The condition might’ve been described in Ye Olden Days as that “record-scratch” moment when a person entered a room, and all eyes turned to them in wonder. 

It’s that same center-of-attention dynamic, only all the time and in every room.

But if everyone truly is the hero of their own story, how is Main Character Syndrome any different from just being alive? 

What Are The Symptoms?

It’s when someone considers themselves the main character in someone else’s story. This has traditionally been the one job where you can’t be replaced.

Pulling focus like this doesn’t work well in real life, but it’s surprisingly common on the small screen. 

After all, you don’t have to be an actual main character in order to act like one, as many TV protagonists have discovered. 

In fact, a character doesn’t even have to be particularly virtuous.

It’s a nifty trick for a character to blur the lines between who gets your attention and who deserves it. And a TV landscape filled with anti-heroes makes for excellent camouflage.

So, which questionable protagonists act like their show should be all about them?

If Main Character Syndrome were a person, that person would be Jennifer Coolidge. She remains the premier example in just about every project she’s in, especially The White Lotus franchise.

Her scene-stealing persona usually presents as being completely unaware of how she affects those around her.

That absolves her (at least a little bit) of intentionally causing misery to others and also sets her up as the only person in the room who doesn’t realize how awful her character’s actions are.

But there are other not-so-nice TV protagonists who trick us into seeing them as heroically good.

Watch The White Lotus Online

Guillermo de la Cruz, What We Do In The Shadows

Our favorite long-suffering ex-familiar has always been positioned as the sole voice of reason in a house of, shall we say, strong personalities. 

Guillermo (Harvey Guillen)’s role as an audience stand-in and assumed good guy was based on nothing more than his not being a vampire (and, I suppose, that business about him being related to Van Helsing). 

The series portrayed him as a sweet, innocent babe in the woods at the mercy of a group of vampires. 

But was he, really?

Guillermo helped facilitate countless deaths over the years to feed Nandor and the other vampires. Sure, he did it with a “Mondays, amirite?” shrug, but… he did it nonetheless.

Despite a talent for walking the vampires back from their worst impulses, Guillermo himself almost murdered Nandor at least twice for breaking his promise to turn him into a vampire.

He also disposed of so many dead bodies in their backyard that a sinkhole opened.

Guillermo’s sound bites for the documentary crew always sounded reasonable and generous.

But his actions were more often self-serving and duplicitous, like when he kept his vampire hunter heritage a secret for a very long time (for good reason, but still).

His justifications were understandable after being strung along for a decade of servitude and having to lead a double life on little to no sleep.

However, his thoughts and actions can only be categorized as “good” compared to the vampires around him. And he’s not being honest with himself when he says he wants to lead a normal life.

We saw that most recently with his office job at Cannon Capital, where he was horrified at Nadja’s murderous interference until… it kept getting him promoted.

So, it seems Guillermo is a protagonist who proves that he doesn’t have to be an actual vampire in order to act like one.

Watch What We Do In The Shadows Online

Main Character Patient Zero

Main Character Syndrome has also been known to afflict actual main characters, as seen in the recent ret-con of Carrie Bradshaw as the iconic symbol of that term.

Although that’s perhaps not news for many fans of Sex and the City‘s original run, who have always considered Samantha Jones its true star.

The conceit is that while it’s not ideal to act like the world exists only to be the backdrop for your own life, it’s worse to act like that about the world of your own show.

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Carrie’s self-absorption was always kind of her thing, though, and Miranda called her out on it MANY times (yes, before And Just Like That…, Miranda Hobbes had some serious sass).

However, the tipping point seems to be when other characters are treated like background scenery, not people who also have their own lives in this fictional world.

Watch Sex And The City Online

Back in the “real” world, there’s a character on that teakwood Titanic fever dream we call Doctor Odyssey who would definitely not make room for you on that floating door…

Avery Morgan, Doctor Odyssey

On a ship that’s full of shenanigans, you could strive to be the calm that you’d like to see. Or, you could be Nurse Avery Morgan and add as much drama as possible to the proceedings at every opportunity.

Avery (Phillipa Soo) is extremely competent and super prickly. This sadly reinforces that dynamic where the guys can be fun-loving professionals while the women only get to scowl and keep them on task.

However, Avery is pretty much a sourpuss all on her own. She’s fantastic at her job and wants to be a doctor but resents how long and hard she’s had to work to pay for every step of her education so far.

Avery hates the ship’s over-the-top theme weeks, as well as the passengers and their stupid, predictable ailments.

She REALLY hated Plastic Surgery Week and told the cruise line’s owner as much, which got her fired (don’t worry, it didn’t stick).

Avery’s obviously talented but is so bored in her current position that it makes her dangerous.

She’ll stick to a possibly incorrect diagnosis a beat too long just to antagonize her new boss, Dr. Max, and alternates between encouraging fellow nurse Tristan’s crush on her and cutting him down.

And in quite possibly her worst crime, she does not attend strip poker night with the rest of the crew!

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It was hard to see all this initially because Avery’s angelic features, intelligence, and calm demeanor read as “good.”

But after she rejected Tristan, Avery got jealous when he became interested in a new chef and tried to create problems for them.

Avery is busy enough with medical school on the horizon and a kinda-sorta love triangle with Dr. Max and Tristan.

But she still found time this season to get appendicitis during a once-in-a-lifetime storm and almost had to amputate a woman’s arm in a cave.

Avery is an experienced medical professional who deserves her place on this elite ship’s team. However, she also lashes out in self-destructive ways.

Anchors away!

Watch Doctor Odyssey Online

Liz, Shrinking

For a gentle hangout show, Shrinking has many seriously frustrating characters. But none can come close to meddling next-door neighbor Liz (Christa Miller), an unstoppable force of annoying nature.

In the show’s first season, Liz threw herself into helping a widowed husband and devastated teenage girl stay afloat as they all dealt with loss differently.

A hyper-organized empty nester, Liz had tons of free time and the certainty that she was always right. She took on that role a little too well and became a smothering presence for the grieving family next door.

It’s easy to see why her husband, Derek, cheerfully spends his days away and just goes along to get along when he’s home. Liz is sharply funny and intelligent, which almost makes you like her until the next overstepping thing she does.

Liz’s controlling nature was tamped down in the second season. Her better qualities were allowed to shine with all the characters, and she even went into business with Sean and his food truck.

Then she sold her half of the food truck to Sean’s semi-estranged father without telling Sean first.

And… we’re back! To Season One Annoying Levels of Liz!!

Liz is not subtle about her advanced case of Main Character Syndrome. She sees her fellow characters as projects she can improve and doesn’t listen if they don’t want help.

Watch Shrinking Online

Take Two Aspirin

Self-involved protagonists have long been a TV staple, even if it does seem like there’s more of them than usual.

But it’s true that good shows rely on bad characters, so Main Character Syndrome could be responsible for much of the great television currently on television.

What’s your take on frustrating TV protagonists: Love them or leave them?

Let us know in the comments!

Watch Shrinking Online

The post Main Character Syndrome: When TV Protagonists Are Actually The Worst appeared first on TV Fanatic.

However, rapid-fire releases and controversy seem to go hand-in-hand with him, and The Beauty is no different.

Right now, most of the controversy centers on Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

But The Beauty is bound to deliver its own set of contentious moments in the near future. Why? Because it’s the status quo with a Ryan Murphy project. It’s practically expected.

Murphy has been accused of everything from racism to some sort of eldritch fascination with turning LGBTQ characters into monsters.

There’s no shortage of representation in Murphy’s projects. It’s what he does with the characters that often elicits a negative reaction.

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With The Beauty focusing on sexually transmitted diseases that result in permutations of exquisiteness and beauty before killing the victim, well, you can imagine where this road will take us.

Whether it’s heavily eroticized and overly gratuitous violence or more generalized and inimical fixations on culture, Ryan Murphy’s work certainly keeps people talking.

So…What’s the Deal with the Menendez Brothers?

Despite the hoopla over The Beauty’s interesting premise, the big controversy right now is between Ryan Murphy’s documentary and the subjects of the work — namely, the Menendez brothers.

If you follow Ryan Murphy, even on a fairly limited basis, you probably know most of the relevant details. However, for those of you who do not, there’s a lot to unpack without giving my fingers early-onset carpal tunnel.

If there’s a single primary criticism that applies to Ryan Murphy, it’s gratuitousness. He doesn’t hold back, even when it’s the sensible thing to do.

In the case of the Lyle and Erik Menendez documentary, there’s a decent probability that Murphy didn’t just fail to hold back but also engaged in some embellishment.

For those living under a rock, the Menendez brothers were found guilty of murdering their parents in the mid-90s. Most of the controversy revolves around Murphy’s portrayal of a sexual, incestuous relationship between the two brothers.

Of course, both adamantly deny that anything like that ever happened.

Even more disconcerting, Murphy never spoke to the brothers throughout the entire filmmaking process. That’s kind of something you expect the director of a documentary to do.

After all, there are two sides to every coin, and even if the brothers lack any and all credibility, you still have to allow their voice some air time as well. If nothing else, it avoids a sense of bias.

The same can be said about another Murphy docudrama, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Murphy again did nothing but embellish and create overly dramatic scenarios that don’t exactly match the facts on the ground.

Murphy would call it “artistic license,” though others will call it “co-opting a real-life tragedy in the name of personal gain.”

Desirable STDs?

Anyone who spends their life creating anything of value understands the mental roadblocks that occasionally metastasize from nowhere.

It’s best to describe the current Ryan Murphy as one wading in a pool of decrepitude.

From such apathy, we get the usual: Over-the-top violence, silent scenes that drag on forever, doldrums permeating throughout the story, and sex. The concept behind The Beauty should come as no surprise.

With that being said, do we get the prolongation of the first few Grotesquerie or something more substantive and entertaining?

It’s obvious that a sexually transmitted disease, which happens to make the recipient beautiful, is the shock value enticing viewers to tune it.

But will there be anything more than archetypal Murphy or more ponderous, bloated scenes of sexual depravity and/or gore?

If that’s what viewers want, a few minutes of streaming Shudder will suffice. It’s not that Murphy is not creative (he has quite a storied career).

Everything has its breaking point, and such scenery typifies the Ryan Murphy experience. The whole idea, of course, is to create an analogy of societal demands for bodily perfection.

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But we’ve experienced this song and dance before, especially if one spends more than five minutes daily on social media.

Murphy also tends to cerement corpses in gold-laced vicuna. The appeal is there, but the content never completes the delivery.

It’s like waiting on an exciting Prime package only to discover that the Amazon driver’s delivery is two neighborhoods over.

The Doldrums of Dystopia

I wrote an article on the superfluous use of dystopian settings in recent times if only to articulate the idea that, well, there are no more ideas in that genre.

Unfortunately, the dystopian virus has the entertainment industry firmly within its grasp.

Time after time, funereal shows riddle us with bleak landscapes or barren souls, slogging through austere political times or some post-civilization imaginings.

Fallout is fantastic television in so many ways, but you can only deliver the same platter so many times before the enamoring effect falls away.

The Beauty is churlish when it comes to details, but the synopsis indicates a more functional society similar to our own.

This will certainly help, though it’s hard to imagine “functionality” in a civilization that places an emphasis on STDs in exchange for beauty.

Or, perhaps I’m being cynical, and The Beauty will be a more refreshing and continuously innovational series. However, Ryan Murphy is churning out docu-dramas, continuing series, and new series at an insane rate.

Even the most creative of us reach a point where excess breeds self-indulgence and mediocrity, not to mention the fact that The Beauty has a good deal of competition, all working from entrenched positions of popularity.

One point in Murphy’s favor is casting, something he’s genuinely good at, both from the audience’s and the critic’s standpoint.

So far, The Beauty has Evan Peters (a mainstay in Murphy’s various projects), Ashton Kutcher, Anthony Ramos, and Jeremy Pope.

Hopefully, The Beauty will bring some much-needed creative scope to the genre without repeating the more tiring aspects.

If things continue apace, however, the crescendo of fireworks will come at the beginning, with moody, semi-atmospheric silence superseding it.

The post Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty: Desirable STDs, Controversy, and More Dystopia appeared first on TV Fanatic.

His accomplishments are nothing to sniff at, and I have enjoyed many projects for as long as I can remember.

The WB series Popular may or may not have had tween me in a chokehold, Pose is a compelling masterpiece, and Glee is a cultural phenomenon imprinted in my brain eternally.

The 9-1-1 franchise is near and dear to me and is pure entertainment and fun.

The man can and does deliver; I can’t knock him for that.

Ryan Murphy Has the Midas Touch

He has the Midas Touch in television, with most of his projects turning to gold — Emmy gold, garnering critical acclaim and renewals, catapulting stars to more acclaim, and developing cult followings.

And there’s nothing wrong with that in the sense that success in this fickle industry is hard to come by.

But monopolies make that infinitely more challenging.

And Ryan Murphy is a certifiable monopoly at this point.

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The man cannot be stopped, but maybe he should be, or just be restrained a little.

Focusing more on the quality of content rather than quantity is important.

However, his game is all about how many projects he can churn out rather than if any of them can be good or have lasting power.

Ryan Murphy Premieres Six Series in Two Weeks

Another quality of Ryan Murphy’s series is that a good chunk of them run out of steam at some point in their tenure. They linger just a little too long or go too far off base.

As we settle into the Fall schedule, it’s mystifying to realize that Murphy had SIX series premiering within a week and a half across two streamers and two networks.

September saw the premieres of Netflix’s controversial Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Hulu’s American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez, Grotesquerie, Doctor Odyssey, 9-1-1, and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

And in October?

While the above will continue racking up views and ratings, American Horror Stories will drop.

Meanwhile, he’ll work on All’s Fair and gearing up for the recently greenlit and star-studded The Beauty and American Love Story.

There’s no end to those American Stories, after all.

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9-1-1 Franchise is Expanding

And despite the frustrating cancelation of 9-1-1: Lone Star, Murphy will get to start from scratch with a whole new spinoff, taking place goodness knows where adding to the massively successful 9-1-1 franchise.

I’m not even complaining about that. I already had 9-1-1 Spinoffs in mind myself, and 9-1-1: Lone Star’s showrunner‘s enthusiasm and hope over continuing stories via a spinoff was infectious.

But when it comes to this endless stream of projects all across the map pelting us at every conceivable turn, it’s a lot, okay?

What’s the saying? “Just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should.”

No one is knocking the glitz and glam of Murphy series dramas riddled with sex, pretty people, homoeroticism, and an endearing penchant for absurdity.

Are Murphy’s Signature Stylistic Choices and Themes Wearing Thin?

Murphy’s horror and genre work is particularly noteworthy, and he should focus on it most since he does it so well.

While often massively successful, the salacious true crime adaptations and iterations are not without controversy.

His propensity for the aforementioned homoeroticism and sexuality he infuses in literally anyone’s story or choice to lean into whatever brings great drama rather than sticking close to the truth can be offputting, insensitive, or any combination of the two depending on whose story he’s telling.

But Murphy is oversaturating the market with way too many series at once, and at this point, it doesn’t even feel like it’s about creative storytelling anymore.

Murphy’s Work Brings Up Some of Television’s Biggest Criticisms

The TV series often uphold some of the exact same things that negatively impact television as we know it these days:

• The unethical practices and exploitation of an overrun true crime market
• The unoriginality and laziness of franchise work
• The lack of star-making rather than star-stacking

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No amount of Emmys, fantastic performances, and critical acclaim can make up for the exploitation of true crime stories in sensationalized versions of traumatic stories in which victims or their families are left reeling.

And while franchise building has its merits, and even I won’t turn my nose up at another 9-1-1 in some capacity, it’s equally alarming to see the lack of original stories in favor of chasing what has become the status quo.

Is There Such Thing as “Too Much of a Good Thing?”

Do you know how many interesting potential series the “powers that be” abandon on the pitch floor or pass on lesser established or up-and-coming creatives in favor of the economic decision of greenlighting a “sure thing?” Too many.

And while it’s always delightful to see a talent like Evan Peters booked and busy, wouldn’t it be nice to see him in anything outside of a Ryan Murphy production?

He was great in Mare of Easttown, by the way!

Niecey Nash will never say no to Murphy, and understandably so, but what if she did sometimes?

Also, the sheer stunt-casting for every project, whether it’s Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian or freaking Travis Kelce, screams capitalizing off of pop culture and popularity to such a point where the cast members outshine whatever the project and story is.

Ryan Murphy, when he stays in his lane, is a capable creative who delivers juggernaut series.

But much like Tyler Perry, another creative who oversaturates and is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of his work to the point of impacting quality, maybe Ryan Murphy should chill for a bit.

He may not be tired, but I sure am. Give me a chance to miss you, sir.

Over to you, TV Fanatics.

The post Ryan Murphy Isn’t Tired Yet, But I Am appeared first on TV Fanatic.

People were wildin’ out with their puffy leg-of-mutton sleeves in 1894, part of the decade called the “Gay Nineties” to the song, “Little Lost Child.”

We have the ’60s and ’70s to thank for advancing us from the methods of the “Naughty Nineties.” These are real names for the 1890s. Let that sink in.

Due to its namesake, it didn’t take long before film and TV became the special sauce in crafting some visual masterpieces.

Over the years, that trend has only grown, with artists of countless genres jumping on the bandwagon.

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From shows like Friends and Sex and The City to films like Legally Blonde and Death Becomes Her, music videos are the perfect love child between music and film/TV.

And let’s be honest. We eat it up! Oh, we love seeing references to the movies and shows we can’t get enough of.

Obviously, we can’t have a list of culturally impactful music videos without kicking it off with one of the most iconic and legendary music videos of all time.

Prepare to revisit some timeless classics and discover a hidden gem or two!

Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

If you haven’t rewatched this masterpiece, I definitely suggest giving it another go. It absolutely feels like a mini-movie! And at thirteen minutes, with a few more, it could be an episode of some musical horror anthology show.

Think American Horror Story meets Glee. Actually, that might not be that hard to imagine since Glee did a whole Thriller segment.

It doesn’t matter because this song is a timeless bop! Now, I’ve never learned the dance because I am as coordinated as Bambi on ice, so if you have the choreography on lock, give us a flex in the comments!

One thing I did not know about this video is that it was inspired by the 1981 cult classic An American Werewolf in London.

If you’re like this TV Fanatic, you’re likely scratching your head because zombies, right?

Granted, I was just a kid when this video came out, but I forgot it was a video within a video.

There’s the first part with Wolfy Jackson, the movie he and his date are watching.

Then we get Michael Jackson ready to chomp on his lady friend. Classic!

Watch An American Werewolf in London Online

Madonna – Material Girl (1984)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Fun fact about this video: I have never seen it. What was the point, right? Everyone knew the song long before seeing a still of the video.

The idea for this music video was born from Madonna’s love and admiration of Marilyn Monroe. A rich, blonde, famous woman relating to another rich, blonde, famous woman? Groundbreaking.

This was a massive surprise because, according to RuPaul, “Madonna is only a fan of Madonna.” At least she has good taste in movies.

I’ve never met Madonna, but the grapevine tells me I may be better off just loving her music. Never meet your idols, right?

As for the music video, it is a timeless classic. It continues to live on in one form or another, such as in Birds of Prey when Harley Quinn hallucinates a dance sequence.

Side note: does Madonna’s video feel like the intersection between the Marylin Monroe and Margot Robbie versions? Just me?

It’s wild to think that Madonna was inspired by a movie over thirty years old at the time, but that’s the power of film and TV. The stories stir something within us. Something deeply human that rises up when we feel that spark.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, and gentlemen may prefer blondes, but inspiration never goes out of style.

Watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Online

Beastie Boys – Sabotage (1994)

Hawaii Five-0 (1968 – 1980), The Streets of San Francisco (1972 – 1977), S.W.A.T. (1975 – 1976), Baretta (1975 – 1978), Starsky and Hutch (1975 – 1979)

You guys, I’m mind-blown! I had no idea this song was by the Beastie Boys!

This is some kind of weird coincidence because I only know this song from films.

Specifically, the song is heard early in 2009’s Star Trek, played on a car stereo by an adolescent Kirk.

However, if you check the song’s cultural impact, it has been used A LOT.

Considering all the shows that inspired the music video, it’s no wonder it’s been used in various media, including comics.

That’s right. This song plays in the background of a club in X-Force Vol 1 #43. I guess the artist was a fan.

Interestingly, the song itself is about how terrible their producer was. There’s a lot to unpack there, but that’s what Wikipedia is for.

Fun fact: I had a blonde moment when I was reading the list of TV show influences and thought, “They based it off Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T.?” Nope — one point for the S.W.A.T. franchise and zero points for this TV Fanatic.

Watch S.W.A.T. Online

Weezer – Buddy Holly (1994)

Happy Days (1974 – 1984)

I clearly need to expand my musical horizons because I thought Weezer was Foo Fighters.

I’m just happy I found it out before I embarrassed myself. You all aren’t going to say anything, right?

The music video itself was a trip!

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There is so much history behind this video, but what is likely the most impressive fact is that it was made without computer graphics.

All it took was clever camera work and editing!

That is bonkers because the music video looks and feels EXACTLY like an episode of the ABC series Happy Days, except for the song.

If you’ve seen Happy Days, you know that tune was a little out of place, but that was the point.

I’m more familiar with the show that inspired the video than the song itself, but it had a vibe!

The music video rose to prominence because it was included with the Windows 95 installation CD-ROM. That is some next-level marketing.

Watch Happy Days Online

Outkast – Hey Ya (2003)

The Ed Sullivan Show (1948 – 1971)

Now you know when you hear that “1, 2, 3, my baby…” you hit that dancefloor with neither the speed nor grace of a gazelle because you’re too busy shouting, “This is my song!”

Girl, you are not wrong. It’s all our song! Grab that red solo cup and shake your ass like a Polaroid picture!

I had no idea this music video was based on The Beatle’s famous performance on the CBS variety show, The Ed Sullivan Show!

However, I was fourteen when this song came out with the attention span of a goldfish. All I knew was this was a bop that guaranteed people on the dancefloor.

It wasn’t a middle school dance or lock-in if no one was dancing to, “My baby don’t mess around because she loves me so.” I mean, that’s poetry right there.

Outkast had been prominent for years before this single, but this is the one that made EVERYONE pay attention.

The music video slaps in every possible way, down to the girl fainting from excitement. People really used to lose it over celebrities!

This is probably why the video took two days to film, with Andre 3000 performing the song twenty-three times.

Watch The Ed Sullivan Show Online

Destiny’s Child – Girl (2005)

Sex and The City (1998 – 2004)

Am I the last person on the planet to find out about this song? I had no idea it even existed!

For those who haven’t seen the music video, it’s a total recreation of Sex and The City.

But don’t expect anything meaningful to happen. Like the show, Destiny’s Child spends the video walking down the sidewalk and eating lunch.

That’s it.

Oh, and the real Destiny’s Child members are all watching the show with the cringiest expressions of shock and awe. To be fair, Beyonce had yet to truly dip her toe in the acting world.

Like the video, HBO‘s Sex and The City perfectly captured the late ‘90s and early 2000s vibe.

From the fashion, hair, and all-around casual energy, you can really tell that no one saw COVID-19 coming. Sorry, but that’s where my mind goes!

The song is amazing and has some really sweet and poignant lyrics.

Excuse me while I unzip my CD book and bust out my five-disk stereo with speaker attachments. How did we ever survive without phones and the internet at the ready?

Watch Sex and The City Online

U2 – Song for Someone (2014)

Rectify (2013 – 2016)

If you’ve seen this music video or heard this song, you may be asking yourself, “What is it doing on this list?” That is a very fair question.

For one thing, I was unfamiliar with the SundanceTV show Rectify, so I had no idea this video was based on a TV show.

However, Woody Harrelson and his daughter act their butt off! This is such an emotionally charged song and video.

It’s about a man struggling to adjust outside of prison. I wonder where they got the idea.

All joking aside, this music video feels more like a movie or show than any other music video on this list.

Sure, you won’t shake it to the melody, but it’ll still move you.

Grab the tissues because this one is all heart!

Watch Rectify Online

Iggy Azalea – Fancy (2014)

Clueless (1995)

Now, here is a movie that defined a generation!

Oh my god, I love Clueless so much. It is timeless, with issues that are no longer relatable. And that’s the best part!

I feel like I’m time-traveling any time I watch Clueless. A young Paul Rudd can steal the remote from me whenever he wants. He still looks so good on Only Murders in the Building.

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However you feel about Iggy Azalea, you have to give it up to her.

That song doesn’t just slap. It’s a straight-up K.O.

And the music video?! It’s almost as classic as the movie itself.

From the choreography to the perfectly chosen scenes from the film, I could watch this music video over and over again.

Considering this was only Alicia Silverstone’s fourth movie, it’s no wonder she was THE it girl of the ‘90s. She was already on her rise, but this movie skyrocketed her fame.

Side note: Don’t play a drinking game to Clueless.

The rules always say to drink whenever you hear “as if.” Don’t do it. You’ll be wasted before Tai gets the red dye out of her hair.

Unfortunately, the music video is currently unavailable for viewing.

Watch Clueless Online

Bruno Mars – Finesse (2016)

In Living Color (1990 – 1994)

Do people know about this music video?! I was instantly transported back to the ‘90s, and I had never heard this song before or seen the music video.

Good for them for correcting the fashion faux pas of the ’90s because it was ROUGH. I was so entranced that I barely heard the lyrics.

So, I was too young to enjoy In Living Color, being only a few years old at the time.

However, I must ask: How did this show not stand the test of time?

It was quality comedic writing coupled with an exceptionally iconic costuming. Thankfully, the music video for “Finesse” color-corrected some of the “choices.”

Either way, between the song and the choreography, this music video will get you in the groove!

I’ll be binge-watching In Living Color from beginning to end because I feel I missed out on a culturally relevant event.

I mean, Jim Carrey and Keenen Ivory Wayans, the latter of which will be returning to TV with Poppa’s House? Legends.

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Jay-Z – Moonlight

Friends (1994 – 2004)

If you ever thought Friends would be a better show with an African American cast, you should’ve watched Living Single. I mean, Queen Latifah?!

However, this music video can still scratch that itch.

It recasts the making of one of the most memorable episodes from Friends with some of the best comedic actors of color.

I’m not going to go on a whole rant, but you need to see these names in the music video: Issa Rae (Insecure), Tessa Thompson (Westworld), Tiffany Haddish (The Afterparty), Lil Rel Howery (Poker Face), Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta), and Jerrod Carmichael (Ramy).

I’ll let you figure out which character these tremendously talented actors play.

Personally, I don’t think I need to discuss Friends’ cultural impact. If you’ve been alive for the last two decades, you already know.

People LOVE this show. Yes, I am one of them.

However, growing up, I was not allowed to watch Friends — only Living Single. So, ten points to my clueless parents.

They had no idea what a gift they gave me. As an adult, both Living Single and Friends still hold up.

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Ariana Grande – Thank You, Next (2019)

Mean Girls (2004), Bring It On (2000), Legally Blonde (2001), 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Listen, you can dislike Miss Grande all you want, but honey-kitty-boo-boo-child, you will give this music video the respect it deserves!

Ariana absolutely ate in Thank You, Next. She served ponytail and blonde bombshell realness throughout that whole damn video.

The girl already had a banger on her hands when she made this video and decided to slay the music industry.

Mama, I swear the whole world lost their minds over this music video. And why wouldn’t they?

Ariana used not ONE, but FOUR of the most iconic movies of the 2000s.

As far as I’m concerned, that was the only acceptable Mean Girls remake. Don’t even get me started.

Not only did she perfectly recreate the movie scenes, but she also brought in so many stars, like Jennifer Coolidge and her castmates from her Nickelodeon show, Victorious.

This ridiculously iconic music video even had a Kris Jenner cameo. Say what you want, but she was feeling herself.

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The Jonas Brothers – What a Man Gotta Do? (2020)

Risky Business (1983), Grease (1978), Say Anything… (1989)

Okay, so I thought this was the music video for “Sucker” because of the wives being in it.

I had no idea they gave it another go.

And even though I don’t consider myself a Jonas Brothers fan, this music video was chock full of chemistry!

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Granted, it’s three married couples (yes, I know about Joe and Sophie), but they seem to be having genuine fun! Which is great because the song is a bit mid.

So, in that regard, “What a Man Gotta Do?” wins when it comes to the video, but “Sucker” is way catchier.

The movies they chose are some legit classics, but I did have a favorite sequence.

Sophie Turner in the Grease reenactment was UH-mazing! I loved that she played Sandy and her version of “Cha-Cha.”

Also, I’m just going to throw this out there: The character “Cha-Cha” in the film is categorized as a student. Did you know that? Because all I see is a grown-ass woman.

The entire cast was adults, but “Cha-Cha” looked like she taught Spanish class. Come on, now.

Watch Grease Online

Sabrina Carpenter – Taste (2024)

Death Becomes Her (1992), Psycho (1960), Addams Family Values (1993), Ginger Snaps (2000), Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

If you thought I went crazy for “Thank You, Next,” you are not ready to hear me talk about this unbelievable music video!

Granted, I don’t take to new music easily. I am very much that person who still listens to a playlist of songs they made ten years ago. However, I get curious now and then.

This time, curiosity killed this cat and brought me back to life with references to cinematic gold. First, Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega were painted for the gods!

Honey, the hair and make-up on those girls were unreal. Actually, they might be if A.I. was used.

It doesn’t matter because I would forgive anything for that Death Becomes Her reference.

I know “Taste” encompasses multiple movies as inspiration, but that video was dripping with Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp’s fabulous pettiness.

From the voodoo dolls to the Kill Bill eye patch and the lingerie with feather boas, this music video will leave you as plucked as the iconic films that inspired it.

I know filming has wrapped on Wednesday Season 2, but how great would it be if Sabrina Carpenter flexed her acting skills again and made one little cameo?

I mean, with those eyes and that voice, she’s a siren all the way.

All I know is that I love many of these legendary films and TV shows. So, seeing them paired with bangers and bops is a memorable and uplifting experience.

Which was your favorite video from the list?

What film or show would you like to see referenced in a music video?

Please comment below to share your thoughts, and join me again when I bring you another list of impactful films and TV shows.

Watch Death Becomes Her Online

The post 13 Music Videos That Sizzle With Cinematic Glory appeared first on TV Fanatic.

From cold-blooded manipulators to charismatic killers, these unforgettable characters worm their way into our nightmares — and sometimes our hearts — by showing us just how terrifying the human mind can be.

Whether they’re charming, ruthless, or hiding their darkness behind a perfect smile, these villains kept us glued to the screen, wondering what horrifying move they’ll make next.

So, let’s dive into the chilling world of TV’s most unforgettable psychopaths.

And here’s a word of warning: you might want to leave the lights on for this one!

Leland Townsend (Evil)

Evil’s Leland Townsend is the kind of psychopath who gets his kicks from playing with people’s darkest instincts. He’s not your typical knife-wielding villain — oh no, Leland’s much sneakier.

He shows up as a charming, harmless guy, but underneath? He’s a full-blown vessel of pure evil.

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One of his creepiest moments comes when he casually convinces a young boy to embrace his violent tendencies, all while keeping that unnerving smile plastered on his face.

But Leland doesn’t stop there — he’s got his sights set on Kristen’s mom, Sheryl. He seduces her and slowly pulls her into his twisted world, using her as a pawn in his larger scheme to torment Kristen and dismantle her family.

The way he plays Sheryl, exploiting her insecurities and isolating her from her daughter, is classic Leland.

He’s a master at turning people against each other while maintaining the appearance of a caring, concerned partner.

What makes Leland so terrifying is his ability to make evil look almost reasonable. He doesn’t need a weapon — he’s got words, manipulation, and charisma to cause destruction.

Leland’s real power is psychological, and he uses it to wreck lives, especially Kristen’s, one twisted move at a time.

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Lucy Butler (Millennium)

Lucy Butler is one of the most underrated TV psychopaths ever. Her obsession with Frank Black on Millennium goes far beyond mere torment — she’s determined to break him.

Testing his morality and pulling him into the darkness, Lucy doesn’t just kill — she corrupts. Her psychological torment warps reality, leaving her victims trapped in a nightmare, especially Frank.

Whether she’s posing as a grieving mother or shifting into a sinister form, Lucy’s blend of manipulation and supernatural menace makes her unforgettable.

In one of Butler’s most brutal moments, she murders Lt. Bob Bletcher in Frank Black’s own home. What makes this scene particularly chilling is the way she first appears as an unassuming woman, standing calmly at the top of the stairs.

As Bletcher approaches, she suddenly transforms, taking on a demonic form that leaves him paralyzed with fear before finally killing him shortly thereafter.

Lucy isn’t your typical psychopath. Instead, she’s a master manipulator and shapeshifter, slipping between seductive charm and pure evil with ease. She doesn’t just bring horror — she is the horror that lingers long after she’s off-screen.

Jerome Valeska (Gotham)

Jerome Valeska made his unforgettable debut on Gotham Season 1, and from the moment he stepped on screen, it was clear we were dealing with a special kind of psychopath.

Played with chaotic brilliance by Cameron Monaghan, Jerome first appeared as a seemingly harmless circus worker.

But when he revealed his true nature — after murdering his mother, no less — the transformation from an innocent facade to a chilling, gleeful maniac was jaw-dropping. That creepy grin and maniacal laugh? Instant classic.

Jerome’s psychopathic tendencies were rooted in his love for chaos and destruction. He thrived on creating disorder and fear, often toying with his victims as if life itself were a twisted game.

Unlike some villains with grand schemes or personal vendettas, Jerome simply enjoyed watching the world burn (which is why everyone thought he was the Joker).

His unpredictability made him all the more terrifying, as he could switch from a calm conversation to violent hysteria in the blink of an eye.

His penchant for violence wasn’t driven by logic or even personal gain — it was pure entertainment for him. His psychopathy was raw, untamed, and dangerous, making him one of Gotham’s most electrifying villains.

His first major act of psychopathy was orchestrating an escape from Arkham Asylum and then going on a killing spree just for the thrill of it.

Jerome lived for the shock value, loving the fear and confusion he could evoke in others.

And it wasn’t just about killing — he had a flair for theatrics, whether hijacking a live broadcast to terrorize Gotham or leading a cult of followers who worshiped his madness.

Jerome embodied the chaotic, anarchic side of the Joker archetype. He wasn’t a master planner; he was a ticking time bomb, always ready to explode in ways no one could predict.

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Villanelle (Killing Eve)

Killing Eve’s Villanelle is the kind of psychopath who makes murder look like an art form.

With her killer fashion sense and an even deadlier grin, she moves through life with a chilling detachment from human life.

Who else can kill a man with a poisoned hairpin while still looking like she’s ready for a night out?

Her charm is part of what makes her so terrifying. Not only does Villanelle kill, she enjoys it, like a game where she’s always in control.

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Her playful psychopathy is on full display in her “relationship” with Eve, who she toys with like a cat batting around a mouse.

She can go from flirting to stabbing in the blink of an eye, and her obsession with Eve adds an extra layer of craziness. Even her handler isn’t safe from her whims — she’s equally likely to blow him a kiss or blow him away.

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Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal)

Can you imagine if Hannibal Lecter hosted Gordon Ramsay for dinner? Would Ramsay marvel at the “bold flavors” or call it a culinary disaster, unknowingly signing his death warrant?

And would Hannibal reveal his secret ingredient? Spoiler: it’s human flesh.

Hannibal is the most elegant psychopath to ever grace the screen — a refined psychiatrist, gourmet chef, and cold-blooded predator. His victims? Often served up as the main course at his lavish dinner parties.

Guests sip fine wine and savor dishes, completely unaware that their entrée was once someone’s neighbor.

One of Hannibal’s most chilling moments was when he served Abel Gideon his own leg, perfectly cooked and plated (on a lotus leaf!), all while maintaining his signature icy composure.

It’s not just the act that’s horrifying; it’s the way he turns murder into an art form, with his clinical detachment making the scene even more disturbing.

What makes Hannibal truly terrifying is his ability to blend in. As a respected psychiatrist, he manipulates the people around him, turning trust into a deadly trap.

With a charming smile and a beautifully crafted meal, Hannibal turns dinner into a nightmare — securing his place as one of TV’s most unforgettable psychopaths.

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Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones)

Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones is the ultimate TV psychopath, a king whose cruelty knows no bounds. Drunk on power and with an unchecked thirst for violence, Joffrey’s reign is one of sadism and terror.

From the moment he gleefully orders Ned Stark’s execution, it’s clear Joffrey is not just ruthless — he’s psychopathic.

He takes pleasure in the suffering of others, especially when forcing Sansa Stark to stare at her father’s severed head on a spike, smiling as she’s emotionally shattered.

But Joffrey’s cruelty isn’t just limited to political enemies. His twisted mind revels in tormenting for sheer entertainment, particularly when he tortures prostitutes for fun.

In one of his most disturbing moments, Joffrey orders the execution of Ros, a young woman with a crossbow, grinning as she dies in agony, her body left as a grisly display.

This scene is the perfect example of Joffrey’s complete lack of empathy and his delight in cruelty. He doesn’t just want power — he wants to dominate and humiliate everyone around him.

Joffrey’s psychopathy isn’t about calculated power moves; it’s about the pleasure he gets from causing pain.

Watching Joffrey’s descent into darker, more sadistic acts makes him a character who embodies everything terrifying about unchecked power in the hands of a true psychopath.

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Brady Hartsfield (Mr. Mercedes)

Brady Hartsfield from Mr. Mercedes may look like your friendly neighborhood ice cream man, but behind that innocent smile lies a dangerous and disturbed mind.

Brady uses his seemingly harmless job to get close to his victims, especially retired detective Bill Hodges, all while masking his dark obsessions.

His ability to blend into the everyday world while stalking Hodges is chilling and it makes his twisted cat-and-mouse game even more unsettling.

Brady’s real talent lies in his tech-savvy genius. He uses technology to hack into Hodges’ devices, leaving taunting messages and psychological traps that push the detective to the edge.

What makes Brady truly terrifying is how he enjoys breaking his victims mentally; he’s not just looking for blood; he wants to control them.

Another layer to Brady’s disturbing character is his complicated and unhealthy relationship with his mother, which adds depth to his psychopathy.

It’s this twisted family dynamic that further shapes Brady’s dark persona, making him even more dangerous.

The contrast between Brady’s friendly, harmless appearance and the evil lurking beneath is what makes him stand out. He’s a manipulator and killer who turns ordinary moments into nightmares.

Be careful the next time you hear that catchy jingle, you might be getting more than just a tasty treat.

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Norman Bates (Bates Motel)

Norman Bates may seem like the quiet, awkward kid next door, but underneath that facade lies one scary dude.

His deeply dysfunctional relationship with his mother, Norma, mixed with his pre-existing mental illness, is the perfect storm that drives Norman into a full psychotic breakdown on Bates Motel.

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From the start, it’s clear Norman has serious issues, and Norma, despite knowing something is wrong, never seeks professional help for him.

Instead, her possessiveness and control only tighten the grip on Norman’s fragile mind, leading him to dissociate and take on her personality.

As Norman’s mental state deteriorates, he begins killing women he believes are coming between him and his mother, like his teacher, Blaire Watson, and his high school crush, Bradley Martin.

In Norman’s twisted mind, “Mother” is the one committing these murders to protect him from “bad” influences, but it’s really Norman in a delusional state, completely unaware of his actions.

Norman’s final break with reality comes when Norma starts a relationship with Sheriff Alex Romero. Unable to cope with the thought of sharing his mother, Norman orchestrates a murder-suicide by tampering with the gas in their home.

While Norma dies, Norman survives — and from that moment, his transformation is complete. He keeps his mother’s corpse in the house, dresses in her clothes, and continues his killing spree, convinced “Mother” is still in control.

Even Romero, who loved Norma, becomes one of Norman’s victims, proving that no one could come between him and his “Mother.”

Norman Bates is a tragic mix of obsession and delusion, making his descent into madness both heartbreaking and terrifying.

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Joe Goldberg (YOU)

YOU‘s Joe Goldberg is another psychopath hiding in plain sight — this time right behind a bookstore counter. On the surface, Joe appears to be the perfect guy: charming, romantic, and just looking for love.

But beneath that calm exterior is someone far more dangerous. His obsessive, controlling nature emerges as he stalks those he fixates on and eliminates anyone who gets in the way of his “perfect” relationships.

One of Joe’s most chilling moments comes when he murders his girlfriend, Beck, after she discovers his hidden box of trophies from past victims.

In Joe’s warped mind, he sees this murder not as an act of violence but as something necessary to protect their love.

His ability to justify these heinous acts to himself, convincing himself he’s doing it out of love or protection, makes Joe especially unsettling.

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Nurse Ratched (Ratched)

Nurse Mildred Ratched is the epitome of a cold, calculating psychopath who hides her dark nature behind the mask of a caregiver.

In her pursuit of power, she manipulates, tortures, and kills anyone who threatens her control, all while maintaining a veneer of compassion.

Her most disturbing actions often come under the guise of treatment — whether it’s forcing a lobotomy on an innocent patient or using electroshock therapy as a method of punishment rather than healing.

What makes her truly terrifying is her ability to rationalize her cruel actions as “helping” her patients. She doesn’t see herself as a villain but rather as someone who is justified in her methods, no matter how brutal.

Her icy calm and meticulous approach to manipulation make her especially chilling — she can smile while planning someone’s destruction.

Mildred’s quiet, methodical cruelty is a chilling reminder that sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the ones who hide behind a mask of care and authority.

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Bev Keane (Midnight Mass)

Bev Keane from Midnight Mass is a walking nightmare wrapped in a church dress. No fangs, no claws –her weapon is blind faith, and she wields it with terrifying precision.

Bev is a cold, calculating force hiding behind a pious smile, twisting scripture into a tool of control.

Whether she’s casually suggesting mass poisonings or standing smugly as chaos erupts, Bev’s moral superiority makes her even more dangerous. She doesn’t flinch because, in her twisted mind, she’s not the villain — she’s the savior.

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The scariest part? Bev truly believes she’s on a divine mission, which means she’s capable of anything. While others on Crockett Island face supernatural horrors, Bev sees herself as the righteous judge, jury, and executioner.

Her fanaticism knows no bounds. When Bev condemns you, it’s with the certainty that she’s delivering you to salvation – even if that salvation comes in the form of death.

She’ll smile sweetly as she leads you to your doom, which makes her all the more terrifying. Bev Keane isn’t just preaching the end — she is the end.

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James March (American Horror Story: Hotel)

James March, one of American Horror Story: Hotel’s most terrifying characters, is the perfect mix of charm and sadism.

A serial killer with a love for the macabre, March designed the Hotel Cortez to be his personal murder playground, complete with secret passageways and hidden rooms where he could trap and torture his unsuspecting guests.

But it’s not just the elaborate murders that define March — it’s the gleeful way he goes about them. He doesn’t just kill; he turns each murder into an art form, taking pride in the intricacy of his methods.

What makes March truly horrifying is the way he balances charisma with pure evil. Played masterfully by Evan Peters, March exudes a twisted kind of charm, delighting in his own wickedness.

One of his most chilling moments comes when he hosts a dinner party for some of history’s most infamous serial killers, including John Wayne Gacy and Aileen Wuornos.

This nightmarish gathering sees March casually swapping murder stories over dinner as if discussing the weather, his nonchalant attitude making the scene all the more disturbing.

James March isn’t just a psychopath; he’s a villain who enjoys every sickening moment of his crimes. His charm makes him even more dangerous, turning horrific acts into almost casual, everyday events.

Whether he’s tormenting guests or reminiscing about his kills, March’s sophistication and savagery blend into one of TV’s most unforgettable and terrifying characters. His evil lingers long after you leave the Hotel Cortez.

Watch American Horror Story: Hotel Online

Homelander (The Boys)

Homelander from The Boys is the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing — America’s golden superhero with the heart of a psychopath.

Behind that perfect smile and patriotic suit lies a volatile, power-hungry monster who doesn’t just demand respect — he expects worship.

His sense of entitlement is terrifying, and when things don’t go his way, he doesn’t throw a tantrum obliterating anyone in his path.

Whether he’s casually murdering innocents with his laser vision or threatening his own team with a smirk, Homelander thrives on control and destruction.

What makes him truly frightening isn’t just his god-like powers but his complete lack of empathy. He doesn’t see people as lives worth protecting; to him, they’re disposable tools or obstacles to crush.

His charming speeches and faux heroism only mask the true predator lurking underneath, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash his brutality.

Homelander doesn’t just kill — he dominates, manipulates, and terrorizes with gleeful ease, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

And the worst part? He believes he’s always right, making him not just dangerous but unstoppable. With Homelander, the real terror is knowing he can do whatever he wants — and no one can stop him.

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Errol Childress (True Detective)

Errol Childress from True Detective is the embodiment of relentless, quiet terror.

He hides behind the mask of an unassuming handyman, but beneath that exterior is a man driven by twisted rituals and a hunger for violence. His eerie calm and casual cruelty make him all the more disturbing.

Childress doesn’t just kill; he transforms murder into a grotesque art, operating with chilling precision.

When Rust Cohle and Martin Hart finally confront him at his home, the depths of Childress’s twisted worldview are fully revealed.

His secret underground lair, complete with an altar made out of his decaying victims, serves as a nightmarish reflection of his disturbed psyche.

With the sinister cult as a backdrop, Childress stands out as the ultimate predator — one who revels in the slow, creeping terror he instills. He’s not simply a killer; he’s a monster who thrives on turning fear into a living, breathing reality.

Watch True Detective Season 1 Online

Alice Morgan (Luther)

Alice Morgan from Luther is the type of psychopath who makes chilling seem elegant. A brilliant astrophysicist with a killer instinct, she’s as intelligent as she is deadly.

What makes Alice so terrifying isn’t just her ability to manipulate everyone around her but the fact that she enjoys it. She doesn’t just outthink her enemies—she plays with them like a cat toying with its prey.

Her calm, almost flirtatious demeanor when discussing murder is enough to send chills down your spine. One minute she’s flashing a charming smile, and the next, she’s hinting at the dark, twisted thoughts lurking beneath the surface.

Alice’s obsession with Luther and the mind games she plays make her especially dangerous. She’s not just a killer; she’s a master manipulator who finds joy in every ounce of chaos she creates.

With Alice, it’s never just about the murder — it’s about control, power, and enjoying the game. You never know what she’s going to do next, but one thing’s for sure: she’s always ten steps ahead, and that’s what makes her so terrifying.

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Kilgrave (Jessica Jones)

Kilgrave from Jessica Jones is the kind of psychopath who doesn’t just control people — he makes them beg to obey.

With nothing more than a whisper, he bends others to his will, forcing them to commit unspeakable acts without a second thought. And he enjoys every second of it. He doesn’t just manipulate; he makes you love it while he’s doing it.

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The worst part? Kilgrave doesn’t see himself as the bad guy. He strolls through life with a twisted sense of entitlement, convinced the world — and everyone in it — exists for his amusement.

Whether he orders someone to leap off a building or torments Jessica with mind games, his nonchalant attitude only makes him more terrifying.

Kilgrave’s charm is as dangerous as his power. He can make you feel safe one second, then rip away your free will the next, all while acting like he’s doing you a favor.

His total lack of remorse, combined with his god-like control, makes every encounter a chilling reminder that with Kilgrave, there’s no escape.

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The Trinity Killer (Dexter)

Arthur Mitchell, better known as the Trinity Killer on Dexter, is the kind of psychopath that gets under your skin and stays there.

This guy isn’t your typical serial killer — he’s a chilling blend of calculated ritual and terrifying unpredictability.

With his twisted, meticulous killing cycle tied to traumatic events from his childhood, Trinity isn’t just hunting victims — he’s reliving his pain over and over again, dragging others into his nightmare.

One of the most terrifying aspects of the Trinity Killer is his ability to balance two lives: as a loving father and charitable community leader while secretly being a cold-blooded murderer.

But don’t let the nice guy act fool you. This is a man who ritualistically murders to “cleanse” himself of his inner demons, each kill performed with almost religious precision.

His confrontation with Dexter is the stuff of nightmares — especially when Dexter realizes just how deeply disturbed Arthur really is.

Trinity’s calm, methodical demeanor makes his sudden, brutal violence even more horrifying.

And unlike other killers Dexter encounters, Trinity leaves a lasting scar, both on the show and on the audience. His blend of charm, control, and sheer madness makes the Trinity Killer one of TV’s most bone-chilling psychopaths.

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Lorne Malvo (Fargo)

Fargo’s Lorne Malvo is chaos incarnate, wrapped in polite small talk. This is a guy who doesn’t just kill for money — he enjoys it.

His calm, eerily soft-spoken demeanor only cranks up the terror as he unleashes a twisted sense of humor and a taste for destruction. Malvo doesn’t just ruin lives — he shatters them, turning chaos into a twisted game.

One of his most chilling moves? Manipulating meek Lester Nygaard into killing his own wife, all with a devilish whisper and that unsettling smile.

Malvo never needs brute force; he plants the seeds of violence and sits back to watch the carnage unfold.

What makes him even scarier? He kills not because he has to but because he loves watching people crumble. Whether he’s tormenting FBI agents, obliterating crime families, or dropping philosophical bombs before his next kill, Malvo is a storm of destruction.

This is a psychopath who doesn’t just take lives — he dismantles them, piece by piece, with chilling delight.

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Ben Linus (Lost)

Ben Linus from Lost is the kind of mastermind who can make your skin crawl with just a smile. This man doesn’t need brute force — he controls with whispers, lies, and an eerie calm that sends chills down your spine.

Every move is calculated, every word a trap, and before you know it, you’re dancing to his tune, whether you want to or not.

One of Ben’s most chilling qualities is how effortlessly he shifts from quiet manipulation to ruthless action.

He’s the type of character who will calmly offer you tea one minute and then, without a flicker of emotion, watch your world crumble the next.

Whether he’s staging betrayals or pulling strings behind the scenes, Ben doesn’t just outthink his enemies — he outmaneuvers them at every turn.

With those deadpan stares and carefully chosen words, Ben Linus is always two steps ahead, proving that the scariest thing on the island isn’t the smoke monster — it’s him.

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The Reaper – Criminal Minds

George Foyet, better known as The Reaper, is one of the most terrifying killers on Criminal Minds. Unlike many of the show’s “unsubs,” Foyet doesn’t just kill for satisfaction — he enjoys the game of it all.

His reign of terror began with a series of brutal murders, but it’s his relentless, personal vendetta against FBI Agent Aaron Hotchner that truly sets him apart.

Foyet manipulates, stalks, and tortures with chilling precision, and his ability to outsmart the FBI for so long makes him all the more dangerous.

One of Foyet’s most horrifying moments is when he fakes his own death, a twist that leaves everyone, including the FBI, believing he’s gone.

But the real nightmare begins when Foyet resurfaces and brutally attacks Hotchner’s family, culminating in one of the series’ most gut-wrenching episodes when he murders Hotchner’s wife, Haley, while forcing Hotch to listen on the phone.

Foyet’s cruel mind games and sadistic pleasure in watching his victims suffer make him not just a killer but a true embodiment of terror.

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Negan (The Walking Dead)

Negan from The Walking Dead is the kind of psychopath who doesn’t just command fear — he revels in it. Armed with his trusty barbed-wire bat, Lucille, and a twisted sense of humor, Negan is all about power and control.

When he first saunters onto the scene, he makes sure everyone knows who’s boss by delivering one of the most gut-wrenching moments in TV history: brutally bashing in the heads of two fan-favorite characters.

His swagger, combined with his sadistic charm, makes him both terrifying and oddly captivating.

Negan doesn’t just kill — he delivers speeches, plays mind games, and somehow makes you laugh right before he commits unspeakable acts of violence. The worst part? He’s always smiling while doing it.

His whole persona is designed to break people mentally and physically, leaving them too scared to even think about rebelling.

He’s a master manipulator who can make you think you’re in control, all while tightening the noose around your neck.

Whether he’s cracking jokes while cracking skulls or monologuing about his twisted philosophy of survival, Negan makes it clear that the apocalypse isn’t for the weak — and he’s more than happy to teach you that lesson with Lucille if needed.

Negan isn’t just a villain — he’s a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

Watch The Walking Dead Online

Forever in Your Mind

From cunning masterminds to unhinged killers, these unforgettable psychopaths remind us why villains often steal the show. They toy with our emotions, keep us on the edge of our seats, and leave a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

As much as we fear them, we can’t help but be fascinated by their dark minds.

So, the next time you find yourself binge-watching a series, remember — it’s not always the hero who makes it memorable. Sometimes, it’s the psychopath lurking in the shadows.

Who’s your favorite TV psychopath? Share yours in the comments below!

The post TV’s Most Unforgettable Psychopaths appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The Bear leads all comedies (we’ll set aside, for now, the debate over whether the series can properly be considered a comedy) with 23 nominations.

While Shogun has the most nods among dramas, with a whopping 25.

The Bear is now the most-nominated sitcom in history.

And you’d have to go back to the early days of The Sopranos to find another instance in which a new drama earned as much acclaim as Shogun.

These shows have a chance to make history on Sunday night, and they’re both easy to root for.

Unlike past award season juggernauts like Game of Thrones, these shows are both underdog series that were never expected to make this big a splash.

And the most surprising thing about the success of both The Bear and Shogun is that your average American cable subscriber can watch them for free.

Yes, after years of domination by premium cable and streaming outlets, the Emmys are making way for a more basic platform — as in basic cable.

Now, FX — the little channel that could — is not the most nominated network of the year.

That title belongs to Netflix, with an astonishing 107 noms.

But FX follows close behind with 93 nominations — and the network managed that feat with a much smaller content library.

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While Netflix and CEO Reed Hastings prefer to throw a whole lot of pilots at the wall and see what sticks, FX and chairman John Landgraf take a different approach.

The current FX business model is to go all-in with big risks on a handful of innovative shows.

In addition to Shogun and The Bear, the network received nominations for Reservation Dogs, What We Do in the Shadows, Fargo, and Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.

Other acclaimed FX shows that released new episodes in the past year include The Old Man, The Veil, and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

If that slate of shows proves anything, it’s that FX is not afraid of taking risks — and clearly, the network’s boldness is paying off.

It’s a situation that brings to mind the industry-redefining approach that HBO adopted in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

For our younger readers who may not have any memory of those years, HBO’s bread and butter used to be boxing matches between lesser-known fighters and movies that had wrapped their theatrical runs several months prior.

It wasn’t until the days of Sex and the City, The Larry Sanders Show, and The Sopranos that the network came to be known for original programming.

During those same years, FX (branded as “Fox gone cable” at the time) was mostly a repository for reruns of its parent network’s shows The X-Files, Married…With Children) with the occasional baseball or NASCAR broadcast thrown in.

Now, the basic cable channel seems to have taken a page from HBO’s playbook. And the results have exceeded even the most optimistic predictions.

It wasn’t all that long ago that the idea of FX reigning over award season would’ve seemed absurd.

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But in 2024 the network managed to locate the sweet spot between critical and commercial appeal like no other network.

Not since the years when The Wire, Deadwood, The Sopranos, and SATC were all airing on HBO has one platform delivered so much high-brow fare that also appealed to the masses.

And with the exception of Reservation Dogs and What We Do in the Shadows, all of FX’s heavy hitters are expected to return for multiple more seasons.

If FX brings home dozens of Emmys on Sunday — as many have predicted — then the whole industry might be put on alert.

It’s the sort of development that might lead to more risk-taking, more innovative shows, and an end to the cancel-happy approach to programming that’s currently in vogue.

And that means FX’s wins might really be a victory for fans of compelling television.

What do you think, TV fanatics? Has FX picked up HBO’s mantle?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts.

The post With The Bear and Shogun Set to Dominate the Emmys, Is FX the New HBO? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Before the age of streaming, plenty of beloved shows barely made it past one season. The usual culprit? “Low ratings.”

But often, networks were to blame. Maybe they stuck a great show in a terrible time slot or scheduled it against a ratings juggernaut on another network.

Sometimes, the show was too edgy or dark for network bigwigs or too complex for mainstream audiences to embrace right away.

In rare cases, fan campaigns brought a canceled show back for another season, but more often, it was game over.

If streaming had been as big back then as it is now, these shows — and their loyal fans — might have gotten the long run they deserved.

So, what failed TV shows of yesterday would have been streaming hits today? Let’s dive in!

Millennium (FOX)

Even though Millennium technically lasted three seasons, only the first two really count. Season three? Let’s just say it lost its way.

Let’s rewind: the actual millennium was looming, and no one really knew what to expect.

Enter Millennium, the Chris Carter-created series that premiered on Fox in 1996, three years before the Y2K panic hit.

The show was centered around a secretive group called the Millennium Group, whose members were either trying to save the world or, well, end it.

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Either way, Frank Black (played by the ever-intense Lance Henriksen) was the man in the middle, wrestling with his inner demons while chasing down some pretty dark, apocalyptic threats.

The first two seasons balanced psychological depth with chilling, end-of-the-world dread. But then came season three, where everything took a nosedive into standard police procedural territory.

Still, we did get more of Lucy Butler, the villain, to end all villains. Sarah-Jane Redmond’s Lucy is one of TV’s greatest antagonists — dark, seductive, and absolutely terrifying. Her presence cranked up the fear factor every time she appeared!

So, why was Millennium canceled? Well, for starters, when the actual millennium came and went without a world-shattering event, viewers, and maybe even the network, lost interest. But that wasn’t all.

The ratings had been slipping, mostly because the show’s dark, slow-burn storytelling didn’t resonate with as broad an audience as The X-Files.

By season three, the tonal shift toward a crime procedural alienated the fans who loved the deeper, existential vibe of earlier seasons. Inconsistent scheduling, poor network support, and the fact that Millennium aired during a time when people weren’t ready for such grim, complex narratives sealed its fate.

Now, here’s the kicker: Millennium didn’t need to end just because Y2K was a flop. It was dark, thought-provoking, and with Lucy Butler lurking around, scary as hell.

This was a show that tackled those big, looming questions about the end of the world and humanity’s place in it — way ahead of its time.

Had Millennium dropped today, it would’ve been a streaming goldmine. We’re still obsessed with apocalyptic scenarios, moral dilemmas, and existential crises, and Millennium dealt with that head-on — before it was cool.

Project Blue Book (History)

Project Blue Book was a captivating historical drama based on the real-life Project Blue Book, the U.S. Air Force’s investigation into UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters during the 1950s and 60s.

It aired on History in 2019 and was one of those shows that had the perfect mix of mystery, conspiracy, and fact-meets-fiction intrigue.

Starring Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) as Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Michael Malarkey (The Vampire Diaries) as Captain Michael Quinn, the show followed their journey from skeptical investigators to men deeply entangled in the eerie and unexplainable.

As each bizarre case unfolded, their disbelief began to waver.

What if UFOs and aliens were real? The deeper they dug, the more they questioned, but sadly, we never got the full payoff to those questions.

The series was canceled before it could take us all the way down the rabbit hole of cosmic conspiracies.

Despite its fascinating blend of real-life events and fictional drama, Project Blue Book was axed in 2020 after just two seasons.

The show had already laid the groundwork for a third season, but thanks to a mix of COVID-19 disruptions and History’s decision to step away from scripted series, the plug was pulled.

To add salt to the wound, it wasn’t low ratings that did it in — the show actually pulled solid numbers.

It was criticized by some for historical inaccuracies (though, let’s be honest, “based on true events” never means a direct translation of reality).

But its smart writing and strong performances (Neil McDonough starred as the hard-nosed General Harding) kept viewers hooked.

The real tragedy here? History’s decision to shift away from scripted TV shows — a baffling move that left Project Blue Book fans with unanswered questions and untapped potential.

Imagine what the series could’ve done on a streaming platform! With its deep well of unexplored stories and its clever approach to mixing fact and fiction, it had the makings of a streaming hit.

It’s one of those shows that would’ve been perfect for binge-watching, drawing in UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike.

Another smart, well-crafted show cut short for all the wrong reasons.

Moonlight (CBS)

A vampire detective? Fantastic. On CBS? Not so much.

Moonlight was a supernatural crime drama that aired on CBS in 2007. It followed the life of Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin), a private investigator by day but a vampire all the time.

But Mick isn’t your typical vampire.

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On his wedding night 60 years ago, his bride sank her teeth into him, turning him into a creature he never wanted to be.

Feeling betrayed, he struggles with the fact that he’s stuck with immortality unless vampire hunters catch up with him. And he’s not exactly thrilled with the whole blood-sucking gig, either.

Instead, Mick tries to hold onto his humanity by investigating crimes, from vampire-related murders to kidnappings and cold cases.

Every day is a dilemma, but life gets even more complicated for Mick when he meets Beth Turner (Sophia Myles), a reporter he falls madly in love with.

It was the perfect series: romance, intrigue, crime-solving, and the supernatural.

But despite a loyal fanbase and critical praise, Moonlight never quite clicked with the mainstream CBS audience, and the network drove a stake into Mick’s heart.

The show’s cancellation wasn’t just due to low ratings — it was also due to the 2007 writer’s strike, which, combined with its underperformance, was the final nail in the coffin.

Moonlight’s concept was strong, but it wasn’t made for network TV, and definitely not CBS. On streaming? It would have tapped right into the perfect audience vein.

Firefly (FOX)

Firefly was ahead of its time when it premiered in 2002. Created by Joss Whedon, the sci-fi western follows the adventures of the renegade crew of the spaceship Serenity in the year 2517.

Its ensemble cast included future Castle star Nathan Fillion, Morena Baccarin (Gotham), Gina Torres (Suits), Adam Baldwin (The Last Ship), and Ron Glass (Barney Miller).

Had Fox given it the same chance it gave The X-Files, which also started as a low-rated cult show, we wouldn’t be discussing its premature end.

Instead, the network mishandled the series by airing episodes out of order, thinking the most action-packed ones would attract more viewers.

It also placed the show in the dreaded Friday night “death slot” and promoted it as a sci-fi comedy rather than the space adventure it was.

Combined with its costly production and low ratings, Fox decided to pull the plug after just 11 of the planned 14 episodes aired.

Fans were outraged and launched a postcard campaign to save the show. They even took out an ad in Variety, but it was all to no avail.

However, when the DVD sold out within 24 hours of its 2003 pre-order announcement, Whedon received the go-ahead to create Serenity, a film that continued the story after the series finale.

Despite its cancellation, Firefly became a cult classic and would be a streaming hit with its rich world-building, compelling character dynamics, and sharp dialogue.

Agent Carter (ABC)

Agent Carter is an action-adventure spy drama series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that aired on ABC in 2015.

It follows Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), a tough-as-nails secret agent juggling espionage, sexism, and saving the world in post-WWII America.

Set in 1946, the show picks up after the events of Captain America: The First Avenger, where Peggy has lost Steve Rogers but continues her fight for justice.

In Agent Carter, Peggy works for the Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR).

While the guys at the office dismiss her as just “the secretary,” she’s secretly taking on high-stakes missions, clearing Howard Stark’s name, and fighting off bad guys with the help of her trusty sidekick, Edwin Jarvis.

Despite Peggy’s smarts, charm, and serious butt-kicking skills, Agent Carter was canceled after just two seasons.

Why? Well, it didn’t hit the ratings sweet spot, but on streaming, more people would’ve tuned in to watch her break spyglass ceilings!

Pitch (FOX)

When Pitch premiered on Fox in 2016, the idea of a woman breaking into Major League Baseball was groundbreaking.

Since then, women have made real strides in the sport. Alyssa Nakken became the first female on-field coach in MLB history with the San Francisco Giants in 2020.

Kelsie Whitmore made headlines when she became the first woman to play on-field as a pitcher and outfielder for the Staten Island FerryHawks, a partner league of Major League Baseball, in 2022.

But Ginny Baker of the San Diego Padres beat them all, even if she was just a fictional character.

Played by Kylie Bunbury (Big Sky), Ginny’s call-up to the majors saw her immediately fighting to prove herself to her teammates, most of whom resented the idea of a woman in their ranks.

The only exception was team captain and catcher Mike Lawson, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Found, Mixed-ish), who not only helped her navigate the challenges of the major leagues but also became a love interest.

It added even more tension to Ginny’s situation, but they were HOT together.

Nonetheless, as thrilling as the story was and despite its immense potential, Fox canceled Pitch after just one season.

The series was created by Dan Fogelman who also had another new show debuting that same television season over on NBC: This is Us, which, of course, became a mega-hit.

Although Pitch received critical acclaim and was hailed as one of the best new shows of the season, like many great shows, low viewership struck it out.

If Pitch debuted today, it’s hard to imagine it wouldn’t be a streaming sensation.

In today’s climate, a story about a Black woman breaking barriers in a male-dominated profession would have catapulted Pitch to the top of the heap.

Eerie, Indiana (NBC)

Before Stranger Things, there was Eerie, Indiana, a quirky horror mystery series that aired on NBC from 1991 to 1992.

And it was doomed from the start.

The show follows Marshall Teller (Omri Katz), a teen who moves with his family from New Jersey to the small town of Eerie, Indiana.

It doesn’t take him long to realize that Eerie is more than a little “eerie.”

Along with his new friends, he uncovers bizarre, hair-raising supernatural happenings — like the neighbor who sells a seriously strange version of Tupperware.

Eerie, Indiana was wonderfully weird but totally out of place.

NBC slotted it on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. — prime kid-friendly TV time — except it wasn’t really for kids. Besides, no sane parent was going to let their child watch something potentially nightmare-inducing the night before school.

And that’s where the real problem kicked in. The show wasn’t even written for kids.

Writers Jose Rivera and Karl Schaefer designed it with adults in mind, leaving NBC clueless on how to market it.

Are You Afraid of the Dark, which debuted on Nickelodeon in 1992, was a phenomenal success with several seasons and even a couple of revival seasons.

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Though it was an anthology series, it still had the same vibe as Eerie, Indiana, except that it was geared to the right audience, at the right time, and on the right channel.

After its cancellation, Eerie, Indiana was syndicated on The Disney Channel for three years. But when Fox Kids picked it up for Saturday morning reruns in 1997, it became a cult hit.

Need I say more?

The Exorcist (FOX)

Fridays might be great for a horror flick, but on Fox, the real horror was Fox itself.

The Exorcist was a supernatural horror series that aired on Fox in 2016.

It followed two priests, Father Tomas Ortega (Alfonso Herrera) and Father Marcus Keane (Ben Daniels), as they battled not only demonic forces but also their own personal demons.

Together, they unraveled chilling cases of possession, including one involving Angela Rance (Geena Davis) and her haunted family.

Much like Evil on Paramount+, The Exorcist delivered dark, atmospheric storytelling, genuinely spine-tingling scares, and top-tier performances from its cast.

This wasn’t your typical horror fare. It was an intelligent, layered series with depth beneath the fright.

But Fox, in all its wisdom, decided to air The Exorcist in the infamous Friday night “death slot,” thinking it would attract moviegoers opting to stay home.

The problem? It’s not a one-and-done horror flick; it’s a serialized story that requires commitment. People weren’t exactly lining up to watch intense, drawn-out horror every single Friday night.

Unsurprisingly, the ratings took a dive. Despite its scares and smarts, The Exorcist couldn’t survive the curse of bad scheduling, and the series was canceled after two seasons.

With freedom from the death slot, the binge-watching culture, and a built-in audience (think FROM, The Haunting of Hill House, and Midnight Mass), The Exorcist would undoubtedly be one of the best streaming series on TV today.

Space: Above and Beyond (FOX)

Space: Above and Beyond was a sci-fi series that blasted onto Fox in 1995 — and just as quickly burned out in the ratings.

Set in the year 2063, the show plunged viewers into a fierce intergalactic war between humanity and an alien race called the Chigs.

The story followed an elite group of U.S. Marine Corps pilots, known as the Wildcards, as they battled both in space and within themselves, facing the emotional toll of war alongside the endless cosmic combat.

Created by Glen Morgan and James Wong (known for writing episodes of The X-Files as well as the ill-fated Millennium), Space: Above and Beyond was planned as a sweeping five-season saga.

But after struggling with ratings, Fox pulled the plug after just one season.

While it may not have soared on network TV, Space: Above and Beyond was packed with gritty, character-driven drama, all the right ingredients to make it a streaming hit. Plus, it’s a space saga!

American Gothic (CBS)

Ah, CBS. Taking a swing at something new and, once again, missing the mark. And who pays the price? The fans, of course.

American Gothic, a supernatural thriller, graced (or haunted) CBS in 1995.

The show was created by Shaun Cassidy, better known for his singing career (Da Doo Ron Ron, anyone?) and his poster-boy status, but clearly more than just a pretty face. He’s got some serious creative chops — New Amsterdam, for example.

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The story centered on Caleb Temple (Lucas Black), a young boy in the small Southern town of Trinity, who finds himself entangled in a twisted battle with Sheriff Lucas Buck (Gary Cole), the town’s charming yet sinister lawman with supernatural powers.

Oh, and did we mention Lucas claims to be Caleb’s father? Creepy.

To make things more chilling, Caleb is visited by the ghost of his dead sister, Merlyn (Sarah Paulson, in her TV debut), who warns him of the sheriff’s dark intentions.

This show had all the makings of a cult classic — a perfect blend of supernatural horror, psychological thriller, and Southern Gothic drama — but CBS had no idea how to market it.

They tried to lure in X-Files fans, completely forgetting that their core audience preferred their TV a bit more traditional and family-friendly.

American Gothic was a bit too twisted and atmospheric for their taste.

And then there was this kicker: CBS aired episodes out of order, turning an already intricate plot into a tangled mess. Key character arcs were disrupted, and viewers were left scratching their heads, trying to make sense of it all.

Despite critical praise, the show tanked in the ratings, thanks to its complex storyline and CBS’s scheduling blunder.

And just like that — poof! — American Gothic was canceled after one season, leaving fans hanging on a cliffhanger. Typical.

But oh, what Lucas Buck could do on a streaming platform today. If he’s still alive, of course!

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX)

You’ve heard about that new Terminator animated series on Netflix, right? Terminator Zero, or whatever it’s called?

But come on, why settle for a cartoon when you could have had the real deal?

Isn’t going the animated (excuse me, anime) route kind of missing the point of Terminator? Machines taking over, humans fighting back — and now it’s all CGI? Give us the flesh-and-blood drama!

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles was the real sci-fi action fix, and it aired on Fox back in 2008.

Set four years after Terminator 2: Judgment Day, the show follows Sarah Connor (Lena Headey) and her son, John (Thomas Dekker), as they try to stay off the government’s radar and plot to take down Skynet, the rogue AI that’s bent on triggering the apocalypse.

Now, let’s talk about the real mess — Fox. Even though they didn’t technically own the show (it was a Warner Bros. property because, you know, Terminator spin-off), they did everything possible to sabotage it.

When Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles hit the airwaves in January 2008, it came out swinging.

The premiere episode, aired right after an NFL playoff game, pulled in massive numbers and became one of the most-watched scripted TV debuts of the season.

But after that knockout start, things took a turn. Ratings started to slide, thanks to some stiff competition from heavy hitters like American Idol — and let’s face it, going up against Idol at its peak is like trying to outrun a T-1000 on foot!

Then Fox shifted it to Monday nights to go head-to-head with Chuck on NBC, and by the time it was dropped into the Friday night “death slot,” the show was pretty much toast.

After just two seasons, it was officially canceled, and fans were left hanging with a massive cliffhanger, adding insult to injury.

Fans rallied to save the show, but neither Fox nor Warner Bros. were interested. They were over it.

But here’s the kicker: with AI dominating headlines today, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles would be more relevant than ever!

And let’s face it, we’d much rather watch John Connor, a real hero, fight the machines than see the story play out in some computer-generated, animated Terminator expansion series.

The Dresden Files (SyFy)

The Dresden Files is a supernatural detective series based on Jim Butcher’s hit book series of the same name, blending urban fantasy with classic noir.

Airing on the Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) in 2007, the series follows Harry Dresden (played by the ever-charismatic Paul Blackthorne), a private investigator who also happens to be a wizard living in modern-day Chicago.

Now, Harry isn’t your run-of-the-mill detective.

Sure, he tackles your typical PI cases, but he’s also up to his neck in dark magic, supernatural creatures, and otherworldly threats that most people are blissfully unaware of.

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Think Grimm meets The Umbrella Academy with a dash of magic-fueled noir.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Fans of Jim Butcher’s books had…let’s just say, mixed feelings. Many book readers dropped the show early because it veered from the source material.

Meanwhile, viewers unfamiliar with the books loved it, likely because they had no expectations that it would follow the novels.

For book purists, the series broke the golden rule: it strayed too far from the carefully crafted world of Butcher’s novels.

Why did it get the axe? Well, Dresden didn’t fare too well in the ratings department. Low viewership led to Syfy pulling the plug after one season. But that’s not the whole story.

There were also creative differences between the network and producers.

The show broke Harry’s story into disconnected, stand-alone episodes, which frustrated die-hard fans of the books, who craved the sprawling, interconnected plotlines they knew and loved.

Plus, the show wasn’t marketed to the right audience and faced stiff competition from other networks.

Jim Butcher himself chimed in, explaining to fans that the show wasn’t supposed to mirror the books but existed in an alternate universe.

Still, that didn’t stop the grumbling from fans who felt like they weren’t getting the Dresden they knew.

Paul Blackthorne’s portrayal of Harry was spot-on, and despite some missteps, the show had tons of potential.

Unfortunately, just as it was starting to find its groove, it was canceled. Fans of the books and new viewers alike were left disappointed, feeling like the series had more to give.

On a streaming service, The Dresden Files would’ve had the chance to soar. It would’ve been the perfect place for Dresden to work his magic!

Freaks and Geeks (NBC)

Freaks and Geeks was the ultimate coming-of-age dramedy, set in the early 1980s, and aired on NBC in 1999.

The show followed two groups of high school misfits: the “freaks,” led by the rebellious, soul-searching Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini), and the “geeks,” which included her younger brother Sam (John Francis Daley) and his wonderfully awkward friends.

Through humor, heart, and painfully relatable moments, Freaks and Geeks captured the essence of teenage life — friendships, romance, family struggles, and identity crises, all wrapped up in the awkwardness of adolescence.

Despite being a critical darling and launching the careers of future stars like Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel, Freaks and Geeks didn’t last long.

Canceled after just one season, it left fans heartbroken and wondering how such a brilliant show could be cut short.

Over time, it gained cult status as one of the best shows ever to be prematurely canceled because, let’s be real, it was ahead of its time.

So, why was it canceled?

The show’s realistic and subtle portrayal of high school didn’t fit the glossy teen drama mold popularized by shows like Dawson’s Creek.

On top of that, NBC threw the show into scheduling purgatory, airing it on Saturday nights.

And when sports didn’t preempt episodes, the show was shuffled around the schedule like an afterthought, making it impossible for viewers to keep up.

NBC also wanted more upbeat storylines, while the show preferred to dig into the messy, sometimes uncomfortable, realities of growing up.

And let’s face it, Freaks and Geeks wasn’t about happy endings — it was about real life, and life is awkward.

Had it been released today, Freaks and Geeks would’ve been a streaming hit. It had all the makings of a binge-worthy cult classic — character-driven stories, nostalgic charm, and humor that struck a nerve.

Quarry (Cinemax)

Quarry was a gritty, neo-noir crime drama created by Michael D. Fuller and Graham Gordy, based on the novels of Max Allan Collins.

Set against the backdrop of post-Vietnam War America, it aired on Cinemax in 2016 and took viewers back to the seedy underbelly of 1970s Memphis.

The show starred Logan Marshall-Green as Mac Conway, a Marine sniper who returns home from the war only to be shunned by his loved ones and demonized by the public.

His wife, Joni (Jodi Balfour), tries to hold things together, but Mac’s disillusionment drives him straight into the arms of a mysterious crime figure known as “The Broker” (played by Peter Mullan).

The next thing you know, our man Mac becomes a hitman — his moral compass shattered, haunted by PTSD, and sucked into a violent criminal underworld.

This wasn’t your typical crime drama. Quarry was packed with intense storytelling, sharp psychological depth, and a beautifully grimy 70s aesthetic.

It wasn’t just about the action, though there was plenty of that — it was about a man fighting his inner demons in a world that no longer had a place for him.

So, why did Cinemax cancel Quarry after just one season? It wasn’t just because of the numbers.

Quarry was a victim of Cinemax’s decision to pivot away from producing complex, character-driven dramas to focus on more “high-octane” action shows.

It had only just begun to explore its rich characters and themes before it was gone in a flash — another brilliant show lost to network shortsightedness.

On streaming, it would’ve been a hit. Imagine Quarry alongside gritty, thoughtful dramas like Narcos or Mindhunter.

It could’ve built a larger, more devoted audience, gained the recognition it deserved, and maybe even found the longevity that Cinemax cruelly cut short.

Terriers (FX)

Terriers was a crime dramedy that aired on FX in 2010.

It followed two unlicensed private investigators in Ocean Beach, California: Hank Dolworth (Donal Logue), a former cop grappling with alcoholism, and his best friend, Britt Pollack (Michael Raymond-James), a former thief.

Together, they tackled small-time cases that often spiraled into larger conspiracies.

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At the time, FX was also airing Sons of Anarchy, a show with a much darker, more intense tone than the lighthearted vibe of Terriers.

Lacking the “sexy, edgy, or suspenseful” appeal of other FX hits, Terriers struggled to find an audience. In fact, many viewers didn’t even know what the show was about — leading to its cancellation after just one season.

It sure as hell it wasn’t about terriers, or any dog for that matter. There wasn’t even a dog in the show.

Following the cancellation, FX President John Landgraf held a press conference to explain the decision. The network actually took the time to poll FX viewers to see why Terriers wasn’t working.

Landgraf admitted the network had failed to market Terriers effectively, noting that the title was meant to capture the “scrappy quality of the characters,” not to reference dogs.

He added that even if they changed the title to Terriers P.I., it still wouldn’t have worked because it didn’t align with FX’s lineup at the time. In other words, wrong place, wrong time.

Its viewers were more interested in high-octane dramas like Sons of Anarchy and Justified than the “subtle charm” of a quirky buddy-cop dramedy.

Well, duh — biker gangs or scrappy private investigators?

Despite not even cracking one million viewers during its short lifespan, Terriers had a loyal fan base that still raves about the show today.

It’s one of those quirky little shows that would fare extremely well on streaming channels. It would be a perfect binge-watch, no doubt.

There are many other shows we could’ve listed here — Brimstone, Wonderfalls, Outcast, and Constantine, to name but a few. But if we did that, we’d be here all day!

So, you tell us: Which of your favorite TV shows of the past do you think would be streaming hits today? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Failed TV Shows That Would Be Streaming Hits appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This eclectic mix of fine dining restaurants with Michelin Star dreams to TV show diners puts real-life restaurants to shame.

Whether the featured restaurant is the show’s center, the hangout spot for characters, a front, or a simple side story, these on-screen eateries will tantalize taste buds.

In no particular order, here are the top restaurants on TV shows that give real-world restaurants a bad name.

Just reading about them will make you hungry!

The Bear — The Bear

Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto has made The Bear, the show and restaurant, one of the premier TV restaurants ever.

His expectations are high, and anything short of perfection is a failure.

“If it’s not perfect, it doesn’t go out,” says Carmy. His list of non-negotiables includes less is more, vibrant collaboration, pushing boundaries, and constantly evolving creativity.

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With the bar set that high, how could its fare not be top-notch and put real-life restaurants to shame? The fact it is set in Chicago also raises the bar.

On and off-screen, the windy city is made for foodies.

Opening a restaurant there is no easy feat. You need expertise, dedication, and a competitive edge in the city’s saturated market.

Only time will tell what happens to The Bear, but with a picture wall of all Chicago food critics, the food itself, and the staff’s pure willpower, it is undoubtedly one of the best TV restaurants.

Bluth’s Original Frozen Bananas — Arrested Development

Besides the fact that there is always money in the banana stand and that it has been ruined and rebuilt multiple times, Bluth’s frozen banana stand is an Arrested Development staple.

However, it is much more than a frozen banana concession.

Menu items include the George Daddy, the G.O.B, the On the Go-Go Banana, the Giddy-Girly Banana, the Simple Simon, and, of course, the OG Frozen Banana.

It’s basically a main character, and since it has been operating for so long as a Newport Beach icon, it must be doing something right with those scrumptious frozen bananas.

Guigino’s — It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

According to the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia gang, Guigino’s is Philly’s best eatery and the only restaurant featured multiple times throughout the show.

It’s a place where the crew experiences some of their most celebrated, hilarious, and disastrous moments.

It is a nicer TV restaurant, known for its “fresh fish daily” and piping hot plates of spaghetti.

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The gang may not be known for having high standards, but they don’t joke around when it comes to Guigino’s or their opinions.

Considering that they have returned multiple times, including Mac and Dennis’s monthly dinner, and that it is always depicted as busy, as seen during the infamous The Gang Dines Out episode, this Italian establishment must be a top Philly restaurant.

Bob’s Burgers — Bob’s Burgers

Despite the lack of business and the fact the family isn’t rolling in money, there is ample proof that Bob’s Burgers serves some tasty patties, making it one of the best TV restaurants.

Not to mention the creative names given to the Burgers of the Day.

Bob’s business rival and enemy, Jimmy, even admits they are scrumptious when he recommends Bob to the yacht club, knowing the burgers will leave their mark.

Warren is stunned by the lack of success, given the amazing flavor of Bob’s burgers, and he wants desperately to invest in the restaurant.

The lack of customers in the show represents the establishment’s atmosphere and possibly the chaos brought by Tina, Louise, and Gene, definitely not the yumminess served.

With daily special names like Baby You Can Chive My Car, Poblano Picasso, A Good Manchego is Hard to Find, The Final Kraut-Down, and The Judy Garlic, how could one not want to eat there every day?

The Peach Pit — Beverly Hills, 90210

The Peach Pit is one of the best TV show diners and a local hangout spot for the Beverly Hills, 90210 crew.

It is owned by Nat Bussichio (Joe E. Tata), and Brandon Walsh and Dixon Wilson work there.

Classic diner menu items can be unique when they are done right.

They aren’t known for being fancy, or all that different from any other diner, but the ingredients, flavor combinations, and cooking styles are what set each apart.

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The mega burger is the diner’s famed menu item.

Still, there are plenty of other mouth-watering items, like the mint chocolate marshmallow jelly bean extravaganza sundae and the tuna melt.

Then, of course, there is the peach pie, fries, and shakes.

Krusty Krabs — SpongeBob SquarePants

The Krusty Krab, a SpongeBob SquarePants mainstay, is famous for its krabby patty, and the Bikini Bottom fast food restaurant has always caught fans’ attention.

While the origin of the patty’s top-secret recipe may be a little murky, one thing is definite — people are willing to overpay to eat it.

If a restaurant was trying to sell a burger for $20 in the real world, it better be dipped in gold.

However, no one seems to mind paying the absurdly high price that Mr. Krabs, the money-hungry owner, has set.

The other menu items, such as coral bits, kelp rings, salty sauce, the salty sea dog, and golden loaf, also keep customers returning for more.

It is the best restaurant under the sea, and the customers who keep it afloat clearly can’t get enough of those tasty patties!

Los Pollos Hermanos — Breaking Bad

The Breaking Bad Los Pollos Hermanos fast-food chicken chain may have a not-so-by-the-books way of doing business.

Still, its signature pollo is highly praised by numerous characters, and, just like Gus Fring’s other businesses, he clearly took his chicken game seriously.

The finest ingredients are brought together with love and care and then slow-cooked to perfection, which can tickle just about anyone’s taste buds.

The restaurant oozes confidence.

Employees answer the phone with its motto: Los Pollos Hermanos, where something delicious is always cooking, and it boasts that perfection is noticeable with only one taste.

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Although it may be hard to go wrong with fried chicken in any capacity, the whole Southwest region of the United States loves this place, earning it a spot as one of the best TV show restaurants.

Alamo Freeze — Friday Night Lights

Alamo Freeze is the place to hang in Dillion, Texas, and has been the place of many Friday Night Lights memorable moments.

Its ice cream, milkshakes, and sundaes are the perfect complement to a Tammy Taylor heart-to-heart, and if Tim Riggins chooses it over drinking, even once, then you know it must be worth the hype.

Landry and Julie even spend their last night there, showcasing how vital that soft serve is to the locals.

It is the place to satisfy your sweet tooth craving and get extra jimmies!

Freddy’s BBQ — House of Cards

Frank Underwood’s restaurant of choice is Freddy’s BBQ Joint, and succulent ribs are its specialty.

So much so that the House of Cards protagonist has them delivered to his office whenever he gets a hankering.

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It is the place Freddy goes to escape Capitol Hill politics and indulge in slow-cooked, tantalizing pork.

This hole-in-the-wall is one of the best TV restaurants because it is just that!

There are no frills, no delicate herbs placed on the plate with tweezers, just good old-school soul food-style BBQ, bringing in DC big wigs.

Mr. Cluck’s Chicken Shack — Lost

The famous Lost fast food chain, Mr. Cluck’s Chicken Shack, looks like some of the juiciest chicken seen on screen.

Of course, the Los Pollos versus Mr. Cluck’s debate is an ongoing war between these TV restaurants, and the whole getting hit by a meteor (meteorite?) thing doesn’t help Mr. Cluck’s.

Neither does Gus’s attention to cleanliness and high standards.

However, there is no denying that some of the best fried chicken comes from eateries that, like their chicken, are just greasy. But that is OKAY.

It’s about what comes out of that fryer and into your mouth, but it’s not always about whether you can eat off the restaurant’s floor.

Plus, Hugo has a real passion when it comes to chicken, and if he eats buckets of it, then it must be delectable.

Nuovo Vesuvio — The Sopranos

Just the fact that Nuovo Vesuvio has a person specifically hired to make mozzarella is all the information needed to understand why it’s one of the best imaginary eateries.

Not to mention the recurrence of the Italian joint on the series, and there is no way The Sopranos are eating at a less-than-par restaurant.

Tony and many other characters have numerous lunches, dinners, parties, and meetings at Nuovo Vesuvio.

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Tony even dreams that he and Carmella meet Finn’s parents here.

Sure, some iffy things go on circling the food, but before Artie lost his passion for cooking, it was widely known for its superb food.

Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in New Jersey, so the place must be doing something right.

Double R Diner — Twin Peaks

The Twin Peaks Double R Diner is more than just one of the many TV show diners.

It is a safe haven for the show characters, and its comforting food is a crowd-pleaser regardless of where you are from.

The coffee, donuts, and, of course, pie are staples at this local institution, and the fact it is the town’s food provider for Meals on Wheels only adds to its charm.

The wide range of menu items including veal, king crab, spaghetti, chicken fried steak, corned beef, ribs, are matched with classic breakfast and sandwich options.

The versatility speaks for itself the famous cherry pie is the perfect dessert to end a memorable meal.

Pop’s Diner — Riverdale

Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, also known as Pop’s Diner, on Riverdale is another example of how TV show diners can make fans want to jump through their screens and into a seat.

Regardless of the reason behind needing one the characters always turn to them in good and bad times.

The milkshakes that are served from this on-screen eatery are what drives business and keeps the locals coming back for more. Archie also recommends the onion rings, and they do look amazing.

And we can’t forget when Jughead takes Doiley’s sundae while questioning him and eats it.

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Regardless of the restaurant style, these mainstays are just as important in their shows as the characters, and each have their own stories.

Despite the reason for being as popular as they are, or what makes the food so delectable, they are memorable fiestas of flavors.

We want to know what your favorite imaginary eateries are in the comments below!

The post 13 Imaginary Eateries That Make Our Mouths Water appeared first on TV Fanatic.

If you need further evidence, the real world will happily oblige. Flat-earth theories, moon landing coverups, Area 51, the JFK assassination, QAnon, the Illuminati, government coverups of underground passageways in Antarctica, and so many more that attract millions of followers.

Suspicious thinking and paranoia are nothing new. In fact, many scientists believe it’s entirely natural, a trait handed down throughout the ages as an old survival mechanism.

No matter where it comes from, creative minds know how to tap into the paranoid edge of the human consciousness, conjuring characters that are simultaneously fascinating and suspicious of everything.

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Some of TV’s deepest conspiracy buffs are indeed the greatest fictional characters in the history of the small screen.

Rust Cohle – True Detective S01

The first season of True Detective is one of those shows people will hunt down and watch fifty years from now, assuming we consume entertainment in the same way by then. As it turns out, Cohle was mostly correct in his conspiratorial introspection.

The deep south of Louisiana, already a scene of mysticism and old secrets, is the backdrop of Cohle’s investigation. An archaic sense of dark wonder is pervasive throughout the series. If you don’t come away believing in shadowy conspiracies deeply intertwined with the seedy undergrowth of American crime, you’re flirting with a dose of aphantasia.

Sherlock Holmes – Sherlock

There is no true list of TV’s conspiracy buffs without Sherlock Holmes. If he’s not on there, it’s a bust.

Sherlock Holmes’ fictional life took place in late 19th-century England, otherwise known as the Victorian Era. It’s difficult to disassociate Holmes from Jack the Ripper, a real-life serial killer in the shady underbelly of 1888 London.

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The very nature of Holmes’ private investigation enterprise conjures up theories, investigations, and, yes, conspiracies.

The eccentrically luminous Holmes unravels conspiracies for a living and is probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, fictional detectives in history.

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully – The X-Files

Why list two? Well, in many ways, this is a necessary combination.

If you could take the consciousness of the entire X-Files series and split it into two parts, Scully would be one, and Mulder would be the other. They are oil and water, yet they somehow combine to agglomerate the ultimate conspiracy investigator.

At its heart, The X-Files is about alien colonization or the attempt at colonization. That extraneous effort is shrouded and enabled by a dark government conspiracy with many tentacles. These tentacles are subsets — other conspiracies with key players revolving around the center.

In short, Mulder’s and Scully’s unique intellectual opposition comes together to tackle a multi-faceted nightmare conspiracy of world-shattering proportions.

Olivia Dunham – Fringe

Olivia Dunham is the perfect follow-up to Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. When Fringe came along, everyone assumed it would be a J.J. Abrams-led rip-off of The X-Files. To be fair, the two shows have a lot in common.

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However, where The X-Files’ overarching theme was an alien invasion coordinated with a shadow government, the Fringe crew is up against Massive Dynamic, a multi-billion-dollar corporation/pseudo-government entity.

Like The X-Files, Fringe is essentially a series of paranormal investigations that serve as filler between primary episodes that cover Massive Dynamic and the alternative universe the company is intertwined with.

Mark Scout – Severance

TV’s most entertaining conspiracy buffs don’t have to work for the FBI or some unelected, secret bureaucracy. Severance takes the boring, traditional office setting and turns it into a brain-twisting hellscape of insidious content moderation, social experimentation, and literal, split personalities.

Nothing is what it seems to be in Severance.

Those who work at Lumon Industries undergo a voluntary procedure known as “severance,” which splits and separates their “at-work” consciousness from their “not-at-work” consciousness. The result is a mind-bending spiral of discovery and insanity.

It’s a treacherous conspiracy, tightly constrained within the home-work dynamic.

Bernard Lowe – Westworld

Bernard Lowe has to be one of the most tortured conspiracy buffs on the list. Westworld is a deep dive into the rabbit hole, with a lot going on in its first season.

Built as an “entertainment” venue for the rich and famous, Westworld is a fantasy version of the Wild West made real and peopled with biomechanical robots.

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Unfortunately, the robots no longer behave as intended, and Bernard Lowe, the head of Delos Programming, is intent on figuring out why. The journey is one of self-discovery, though not in the way that most people think.

There’s a huge difference between discovering hidden or repressed aspects of your character and discovering you are not you. The labyrinthine storyline only gets trippier from there.

Jack Shephard – Lost

Lost is probably one of the most convoluted and controversial series on this list. The ending satisfied some and elicited groans from others.

One thing everyone can agree on is that Lost is a complex tale. It often expands too far and becomes dangerously self-destructive. There’s so much going on here that it’s difficult to summarize it all in a few paragraphs.

Suffice it to say, elements of purgatory, flashbacks, flash-forwards, electromagnetism, time loops, immortality, a flash-sideways world (may or may not be defined as purgatory), and metaphysical questions that will never be answered.

Jack presided over more episodes than any other character, so he earns the “conspiracy buffs” title for one of the most divisive and delirious TV shows of all time.

Valery Legasov – Chernobyl

Of all the conspiracy buffs on this list, Valery Legasov is the only real one, and his journey ultimately led to his suicide.

Russia, during the days of the Soviet Union, was a walking, talking conspiracy theory, the result of an oppressive, tightly controlled regime.

Valery Legasov was one of the Soviet chemists sent to the site of the most well-known nuclear plant meltdown in history to ascertain the damage and assist in cleanup efforts.

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Throughout his time in Pripyat, Ukrainian SSR, Legasov faces the brutal nature of a government hell-bent on maintaining secrecy, controlling information, and spying on its own citizens.

To say that the word “conspiracy” is applicable here is an understatement. During that time period, it was paramount that the Soviet Union never allow its chief rival, the United States, to witness a moment of weakness.

The many deaths and the expansive destruction of the meltdown are direct results of a Soviet PR campaign.

Rorschach – Watchmen

Rorschach is one of those conspiracy buffs who gets a bad rap and one that’s well-deserved. Exposing conspiracies is one thing and arguably a positive.

However, to have the legacy of your labors tarnished by a self-written journal meant to expose the results of those labors is tragic in so many ways. This is especially true in Watchmen.

Rorschach’s published journal was perverted into the foundational mechanism of a white supremacist group. While Rorschach was certainly no angel, his intolerances are exclusive to gender and sex.

The Seventh Kalvary rose from the aftershocks of Rorschach’s journal, along with the general dismissiveness people often conjure in the face of conspiracy theories. Regardless of what the audience thinks about his character, his legacy was not his original intent.

Detective John Munch – Homicide

As characters who indulge in conspiracies go, there are none quite like Detective John Munch, whose portrayal stretches across multiple shows, starting with Homicide: Life on the Street.

Interestingly, the late Richard Belzer coauthored “Hit List,” a book that covers the enigmatic deaths of those associated with the Kennedy assassination.

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Detective Munch is conspiracy personified, often haranguing his fellow detectives with one seditious connivance or another.

Ironically, the character of Detective Munch once did a crossover with The X-Files, where he makes fun of the Lone Gunman with mocking tones and implications of tin foil hat conspiracies.

Dale Gribble – King of the Hill

Like the Simpsons, King of the Hill draws its comedic power from the relationships between the characters, whether it’s family or friends throughout the neighborhood.

This allows creators to develop all sorts of characters and see who sticks. Dale Gribble is that slightly off neighbor that you hate to run into at the grocery store because the milk in your cart will reach room temperature before you can drag yourself away from the conversation.

He is the conspiracy buff of all conspiracy buffs, and the internet is rife with Gribble’s best and most delusional quotes.

Dale covers everything from UN weather shaping to clones and psyop campaigns coordinated by the United States Postal Service. He also questions the existence of Hawaii, which he may as well include Wyoming since both are probably government conspiracies.

What do you think? Are there any conspiracy buffs you think should be on the list as well? Hit us up in the comments, and let us know!

The post The Ultimate List of TV’s Conspiracy Buffs appeared first on TV Fanatic.

There is your standard comedian who can tell a joke and think on their feet. Other times, the comedy comes from a certain type of stupidity where it is so dumb it is funny.

Some thrive because of their dry sense of humor or cynicism, and physical, witty, observational, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and satirical humor all have homes, too.

There are the ones who try to be funny and the ones who don’t, who might be meant to be laughed at rather than with, and all leave impressions.

Regardless of the type, the one thing distinguishing a character for their sense of humor is their delivery, which has to be believable. It is not just what you say but also how you say it that resonates with audiences.

And these characters, in no particular order, have certainly defined themselves as obtaining a unique sense of humor.

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Charlie Kelly – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

From bashing rats to being an illiterate who knows German to huffing paint to knowing how to play instruments and coming up with songs on the spot, Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) is a prime example of absurd comedy.

Charlie has “Gone America All Over Everybody’s Ass,” proved he isn’t white trash by the motility of his jean shorts, put on his Nightman Cometh musical, has to be told not to try to swim to Europe, and has a real cheese addiction.

There is also the great moment when Mac and Dennis try to help him set up a dating app profile.

His likes? Little green ghouls. Hobby? Magnets. Favorite food? Milk steak. Dislikes? People’s knees. I mean, cover your knees up if you’re gonna be walking around everywhere…

What does he pretend his career is on the date? Well, he tries to say philanthropist, but the words “get blocked up in [his] mouth and [he] don’t say it no good,” so “full-on rapist” is what ends up coming out.

Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David is “pretty, pretty” hilarious. His obscure opinions on society’s norms and taboos lead him to say and do things that scream cringe.

This fictional version of himself is brilliant, unconventional, opinionated, and easily hated, yet there will be moments you find yourself agreeing.

We all put people in our phones using a one-word identifying descriptor, pick up hookers to use the carpool lane, wear MAGA hats so no one wants to have any social interaction with us, pretend to be an Orthodox Jew to get our best friend a kidney faster…

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The show is unscripted and ridiculous, and no one could ever dream of recreating Larry David’s sense of humor.

Gregory Eddie – Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary has a deep talent pool, and there is no shortage of humor on the hit sitcom.

However, Gregory Eddie’s (Tyler James Williams) subtle humor is underrated.

His facial expressions, timing, and consistency are top-notch.

His effortless and simple facial expressions are what set his character apart.

The way he takes Ava’s crude and flirtatious comments leaves fans cracking up.

His side eyes and how he looks into the camera do not go unnoticed. It is physical comedy at its finest.

Lucille Bluth – Arrested Development

The Lucille Bluth lines are endless…

“I wanna cry so bad, but I don’t think I can spare the moisture.”

“Your wrist is testing the tensile strength of that bracelet.”

“It’s one banana, Michael, what could it cost, 10 dollars?”

Her drinking problem is also an amazing center of her humor, ordering vodka on the rocks with a piece of toast for breakfast, winning a drinking contest while in rehab, saying people hate hospitals because there aren’t bars in them.

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Jessica Walter delivers all her lines flawlessly, beautifully, and with genius.

Everyone else could only hope to master the art as well as she has.

The comedic gold she has left behind is historic, and Lucille Bluth is undoubtedly an Arrested Development fan favorite character because of her sense of humor.

Leon Black- Curb Your Enthusiasm

Yes, Larry David may be the show’s star, but Leon Black’s (J.B. Smoove) sense of humor stole the spotlight the second he got in front of that camera.

He is proud of his ability to “brings the ruckus to the ladies,” comparing himself to “Barack Obama, motherf*****! I’m the president of hittin’ that a**!”

Without Leon, fans would never know the nickname “long-ball Larry” or the term “lampin’.”

He is not shy either, admitting to shooting a porno constipated, and his natural skill to handle Larry’s unusual behaviors with quick-witted one-liners is brilliant.

His entry into the show was even top-tier comedy.

His whole family left the David household, and despite having no reason to stay, he told Larry he was “going upstairs to eat this f***in’ Chinese food in my f***in’ room.” He has been a staple in the HBO hit ever since.

Phil Dunphy- Modern Family

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when fans think of the Modern Family Dunphy father figure is one thing— his book of “Phil’sosophy.”

Always look people in the eye, even if they are blind. If you get pulled over for speeding, tell the police officer your spouse has diarrhea.

Watch a sunrise at least once a day. Marry someone who looks sexy while disappointed.

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Phil’s childish behavior, novelty, and awkwardness distinguish him from the other cast members.

His dad jokes and goofiness are played out perfectly. It is hard to do dumb humor without it being a bit cringe-worthy, but Phil is a wizard at it.

April Ludgate- Parks & Recreation

April Ludgate (Audrey Plaza), a Parks and Recreation favorite, is a brilliant contrast to Leslie. She is detached, shrewd, and loves ravens — a beacon for dark comedy fans.

Her head is a “terror dome,” and may or may not have a giant needle on hand if someone tells her secrets and thinks going insane is fun!

Her interest in national parks may stem from them being the best places for a full-moon werewolf transformation, but at least she is fighting for them!

Plus, she makes a very solid point — all wine tastes the same. If you spend more than $5 on it, then you are very stupid.

Her deadpan manner, obvious boredom, sarcasm, and dry sense of humor are praiseworthy and have garnered her character much-deserved comedic attention.

George Lopez- The George Lopez Show

Like Larry David, the titular comedian George Lopez plays a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC sitcom of the same name.

His childhood is the center of a lot of the comedy because his mother was a hedonistic alcoholic.

This leads to many hilarious one-liners because now he is a helicopter parent. This family dynamic and Lopez’s humor create a relatability and lighten up a rough childhood.

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For example, when his mother complimented him on always being independent, crossing the street alone when he was 2, Lopez responded, “I was looking for food!”

He teaches life lessons in unique ways, playing “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and queuing it up to the educational part, hoping that watching scary stuff would make his son more careful of the dangers in the world.

Lopez also has a repertoire of catchphrases, which are always delivered beautifully and in a way that never gets old.

He does not hide his disdain for people and loves to mess with anyone who tries to offend him.

When an in-law asks what he has been up to, knowing they don’t think highly of him, he responds that he just got off of parole due to stabbing someone when they looked at his wife in the wrong way.

Licked the knife clean, too, because that is how he rolls, fool!

Creed Bratton – The Office

Creed also plays a fictionalized version of himself on The Office.

The real-life former Grass Roots musician plays a hippie and homeless man with a strange sense of humor who is employed at Dunder Mifflin.

The show has a long list of talent, but everything that comes from Creed’s mouth is hysterical. He may not be the main character, but it will surely be an unforgettable moment when the cameras focus on him. The fact his golden nuggets are sporadic only adds to the intrigue and comedy.

Offended by homosexuality? Not Creed.

In the ’60s, he “made love to many, many women, often outdoors, in the mud and the rain, and it’s possible a man slipped in. There would be no way of knowing.”

He has a mysterious way of never being fired despite not actually knowing what is going on, and his literal grassroots is obvious when he says, “The copier did tricks on the high wire. A lady tried to give away a baby that looked like a cat.

“There was a Dwight impersonator and a Jim impersonator. A strongman crushed a turtle. I laughed, and I cried. Not bad for a day in the life of a dog food company.”

As fans, we go along with his nonsense. Of course, he understands pirate code but can’t speak it, though. Need a worm dealer? Creed’s got you.

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He thinks Jim is gay but tries to set him up with his daughter. Points out you can only ooze two things: sexuality and pus. And, if he can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about? What is he working towards?

Jim Lahey – Trailer Park Boys

Famous for being a drunk trailer park supervisor, Jim Lahey (John Dunsworth) may be best known for his line, “I am the liquor,” talk of the winds of shit, and constant failure to take down whatever illegal activity Julian, Ricky, and Bubbles are conducting.

He is absurd, and his sense of humor is heightened when he is “on the liquor,” telling stories of shitfish, shitnets, and shitpower because “when you are in a man’s power, you must do as he bids you.”

Lahey’s struggle with alcohol leads to the most quotable moments of TPB, like, “Alcoholics go to meetings. I don’t go to meetings; therefore, I’m not an alcoholic.”

Before Dunsworth unexpectedly passed away, he coincidentally said at some point while shooting the show, “When you’re dead, you’re dead. But you’re not quite so dead if you contribute something.”

He undoubtedly contributed moments on the screen that will live on through memes and fan’s hearts.

Kimiko Miyashiro – The Boys

Kimiko Miyashiro (Karen Fukuhara) may be a largely nonverbal character, but her sense of humor shines in other forms, such as sign language and text messages.

She is quick-witted and sharp-minded and keeps Frenchie and the other boys alert with her clever insults and callouts.

She can grasp fans uniquely, which speaks a lot about her character.

Even though she may be a little more reserved, guarded, and tougher than your average character known for their sense of humor, she still stands out among the rest of The Boys cast.

Terry Jeffords – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine lieutenant is another character based on the actors themselves.

Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) may physically be huge, eating 10,000 calories a day to maintain his size, but he is really a softy.

His size has played into many of the best moments on the show, like when he attempted to get a vasectomy.

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The doctors had to stop the surgery because they didn’t realize before that they didn’t have enough anesthesia for the procedure due to his size, which forced them to pause the operation.

In his state of delusion, he utters numerous hilarious lines, like commenting on how small Jake Peralta’s head is and asking him where he keeps his brain.

His obsession with yogurt and his frequent use of the third person add a layer to his sense of humor that makes him unforgettable.

Tormund Giantsbane- Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones Free Folk leader is by far one of the funniest characters. His vulgarity, brute nature, and directness lead to some of the show’s best banter and comedic lines.

His facial expressions are on point, and his obsession with Brienne of Tarth makes for some of his most iconic moments.

His words were quite literal, like when someone referred to the Queen.

He wasn’t sure if they were talking about Cersei or Daenerys, so for clarification, he asked, “The one with the dragons or the one that f**** her brother?”

Or his advice on how to survive the cold, “You have to keep moving; that’s the secret. Walking’s good, fight’s better, f******’s best.”

Giantsbane’s sense of humor is a series highlight and makes for some epic memes.

Willie Jack – Reservation Dogs

Reservation Dogs is a revolutionary FX show hailed for depicting Native Americans through an Indigenous perspective rather than a white perspective.

Although it is centered around a tragic event, it has its hysterical moments.

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Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis) is tough, fierce, loyal, and unafraid to call someone out when needed. She is known for her memorable digs and clever sense of humor, which feels natural.

Even if her moments are just tiny sections of her lines, she makes them count.

Just the way she thinks of learning the wizard ways as not being sure if it’s a wax-on, wax-off situation, so she just shuts up and goes with it, creating a laughable and memorable moment.

Her facial expressions also make fans crack up, and there is something special about a character’s ability to evoke laughter from simple reactions.

Samantha Jones – Sex and the City

Samantha Jones left her mark on the industry with her brilliantly hilarious moments in Sex and the City. She does not care what anyone thinks about her, lives life to the fullest, and never stifles her passion or personality.

She always wants to have a good time, obviously, when she says, “I don’t believe in the Republican party or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties.”

She is also not afraid to tell a man she loves them but loves herself more.

She knows who she is and is not afraid to flaunt it. Her delivery and willingness to make her presence none makes for some of the most quotable TV moments.

“Yeah, I am harsh. I’m also demanding, stubborn, self-sufficient, and always right. In bed, at the office, and everywhere else.”

Grandma Huang – Fresh Off the Boat

Grandma Huang (Lucille Soong) is the comedic relief on Fresh Off the Boat.

Fans love her attitude and sense of humor, both verbal and physical. Her facial expressions and wheelchair make for the best parts of the show.

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With the looming threat of Y2K and Emery’s idea to live it up, instead of following the public’s panic, she decides to pour a can of soda on the carpet because there is no need to worry about consequences with the crash of computers on the horizon.

Using the same reasoning when Emery and Evan tell her not to sign up for a credit card because she has no way of paying it off, she tells them, no need to worry, you pile up the debt and wait until January when bank records get erased. Y2K. Her way of living it up.

In her free time, she likes to take pennies from the public fountain, and she loves Garfield.

She loves free things from the bank, and after the disappointment of learning the pen she wanted was chained to the desk, she takes a potted plant instead.

Supposedly, she has also knitted a cape for Evel Knievel in the past, and she watches “Twins” because she is attracted to Danny DeVito.

Grandma Huang’s delivery is flawless, and her humor is unparalleled.

Chandler Bing – Friends

Chandler Bing’s (Matthew Perry) sarcastic sense of humor and ability to “say more dumb things before 9 a.m. than most people say all day” certainly established him as a character known for his humor.

He also uses comedy as a defense mechanism and a way to cope with his rough childhood upbringing, which started after his parents split up.

This makes him a relatable character, as this tends to be a way for many people to cope.

Chandler is also a comedian who uses his self-esteem issues as the center of jokes, and quitting often becomes the joke.

He always delivers the best zingers and witty comments, but he tends to mess up often, which only adds to his comedy.

His natural humor is extremely effective and has created infamous humor throughout Friends.

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Dr. Gregory House – House

Dr. Gregory House has a dry sense of that resonates with fans. He is intelligent and crude, but in the most captivating way that made his sometimes insensitive remarks absolutely hilarious.

When someone asks him if he minds if they come in his place, he responds, “Not at all. Do you mind if I leave?”

How could fans not crack up when he said, “I cared for eight seconds. Then got distracted,” or “The good news is he won’t be bitching about losing his hand if he can’t breathe”?

He doesn’t care what people think of him and calls it as it is.

He also has his own unconventional way of caring for people, like when he knocked on Wilson’s door and said, “I know you’re in there. I can hear you caring.”

The star of House brought humor to a hit show that otherwise is not considered a comedy.

Red Forman – That ’70s Show

Red Forman of That ’70s Show is an icon of bitter humor, sarcasm, and edgy jabs.

He is irritable and grumpy but not actually a cruel person, which makes an interesting contrast and his comedy even better because, you know, at his core, he isn’t truly hateful.

He is blunt and has an irreverent tone and manner that fans cling to and enjoy.

He is the king of insults and is always looking for someone’s ass to put his boot up. He also wants to be buried facedown when the time comes so anyone who doesn’t like him can kiss it.

His deadpan humor makes him an icon for the ages.

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The TV characters known for their sense of humor will always live on in fans’ hearts and through the most infamous memes.

Regardless of their style or the show’s genre, the ones who provide comedic relief or outdo the other show members will continue to be favorites because of their hilarity.

In the comments below, please tell us what you think of the characters listed and some of your favorite lines or scenes!

The post TV Characters Defined by Their Sense of Humor appeared first on TV Fanatic.