For those days when you’re feeling petty, nothing beats a good TV binge-packed with shade, drama, and characters who know how to throw down.

From scandalous romances to epic rivalries and high-stakes power plays, these shows are loaded with the kind of pettiness that makes for addictive entertainment.

Whether it’s elite high schoolers battling for the top spot, feuding Hollywood legends, or ruthless family dynasties, this list has you covered.

So grab some popcorn and get ready for the best shows to watch when you’re feeling a little — okay, maybe a lot — petty.

Succession

Succession takes family drama and corporate warfare to deliciously petty heights.

The Roy family’s billion-dollar empire is matched only by their ruthless ambition and brutal one-liners.

From Logan’s domineering grip on his children to Kendall, Shiv, and Roman’s relentless battles for power, every scene is packed with tension, betrayal, and dark humor.

It’s a masterclass in snark, with every character out for themselves and no one afraid to play dirty.

If you’re in the mood for jaw-dropping moments and epic takedowns, Succession serves up pettiness on a silver platter.

Watch Succession Online

Revenge

Revenge is all about payback, served ice-cold with a side of high-society flair.

Emily Thorne arrives in the Hamptons with one goal: to destroy the wealthy Grayson family who wronged her.

With every calculated move, hidden scheme, and unexpected turn, Emily turns manipulation into an art form.

• New Teaser be Damned: Who Cares About the Duttons’ Land Battle in 1923 With Yellowstone’s Looming Unhappy Ending?
  by Carissa Pavlica
• Landman Season 1 Episode 6 Balances Brutality and Heart, Making It Hard to Look Away
  by Carissa Pavlica
• 15 Christmas Movie Villains That Might Just Be Misunderstood
  by Lisa Babick

The show drips with drama as allies become enemies and layers of deceit unfold at every corner.

When you’re in that petty kind of mood and craving a good tale of retribution, Revenge is the ultimate binge for high-stakes snark and scheming.

Watch Revenge Online

The White Lotus

The White Lotus takes luxury and privilege and flips it into pure chaos.

Set in a tropical paradise, this show reveals the dark — and often hilariously petty — side of its wealthy guests and staff.

From passive-aggressive insults to jaw-dropping power plays, every character brings their own brand of snark to the vacation from hell. W

With each new guest’s arrival, tensions build, secrets unravel, and the drama escalates to shocking heights.

If you’re feeling petty and craving some top-tier satire, The White Lotus is the perfect getaway…from sanity.

Watch White Lotus Online

Gossip Girl

When it came to scandal, shade, and high society snark, Gossip Girl was the show to tune into.

From Blair’s iconic takedowns to Serena’s endless drama, the Upper East Side turned into a battlefield where pettiness reigned supreme.

Gossip Girl’s anonymous posts exposed everyone’s secrets, ensuring that no one — not even the queen bees — was safe.

This was backstabbing and betrayal with a glamorous twist, where every schemer played to win.

If you’re feeling a little petty, this is your perfect binge.

Watch Gossip Girl Online

House of Cards

House of Cards is political pettiness at its finest.

Frank and Claire Underwood redefine ruthless ambition, clawing their way to the top with calculated manipulation, cutting remarks, and ice-cold revenge.

Every episode is a masterclass in power plays, as the Underwoods pull strings and eliminate rivals without a hint of remorse.

Watching them scheme their way through Washington is thrilling, darkly entertaining, and satisfyingly petty.

If you’re in the mood for a high-stakes game where loyalty is non-existent, House of Cards delivers drama with zero mercy.

Watch House of Cards Online

Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies brings all the pettiness of small-town drama wrapped in a gorgeous beachside setting.

Monterey’s seemingly perfect moms have secrets simmering beneath the surface, and as tensions rise, so do the stakes.

From subtle digs to explosive confrontations, every character brings their own blend of snark and shade to the story.

• 15 Christmas Movie Villains That Might Just Be Misunderstood
  by Lisa Babick
• The Unhinged Christmas Wish List: Gifts Only TV Characters Would Ask For
  by Thomas Godwin
• 27 Christmas Movies to Watch When You Need a Break from Holiday Cheer
  by Lisa Babick

The layers of friendship, rivalry, and betrayal keep things intense, especially when the truth threatens to unravel.

If you’re craving a binge filled with twists, secrets, and deliciously petty moments, Big Little Lies is calling your name.

Watch Big Little Lies Online

Veep

Veep is the ultimate in political pettiness, following the sharp-tongued Selina Meyer as she navigates Washington with zero filters and plenty of insults.

Her ruthless ambition and her team’s chaotic incompetence turn every episode into a whirlwind of snarky one-liners, cringe-worthy mishaps, and brutal takedowns.

Nothing and no one is off-limits in her quest for power, and every setback is met with razor-sharp sarcasm.

If you’re ready to laugh at some of the pettiest political shenanigans imaginable, Veep serves shade like no other.

Watch Veep Online

Dynasty

Dynasty is pure, unapologetic pettiness wrapped in glitz and glamour.

The Carrington family’s power struggles, betrayals, and fierce rivalries make every episode a showcase of backstabbing at its finest.

From Alexis and Krystle’s iconic catfights to Blake’s relentless scheming, the Carringtons know how to keep the drama high and the stakes even higher.

With wealth, power, and scandal at every turn, Dynasty is the ultimate binge for anyone looking to indulge in classic soap opera-style shade.

It’s the kind of deliciously petty drama that’s impossible to resist!

Watch Dynasty Online

The Real Housewives

The Real Housewives franchise sets the gold standard for reality TV pettiness, with each city bringing its own mix of glitz, feuds, and unforgettable drama.

Whether you’re tuning into Beverly Hills, New York, or Atlanta, these ladies deliver shade with every brunch, charity event, and vacation meltdown.

From epic clapbacks to friendships in flames, Housewives shows that behind every fabulous outfit and perfect manicure is someone ready to throw down.

For jaw-dropping confrontations and a front-row seat to the pettiest disputes, pick your city and watch the chaos unfold because The Real Housewives franchise is OFF. THE. CHARTS.

Watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Online

Fleabag

Fleabag is the perfect binge for anyone craving sharp wit and unapologetic honesty.

The show follows its self-destructive, sarcastic heroine as she navigates love, loss, and one messy family, all while breaking the fourth wall with her signature side-eye.

Fleabag’s petty moments are delightfully relatable, from awkward confrontations to brutally honest observations about everyone around her.

With every glance and cutting remark, she takes viewers on a hilariously raw journey through her missteps and grudges.

If you’re feeling petty and craving dark humor, Fleabag is a must-watch.

Watch Fleabag Online

Empire

If you’re craving family feuds and ruthless ambition, Empire delivers the drama with style.

The Lyon family’s power struggles, betrayals, and unfiltered shade turned the music business into a battlefield.

Cookie’s legendary comebacks (and sass!), Lucious’s relentless scheming, and sibling rivalries that redefine petty make Empire the ultimate binge for anyone who loves high-stakes drama with a side of attitude.

Every episode is packed with jaw-dropping twists, lavish performances, and enough family drama to keep you glued to the screen.

So, grab some popcorn — this one’s all about the art of the takedown.

Watch Empire Online

The Bold Type

The Bold Type serves up drama with style, wit, and a hefty dose of snark.

At Scarlet magazine, Jane, Kat, and Sutton juggle friendships, love lives, and career ambitions, all while throwing just the right amount of shade.

The workplace rivalries and heartfelt moments turn this show into an emotional rollercoaster, blending career highs with personal messes and plenty of office drama.

If you’re in the mood for a binge that’s equal parts snark and inspiration, The Bold Type hits all the right notes for those craving a bit of petty entertainment.

Watch The Bold Type Online

The Royals

The Royals is royal drama at its absolute prettiest.

This modern monarchy is filled with scandal, betrayal, and enough shade to block out the sun.

Queen Helena rules with an iron fist and a razor-sharp tongue while her kids bring plenty of chaos, secrets, and snark to the palace.

• Landman Season 1 Episode 6 Balances Brutality and Heart, Making It Hard to Look Away
  by Carissa Pavlica
• Blue Bloods Season 14 Episode 18 Wrapped Up A 14-Year Run With A Reminder Of Everything That Makes This Cancelation Hurt
  by Jack Ori
• Fire Country Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Zombie Fires Take Control
  by Sara Trimble

Every family feud feels like a public spectacle, and every backstabbing moment is pure entertainment.

With its outrageous twists and regal rivalries, The Royals is perfect for when you’re in the mood to indulge your inner drama queen.

Watch The Royals Online

Desperate Housewives

When it comes to petty drama, Desperate Housewives practically invented it.

Life on Wisteria Lane was a soap opera wrapped in suburbia, where no secret stayed hidden and every smile came with a side of shade.

Bree’s icy perfection, Gabrielle’s fierce independence, Lynette’s cunning, and Susan’s knack for getting tangled in everyone’s messes kept viewers hooked.

With every episode, friendships got tested, affairs surfaced, and power plays unfolded, all with a flair that made you want to see what these housewives would do next.

If you’re in the mood for snark and scandal, welcome to Wisteria Lane. 

Watch Desperate Housewives Online

How to Get Away with Murder

How to Get Away with Murder is an ultimate showcase of manipulation, secrets, and high-stakes drama.

Annalise Keating and her band of law students are tangled in a web of lies, betrayals, and, yes, murder, making every episode a thrilling descent into chaos.

Annalise’s sharp tongue and cutthroat tactics bring the perfect mix of snark and suspense, while each character’s dark secrets add layers of intrigue.

If you’re feeling petty and want a dose of courtroom drama with ruthless ambition, How to Get Away with Murder serves up just the right amount of scandal. 

Watch How to Get Away with Murder Online

Emily in Paris

When Emily lands in Paris, her American optimism clashes hilariously with French snobbery, sparking endless drama and passive-aggressive shade.

From love triangles to workplace rivalries, Emily navigates Parisian culture with a mix of naivety and sass, often rubbing locals the wrong way.

Whether she’s butting heads with her colleagues or stirring up romantic chaos, Emily in Paris is the perfect binge for when you’re in the mood for light-hearted, fashion-fueled drama with plenty of snark.

Watch Emily in Paris Online

Bridgerton

Bridgerton is the ultimate escape into Regency-era pettiness, where courtships, rivalries, and scandal rule high society.

With Lady Whistledown (the Gossip Girl of the Regency era) spilling secrets at every turn, the Bridgerton family and their peers face relentless public scrutiny and juicy drama.

From Daphne’s love life to Anthony’s power struggles, every episode brims with subtle shade, whispered gossip, and enough romantic tension to fill a ballroom.

Bridgerton is for anyone in the mood for lavish costumes, smoldering glances, and the delicious thrill of high-stakes romance mixed with sly, period-perfect snark.

Watch Bridgerton Online

Sex and the City

Sex and the City is the epitome of petty friendship drama, fabulous fashion, and brutally honest conversations.

Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda navigate love, heartbreak, and career struggles in New York City, serving up shade with Cosmos and support in equal measure.

From Carrie’s dating disasters to Samantha’s legendary one-liners, every episode is packed with iconic moments that blend humor with a touch of snark.

If you’re feeling petty or just want a front-row seat to the highs and lows of single life in the city, Sex and the City has you covered in style.

Watch Sex and the City Online

Pretty Little Liars

Pretty Little Liars is a rollercoaster of secrets, lies, and non-stop drama.

When four best friends start receiving cryptic messages from the mysterious “A,” their lives spiral into a world of manipulation and betrayal.

With each twist, they uncover darker secrets about each other and their town, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

From backstabbing frenemies to scandalous romances, every episode is packed with the kind of pettiness and suspense that make this show the ultimate binge.

If you’re craving mystery laced with a hefty dose of snark, Pretty Little Liars is for you. 

Watch Pretty Little Liars Online

90210

90210 brings all the high school drama, secrets, and scandal you could want, all wrapped up in Beverly Hills glitz.

The students of West Beverly Hills High are anything but innocent, with rivalries, romances, and power plays keeping things deliciously petty.

From Naomi’s queen-bee attitude to Annie’s constant entanglements, every character brings their own flair for drama and shade.

This show is packed with love triangles, betrayals, and iconic high school moments that make it a binge-worthy classic.

If you’re feeling especially petty, 90210 will deliver all the rich-kid drama you need.

Watch 90210 Online

Feud: Bette and Joan

Feud: Betty and Joan captures the iconic, real-life rivalry between Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Set against the backdrop of the classic 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, the series dives into the pettiness, power plays, and behind-the-scenes battles that defined their relationship.

With biting dialogue, intense standoffs, and plenty of old-school Hollywood snark, this show brings their feud to life in all its deliciously dramatic glory.

If you’re craving glamorous cattiness and classic shade, Feud: Betty and Joan delivers pure, iconic pettiness.

Watch Feud: Bette and Joan Online

The O.C.

The O.C. is the ultimate in teen angst, wealth, and West Coast drama.

When outsider Ryan Atwood moves into the elite world of Orange County, he stirs up secrets, rivalries, and endless romantic drama.

The show’s iconic characters — like Marissa, Seth, and Summer — bring plenty of snark and shade as they navigate love triangles, family feuds, and friendship fallout.

Every episode has the perfect mix of heartfelt moments and sharp one-liners, making The O.C. an addictive watch for anyone craving rich-kid drama with a side of petty.

And let’s be real, this list has plenty of it!

Watch The O.C. Online

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Curb Your Enthusiasm takes pettiness to a whole new level, thanks to Larry David’s knack for turning minor annoyances into full-blown fiascos.

Whether he’s arguing over the “right” way to park or getting into absurd social squabbles, Larry’s relentless nitpicking and total lack of a filter make every episode a masterpiece of awkward, petty humor.

• Suits: LA Cast and Character Guide
  by Sara Trimble
• NCIS: Tony and Ziva Cast and Character Guide
  by Sara Trimble
• NCIS: Origins Cast and Character Guide
  by Sara Trimble

His interactions with friends, neighbors, and total strangers spiral into chaos with hilarious, cringe-worthy outcomes.

If you’re in the mood for unapologetic, real-world pettiness, Curb Your Enthusiasm is the perfect watch to indulge your inner contrarian.

Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm Online

Melrose Place

Melrose Place is ‘90s drama at its finest, with outrageous twists, backstabbing friends, and romantic entanglements that never end well.

This classic series is set in a West Hollywood apartment complex where everyone’s lives are intertwined — and nobody’s hands are clean.

From love triangles to betrayal and petty revenge, Melrose Place is packed with all the drama and shade of a prime-time soap opera.

If you’re ready to relive iconic moments and over-the-top feuds, this one is your ultimate blast from the past.

Watch Melrose Place Online

Scream Queens

Scream Queens brings horror and humor together in the pettiest way possible.

At Wallace University, the ruthless Kappa Kappa Tau sorority sisters face a masked killer — and each other.

With sharp one-liners, campy scares, and no shortage of rivalries, Scream Queens is a slasher comedy packed with drama and over-the-top characters.

The show’s hilarious mix of horror and snark makes it the perfect watch when you’re craving something both scary and petty, with enough shade to fill a haunted house.

Watch Scream Queens Online

BEEF

BEEF brings pettiness to an art form, following two characters whose road rage incident escalates into a full-blown feud.

What starts as a single encounter spirals into a hilarious and dark rivalry, with each one-upping the other in increasingly outrageous ways.

Fueled by revenge and grudges, BEEF explores the lengths people will go to win — even when they’re fighting a completely pointless battle.

If you’re in the mood for petty to the extreme, this show delivers it with a darkly comedic edge that keeps you guessing what they’ll do next.

Watch BEEF Online

You’re the Worst

You’re the Worst is a twisted take on romance where love and snark go hand in hand.

Jimmy and Gretchen are two unapologetically selfish characters who dive headfirst into a relationship full of sarcasm, brutal honesty, and total chaos.

Their love story is anything but conventional, packed with cutting remarks and hilariously bad decisions.

This show is a rollercoaster of dark humor and relationship drama that’s impossible to look away from, and the perfect watch if you’re in the mood for a show that takes petty to a new level!

Watch You're the Worst Online

Embrace the Drama, One Episode at a Time

Now that you’ve got the ultimate guide to petty TV, it’s time to dive in and indulge those snarky vibes.

These shows are here for all your binge-watching needs, packed with shade, secrets, and scandal in every scene.

So the next time you’re in the mood to watch characters scheme, backstab, or serve up some serious side-eye, just hit play.

Because when it comes to drama, sometimes it’s good to be a little petty.

Over to you, TV Fanatics! What’s your go-to show when you’re in a snarky mood? Share your favorite petty picks in the comments!

The post The Best TV Shows to Watch When You’re Feeling Petty appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The dynamic between fathers and their sons is often complicated. It can lead to traumas and resolutions worthy of our affection and viewing.

Here are our picks on 19 of TV’s most complicated father-son relationships that made an impact in our lives.

We’d love to hear from other fanatics about which complicated father-son relationship duo hit you in the feels.

Even better if it’s a couple we didn’t mention! Broaden our horizons with your favorite pick for TV’s most complicated father-son relationships.

TV’s Most Complicated Father-Son Relationships

Related: How Technology Changed TV Tropes Forever

With all the repeated tropes done on TV, fans still love seeing family drama. Even in comedies and lighthearted shows, we need some turmoil to keep things from being too lighthearted and uninteresting.

There’s nothing we love more than watching things fall apart for others, especially when it comes to parents and children.

These are our 19 favorite moments of TV’s most complicated father-son relationships.

Lip and Frank Gallagher – Shameless

If you’ve watched the latest FX hit dramedy, The Bear, Jeremy Allen White’s face may be fresh in your mind. 

Related: The Bear Cast: Where Have We Seen Them Before?

For some, that face brings viewer trauma from his decade-long role as Philip “Lip” Gallagher in the raunchy drama Shameless.

Shameless focused on the very dysfunctional family dynamics of the Gallagher siblings and their horribly incompetent parents.

Lip and his older sister Fiona manage their household of siblings as the oldest two children.

Their alcoholic drug addict, Frank, appears at random for a place to crash, food, or money for booze or drugs.

Related: Dexter: Original Sin: Where to Watch, Cast & Everything We Know So Far

Growing up in a rough household makes you grow up faster. We often saw Lip taking on the dad role for his younger brothers and sister.

As the man of the house, Philip frequently butted heads with Frank during his random escapades.

Lip also ended up becoming a teen dad with a problematic relationship of his own.

He struggled with alcoholism for a few seasons before getting sober. He tried to be a better dad than Frank. The show was the epitome of TV’s most complicated father-son relationships.

Malcolm Bright and Dr. Martin Whitly – Prodigal Son

Among the many father-son dynamics out there, one of the most complicated is those on opposite sides of the law.

While this trope has been used many times, Prodigal Son gave fans a new version. Malcolm Bright is an ex-FBI agent turned NYPD consultant who helps solve cases in the Criminal Minds style.

The twist?

He’s seeking redemption for the crimes of his father. And earning goodwill in anticipation that he might also become a psychopath in the future.

Related: 19 Terrifying Serial Killers on TV

Being the son of a prolific serial killer isn’t just about a tarnished name. When you’ve been a victim of your father’s psychopathic torture, it leaves behind severe mental issues.

But having to enlist your crazy killer father to help you with solving cases can bring up issues long buried.

Fans loved watching Bright’s creepy, mentally warping interactions with his serial killer father. It was easy to see how The Surgeon charmed his way back into Malcolm’s good graces and lured his victims.

Regarding father-son relationships, it doesn’t get more complicated than having to work together for the common good, despite years of physical and psychological torture.

“My boy” will surely be a chilling endearment of nostalgia for Prodigies (fans of Prodigal Son) for years to come.

Related: Nine Mysteries We Should Have Been Able to Solve

Clark and Jonathon Kent – Smallville

Everyone knows the legend of the comic book-turned-film star, Superman. However, only true fans know of the family drama surrounding Superman’s human alias, Clark Kent.

Kal-El came to Earth as a baby from the planet Krypton. Jonathan and Martha Kent found his spaceship and decided to adopt the strange baby inside. He became Clark Kent.

All parents struggle with the teenage years, but raising an alien comes with its own challenges.

A bored teenage alien boy-man in a small farming town is even worse.

Related: 17 Shows That Achieved Unprecedented Success

Over the seasons, we watched the father and adopted son dynamic come to a head multiple times.

Despite the complexities of the relationship, Jonathan ultimately made a fantastic father figure. He helped mold Clark into the honorable caped hero he became.

Jonathan’s ghost continued to guide and torment Kent through his adult years. Even as his relationship with his real alien father’s hologram grew more difficult.

It has to be sucky to have not one but two complicated father-son relationships in your lifetime. Especially when one is human and the other is an alien form that died decades before.

John and Kasey Dutton – Yellowstone

Related: With Horizon Poised to Flop, Should Kevin Costner Have Stuck with Yellowstone?

There has been much drama surrounding the ending of the Yellowstone series. Most of it concerns Kevin Costner’s portrayal of the show’s patriarch, John Dutton.

The Dutton men have been challenging in their paternal roles. It started with the first Dutton man, Tim McGraw, settling the Montana homestead in the series 1883.

However, none of those father-son relationships experienced the tensions and drama as the series that started it all.

Yellowstone.

Viewers saw family disharmony between patriarch John Dutton and his youngest son Kasey from the first episode.

Over five seasons, the duo experienced plenty of tension over the family cattle business and the ranch Yellowstone. They also butted heads over the way they do things in their family — even if it means breaking the law.

Related: Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 Premiere Date Announced!!

John wasn’t much of a father to any of his kids, so that family drama didn’t end with Kasey.

We also saw plenty of father-son complications between John and his first-named son, Jamie. But we learned he wasn’t actually a Dutton by blood, making Kasey the only true male Dutton.

Jamie experienced his own traumatic issues with his biological father. His birth father tried to get Jamie to kill Dutton, but he failed. And killed his biological father instead.

The third child damaged by John’s fatherhood decisions is Beth, a severely unhinged female with major emotional and behavioral issues.

Carl and Rick Grimes – The Walking Dead

When dealing with the life-or-death horrors of a zombie apocalypse, it’s expected things will get tense, especially between family members.

Related: Nine Monumental TV Episodes That Changed TV Forever

The end of the world is challenging enough. Having a young child grow up too fast will cause many hiccups.

Throughout the eight years Carl appeared on TWD, he and Rick often ran into issues. To survive, Carl had to do many horrible things that a child his age shouldn’t do.

A lot of these awful things had a profound effect on Carl’s psyche. He became a scary, cold, and nearly sociopathic young man.

At first, Rick was absent, barely around to set an example. However, he noticed things were going wrong and tried to correct Carl’s behavior.

But there were many times when Carl wasn’t receptive to Rick’s interference. Fans often viewed the animosity between the parent and the minor.

Even as we saw the paternal love buried in the hard actions.

Ultimately, Rick’s lessons take root, and Carl dies as a hero. His parting words to his father in a goodbye letter put all their issues to bed and put viewers deep in our feelings.

Related: 13 Deeply Flawed Characters We Can’t Get Out of Our Heads

Dean and Sean Archer – Chicago Med

There is often a lot of drama in the Chicago universe, and it’s no different for the doctors at Chicago Med.

One such doctor with father-son drama is Dean Archer. We met Dean in the sixth season of Chicago Med through former doctor Ethan Choi.

Dean and Choi served together overseas in the Navy, and Archer came back with a severe case of PTSD.

We learned of his problematic relationship with his son Sean in the eighth season. He called Dean from jail after 15 years of no contact.

Related: Chicago Med Casting News: Dominic Rains OUT As Series Regular

They developed a tense relationship as Sean struggled to overcome addictions. He found his place in the world working with recovering addicts.

He donated a kidney to Dean in the ninth season, and their relationship is going extremely well.

Peter and Walter Bishop – Fringe

Fringe found success as a supernatural crime procedural similar to X-Files. Fans loved the on-again, off-again relationship of FBI agent Olivia Dunham and genius Peter Bishop.

But it was our second favorite ‘ship of the show.

The drama that hooked viewers for five seasons was the chaos between Peter and his mad scientist father, Walter.

Related: 2024 TV Cancellations That Really Sting

We first met Walter as a patient in a mental institution 17 years prior after his lab assistant died. Before getting institutionalized, Walter had a history of doing awful experiments on young kids, including Agent Dunham.

While locked away, Peter avoided contact with his father and moved around as a semi-conman.

The duo reunited to solve mysterious paranormal cases alongside Olivia. It resulted in five seasons of emotional struggle as they tried to repair wounds while uncovering massive family secrets.

Dylan and Jack McKay – Beverly Hills, 90210

The 1990s were a family time, with many series revolving around family dynamics. Beverly Hills, 90210 captured mature audiences with its blend of family and relationship struggles among a young group of friends.

Among that group, heartthrob Dylan McKay (Luke Perry) intrigued audiences with his sexy smolder and curt aloofness.

Dylan had a rocky relationship with his father, Jack, a wealthy businessman who ended up spending time in prison.

Upon his release, the duo repaired their tumulous relationship until Jack’s supposed death from a car bomb.

Related: 23 Characters Who Came Back From the Dead

After several years, Jack revealed he was in witness protection. He returned to his new wife, life, and son in Arizona.

Luke Perry is no stranger to complicated father-son relationships. He had his own hardships as a father to Archie in the teen drama Riverdale.

Kelly and Benny Severide – Chicago Fire

Lieutenant Kelly Severide and former firefighter Benny Severide are another father-son drama couple within the One Chicago universe.

Benny was a womanizing absentee father, leading to some strife in Kelly’s earlier years. Kelly followed in his father’s footsteps regarding commitment issues until he met his wife, Stella.

Senior Severide never settled down despite being married to Kelly’s mom. He had an affair that resulted in a daughter that Kelly never knew.

When Benny left his second wife and two step-sons in the second season, Kelly discovered he had a half-sister.

Related: Eamonn Walker Leaves Chicago Fire with a Boden-Sized Hole

Kelly also found out he also has a half-brother in the season finale of Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 10. Benny is dead, leaving Kelly to deal with the discovery without answers.

Jordan and Billy Baker – All American

All American captured the dramatic, more mature side of teenhood. It became a more grown-up version of Friday Night Lights from an urban high school and college viewpoint.

The show has plenty of family troubles, including several father-son altercations.

The struggles between Jordan and his dad, Billy (played by Taye Diggs), continue throughout the show. Its ebb and flow were natural, from good to bad.

As a coach, Billy spends much time focused on Spencer James. That leads to some hiccups as Jordan feels left out and jealous.

Spencer has his own problems as a father in the form of an absentee dad.

Related: All American: Daniel Ezra Will NOT Return as Series Regular for Season 7

They reunited when Spenc was in high school and managed to work things out. It hit Spencer hard when his dad died.

Tyrion and Tywin Lancaster – Game of Thrones

The Lancasters were a prominent family on the Game of Thrones. Tywin was a typical bureaucratic patriarch who pitted his children against each other to get his way.

His debauchery was legendary and shameful. Yet he felt the biggest insult to his family was fathering Tyrion, a dwarf.

Tyrion’s birth resulted in the death of his mother, who was Tywin’s true love.

Related: 11 Long-Standing Character Feuds that Captured TV Audiences

Tywin hates Tyrion for being alive instead of his wife. He felt ashamed of Tyrion for his dwarfism.

But especially because he is the most intelligent of the three children and the most similar to Tywin.

Robby Keene and Johnny Lawrence – Cobra Kai

Cobra Kai is full of dramatic relationships, but the struggles between Johnny and his son Robby top the list.

For years, Johnny was an absent father as he struggled with sobriety and alcoholism. It wasn’t until his son’s teen years that he started making an effort for reconciliation.

The duo constantly struggles to maintain a semblance of a relationship. And they have trouble finding ways to connect on any level.

Another source of tension between the two is that Robby doesn’t train with his father despite his impressive karate skills.

Related: Cobra Kai Premiere Date for Supersized Final Season Comes with a Catch

Robby trains with Johnny’s former sensei, John Kreese, and his rival, Daniel.

Sean Murphy and Aaron Glassman – The Good Doctor

The Good Doctor just wrapped up its final season. The Good Doctor series finale was a positive tearjerker.

Fans saw the future of their favorite autistic doctor, Sean Murphy, and his unofficial father figure, Dr. Aaron Glassman.

Although not biologically related, the duo developed a deep bond that transcended Sean’s relationship with his real father.

After losing his daughter, Aaron saw Sean as a second child. In the final season, he even adopted Sean’s son as his grandchild.

But despite their close relationship, the two had plenty of complicated issues. They often butted heads over medical cases, Sean’s behaviors and job performance, or Aaron’s health.

Fans experienced multiple heartaches and satisfying resolutions as they navigated the balance between professional and personal.

Raylan and Arlo Givens – Justified

Raylan Givens is a US Marshal who follows his own form of justice when dealing with cases and bad guys.

His intimate knowledge of criminal behaviors stems from his complicated relationship with his convict father, Arlo.

Being on opposite sides of the law instantly led to conflict. But having a father who doesn’t mind betraying his son intensifies the problems.

We often saw them on Justified trying to have a relationship without having to change their ways, frequently leaving them worse off.

Related: Prequel Problems: Why Are TV Execs So Fixated on the Past?

But each man had his flaws and his redemptions. It made their interactions achingly realistic as they struggled not to want love or forgiveness from each other.

Frasier and Marty Crane – Frasier

Wisdom comes with age; sometimes, it takes wisdom to repair what’s broken. Fraiser took ten years to peacefully reconcile with his father, Marty Crane.

Frasier spent most of his adult life slightly estranged from his ex-cop father. He used his experience as a psychiatrist and talk show host to deal with the issues.

Related: Frasier Season 2: Everything We Know So Far

When Frasier moved back to Seattle, he moved in with his father. Living in close proximity forced the two to resolve their problems during frequent clashes.

They eventually mended their relationship and moved beyond childhood grievances. They developed a mature adult relationship with new ways to relate to each other.

Logan and Mitchum Huntzberger – Gilmore Girls

Mitchum was your typical overbearing family patriarch with old money entitlement. His son Logan was your average Ivy League, spoilt rich kid who rebelled against his father’s wishes.

Mitchum wanted Logan to join the family newspaper business, but Logan did not want to follow in his footsteps.

The disagreement led to many conflicts between the two. Sometimes we could understand Mitchum’s point of view before he would ruin it with something terrible to get his way.

But his awfulness was equal to Logan’s bad behaviors, making them interesting combatants.

Archie Bunker and Mike Stivic – All in the Family

The father-son dynamic occurs between blood relatives, adoptive, and in-laws. Such is the relationship of Archie and Meathead.

Meathead was in a relationship with Archie’s daughter, Gloria. But Archie did not approve of their union, convinced Mike wasn’t good enough for his daughter.

Related: Will Movies and Shows of Today Be Classics Tomorrow?

Archie was also very conservative and single-minded, which caused friction with the more liberal views of Meathead. But despite their near animosities, the duo had a few rare moments of respect during the series.

Steven and Blake Carrington – Dynasty

Blake Carrington heads one of the country’s richest and most powerful oil families, currently dueling with the second-richest dynasty.

His environmentalist son, Steven, often butted heads with the oil tycoon and his business practices.

Related: 12 Obscenely Wealthy Characters Who Get a Free Pass

Their opposing views drove them apart, often pushing Steven to leave the family. But he always returned due to his love and loyalty towards his father.

We eventually learned that despite their father-son dynamic, the two did not share any DNA. Steven was not a Carrington.

Dennis and Frank Reynolds – It’s Always Sunny in Pennsylvania

Father-son complications are a common theme for Frank and Dennis Reynolds. Frank was the typical neglectful rich father who came back into his adult children’s lives after years of abandonment.

Dennis and his twin sister Dee spend most of their time at the flailing Paddy’s Pub. When the bar started experiencing financial problems, Frank used his vast wealth to help it stay operational.

Although Frank is a rich father, his behaviors are more like those of a friend. He often encourages or finances the antics of his son and two friends and fellow bar owners, Mac and Charlie.

Related: Fanatic Feed: Adam Brody Joins Kristen Bell Netflix Comedy, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Return Date, and More!

Despite spending years together in random shenanigans, Dennis and Frank never really developed a father-son relationship. In fact, they never actually had any one-on-one interactions. There was always someone with them.

We eventually discovered that Frank wasn’t the actual father of Dennis and Dee. But the secret didn’t come out until Dennis’s thirties.

We’ve shown you our favorite complex father-son relationships. Now jump to the comments and hit us with your choice of dysfunctional duo.

Do you like one of our picks? Or do you have your own taste of complicated family dynamics?

Show us your crazy! And share this piece to see how your friends would vote for their favorite family fallout.

The post TV’s Most Complicated Father-Son Relationships appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Many TV characters appear financially well-off, even adjusting for the fictional deflation of settings like Monica's huge NYC apartment on Friends.

However, supremely rich TV characters are a bit thinner on the ground and usually painted as villains.

Don't Hate Them (Just) Because They're Rich

Related: Quit Your Day Job: What 11 Stars Did Before Making it Big

These moneybag characters often deserve their despicable reps, but some are so captivating that we'll forgive them for almost anything.

The intrepid TV Fanatic team came up with a dozen excellent examples of wealthy characters who fit this bill and found that they fall into four main categories.

"Life of the Party"

These characters use their hard-won (or hard-inherited) fortunes to enjoy their lives unapologetically.

They typically display a sharp sense of humor and affect a jaded worldview that often masks a deeply sensitive (and therefore vulnerable) nature. 

Roger Sterling, Mad Men (AMC)

This impossibly cool and acerbic 1960s advertising agency scion wore his privilege lightly and always had a drink (usually vodka rocks) in hand.

His WWII service kinda balanced out other problematic tendencies, but Sterling's sense of humor kept us from writing his character off completely.

He's also the only Mad Men character who could wrangle a smile out of BFF Don Draper.

Related: 33 Shows To Binge if You Love California

Sterling's money went into the ad agency, his impeccably tailored suits, and buying drinks for much younger women.

He was also incredibly astute and world-weary. That sense of pathos under everything he said makes forgiveness for this wealthy and flawed character not just possible but easy.

What can we say? Being a funny smartass covers a multitude of sins.

Maximo Gallardo, Acapulco (Apple TV+)

Maximo's rags-to-riches story takes place mainly through the lens of his candy-colored 1980s youth, but his present-day self enjoys owning private jets and mansions on the southern California coast.

Young Maximo was ambitious, funny, and sweet. In middle age, he bears the mark of heartbreak and regret while simultaneously reveling in the sensual pleasures his money allows him.

He had questionable role models in his youth and tried to balance his mother's strict Catholic teachings with his employers' cutthroat business lessons that enabled his present wealth.

Maximo exhibits many blind spots as he waxes nostalgic about his youth to his nephew while being a nightmare employer to his current staff.

However, his self-effacing humor and charm go a long way toward making his character sympathetic rather than insufferable.

Related: Suits, Ted Lasso, and the Rise of Comfort TV: Is the Desire For Easy Viewing Creating a Barren Streaming Landscape?

Deborah Vance, Hacks (Max)

The very definition of clawing your way to the top, legendary comedian Deborah Vance enjoys an obscenely comfortable existence in Las Vegas and doesn't think twice about ordering artificial snow for a Christmas party at her mansion.

She also uses her private jet like an Uber and spends a fortune on vintage salt and pepper shakers.

The painful history fueling her comedy keeps her trapped in destructive patterns.

She uses her money to punish those who have wronged her without considering different courses of action.

Deborah isn't naturally sympathetic or even particularly fair, but she can eventually recognize her wrongs and grudgingly make them right.

She's also incredibly funny, experienced, and wise.

Rebecca Welton, Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

On Ted Lasso, Rebecca is the new owner of AFC Richmond and received the bulk of her fortune from an acrimonious divorce.

She used her money at first in an elaborate evil scheme to undermine her hated ex-husband's favorite football team.

Related: 31 Couples Who Inspired Each Other's Inner Comedian

However, this plan backfired (in a good way) and restored her exceptionally kind and generous nature. She also gives to charity and helps her friends when they need anything.

Rebecca slowly healed after her divorce and visibly took pleasure in living again.

Her sense of humor returned, and she mended relationships with friends and family that she'd neglected during her lousy marriage.

Karen Walker, Will & Grace (ABC)

Will and Grace's Karen was an incredibly wealthy wife, divorcee, and widow who no longer knew how non-wealthy people lived.

She was often thoughtless and cruel with her money and constantly popped pills of various types.

Her redeeming qualities were her loyalty to her friends, her sharp wit, and her enthusiasm for madcap adventures.

She was a frustrating character but also compulsively watchable and an audience favorite.

Bertha Russell, The Gilded Age (Max)

Bertha, the nouveau riche wife of a railroad tycoon, luxuriates in her unfathomable wealth by conspicuously enjoying the best in fashion and interior design.

But she also puts her fortune to work, using it (and a little blackmail) to secure the social future of her children and establish the Russells as more powerful than even Old Money families like the Astors.

Related: Misunderstood Women: TV Characters Who Faced Unjust Criticism

Bertha loves it when a fancy party doubles as a cutthroat snub, but she really appreciates the elegant trappings of her position for their beauty on The Gilded Age.

She's worked hard to maintain her family's standing and is fiercely devoted to them. 

"Inheritance: Responsible"

These characters have been blessed by huge windfalls due to death, divorce, or the lottery, and they try to use this money to improve the world.

They are not always successful, and their contributions often cause more problems than they solve, but they share a sincere wish to use their newfound wealth for the greater good.

Molly Novak, Loot (Apple TV+)

Molly Novak got $87 Billion in her divorce from her husband and shifted her focus to working with the charity she founded and funded but forgot about for a while.

She's very generous and, for a while, is pretty unapologetic about having money and spending it.

But she also liked using it to care for others and admits that billionaires shouldn't exist. Her focus now is on spending all her money on philanthropic work and real change.

Twyla Sands, Schitt's Creek (Netflix)

Twyla is the ditzy but kind waitress-manager of Cafe Tropical who is always ready to lend a sympathetic ear and mix up your order.

Related: Is Apple TV+ the Most Innovative Streamer?

She won the lottery and has millions, but no one knows because she lives an ordinary and humble life.

We only find out because she chooses to give money to her friend Alexis Rose so she can follow her dreams.

Twyla eventually uses some of her winnings to buy the restaurant and renames it Twyla's Cafe Tropical.

"Inheritance: Clueless"

These characters prove that money doesn't change you; it just makes you more of who you are.

Lucille Bluth, Arrested Development (Fox)

The matriarch of the Bluth family, Lucille is an alcoholic elitist who enjoys manipulating everyone around her.

She is blithely unconcerned with anything that doesn't directly have to do with her.

Lucille doesn't get a pass from her family but is beloved by viewers for her genius at roasting her kids.

She might've been a bad mom, but at least she was funny about it!

Mr. Burns, The Simpsons (Fox)

For an evil rich guy, Charles Montgomery "Monty" Burns from The Simpsons is almost completely powerless in his personal life and completely dependent on Smithers in his professional life.

Related: The Simpsons Is Going Heavy on the Marge- & Lisa-Based Episodes to Make Up For Its Bart & Homer-Centric Past: Good Idea or Too Little, Too Late?

He is too old and simple-minded to be genuinely evil and borders on likability sometimes.

Mr. Burns is proof that a wealthy character's cluelessness can bring them full circle from conscious malice to inadvertent decency.

"Literal (Get Out of Jail) Free Pass"

These characters are pardoned by the law, usually by corrupt means, but viewers might still disapprove of their actions even if they can't stop watching them.

Bruce Wayne, Multiple Batman TV Shows and Movies

I like Batman as much as the next person, especially the 1960s series with Adam West.

However, Bruce is a millionaire (or, depending on the show/movie, billionaire) philanthropist everyone seems to love.

Yet, by taking on the Batman persona and dealing with his brand of vigilante justice not only under the noses but with the approval (most of the time) of the police, he is showing a confident, above-the-law attitude.

Both certain other characters (Alfred the Butler, Dick Grayson/Robin) and audiences seem to let him slide on that regularly and go along for the ride.

I would call playing a caped cop with no badge and no consequences getting a free pass.

Related: Gotham: Why You Should Love Batman's Outrageously Fun TV Origin Story

Blake Carrington, Dynasty (ABC)

Blake is an oil tycoon and patriarch of the Carrington clan who got away with literal murder and several other crimes like covering up the adverse health impacts his oil company had on a community.

On top of that, when he was almost arrested for a bunch of crimes on Dynasty, including bribing politicians, he tried to frame his driver Culhane, who grew up in that community and whose dad died due to the health impacts.

Blake's daughter and Culhane were hooking up at the time, too, and Blake knew Culhane really liked her.

Blake also hid that they were related to another family, the Colbys, even when his daughter was having a romantic relationship with Jeff Colby. Neither of them knew.

What other wealthy characters do you think deserve a free pass?

Let us know in the comments below!

The post 12 Obscenely Wealthy Characters Who Get a Free Pass appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Every one of the shows on this TV Fanatic team-compiled list sports a collective of talented cast members portraying dynamic characters involved in complex relationships and life situations.

These ensembles run the gamut from comedy to sci-fi to soaring intergenerational drama, but they are unified in how every performer leans in on the team effort, supporting each other to create a show greater than the sum of their lines.

No specific streamer or network holds all the cards when it comes to tight-knit and inspiring ensemble casts.

Instead, it's clear that successful showrunners are smart in selecting actors they sense will work well together, pulling in the same direction and telling stories with fulsome and genuine performances.

Reboot (Hulu)

Reboot is about the coexistence of different generations of artists. Who could be better to demonstrate that clash of personalities than Paul Reiser and Rachel Bloom as an estranged father and daughter entrusted with co-running a sitcom?

Reiser is an old-school 90s sitcom star with a comic delivery that borrows a little from Borscht Belt comedy. Rachel Bloom made her way to TV fame as the star and co-creator of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend via YouTube stardom that turned musical theater conventions on their head.

The pair is complemented by a writing room that echoes Bloom's Gen Z approach to artistic merit with Riser's Borscht Belt big laughs approach, and the combination is hilarious.

On the set of this rebooted show-within-a-show, Keegan-Michael Key, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville (who thought of that casting choice?), and Calum Worthy play a quartet of has-been actors who form a found family with healthy doses of comedy and heart.

The Rookie (ABC)

The robust talent of its ensemble cast is one of the things that makes The Rookie a standout cop show.

Originally billed with Nathan Fillion as the star, as his character began as the oldest rookie in the LAPD, the show has grown far beyond that concept.

The diversity of the cast means the partnerships never grow stale. Det. Nyla Harper was previously Officer Nolan's training officer, but this season Harper is partnering with Det. Angela Lopez. The budding bromance between rookie Officer Thorsen and Sgt. Tim Bradford has been an unexpected delight.

Every character of this group gets their share of the spotlight, and not one has failed to shine.

For All Mankind (Apple TV+)

There is no other cast on TV quite like the cast of For All Mankind.

Each season takes viewers further into the lives of the characters, and the actors consistently deliver strong performances.

With the fourth season on the way, it leaves plenty more opportunities for these characters to impress.

It's a shame the show doesn't get much awards love because the cast deserves awards for their stellar performances.

This is Us (NBC)

We watched the Pearsons laugh and cry together through triumphs and trials for six years, and in the final season of This Is Us, they still brought it.

We watched the Big Three struggle as they cared for Rebecca as her health declined and the matriarch died.

Kate and Toby's marriage imploded sadly, while Kevin and Sophie reunited

While many stories were tied up, we would have loved to see a peak into the future to see what happened with Randall's girls or Kevin's twins. Mandy Moore and Justin hartley deserved more nominations than they received, sadly.

The Winchesters (The CW)

It's hard to continue the legacy of a show that was on for over a decade, but because the cast of The Winchesters is equally magical, it just works.

The young cast of the Supernatural spin-off has such great chemistry you'd think they'd been hunting together already.

With Meg Donnelly and Drake Rodger taking over as Mary and John, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid bring their new characters to life in a way that makes you think they'd always been hunting together.

Bianca Kajlich and Demetria McKinney round out the talented cast, demonstrating that the SPN legacy is in good hands.

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Quinta Brunson's breakout hit of last year just keeps on getting better and better. Like with many workplace sitcoms, the cast is responsible for a good part of that. They mesh so well together in how they help each other and how they annoy each other.

With veterans like Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter with familiar faces like Tyler James Williams and Chris Perfetti, along with seemingly breakout star Janelle James, the talented Quinta leads an all-star cast that certainly makes the grade.

The staff of Abbott Elementary is such an eclectic bunch of relatable characters that make us feel like we know them personally, each of them bringing something so fun and unique to the series that it's must-see television.

The cast's chemistry is sublime, making every single installment unmissable and creating a magic that is rarely seen in sitcoms. Like a well-oiled machine, from wholesome Janine all the way down to the hilarious Mr. Johnson, the series doesn't work the same unless everyone is in it together.

The Rookie: Feds (ABC)

Most shows take a season or two before the cast gets comfortable with each other, and it's translated to the screen.

The Rookie: Feds, however, hit the ground running.

Watching the dynamic between the unit, one would think they've known each other forever.

This show truly has a very special cast.

9-1-1 (FOX) 

9-1-1 is now in season six, and if you want to lament some of the creative choices, you'd be within your right. But the series continues to be one of the biggest on broadcast television, thanks in part to its wonderful ensemble.

The cast is littered with seasoned actors who bring so much to the procedural and make everyone around them better.

Season six has also given us the core members of the 118 together again, cracking jokes in the fire truck and being one another's biggest fans.

One thing you can never take away from this series is this beautiful set of characters and the delicious chemistry.

Pachinko (Apple TV+)

The entire ensemble in Apple TV+'s Pachinko brings their top performances. Led by newcomer Min-ha Kim, Korean heartthrob Lee Min-ho, and Academy Award Winner Yuh-jung Youn, Pachinko is presented in Korean, Japanese, and English.

Rounding out the cast are Soji Arai, Jin Ha (Devs), Jun-woo Han, In-ji Jeong, Eun-chae Jung, Kaho Minami, Steve Sanghyun Noh, Anna Sawai, and Jimmi Simpson (Westworld).

The cast will receive the award for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series during the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards.

A second season is currently in production.

The Gilded Age (HBO)

HBO's and Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) assembled a who's who of Broadway's finest for the small screen to bring to life the frothy, soapy period drama that is The Gilded Age.

There's Christine Baranski's acerbic Agnes van Rhijn, the magnificently ambitious Russells (played by Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon), Denée Benton's grounded but resolute Peggy Scott, as well as some charming supporting turns from Nathan Lane, Kelli O'Hara, Donna Murphy, and Audra MacDonald — just to name of few!

Television ensembles don't get any higher caliber than this. 

Heartstopper (Netflix)

This cast of characters genuinely feels like friends.

Each one embodies their character through every scene, and the series gives ample focus to each story so that you understand what's going on in their relationships.

Nick and Charlie are the main focus, but every part of the ensemble matters.

Elle, Tao, Tara, Darcy, and even side characters like Nick's mom, Imogen, and Tori, to name a few, add plenty of emotional weight to Heartstopper Season 1 that it all simply works amazingly.

Dynasty (The CW)

This primetime soap loved its ensemble, and we loved them back.

Fallon's raw ambition and fashionable sass? Iconic. Alexis and Dominique's flair for drama? Epic. Our collective wish to see Adam's downfall? Inspiring.

Dynasty couldn't have made it five seasons without the power of its strong cast.

This year saw the show end on a high note, giving the series and its storylines all the trademark soapiness and drama that the ensemble delivered so well.

DC's Stargirl (The CW)

It's a shame that DC's Stargirl Season 3 was the end of this beloved series because it had one of the best TV cast ensembles in the DCEU (let alone any superhero show) this year.

Every cast member was firing on all cylinders to end the series on a high!

After two years of growth and exploring the superhero adventures in Blue Valley, the tone felt like every cast member knew their comic book characters and embodied them on the small screen.

Plus, with it being the final season, there were many surprising and beloved returns that made this farewell season one any Stargirl fan would need to watch now.

Yellowjackets (Showtime)

Only three episodes of Yellowjackets Season 1 aired in 2022, but that's enough to give this ensemble the kudos it deserves.

Casting is everything with a show like Yellowjackets, as the characters are featured in both their teen years and again decades later.

Melanie Lynskey, Tawny Cypress, Juliette Lewis, and Cristina Ricci lead the show, and with their teen counterparts — Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Hatcher, and Samantha Hanratty, respectively — keep us on our toes as the eye-popping mystery unfolds.

This sprawling cast is one of the best on TV and part of the reason we're eagerly awaiting Season 2.

SEAL Team (Paramount+)

It's too easy to dismiss SEAL Team as just a war drama, but the recently concluded sixth (maybe final) season, with its shocking killing of Clay, showed that it has become so much more.

Unfortunately, it was inevitable that Max Theriot Jr.'s Clay would be leaving because of the success of his new CBS drama Fire Country, but the other members of Bravo shone as well.

David Boreanaz's stoic Jason wrestled with a TBI, AJ Buckley's Sonny struggled with the blows striking Clay, and Neil Brown's Ray sought a way to help out forgotten veterans. Even Raffi Barsoumanian's newbie Omar found a way to smoothly fit into Bravo.

The result was these warriors' gripping personal battles on the homefront in between the exciting action scenes.

Avenue 5 (HBO Max)

Avenue 5 isn't your typical science fiction. The show focuses on a core group of members trapped on Avenue 5 and incorporates a lot of similar elements to The Office.

Led by a fantastic multi-accented Hugh Laurie, the cast includes Josh Gad, Zach Woods, Suzy Nakamura, Ethan Phillips, and more.

Every actor gets their chance to shine as the crew members, the fake crew members, and the passengers form their groups, and insanity ensues.

Season two saw the ensemble play off each other well, embrace their characters, and provide some much-needed laughs in science fiction television.

Quantum Leap (NBC)

Many things set 2022's Quantum Leap apart from the original 1990s sci-fi, time-traveling adventure — its setting, its tech, and its long-arc plot.

But the most significant difference has been the Quantum Leap team working to bring Raymond Lee's Dr. Ben Song back from the (as yet) unexplained and unauthorized leap into the past.

Where the original centered exclusively on Scott Bakula's Dr. Sam Beckett and his guide, Dean Stockwell's Al Calavicci, today's Quantum Leap Project is a visible team effort, headed by Ernie Hudson's Herbert "Magic" Williams, with Caitlin Bassett's Addison Augustine guiding Ben through his leaps.

Anchoring the team at HQ is no-nonsense security expert Jenn Chou (Nanrisa Lee) and Mason Park Alexander as programming genius Ian Wright. Together, they've demonstrated loyalty, ingenuity, and resilience, which has impressed the studios as much as the audience, landing the series an early second-season renewal.

Star Trek: Discovery (Paramount+)

Every one of Paramount+'s FIVE Star Trek shows is built on the firm foundation of a crew that trusts in each other and thrives in their bonds of friendship and camaraderie, but top ensemble billing goes to its flagship series, Star Trek: Discovery, which broke wholly new ground in 2017, laying the groundwork for the reborn franchise.

Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham began as a mutineer who triggered a catastrophic war with the Klingons. Over four seasons, we have watched her earn back the respect of her crewmates and realize her role as a leader means lifting others up so they can lead too.

And rise, they have. This year saw this crew finally actualize the potential that has been there from the beginning. As they hunted for the source of the anomaly, each team member had the opportunity to lead a mission, whether it was an evacuation, rescue, or exploratory.

Living now in the 32nd Century, Star Trek: Discovery demonstrates that an inclusive, respectful, and loving community of equals is a future of which we all dream.

Snowpiercer (TNT)

There are few shows that have Snowpiercer's track record — see what I did there? — for keeping an ensemble cast together even after  characters have "died." Repeatedly.

Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly have led this post-apocalyptic drama as Andre Layton and Melanie Cavill, respectively, for three seasons, with the fourth and final expected in 2023.

And while their alternatively combative and cooperative relationship has set the tone, it's been the characters around them that have lent credence and depth to this world on rails.

Whether its Lena Hall's Miss Audrey trading her humanity for survival or Mike O'Malley's Roche making us tear up as he proves himself — once again — to be TV's Greatest Dad, the citizens of Snowpiercer-Big Alice (not you, Wilford) are everything we would be were we in their situation. Except, maybe, dead.

19 Ladies Leading the Diversity Charge on TV

Open List

How did we do, Fanatics? Did we include your best show team?

Teamwork makes the dream work, friends.

Hit our comments section with what we did right and any exceptional cast ensembles we missed!

The post 2022’s Best Cast Ensembles appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Before we get to that point, however, we're getting an exciting guest star in the form of Charisma Carpenter.

TV Line reports that the scene-stealer has landed a role on an upcoming episode of the sudsy drama.

Carpenter is set to play Heather, the former babysitter of Fallon who resurfaces in Atlanta.

In true Dynasty fashion, Heather drops a bombshell on the Carringtons.

We have no idea what this "bombshell" is, so we'll just have to tune in when the episode airs Friday, July 8 at 9/8c. 

Carpenter was a favorite on the Freeform primetime soap The Lying Game.

That show was canceled in its prime, but it's nice to know the star is returning to the world of soapy dramas.

We're excited to see how Heather fits into Dynasty. Fallon should have some stories to tell about her.

Carpenter is best known for her work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, but her TV credits also include Veronica Mars, Sons of Anarchy, Lucifer, Blue Bloods, and Scream Queens.

The CW canceled Dynasty earlier this month.

The series has never been a heavy hitter in the ratings, but it was profitable for Paramount due to licensing deals around the globe before it even aired on The CW.

News of the cancellation took many fans by surprise, but there's a good chance we will be getting some closure.

According to reports, The CW gave producers of its bubble dramas the heads up that they might not survive for another season.

Legacies and Charmed creatives have already revealed their shows will have closure when their series finales air.

Given that Dynasty was still in production at the time of the cancellation, there should be some sort of closure, but it might not land with the thud we've come to expect from the drama.

What are your thoughts on this casting scoop?

Hit the comments.

Catch new episodes on Fridays at 9 p.m.

Renewal Scorecard: Which Shows Didn’t Survive the Bloodiest Season in Years?!

Open List

The post Dynasty: Charisma Carpenter To Drop a Bombshell on the Carringtons appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The network has canceled 4400 (after one season), Dynasty (after five seasons), Charmed (after four seasons), Roswell, New Mexico (after four seasons), Naomi (after one season), and In the Dark (after four seasons).

The news dropped Thursday as the network picked up bubble drama, All American: Homecoming, for a second season.

News of the cancellations did not come as a surprise as the network is set to be sold by media conglomerates Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount.

4400, which averaged just 370,000 viewers, was expected to be canceled after the first season wrapped to little fanfare.

The series was a reboot of the popular cable drama of the same name, but it did not stand the test of time.

Dynasty's cancellation doesn't come as much of a surprise, either.

It is currently averaging 261,000 viewers and a 0.04 rating in the demo.

While the show has never been a strong performer in the ratings, the series was profitable for The CW with a licensing deal to Netflix internationally.

With the network up for sale, these deals wouldn't benefit the new owners of the network, meaning that the show was on the chopping block.

Still, the show as very enjoyable when you didn't take it too seriously.

We'll miss Fallon's one-liners more than anything, but given how profitable the show is for Paramount, we wouldn't be surprised to see it land on Paramount+ down the line.

The show does have a fanbase internationally, and with Paramount+ rolling out to new locations around the globe, it might be a good title to entice subscribers.

The streaming service previously clawed back its Star Trek universe from Netflix to help with its international rollout, so stranger things have happened.

Charmed went through a major creative overhaul this season and managed to craft a compelling season.

That's not to say the previous two seasons were bad. They just lacked the spark we expected from the show.

Honestly, the series was canceled in its prime, and this is one I'll finish, even if there's no conclusion.

Unfortunately, the numbers just were not there.

It is currently averaging 357,000 viewers and a 0.06 rating on Fridays, down a bit vs. last season.

Roswell, New Mexico and In the Dark's cancellations are somewhat surprising, given that neither show has aired an episode this season.

They are both a part of the network's summer slate, meaning that there is no ratings data for them yet, and little incentive for fans to watch the upcoming seasons unless there are pre-planned conclusions.

Roswell, New Mexico, in particular is one of the buzziest shows on the network, so it certainly seems like the network is cleaning house, possibly for a major overhaul with whoever buys it.

While many reboots fail to hit the mark, Roswell, New Mexico, had many great storylines, characters, and actors.

Hopefully, the creatives get the chance to nix any cliffhangers to make this a more enjoyable experience for fans.

Naomi's cancellation doesn't come as much of a surprise.

The show had critical acclaim, but the series averaged fewer than 500,000 viewers and a 0.1 rating in the demo, way down from its lead-in.

The CW has already renewed Superman & Lois, All American, The Flash, Walker, Kung Fu, Riverdale, and Nancy Drew.

Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow were canceled earlier this month.

It's sad to know that in any other TV season, the CW would have renewed the bulk of its slate.

But all good things come to an end, and the days of marginally-rated shows making the cut are over.

Legacies is still awaiting word on its future, and with the news that the final episodes of Season 4 are delayed, we don't have the fuzzies about its renewal prospects.

With the cancellations today, it seems like the network is taking big swings.

Whether Legacies fit into those plans.

What are your thoughts on the decisions?

Are you surprised?

Which CW shows will you be watching next season?

Hit the comments below.

Why Aren’t You Watching These Excellent Shows?

Open List

The post Dynasty, Charmed, & Roswell, New Mexico Among CW Cancellations appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The CW is up for sale, and it's becoming evident that many of the more marginal performers will probably not be on the 2022-23 schedule.

It's sad, but it's true.

Several shows are in jeopardy, and the cancellations of Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow has us worried about many shows.

Scroll down to find out how we think the network's renewals and cancellations will play out.

Superman & Lois – Renewed

The series is the network's highest-rated in the demo and averages 904,000 viewers and a 0.19 rating.

The show draws a strong reception with critics and is one of the network's biggest hits.

All American – Renewed

It's crazy to think that All American was on the bubble during its first season. It is averaging 568,000 viewers and a 0.17 rating.

Now, the series is the second-highest rated on the network.

The Flash – Renewed

The superhero drama has been picked up for Season 9!

It is currently averaging 645,000 viewers and a 0.14 rating.

The future beyond next season remains in question, and it's likely the renewal is for a final season.

All American: Homecoming – Likely Renewal

The series is tied to All American and is holding up reasonably well (by CW standards).

It is averaging 393,000 viewers and a 0.11 rating.

Its digital performance will play a big part in renewal decisions.

Walker – Renewed

The Jared Padalecki-fronted drama is averaging 926,000 viewers and a 0.11 rating.

It is way down vs. last season, but the network is working on a spinoff, so it must be doing something right!

Naomi – Could Go Either Way

The series got off to a decent start, but it is losing too much of its lead-in to be considered a likely renewal.

It is currently averaging 546,000 viewers and a 0.1 rating.

The network will likely make a decision soon.

Kung Fu – Renewed

The Olivia Liang-fronted drama averages 543,000 viewers and a 0.08 rating in the demo.

It did land a rapid renewal given that its second season only started this month.

But the show likely performs well on digital.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow – Canceled

It's hard to believe the series missed out on an early renewal.

It experienced ratings growth this season — rising to 528,000 viewers and a 0.09 rating.

However, the show is aging and probably much more expensive than some of the other shows.

Charmed – Could Go Either Way

Creatively, the show is in a strong place, but the series is pulling middle-of-the-road numbers for the network.

It is averaging 373,000 viewers and a 0.07 rating on Fridays.

The network is probably awaiting delayed viewing numbers to make a decision.

Batwoman – Canceled

The season was complete at the time of the early renewal decisions, and the series missed the cut.

Its third season managed 458,000 viewers and a 0.09 rating.

There is no other data for the network to take into consideration, so it was concerning that we didn't get an answer with the early renewals.

Legacies – Could Go Either Way

The spinoff of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals has continued to lose ground in the ratings this season.

It is averaging 360,000 viewers and a 0.08 rating — down over 30% year-to-year.

The numbers are not great, but it's possible The CW will give the show a short final season to wrap up the storylines.

Riverdale – Renewed

The series is embracing the supernatural, and the numbers have continued to drop.

It is currently averaging 251,000 viewers and a 0.06 rating.

The series benefits from a lucrative Netflix deal, probably explaining the renewal.

4400 – Likely Cancellation

The CW rarely renews all of its new shows, and 4400 did not breakthrough in the way the network expected.

It averaged 370,000 viewers and a 0.07 rating with a strong lead-in.

It probably will not be back.

Dynasty – Likely Cancellation

Dynasty has been saddled with low ratings its entire run.

It is averaging 270,000 viewers and a 0.04 rating.

The CW has been vocal about the show making a lot of money from international streaming deals, but with a network sale on the horizon, the new owners wouldn't benefit from such a deal.

Nancy Drew – Renewed

The spooky drama averaged 356,000 viewers and a 0.05 rating on Fridays this season — down 34% in the demo.

However, it's likely the show performed well enough on streaming to grab the renewal.

What do you want to be renewed or canceled?

Hit the comments.

Why Aren’t You Watching These Excellent Shows?

Open List

The post The CW Cheat Sheet: Could Legacies & Dynasty Be Axed Next? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Scroll down to check out the bubble shows that need your prayers.

Don't forget to hit the comments on which shows you think should be saved.

A Million Little Things – ABC

The series is averaging 1.9 million viewers and a 0.26 rating in the demo.

Pros: The series soars 133% in the demo in live+7, meaning that people are watching the show.

Cons: The show is at the bottom of the back in live + same day ratings, coming in narrowly ahead of the canceled Promised Land.

The series is down almost 40% in the demo.

Big Sky – ABC

Big Sky is averaging 2.7 million viewers and a 0.31 rating.

Pros: Like A Million Little Things, it enjoys big gains in post-airdate viewing.

It soars well over 100% in live + 35, and considerably higher in live +35.

The series has been licensed internationally on the Disney-owned Star.

Cons: The series loses around half of its Grey's Anatomy lead-in.

It got a much better timeslot this season, but has shed over 40% of its year-ago demo tally.

Queens – ABC

The freshman season averaged 1.3 million viewers and a 0.28 rating.

Pros: The show had a decent reception from critics.

Cons: The numbers are too low, and the show is not pulling in huge numbers on DVR.

Home Economics – ABC

The series is averaging 2 million viewers and a 0.34 rating.

Pros: The series has a decent amount of buzz.

Cons: It is the network's lowest-rated comedy, but it does command a decent gain on the DVR front.

SWAT – CBS – CBS

The series is averaging 4.4 million viewers and a 0.47 rating.

Pros: The show is up 11% in the demo and 40% in total viewers.

Cons: The show isn't as much of a heavy hitter in post-airdate viewing as its CBS counterparts.

Magnum P.I. – CBS

The series is averaging 5.3 million viewers and a 0.43 rating.

Pros: It is performing reasonably for a Friday night drama.

Cons: It is down considerably vs. last year.

Good Sam – CBS

The series is averaging 2.3 million viewers and a 0.27 rating.

Pros: It's a different kind of show for CBS.

Cons: The numbers are too low, making it the lowest-rated and least-watched scripted series on the network.

Blue Bloods – CBS

The series is averaging 6 million viewers and a 0.45 rating.

Pros: The numbers are still decent, and CBS would struggle to find anything to do much better in the slot.

Cons: Older shows come with higher price tags, so CBS might want to keep a newer show on the air.

The Endgame – NBC

The series is averaging 2.1 million viewers and a 0.3 rating.

Pros: It has show some growth in recent weeks.

Cons: It is pulling in almost identical numbers to the canceled timeslot predecessor Ordinary Joe.

Call Me Kat – FOX

The series is averaging 1.9 million viewers and a 0.36 rating.

Pros: The show is holding most of its lead-in.

Cons: The numbers are down almost 40% in the demo year-to-year.

Naomi – The CW

Naomi is averaging 0.6 million viewers and a 0.09 rating.

Pros: It is compatible with its lead-in. It gets a decent boost in delayed viewing.

Cons: For a new show, it lost many of its viewers after the premiere.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow – The CW

The series averaged 0.5 million viewers and a 0.09 rating.

Pros: The series is up 10% in the demo and 27% in viewers. The bump post-airdate is lower than some of the other bubble shows on CW. Plus, it is aging, meaning that it will be more expensive.

Batwoman – The CW

The series is averaging 0.5 million viewers and a 0.09 rating.

Pros: For a third-season show, the numbers are not terrible.

Cons: It missed out on an early renewal, meaning the network could be having second thoughts about its future.

Legacies – The CW

The series is averaging 0.4 million viewers and a 0.08 rating.

Pros: The numbers have started to trend upward. It commands strong post-airdate gains.

Cons: The series is shedding around half of its lead-in among total viewers. It also missed out on an early renewal.

Dynasty – The CW

The series is averaging 0.3 million viewers and a 0.05 rating in the demo.

Pros: It has a Netflix deal that makes the series profitable.

Cons: The CW is for sale, so the lowest-rated shows are likely toast.

Why Aren’t You Watching These Excellent Shows?

Open List

The post These Bubble Shows Need Your Prayers appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Dynasty Season 5 Episode 5 was another deep-dive into the best romantic relationship on the series, and while the pair had several bumps in the road to conceive, you can tell their relationship is in a healthier place than before.

If you watch Dynasty online, you know the show has consistently put them against one another, even though their connection burns bright.

Thankfully, Liam's qualms about having children were all washed away by the beginning of the hour.

Fallon's vulnerability was very rare. She's been trained to have this wall up because she's so afraid of getting hurt, but it really helped her communicate her wants with her husband.

You would think going to the Carrington Compound would have been the perfect recipe for them to have a night of passion, but these two always find themselves caught up in a mystery.

Hey, they sleuth well together, and the writers clearly know it.

The mystery was fun, especially because Winston had such a devotion to the Carrington family name.

Stealing all of the heirlooms would be a bit absurd, especially if he has so many years of service to the family name.

Then again, Fallon's instincts have proven to be right in the past, so she wouldn't have been able to forgive herself if she didn't follow her gut.

The plot was well-paced, featuring plenty of twists and turns, but the fight between Fallon and Winston has got to be one of the most comical scenes of the series.

Many people don't want to move on from a location that is important to their family history, and I loved the way Fallon came to the realization she wanted her children to spend time there.

If Liam was worried about telling any potential kids they were conceived in a seedy motel, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when the kids are told about Fallon's beatdown with Winston.

We don't even know whether Winston will be able to work under Fallon, and now that we know she accused him of stealing her Girl Scout Cookies all those years ago, well, it sounds like there's plenty of bad blood between them.

For now, the writers are doing a decent job of showcasing progression for Fallon and Liam, and that's about all we can ask for after so much back and forth.

The Rita, Beto, and Cristal storyline is gathering steaming, taking us on a journey that was fresh and exciting.

Rita is quickly becoming one of the best villains to grace the show. Her witty one-liners and unnecessary insults make her such a juxtaposition to Cristal that elevates this whole storyline.

Rita asking about whether Cristal and Adam had sex was bonkers, but not as bonkers as the intense gazes she shared with him.

Adam clearly picked up on her attraction to him at the hospital, and I hope a group of people band together to realize she's not the real Cristal.

Then again, everyone will probably put it down to the after-effects of the surgery to save Cristal's life.

The sheer look of horror on Cristal's face when Rita and Beto revealed another plan to tackle Blake was shocking.

Are they going to kill him? What do they plan on doing?

On top of that, would Cristal automatically get the power to make these important business decisions?

Surely, Adam and Fallon would fight to get such a power, and that would present yet another hurdle.

The weak aspect of the hour was how hastily cobbled together the revelation about Sam was.

The series has largely been unable to give Sam a storyline with substance ever since Steven's exit.

Everything has been frivolous, repetitive, and not particularly exciting.

That's why it's hard to get on board with his father miraculously being in the picture.

The awkward part of all of it was Sam thinking the man who turned out to be his father was hitting on him.

There is a lot we don't know about their past, and I'm sure the series will peel back the layers in the coming weeks.

Hey, maybe we'll get some Celia Machado mentions. That would be a nice way to throw it all the way back.

Another storyline that felt like an afterthought was the initial rivalry between Dominique and Jeff.

There has been a lot of progression for Dominique of late, but Jeff gets some of the worst material.

The balance of their storyline in comparison to the others was also nothing to write home about.

It seemed like they bickered across two locations, and the editing made it sound like it was all in the span of about 15 minutes.

"A Little Fun Wouldn't Hurt" was a very good episode, but with some fine-tuning, it could have been one of the best.

The series is in a decent position creatively, and for the first time in a long time, I'm interested in seeing how all of this pans out.

What did you think of Fallon and Liam's baby plans?

Do you think Beto and Rita will kill Blake?

Hit the comments below.

Dynasty continues Fridays at 9 p.m. on The CW.

The post Dynasty Season 5 Episode 5 Review: A Little Fun Wouldn’t Hurt appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The reason?

The network typically makes mass renewals at the beginning of the year, and quite frankly, we didn't think this year would be any different.

With the looming sale from corporate overlords Warner Bros. and Paramount, the network issued some renewals at the end of March, but many shows remain on the bubble.

Scroll down to find out how we think the network's renewals and cancellations will play out.

Superman & Lois – Renewed

The series is the network's highest-rated in the demo and averages 904,000 viewers and a 0.19 rating.

The show draws a strong reception with critics and is one of the network's biggest hits.

All American – Renewed

It's crazy to think that All American was on the bubble during its first season. It is averaging 592,000 viewers and a 0.18 rating.

Now, the series is the second-highest rated on the network.

It will be around for years.

The Flash – Renewed

The superhero drama has been picked up for Season 9!

It is currently averaging 679,000 viewers and a 0.16 rating.

The future beyond next season remains in question, and it's likely the renewal is for a final season.

All American: Homecoming – Likely Renewal

The series is tied to All American and is holding up reasonably well (by CW standards).

It is averaging 429,000 viewers and a 0.13 rating.

The CW has stacking rights on streaming, so the whole season will be made available.

Its digital performance will play a big part in renewal decisions.

Walker – Renewed

The Jared Padalecki-fronted drama is averaging 952,000 viewers and a 0.12 rating.

It is way down vs. last season, but the network is working on a spinoff, so it must be doing something right!

Naomi – Could Go Either Way

The series got off to a decent start, but it is losing too much of its lead-in to be considered a likely renewal.

It is currently averaging 567,000 viewers and a 0.1 rating.

The network will likely make a decision soon.

Kung Fu – Renewed

The Olivia Liang-fronted drama averages 548,000 viewers and a 0.09 rating in the demo.

It did land a rapid renewal given that its second season only started this month.

But the show likely performs well on digital.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow – Likely Cancellation

It's hard to believe the series missed out on an early renewal.

It experienced ratings growth this season — rising to 528,000 viewers and a 0.09 rating.

However, the show is aging and probably much more expensive than some of the other shows.

If it gets canceled, the resolution could come in the form of a crossover with one of the continuing series.

Charmed – Could Go Either Way

Creatively, the show is in a strong place, but the series is pulling middle of the road numbers for the network.

It is averaging 428,000 viewers and a 0.08 rating on Fridays.

The network is probably awaiting delayed viewing numbers to make a decision.

Batwoman – Could Go Either Way

The season was complete at the time of the early renewal decisions, and the series missed the cut.

Its third season managed 458,000 viewers and a 0.09 rating.

There is no other data for the network to take into consideration, so the show is right on the bubble.

Legacies – Could Go Either Way

The spinoff of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals has continued to lose ground in the ratings this season.

It is averaging 353,000 viewers and a 0.08 rating — down over 30% year-to-year.

The most recent episode logged all-time-lows, which doesn't bode well for the future.

However, we're inclined to believe there's a chance it will get a short final season to wrap things up.

Riverdale – Renewed

The series is embracing the supernatural, and the numbers have continued to drop.

It is currently averaging 286,000 viewers and a 0.07 rating.

The series benefits from a lucrative Netflix deal, probably explaining the renewal.

4400 – Likely Cancellation

The CW rarely renews all of its new shows, and 4400 did not breakthrough in the way the network expected.

It averaged 370,000 viewers and a 0.07 rating with a strong lead-in.

It probably will not be back.

Dynasty – Could Go Either Way

Dynasty has been saddled with low ratings its entire run.

However, it averages 304,000 viewers and a 0.6 rating, which is a rise of 25% vs. last season.

The CW has been vocal about the show making a lot of money from international streaming deals.

So, it's hard to imagine the show not returning.

Nancy Drew – Renewed

The spooky drama averaged 356,000 viewers and a 0.05 rating on Fridays this season — down 34% in the demo.

However, it's likely the show performed well enough on streaming to grab the renewal.

What do you want renewed or canceled?

Hit the comments.

Why Aren’t You Watching These Excellent Shows?

Open List

The post The CW Cheat Sheet: Dynasty, Legacies, & Legends of Tomorrow in Danger appeared first on TV Fanatic.