Mike Flanagan's The Dark Tower Show Needs At Least 5 Seasons To Adapt His Favorite Book In Stephen King's Series Summary Outdated TV tropes like "bury your gays" impacted popular shows like Buffy, hurting LGBTQ+ representation and character development. Antihero characters in shows like The Sopranos led to a trend of flawed protagonist copycats, with leads lacking moral compasses. TV shows often depicted foreign characters stereotypically for comic relief, relying on outdated humor for laughs. SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
Warning: This article mentions topics of racism, eating disorders, and sexual harassment.
While TV show tropes have always been a common occurrence, some have aged rather badly. In past decades, TV shows have implemented several tropes and stereotypes about their characters, settings, and even episode formats. However, while many were timeless, some TV tropes became so painfully out-of-date. Even the best TV shows of all time were guilty at one point or another of using poorly aged tropes.
Unfortunately, some tropes completely ruined a TV show, and audiences quickly grew tired of them. As society changed, so did the world of TV, for the most part. However, one TV aspect that stuck around was the often boring, irritating, or simply nonsensical tropes that were outdated years after their initial release.
10 The "Bury Your Gays" Trope Example: Tara In Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The use of the "bury your gays" trope in the past received significant attention, especially in recent years. LGBTQ+ representation in the media wasn't always a priority, and plenty of TV shows were guilty of killing off their queer characters. Sadly, this trope was named as such because LGBTQ+ characters were more likely to die. For example, Tara's death in Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a heartbreaking moment for Willow, especially as her girlfriend's end came just after they'd reconciled.
However, Tara's demise was also poorly timed. Willow hadn't been out of the closet for very long, and her relationship with Tara was her first prominent same-sex relationship, yet Buffy the Vampire Slayer mowed her down without any further thought as to how it would impact popular culture. Willow and Tara were one of the first long-term lesbian couples on US TV, but the reassurance they offered viewers with their presence was disappointingly cut short. Tara was treated like a plot device, unfortunately, and she was useless once Willow's magic abuse arc wrapped up.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Where to Watch
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural comedy-drama series released in 1997. The show follows the exploits of Buffy, a woman born into a line of "Slayers" destined to do battle with vampires, demons, and monsters. Aided by her close group of friends and a Watcher who helps her hone her craft, the crew solves mysteries and battles the forces of evil to protect their town - and the world.
Cast Sarah Michelle Gellar , Nicholas Brendon , Alyson Hannigan , Charisma Carpenter , Dan Rubin , David Boreanaz , Seth Green , James Marsters Release Date March 10, 1997 Seasons 7 Directors Joss Whedon 9 The 2000s Antihero Boom Example: Tony Soprano In The Sopranos, Walter White In Breaking Bad, Don Draper In Mad Men, And Gregory House In House
Throughout the 2000s, there were several unlikeable TV show characters, but despite their most irritating qualities, it was hard not to invest in them. Characters like Tony Soprano from The Sopranos and Walter White in Breaking Bad were two prominent examples of the antihero in a TV show, but their existence spawned a series of copycats. For instance, Gregory House in House was a brilliant doctor and a total genius, but his social skills left a lot to be desired.
Although his character changed and developed throughout the show, the titular character was an overall nightmare who regularly sabotaged himself and everyone else. Don Draper in Mad Men had a lot of charm and said the right things, but it was difficult to ignore the fact that he was an adulterer and generally sketchy. Even though a protagonist wasn't required to be the best or most moral person, the booming popularity of the antihero character resulted in overly flawed personalities, which wasn't an ideal factor for a lead.
The Sopranos Where to Watch
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Considered to be a quintessential drama series to watch, The Sopranos is a crime-drama series that follows Tony Soprano, who tries to manage the expectations of an Italian-American patriarch while acting as the head of a prolific New Jersey crime family. Burdened by the stress of the expectations thrust upon him, Tony regularly visits a therapist throughout the series run. This helps give context to Tony's actions as a ruthless boss with violent tendencies.
Cast James Gandolfini , Lorraine Bracco , Edie Falco , Michael Imperioli , Dominic Chianese , Steven Van Zandt , Tony Sirico , Robert Iler , Jamie-Lynn Sigler Release Date January 10, 1999 Seasons 6 Breaking Bad Where to Watch
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Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
Cast Dean Norris , Bob Odenkirk , Aaron Paul , RJ Mitte , Anna Gunn , Giancarlo Esposito , Betsy Brandt , Bryan Cranston , Jonathan Banks Release Date January 20, 2008 Seasons 5 Mad Men Where to Watch
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Mad Men is the award-winning show created by Matthew Wiener that stars Jon Hamm as Don Draper, a masterful ad man in the high-speed advertising world. Set between the 1960s and 70s; Mad Men explores this "Golden Age" of advertising, where everyone has something to sell, and those who don't score a quick win are out of the game. The series also examines the world from a few other character's perspectives, such as Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss), a young woman who starts as a secretary for Don despite the difficulty for women to be taken seriously in business during this time, rises to the challenge to become an ad woman of her own.
Cast Jon Hamm , Elisabeth Moss , Vincent Kartheiser , January Jones , Christina Hendricks , Bryan Batt , Aaron Staton , Rich Sommer Release Date July 19, 2007 Seasons 7 House Where to Watch
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House is a medical mystery drama in which the villain is typically a difficult-to-diagnose medical malady. It follows Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), a world-renowned disabled diagnostician with a notorious substance abuse issue. With his team of world-class doctors, House has built a reputation as one of the most brilliant doctors in the world - an especially impressive feat when taking into account that he rarely actually sees his patients.
Cast Olivia Wilde , Jesse Spencer , Lisa Edelstein Release Date November 16, 2004 Seasons 8 8 The Dreaded "Clip Show" Episode Example: The Office
Clip show episodes were very popular in the '90s and 2000s, especially in sitcoms. These episodes generally consisted of segments from previous seasons and were often used for characters to reflect on their past antics. For example, The Office's clip show episode happened when Dunder Mifflin was sold to Sabre, and an assessor visited to confirm the value of the branch. Unfortunately, it was considered one of the worst episodes of The Office because it was unnecessary. While they were an unexpected treat for viewers, they aren't as relevant nowadays, especially in the world of streaming.
Unfortunately, clip show episodes were simply lazy. Instead of a normal installment, TV shows remixed their stories, threw in a narrative that explained its characters were looking back at the past, and called it a new episode. Even the best clip show episodes of TV shows didn't offer anything significantly different, and sadly, re-editing old moments together wasn't particularly satisfying for audiences.
The Office Where to Watch
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The Office is the U.S. remake of the British comedy mockumentary series of the same name. The show follows the misadventures of a Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, led by their unconventional and clueless boss, Michael Scott. The series covers nine years of footage as they find themselves recorded through their work days and off times.
Cast Mindy Kaling , Jenna Fischer , Kate Flannery , Ed Helms , Craig Robinson , Paul Lieberstein , Ellie Kemper , B.J. Novak , Angela Kinsey , Oscar Nunez , Rainn Wilson , Brian Baumgartner , Phyllis Smith , Leslie David Baker , Creed Bratton , Steve Carell , John Krasinski Release Date March 24, 2005 Seasons 9 Directors Greg Daniels , Paul Lieberstein , Paul Feig , Randall Einhorn , Ken Kwapis Expand 7 Young Women Need To Always Be In Relationships Example: Donna Pinciotti And Jackie Burkart In That '70s Show
In the '80s and '90s, most especially, there was a common pattern of young female characters in TV shows who were always in relationships. Every time one came to an end, another quickly appeared, meaning these characters were never single. A great example of a show that did this was That '70s Show. Both Donna and Jackie were consistently dating someone, even when it was absolutely better for them if they weren't. Donna and Eric's relationship in That '70s Show was prominent throughout, but even after they split up, she immediately started dating Randy.
Jackie dated Kelso, Hyde, and Fez, and even when she was single, Jackie's storylines were geared towards her either reuniting with one or moving on to another. What was so wild about the use of this trope, however, was that Donna and Jackie were so different. They had different ideals and aspirations in life, and Donna notably always sought her independence, yet That '70s Show didn't give them a chance to breathe. Thankfully, this concept became less common over time.
That '70s Show Where to Watch
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That '70s Show was one of Fox's most popular sitcoms upon its release in 1998. Starring Topher Grace (Eric Forman), Laura Prepon (Donna Pinciotti), Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart), Danny Masterson (Steven Hyde), Wilmer Valderrama (Fez), and Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso), That '70s Show revolves around the teens' mishaps as they grow up in Point Place Wisconsin in the 1970s.
Cast Topher Grace , Laura Prepon , Mila Kunis , Ashton Kutcher , Wilmer Valderrama , Debra Jo Rupp , Kurtwood Smith , Danny Masterson Release Date August 23, 1998 Seasons 8 Directors David Trainer , Terry Hughes 6 The Womanizer Example: Barney Stinson In How I Met Your Mother And Sam Malone In Cheers
The Womazier character in TV was, more often than not, a man with a player attitude, an obsession with sex, and who had little respect for his partners. The ego that a Womanizer possessed made them feel untouchable, so they never hesitated in shamelessly flirting with a woman. Sometimes, these characters took things too far and bordered on sexual harassment, especially if they tried to pick up a woman who was married or explicitly expressed they weren't interested.
Some of TV's most famous womanizers were characters like Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother and Sam Malone in Cheers, for example. Barney's Playbook in How I Met Your Mother was creepy and portrayed women as objects, and it was totally baffling that Barney found it appropriate to go to such extremes just to have sex. Sam Malone confessed to sleeping with over 400 women to Diane, which was an astonishing thing to say to his primary love interest. Although there was nothing wrong with either being so sexually active, the constant bragging about it was distasteful.
How I Met Your Mother Where to Watch
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How I Met Your Mother is a sitcom created initially for CBS by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. Five friends living in New York City navigate their twenties and thirties as they try to find love, success, and purpose. The show is framed through one friend's eyes, Ted Mosby, as he retells the story of how he met his wife to his children.
Cast Josh Radnor , Jason Segel , Cobie Smulders , Neil Patrick Harris , Alyson Hannigan , Bob Saget Release Date September 19, 2005 Seasons 9 Directors Carter Bays Cheers Where to Watch
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One of the most well-known American sitcoms of the 1980s and 90s, Cheers is primarily set in Boston at the Cheers bar, and features and ensemble cast that includes Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer, and George Wendt. Danson's Sam Malone acts as the bar's proprietor, and episodes depict the lives of Cheers' staff and patrons during the bar's operating hours. The series ran for 11 seasons and gave rise to popular spin-off shows such as Frasier.
Cast Ted Danson , Shelley Long , Nicholas Colasanto , Rhea Perlman , George Wendt , John Ratzenberger , Kelsey Grammer , Woody Harrelson , Kirstie Alley , Bebe Neuwirth Release Date September 30, 1982 Seasons 11 Directors James Burrows , Andy Ackerman 5 Foreign Characters' Only Purpose Is Comic Relief Example: Fez In That '70s Show And Raj Koothrappali In The Big Bang Theory
In past decades, characters that come from countries other than the one the TV show was set in were used as comedic devices. The notion that someone from a different culture was played for laughs, and these characters were often portrayed as unintelligent, foolish, or even incapable of basic speech and thought. Fez in That '70s Show was a victim of this, and the running gags about his overly complicated real name and the strange customs of his home country quickly got boring and plainly xenophobic.
Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory was another character who fell prey to this trope. Although he frequently joined in on jokes about India, the way the other characters felt it appropriate to mock Raj's accent and culture was simply lazy comedy. As the show progressed, Raj's character became a caricature of a stereotype in a few ways, such as his financial reliance on his physician father and his cousin working in a call center. In a world filled with all kinds of people and places, it was disappointing that the show relied on such outdated humor.
The Big Bang Theory Where to Watch
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The Big Bang Theory first premiered on CBS in 2007 and became one of its era's most popular and longest-lasting network sitcoms. Running for 12 seasons, The Big Bang Theory focuses on a group of self-proclaimed nerds, Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Howard (Simon Helberg), and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), who form an unlikely friendship with their new neighbor Penny (Kaley Cuoco). The series became a ratings giant and took home multiple Emmys. The Big Bang Theory was so successful that it ended up spawning a spinoff titled Young Sheldon, which has also become one of CBS' most popular sitcoms.
Cast Kaley Cuoco , Johnny Galecki , Jim Parsons , Melissa Rauch , Mayim Bialik , Kunal Nayyar , Simon Helberg Release Date September 24, 2007 Seasons 12 Directors Mark Cendrowski 4 Certain Characters Are Only Beautiful After A Weight-Loss Glow Up Example: Monica Geller In Friends, Quinn Fabray In Glee, Rhonda In That '70s Show, And Betty Suarez In Ugly Betty
The concept of traditional appearance was heavily featured in TV shows throughout the 2000s. Overweight characters, or those deemed as "fat," were often the butt of the joke. It was established that characters with larger figures were unhealthy, unattractive, and incredibly unworthy of love. Monica was fat-shamed in Friends during her teenage years, and her character was reduced to an overeater who fed her feelings and didn't have any friends, yet yearned for romantic attention. It was only in her adulthood, once she lost the weight, that she was considered appealing.
One of Quinn Fabray's storylines in Glee season 2 revealed that she transferred to McKinley after getting surgery and losing weight. What was so disappointing, however, was that Quinn felt the need to hide it, and she even stopped using her first name, Lucy, and started going by her middle name. There were even some that were characterized as being overweight despite their bodies being far from it, such as Rhonda in That '70s Show and Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty. The common misconception that fat didn't equal beautiful was ridiculous then, and it continued to be long after.
ugly betty
ABC's Ugly Betty is the American adaptation of Fernando Gaitan's world-famous Colombian soap opera Yo Soy Betty, La Fea. Starring America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, the comedy series follows a young woman who lands a job as an editor assistant at Mode, a fashion magazine. Despite her poor sense of fashion, Betty's can-do attitude and work ethic allows her to thrive in the industry.
Cast America Ferrera , Ana Ortiz Release Date September 28, 2006 Seasons 4 Glee Where to Watch
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In order to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley's glee club. Fox's Glee was created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, and Ryan Murphy, with Leah Michele, Jane Lynch, and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys.
Cast Dianna Agron , Chris Colfer , Jessalyn Gilsig , Jane Lynch , Jayma Mays , Kevin McHale , Lea Michele , Cory Monteith , Matthew Morrison , Amber Riley Release Date May 19, 2009 Seasons 6 Friends Where to Watch
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Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
Cast Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , Matt LeBlanc , Matthew Perry , David Schwimmer Release Date September 22, 1994 Seasons 10 3 Incompetent Fathers Example: Homer Simpson In The Simpsons And Peter Griffin In Family Guy
The concept of a father character who had no clue how to look after his children or even himself was very popular in the '90s and '00s. Homer Simpson from The Simpsons was a prominent figure in this category, alongside several other fathers from some of the best animated TV shows. Sitcoms loved to pit an incapable father and an overly anal mother against each other, and while the contrast in character personalities was funny, the acknowledgment of poor parenting wasn't.
Characters like Homer or Peter Griffin from Family Guy relied on their wives and kids to solve their own problems and were perceived as being lazy and self-centered. Although fathers used to be significantly less involved in their children's lives decades ago, the trope outlived the societal standard, and there was no excuse for it to keep being pushed. The wives and partners of these characters didn't deserve to parent another kid, and this trope aged rather poorly over time.
The Simpsons Where to Watch
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The Simpsons is a long-running animated TV series created by Matt Groening that satirically follows a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield. Homer, a bit of a schmoe who works at a nuclear power plant, is the provider for his family, while his wife, Marge, tries to keep sanity and reason in the house to the best of her ability. Bart is a born troublemaker, and Lisa is his super-intelligent sister who finds herself surrounded by people who can't understand her. Finally, Maggie is the mysterious baby who acts as a deus ex machina when the series calls for it. The show puts the family in several wild situations while constantly tackling socio-political and pop-culture topics set within their world, providing an often sharp critique of the subjects covered in each episode. This series first premiered in 1989 and has been a staple of Fox's programming schedule ever since.
Cast Tress MacNeille , Julie Kavner , Harry Shearer , Pamela Hayden , Nancy Cartwright , Hank Azaria , Dan Castellaneta , Yeardley Smith Release Date December 17, 1989 Seasons 35 Family Guy Where to Watch
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Family Guy, created by Seth McFarlane and David Zuckerman, follows Peter Griffin and his family as they find themselves in bizarre situations in the fictional city of Quahog, Road Island. Between the cutaway gags and memorable characters such as Chris, Meg, Lois, Stewie, and Brian, Family Guy has become one of Fox's most successful animations, even winning several Primetime Emmys.
Cast Seth MacFarlane , Alex Borstein , Seth Green , Lacey Chabert , Mila Kunis , Mike Henry , Patrick Warburton Release Date January 31, 1999 Seasons 21 2 Dumb Blondes Example: Chrissy Snow In Three's Company, Midge Pinciotti In That '70s Show, And Cerie 30 Rock
The dumb blonde trope was used throughout several decades of TV history. Generally, the trope established a blonde, usually female, character as being so stupid to the point that they were barely functioning. Their lack of common sense was often portrayed as funny and cute, but the character didn't go much further than this. Several TV characters have fallen into this category: Chrissy Snow in Three's Company, Midge Pinciotti in That '70s Show, and Cerie 30 Rock, to name a few.
The main issue with this trope, which was also frequently named "no thoughts, head empty" in TV shows, was that it was rather illogical. The color of a character's hair and their intelligence weren't connected in any way, yet this trope wasn't really applied to brunettes or gingers. Sadly, it played into an age-old stereotype that was popularized by other forms of media, like Mattel's range of Barbie dolls, Anta Loos' 1925 novel Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Marilyn Monroe's movies.
Three's Company
Three's Company is a 1977 sitcom starring John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and Suzanne Somers. The series follows the comedic escapades of three single roommates -- Jack, Janet, and Chrissy -- who share an apartment in Santa Monica, California. The show primarily revolves around misunderstandings and humorous situations involving the trio's relationships with their landlords and neighbors. The series is known for its physical comedy and lighthearted storyline.
30 Rock Where to Watch
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Tina Fey's absurdist comedy series follows Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictional live sketch comedy show operating out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is where the show derives its name. Loosely based on Fey's experiences as a writer on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons with a supporting cast that included Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer.
1 Manic Pixie Dream Girl Example: Cassie In Skins
The idea of manic pixie dream girls referred to a character who appeared to be disconnected from reality, spontaneous, a bit childish, and someone who was clearly different from her peers. These characters were often romanticized for these traits, and they were highlighted for their unique and quirky outlook on life. However, this trope also included expectations that the manic pixie dream girl never enjoyed anything mainstream or followed the status quo. Sometimes, these characters also had a mental illness, although not exclusively.
Cassie from Skins was the ultimate manic pixie dream girl, but the aspects of her character that played into this trope were also grossly glorified. Cassie was perceived as beautiful and brave for having an eating disorder, and while there was nothing wrong with her being so open about her struggles, it was shocking that Skins idealized her narrative. However, not every manic pixie dream girl was the same. Jess in New Girl was wacky and whimsical, but she was present and grounded, for example. While the trope never truly ended, it did develop and change into something more relatable.
Skins Where to Watch
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Created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, Skins is a British drama series released in 2007. This teen drama offers an introspective look at a group of teens in England as they navigate sex, drugs, mental health, death, and more over seven seasons, with the final seasons seeing a shift in the cast. An American remake was released in 2011 on MTV but only lasted one season.
Cast Nicholas Hoult , Hannah Murray , Larissa Wilson , Joe Dempsie , Mike Bailey , Mitch Hewer , Dev Patel , April Pearson , Kaya Scodelario , Aimee-Ffion Edwards Release Date January 25, 2007 Seasons 1 Writers Jamie Brittain , Bryan Elsley Related How The Queen's Gambit Ending Challenges The Manic Pixie Dream Girl Trope
The Queen's Gambit challenges the Manic Pixie Dream Girl movie trope with its structure and messaging. Here's why filmmaker Scott Frank succeeds.
