The Surprising Truth Behind Famous TV Shows: 10 Misconceptions Debunked!

Even the most popular TV shows can be misunderstood due to common misconceptions held by viewers. Some shows may have a simple premise that can be easily summarized, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where the title alone gives a rough idea of the story. However, there are other shows that are more complex and therefore more prone to misconceptions. Many viewers form judgments about these shows without watching the entire series, leading to an inaccurate reputation being attached to them.

This issue commonly occurs when TV shows deviate from their original premise. Breaking Bad, for example, had its first season accurately summarized as a teacher manufacturing meth to pay for his cancer treatment. However, as the series progressed, it diverged significantly from this initial concept. Similarly, Riverdale may have started as a murder mystery set in a small town, but by its sixth season, it bore little resemblance to its original premise. Along with various other factors, this divergence can cause viewers to make inaccurate assumptions about well-known shows.

10 The Lost Characters Were "Dead The Whole Time”

When Lost premiered in 2004, it captivated a global audience with its mysterious storyline. The enigmatic island setting left viewers with countless questions, craving for a satisfying explanation. This led to speculation among both critics and viewers that Lost would follow the footsteps of Ambrose Bierce’s famous tale, "Incident at Owl Creek Bridge," where the revelation unfolds that the main character had been deceased all along. Consequently, many still believe that the divisive ending of Lost confirmed that all passengers had died in the plane crash and were trapped in purgatory on the island. However, the truth revealed by the show was far more complex—the characters had actually perished at various points in time after their arrival on the island.

9 Avatar: The Last Airbender Is An Anime

Although frequently categorized as a popular anime, Avatar: The Last Airbender is deemed by its creators as an inaccurate label. Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the masterminds behind the series, clarified that their intention was not to simply imitate anime, but rather pay homage to it. Consequently, they expressed their discomfort in referring to the show itself as an anime. Considering the historical misconceptions and undervaluation of anime within Western media, it is understandable why DiMartino and Konietzko would choose not to claim credit for an addition to a genre they both deeply respect.

8 Seinfeld Is A "Show About Nothing”

Seinfeld, often labeled as a "show about nothing," is renowned for its absence of a central premise and the morally ambiguous nature of its main characters. However, this does not imply that the lead characters lack ambition or purpose. In fact, Seinfeld is not truly a show about nothing, as the co-creator clarified during a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. The series incorporates numerous long-running storylines and overarching narratives across seasons. The notion that Seinfeld revolves around nothing gained popularity through an episode in which Jerry and George fail to successfully pitch such a concept.

7 Game of Thrones Is Full of Nudity

The premiere of Game of Thrones caused quite a stir due to its mature content. While R-rated fantasy stories were not uncommon, they were rarely seen on television in 2011. This resulted in Game of Thrones receiving criticism for its alleged excessive nudity. However, as the series progressed, the portrayal of sex and nudity became less prevalent. By the third season, the show's nude scenes were already becoming less frequent, and this trend continued throughout its entire run.

6 That ‘70s Show’s “Fez” Is An Abbreviation

While Fez’s That ‘70s Show finale destiny was unexpectedly heartwarming, the introduction of the sitcom’s supporting character was less than dignified. Despite Wilmer Valderrama's ability to infuse Fez with a charming innocence, more tact could have been employed when addressing his foreign background. Many viewers naturally presumed that "Fez" was a shortened version of his given name. However, it is in fact an abbreviation for "Foreign Exchange Student," illustrating how his closest companions never bothered to acquaint themselves with his true identity.

5 Mr. Robot Is The Show’s Hero

The assumption by viewers unfamiliar with Mr. Robot that the titular character was the show’s hero is particularly ironic. While technically not incorrect, this assertion overlooks the fact that Rami Malek’s troubled hacker Eliot Alderson is in reality the secretive "Mr. Robot" portrayed by Christian Slater. This revelation only became clear in the final episode of season 1, making articles that mistakenly referred to Malek’s protagonist as Mr. Robot inadvertently spoiling a major twist due to their careless research.

4 The Office’s Micheal Scott Is Bad At His Job

3 The Sopranos Are The Crime Syndicate

In terms of their main characters, the U.S. and UK versions of The Office differ significantly. While David Brent from The Office UK can be described as insufferable and dangerously incapable in his role, making him an ineffective manager, Michael Scott from the U.S. adaptation is portrayed as a clumsy goofball but also a successful salesman who frequently demonstrates surprising competence as a boss. Despite appearing foolish at times, Michael's professional aptitude often astonishes even his colleagues.

Although the show The Sopranos centers around a family with the surname Soprano, it is important to note that the mob family led by their patriarch does not share the same name. The Sopranos family is at the heart of the series, while the criminal organization that Tony Soprano leads is known as the DiMeo Family. This distinction became particularly significant when the prequel movie, The Many Saints of Newark, delved into Tony Soprano's backstory, exploring the history of the DiMeo family and highlighting the differences between the two clans.

2 Arrested Development’s Tobias Is Secretly Gay

1 Big Mouth Is Suitable For Children

Throughout the duration of Arrested Development, one of the most memorable recurring jokes involves Tobias Funke inadvertently making double entendres with homoerotic undertones. However, these jokes are not meant to imply that Tobias is gay and unaware of it. Instead, the intended humor lies in Tobias's complete obliviousness to the suggestive nature of his comments, leading others to jump to the understandable conclusion that he is gay, even though he is not.

Despite featuring some of the most controversial couples in the history of animated television, some parents mistakenly believed that the animated nature of the show Big Mouth meant it was suitable for children. This misconception caused a lot of uproar upon the series' debut, with outraged critics voicing their concerns about explicit depictions of sex and masturbation being unsuitable for a younger audience. However, it should be clarified that Big Mouth is not intended for younger viewers. It is not a children's show addressing the topic of puberty, but rather an adult comedy similar to South Park, with the distinction being that its main characters are currently going through puberty.