Unleashing the Potential: 8 Brilliant TV Characters That Deserved Better Shows

Even bad shows can occasionally create a handful of exceptional TV characters, as demonstrated by the underused characters mentioned here. Not all unsuccessful TV shows lack any redeeming qualities. Some poorly made projects can be entertaining to mock, like the beloved cult classic series Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Other inadequately executed shows can serve as valuable lessons of what not to do for future creators, shedding light on common writing problems and storytelling issues by boldly embracing them. Finally, certain shows can boast remarkable characters regardless of the overall quality of the series itself.

Despite Family Guy featuring one of the worst animated couples in TV history, Stewie Griffin remains a hilarious character in his solo stories. Similarly, while Glee faced numerous challenges (particularly in its later seasons), Jane Lynch's portrayal of Coach Sue Sylvester is arguably one of her best characters to date. The fact that a TV show fails as a whole does not necessarily imply that it cannot produce likable or intriguing characters. If anything, the subpar nature of the surrounding series can sometimes bring attention to one standout character or exceptionally strong performance. Here are some outstanding characters who appeared in poorly made TV shows.

8 Jane—Mulaney

John Mulaney, a highly regarded American stand-up comedian, experienced a surge in popularity during the early 2010s which ultimately led to him securing a sitcom in 2014. However, this marked the end of an era for standup-led sitcoms, and Mulaney, reminiscent of the Seinfeld clones from the 90s, was not able to revive the format. Despite the show's failure, one standout element was the character akin to Elaine, who provided the much-needed comedic relief in an otherwise misguided sitcom. Portraying the role of Jane, Nasim Pedrad delivered one of her most impressive performances prior to her involvement in New Girl. Meanwhile, Mulaney himself rebounded with a series of well-received stand-up specials.

7 Chad Radwell—Scream Queens

Glen Powell gained a new wave of fans through his role as Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick. However, for those familiar with his work, Powell had previously showcased his talent as the lovable yet comical Chad Radwell in Ryan Murphy's Scream Queens. While the series struggled to find its identity, oscillating between a parody and a dark satire with elements of horror, Powell's over-the-top portrayal of Chad Radwell consistently brought laughter to an otherwise uneven and often unfunny show. Consequently, Chad Radwell emerged as a standout character in need of a more deserving platform.

6 Gus—The Cleveland Show

5 June—That ‘80s Show

David Lynch, the legendary cult director, was an unexpected name to find on The Cleveland Show's cast list. Despite this surprise, Lynch's trademark quirky humor brought life to Gus the bartender, a memorable addition to the show. Despite his comedic contributions, however, Lynch's presence couldn't salvage the unnecessary spinoff from Family Guy. The main cast of The Cleveland Show was poorly developed and inconsistent, making it a challenging and tiresome watch. Even though Lynch's oddball appearances did generate some laughs, Gus would have needed to be one of the funniest cartoon characters ever created in order to rescue The Cleveland Show.

That ‘80s Show was a regrettable choice. The spinoff sitcom came too soon after the peak of That ‘70s Show, lacked any meaningful connections to its predecessor, and failed to capture the nostalgic essence of the titular decade. However, amidst this disappointment, there was a hidden gem. Chyler Leigh's sarcastic punk character, June, was underutilized in the unfortunate spinoff, but she was undeniably the standout element of That ‘80s Show. Leigh brought her Not Another Teen Movie charisma to the role, but sadly, it wasn't enough to save the sinking ship. Despite her best efforts, That ‘80s Show met its downfall, although Leigh swiftly bounced back with a role in Grey’s Anatomy.

4 Daphne—Velma

3 Charlie Manx—NOS4A2

Despite the disaster that was Velma, Mindy Kaling's R-rated reinvention of Scooby-Doo, the most intriguing aspect of the show was Constance Wu's conflicted portrayal of Daphne. While Velma's rom-com jokes felt out of place in the gory parody of slasher movies, Daphne's struggle to choose between Mindy and Fred Jones stood out as the most captivating subplot in this flawed series. Unfortunately, Daphne's story received little focus, and it didn't help that both potential love interests were difficult to root for. Nevertheless, Daphne's character and her journey of self-discovery demonstrated the hidden potential beneath all of Velma's notorious missteps.

NOS4A2, Joe Hill's monumental horror novel, introduced its villain, Charlie Manx, early on, and his presence remained a menacing force throughout the extensive narrative. However, the disappointing adaptation of NOS4A2 failed to fully utilize the chilling portrayal of Charlie Manx by Zachary Quinto during its two seasons. It was particularly tragic considering the impeccable casting of Quinto, whose portrayal of Manx evoked the same eerie and otherworldly creepiness he once brought to Heroes' Sylar. Regrettably, his efforts were squandered in a somber and sluggish adaptation that failed to capture the gripping pace of Hill's original work, ultimately resulting in a diluted sense of darkness and impenetrability in NOS4A2.

2 Nurse Ratched—Ratched

A more captivating portrayal of the antagonist Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest could have been intriguing. Unfortunately, Sarah Paulson's exceptional performance was squandered in Ratched. Ryan Murphy's portrayal of the well-known villain ended up feeling too similar to American Horror Story, amplifying the story's campy horror aspects, introducing numerous unnecessary plot twists, and disregarding the complexity of Ratched's psychology. If anyone had the ability to make the nurse relatable, it was Paulson. However, Ratched missed the opportunity to showcase her talent with a trite plot and inconsistent tone, resulting in a show that lacked the depth of a character study and instead felt like preliminary fan fiction.

1 Patty Bladell—Insatiable

The concept behind Insatiable had promise. It presented the tale of a revenge-driven beauty queen who takes violent action against those who had tormented her, offering the potential for a mixture of Heathers and Carrie with a contemporary update on Stephen King's iconic high school horror. However, Insatiable squandered this fascinating character through its use of outdated humor, offensive stereotypes, and weak writing. The series failed to delve beneath the surface of its protagonist, resulting in Patty Bladell's story being a significant letdown. Nevertheless, the lead character had the potential to be remarkable if placed in a more daring and innovative show.