
That doesn’t mean we needed a new Quantum Leap, though, and it certainly doesn’t mean we need new Suits. Yet here we are.
Oh, and speaking of Suits…
Relying on Spin-Offs
I’m not one to judge about the constant barrage of spin-offs, especially at CBS. Seriously, it feels like there are a million versions of NCIS, and we’re about to begin our second Big Bang Theory spin-off.
I get that viewers want to stick with something that comforts them while watching TV, but there’s a line, and I feel like we’ve crossed it.
Product Placement
It may be falling off recently, but product placement is still super noticeable on certain shows.
I get it; it’s nice to make easy money and help with your show’s budget, but good product placement is subtle. It shouldn’t be obvious to the viewers; that’s where you lose me.
Ignoring Character Growth
Characters are supposed to grow and evolve throughout a series. In most cases, they learn lessons and become better people; you cheer on their growth.
The inverse can also be true, provided they’re antagonists. Unfortunately, far too many protagonists in TV shows, particularly sitcoms, don’t feature any character growth and turn into caricatures of themselves or various television tropes.
Too Many Limited Series
I get the notion of wanting to leave people wanting more, but that doesn’t mean the best television shows should primarily be limited series.
The same is true for anthology series. You fall in love with characters for a season, only for them to move on, and you’re introduced to a new cast that doesn’t hit the same way.
Yes, I’m looking at you, True Detective season two.
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