The Shocking Betrayal: 10 TV Shows That Completely Deserted Their Original Premise!
These TV shows veered away from their original premise, leaving audiences disappointed with the shift in storytelling
Many TV shows remain true to their premise throughout their duration, but others take a different approach. The success of a TV series relies heavily on the quality of its concept, but the execution plays an equally important role. Breaking Bad initially presents a fantastic premise: a suburban science teacher turning to secret chemistry to finance his expensive cancer treatment. However, had the show's creators followed their original plan to kill off Jesse Pinkman in the first season, Breaking Bad's execution could have resulted in disaster.
On the other hand, Bojack Horseman may not have the most original idea for a TV show. However, due to its successful execution, this Netflix hit delivers some of the funniest and most emotionally impactful moments in the history of adult animation. Television, particularly in long-form storytelling, heavily relies on execution. This is why it can be extremely frustrating when a series starts with an exceptional premise only to abandon it completely halfway through its run.
10 Weeds
9 Supernatural
The premiere of Weeds introduces a refreshingly uncomplicated yet ingenious concept. Nancy's husband passes away, leaving her unable to maintain her affluent middle-class lifestyle. As an amoral anti-heroine, she turns to small-scale drug dealing. The initial seasons of Weeds resemble a more lighthearted forerunner to Breaking Bad, extracting both humor and suspense from this initial premise. Nevertheless, subsequent seasons veer excessively towards comedy. The third season finale of Weeds then culminates in the destruction of the suburban neighborhood where Nancy runs her drug empire, obliterating the show's central narrative in the process. Following this incident, Weeds transforms into a muddled melodrama that barely resembles its former self.
Not every television series loses its momentum when it moves away from its initial premise. In the case of Supernatural, the show's original monster-of-the-week formula gave it a unique feel, resembling an interconnected blend of The X-Files and a fraternity tale. The Winchester brothers engaged in battles against supernatural phenomena, departing from the typical science-fiction villains. However, as the CW series undergoes a transformative shift, it abandons this concept in favor of a more straightforward and captivating fantasy narrative. Sam and Dean unexpectedly find themselves thrust into the heart of an ancient conflict between Heaven and Hell, significantly raising the stakes for their characters and providing viewers with a more intricately woven storyline.
8 Schitt’s Creek
7 Riverdale
Despite being recognized as a heartwarming comedy where a privileged family loses everything and discovers the importance of their bond, Schitt’s Creek fails to fully explore its original premise. In the initial episodes, it is revealed that the Rose family is the proud owner of the eponymous town. Regrettably, this crucial aspect of the show is largely disregarded. The ownership of Schitt's Creek by the Roses does not generate any conflict or tension, and their relationship with the town remains insignificant in the grand scheme of their journey.Riverdale's journey begins with a murder mystery in the quaint town it portrays. Drawing inspiration from Twin Peaks, this campy CW series introduces larger-than-life characters and unexpected plot twists, while adhering to the timeless whodunit formula. Fast forward to its mind-boggling seventh season, and our beloved protagonists find themselves transported back to the year 1955. There, they encounter a local witch who employed her telekinetic powers to avert a calamitous comet's impact on the town. With each passing episode, Riverdale progressively embraces bizarre elements of horror, science fiction, and even fantasy. By the time the fourth season rolls around, Riverdale undergoes such a profound transformation that it hardly resembles its original incarnation.
6 American Dad
American Dad has a significant fan base, but even devoted viewers cannot overlook the animated series' notable period of development. Originally, American Dad served as a satire of the War on Terror and post-9/11 jingoism. However, starting from season 4 onward, American Dad undergoes a transformation into a dark parody of family sitcoms, losing much of its pointed political commentary. The fact that the popular animated show Rick and Morty draws inspiration from American Dad demonstrates the positive impact brought about by these changes.
5 Prison Break
Some great things are destined to be short-lived, and Prison Break falls into that category. Its storyline revolves around Michael Scofield, an architect who deliberately lands himself in prison to save his brother from execution and restore his honorable reputation. Regrettably, once the group of inmates manages to break free, the show struggles to find a new direction. In season three, despite placing the characters in yet another correctional facility, the narrative spends a significant portion of its time outside the confinement of the prison walls. As a result, the overall impact and intensity of the series suffer considerably.
4 13 Reasons Why
Netflix's 13 Reasons Why starts off strong as a captivating YA drama, delving into the tragic reasons behind the suicide of a beloved classmate. However, the second season takes a sharp turn and transforms the series into a melodramatic soap opera with an intricate and implausible storyline. By the time the third season rolls around, the show takes on a new genre altogether, becoming a gripping mystery as the characters endeavor to unravel the murder of a central antagonist from the first season. Unfortunately, this lack of consistency in storytelling ultimately contributes to the negative reception the series has received.
3 Hannibal
Although The Silence of the Lambs stands as the iconic film in the Hannibal horror franchise, there is another remarkable gem within the same universe – a sensational television series. Hannibal delves deep into the psyche of the verbose serial killer, taking viewers on a captivating journey. The show's spine-chilling bloodshed is only surpassed by the twisted mind games orchestrated by its antagonist. However, this was not always the case. Hannibal initially begins as a surprisingly straightforward police procedural, gradually transforming into the gothic nightmare that captivates and enthralls its audience after shedding its cumbersome original premise.
2 New Girl
New Girl receives criticism for its overuse of the term “adorkable” in its marketing materials. However, once Jess Day’s quirky personality takes a backseat, the series truly shines. Contrary to its title, New Girl becomes a stronger sitcom when it shifts its focus from Zooey Deschanel’s character to the entire cast, creating a cohesive unit. As a result, New Girl now competes with popular hang-out sitcoms such as Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and The Big Bang Theory.
1 Archer
Archer's early seasons follow a straightforward formula, serving as a workplace sitcom set within a spy organization. The show cleverly parodies the exaggerated elements of the 007 franchise and injects humor by combining it with the conventions of workplace comedies. Initially, Archer capitalizes on this contrasting blend, resulting in a comedic masterpiece. However, in season 5, the cartoon comedy takes a bold step by completely abandoning its spy spoof premise and embracing a Miami Vice parody instead. This shift marks the beginning of a series of genre spoofs, transforming the show into a film noir spoof, then a sci-fi story set in outer space, and ultimately an adventure set on a tropical island, before finally circling back to its original concept.
