
Some TV shows fill our hearts with lovable characters and solid storylines. But sometimes, a single character can throw a wrench in the works and make our favorite series a little hard to watch. Let’s take a look at 15 characters that nearly made us stop watching the series.
The Unwelcome Castaways in Lost: Nikki and Paulo

Season 3 of Lost brought an unexpected surprise in the form of Nikko and Paulo. These new acts left everyone baffled because they were sudden. To cap it all, the characters were underdeveloped, which in turn had a not-too-good effect on the show. Luckily, writers swiftly corrected the course.
The Mystifying Sister in Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Dawn Summers

Without warning, Dawn Summers crash-landed into Buffy’s life in season 5. Retconned as the Slayer’s younger sibling, Dawn’s constant complaints and damsel moment irritated the most of us. Though some viewers eventually warmed to her, others felt Dawn’s presence detracted from the core Scooby gang dynamic that made the series shine.
Cuteness Overload in Brady Bunch: Cousin Oliver

In its final season, The Brady Bunch attempted to bring fresh appeal with adorable Cousin Oliver. However, they didn’t achieve their goal because people saw this addition as a desperate ploy for ratings. Oliver’s arrival brought about the beloved family sitcom’s decline and several cancellations across different channels.
Yappy Nuisance in Scooby Doo: Scrappy-Doo

Bursting onto the scene with his “Puppy power!” catchphrase, Scooby’s nephew Scrappy brought a crappy dose of attitude. Even though it was supposed to be for a younger audience, Scrappy’s rudeness just didn’t flow with the show’s vibe. Much to older fans’ dismay, his addition marked a downturn for the long-running cartoon.
That ’70s Show Misfit: Randy Pearson

Topher Grace’s departure left big shoes to fill, which producers attempted to do by introducing Josh Meyers as Randy Pearson. Sadly, Randy felt like a pale imitation of Eric Forman, who lacked the history that made the original cast click. His forced romance with Donna only highlighted how out of place he was.
Gilmore Girls‘ Unwanted Guest: April Nardini

April Nardini’s arrival in Stars Hollow created waves. Luke’s newfound daughter complicated his relationship with Lorelai, and the audience who’d invested in Luke and Lorelai’s romance felt frustrated by this development. While April wasn’t a bad character, her sudden presence marked a shift in the show’s storytelling approach.
The Perfectly Bad Character from The Simpsons: Poochie

Do you remember Poochie? The Simpsons nailed it with this parody of network meddling. Itchy and Scratchy’s new radical dog friend was obnoxious on purpose. Poochie skewered TV executives’ misguided attempts to make series “cooler.” His brief, cringeworthy stint struck a chord with those who were fed up with similar real-world missteps.
The Brooding Buzzkill in Angel: Connor

Connor seemed like a game-changer when he first popped up as Angel’s miracle son. Too bad he turned into a sulky, anxious mess. His creepy relationship with Cordelia left fans scrambling. Connor’s presence dragged down Angel’s final seasons, stealing time from characters and plots we actually cared about.
Charmed ‘s Final Nail in the Coffin: Billie Jenkins

Billie Jenkins swooped in during Charmed’s last episodes, and boy, was she not needed. This newbie witch hogged the spotlight from the Halliwell sisters we’d grown to love. Her “evil sister” storyline felt recycled and tired. Billie’s constant presence made it unbearable as the series limped to its finale.
The Unexplained Switch in Saved by the Bell: Tori Scott

There was little explanation for Tori Scott’s arrival at Bayside High. She stepped into roles previously filled by Kelly and Jessie only to create a sense of discontinuity. This character swap in the final episodes left some people feeling disconnected from the show’s established universe.
Cute misstep in Married… with Children: Seven

Adding cute kid Seven to the Bundy family backfired spectacularly. It was obvious that this effort to soften the season’s edge clashed with its wicked humor. Seven vanished without explanation after one season. His disappearance tacitly acknowledged the character’s failure to win over viewers.
A Flat Appearance in Game of Thrones: The Sand Snakes

Dorne’s storyline was captivated by Oberyn Martell in season 4. Enter the Sand Snakes, his daughters seeking vengeance. Despite promising source material, their on-screen portrayal fell flat. Clunky dialogue and questionable fight scenes made their segments tough to watch. The Dorne plot, once anticipated, became a low point in this cult favorite.
Happy Days‘ Forgotten: Chuck Cunningham

TV’s most famous disappearing act has got to be Chuck Cunningham. Richie’s older brother vanished into thin air after season two. The series never mentioned him again, as if he had never existed. Chuck’s erasure from the family became the subject of jokes for years. Talk about dropping the ball on continuity!
Family Guy‘s Doggone Disaster: Vinny

When Family Guy “killed” Brian, people were not liking it. Replacement pooch Vinny landed with a thud. His tough-guy schtick felt forced and out of place. Fans missed Brian’s snarky wit and history with the Griffins. The show quickly backpedaled, ditching Vinny and bringing Brian back from the dead. Crisis averted!
The Forced Favorite in The Big Bang Theory: Bernadette Rostenkowski

As The Big Bang Theory progressed, the writers seemed intent on making Bernadette a more central character. Her relationship with Howard became a focal point, and the show leaned heavily into her high-pitched voice and overbearing personality. Many fans felt Bernadette’s presence crowded out the original core group, disrupting the chemistry that had made the show so popular.