The original post: /r/television by /u/methodwriter85 on 2025-06-19 22:35:49.
People always joke about late series character additions being a “Jump the Shark” moment for television shows (the hatred Riley and Dawn got from Buffy fans was pretty palpable), but what are times where it actually worked?
Just two ground rules here- it has to be for a show that went on for at least 4 years, and it has to be a character that joined past the halfway point of the show. (So the addition of Jo on the Facts of Life or famously Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place wouldn’t count for the purpose of this post.) And, of course, obviously this needs to be about shows that completed their runs.
Here’s the ones I enjoyed:
1.) Terri on Three’s Company. (Joins season 6 of an 8-season series.) She and Jack had really classic romantic comedy banter and I still think it’s dumb they didn’t use her as the spinoff wife. It might have actually worked if they had.
2.) Pete on The Office. (Joins the final 9th season of the show.) Mainly because I feel like it’s a fairly common work experience to have someone new join a workplace that seems like a younger version of a co-worker. They also didn’t over-use him. Also, I found Jake Lacey really, really hot. LMAO
3.) Frankie on Community. (Joins the final 6th season.) She played the straight man of the group incredible well, despite neither being a man nor straight. LOL
4.) Taylor on The OC. (Joins in season 3 as a recurring; regular for the 4th and Final season). Absolutely awesome character and the best part about the waning days of the OC.
Honorable mention to the Mother of How I Met Your Mother. I had largely given up on the show by season 5 (I think I gave up just around the 100th episode where they dance in suits) but I’ve heard and seen clips of the show that suggested Cristin Millioti was absolutely lovely and worth waiting for. Which makes the ending all the more unfortunate and damn am I super glad I didn’t stick around for it. Another honorable mention is Max Brown as Prince Robert on the Royals. He did an awesome job but he technically sneaks into the show just before the halfway point.
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