The original post: /r/television by /u/unitedfan6191 on 2024-08-09 20:56:04.
Hi.
Hope you’re doing well.
I saw a thread on here earlier referring to which episodes of shows were a better series finale than the actual series finale, which got me to thinking about which individual characters lasted way longer than they should have?
For example, I love the show Cheers and there were many wonderful episodes and moments after season 5, but I feel like Sam Malone just reverted back to his old womanizing ways after Diane left and he didn’t have the growth as a character he would’ve if Diane/Shelley Long hadn’t left.
Now, Cheers was still very funny after Diane left (if not more funny), but I feel like the show just overall wasn’t as compelling as the earlier seasons and Rebecca (while she was a good character in certain ways and had funny moments) when she came in for Diane I felt was an example of the show kind of reverting back to a more typical sitcom rather than the more progressive style/tone it had earlier in its run (and I still liked the latter years).
Sam was the focal point of these years, but the show probably would’ve been less compelling for a lot of people if he was replaced and two major characters left the show, but the show could’ve just stopped after season 5 anyway.
What’s an example of a character who overstayed their welcome and it affected the show’s quality?