14 TV Shows With The Worst Lead Characters

Jake Valentine

July 3, 2025

Just because someone is the main character of a television series doesn’t mean they have to be likable.

In fact, some of the most iconic TV characters are unlikable. Despite that, we can’t help but tune in, whether because they’re funny, we’re rooting for their downfall, or the rest of the cast steals the show.

The Big Bang Theory

I get that it’s part of the joke, but Sheldon Cooper is the definition of insufferable.

It boggles my mind that anyone would ever willingly spend time with him. He’s rude, obnoxious, and irritating.

The Office

Again, I get that the point here is that Michael Scott is a horrible human being, but in all honesty, we’re not here to talk about Michael Scott.

No, we’re talking about Jim Halpert, who is self-centered, egotistical, and deserves every second of humble pie he gets from Charles Miner.

Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld isn’t a nice person. That’s the point of Seinfeld: the main cast aren’t inherently nice people, but they’re also realistic people.

No one acts like sitcom characters in real life, and that’s what helps make Seinfeld so innovative. No happy endings, no lessons learned, just people who are the worst.

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Entourage

The best character in Entourage? Jeremy Piven’s Ari Gold. He’s not the lead character, though. The show is about Adrian Grenier’s Vincent Chase and his, well, entourage.

It’s a shame, because there’s nothing really compelling about the main cast. They’re entitled, whiny, and immature.

Weeds

Look, I love this show so very much. Watching Weeds and Dexter was peak premium television for me during my college years.

Let’s not beat around the bush, though. Nancy Botwin is an awful person. She never really gets what’s coming to her, always finding a way to come out on top when it’s in no way deserved.

Orange is the New Black

Maybe there’s a connection here, as both Weeds and Orange is the New Black are created by Jenji Kohan.

Unlike Nancy Botwin, though, Piper Chapman exists solely to introduce us to the rest of the cast. She’s boring, grating, and the show’s best moments come when she’s not a part of the plot.

Dawson’s Creek

Dawson Lerry is manipulative, selfish, and a whiny brat.

Joey made the right decision ending up with Joey in the series finale. Anyone with half a brain would have made the same decision.

How I Met Your Mother

Ted, Ted, Ted, we need to talk.

Get over yourself. Even if your story weren’t stretched out paper-thin, you’d still be shallow and self-centered. Just because you’re telling the story of how you met your wife doesn’t mean you have to be the most important person in the universe.

Ted’s also greatly outshone by the impressive supporting cast, who steal the show, notably Neil Patrick Harris’s Barney Stinson.

Girls

Lena Dunham isn’t exactly popular today, and her Girls character, Hannah Horvath, is just as annoying.

She manages to be both insecure and narcissistic, always finding a way to be the victim. Yes, the show is about flawed characters, and there’s some growth as she ages in later seasons, but the damage was still done if you ask me.

Everybody Loves Raymond

Once again, it’s often played for laughs, and I love this show, but Ray pushes me to my limits at times.

To be fair, as someone who is half Italian and grew up close to my very Italian family, a lot of what you see on television with Ray’s family is pretty realistic.

New Girl

I maintain that New Girl thrived when Zoey Deschanel went on maternity leave, and we saw an increased emphasis on the supporting cast.

Also, call me crazy, but I hated that Jess and Nick ended up together.

Malcolm in the Middle

Malcolm is funny, clever, and far too smart for his own good.

But he’s also completely full of himself and always has to prove how smart he is to everyone. Also, I am thoroughly impressed with how well the show holds up. I cannot wait for the revival. `