Preference is a tricky thing. One moment you can like something and the other – not so much anymore. And TV shows, at least in our experience, is a good example of this. Because even shows that you absolutely adored at one point can become almost a chore to watch in a matter of episode. Over the years it has happened to us multiple times, so in this article, we decided to examine what are the main reasons why people stop watching certain TV shows.
Cast changes
This is probably one of the most common reasons why at a certain stage of the show’s run people just stop watching the TV series. And I know what you’re thinking, sometimes cast changes are good and even necessary. And we agree with that because there are shows that have survived major cast switch-ups and went on to have multiple more season. The original Charmed, Two and a Half Men, Hawaii Five-0, The Office, NCIS, Chicago P.D., and The Vampire Diaries to name a few have all seen the cast change for one reason or another and have kept going. However, sometimes after a cast change it just isn’t the same anymore. And no matter how hard the writers and remaining cast are trying, they can’t replicate what they had with the original cast.
And that doesn’t mean that the new cast is bad. Or that the writers suddenly forgot how to write the show. It just means the new ensemble couldn’t replicate what came before them. The momentum was gone and eventually so was the show.
The second aspect of this is how much of the cast changes. Because many times that also dictates how good or bad the show will do after the cast switch-up. For example, if one or two smaller characters leave, that probably won’t impact the show much. If one or two major characters leave it will be felt but, in most cases, the show will be able to continue on as before. And there is a good chance that you’re going to continue watching the show, too. We definitely have. And have even found some of the new characters endearing and sometimes even better than the ones they replaced. However, if most of the cast leaves that’s a whole different story. Because that means that most of your beloved characters are gone and that can be a bitter pill to swallow for most fans.
Too much of the same
Another reason that we ourselves have experienced and that has caused us to stop watching a few TV shows is seeing too much of the same. Either too much of the same boring story lines that have already been done by other TV series. Or the show starts to repeat its own story lines. Let us elaborate.
Firstly, there are shows that start out interesting and really original but quickly fall into the pattern of copying what other series have done in the past. This is especially common for procedural type shows. Because no matter if it’s a medical drama, cop show or a legal procedural at a certain point the plot lines start to feel like something that you have already seen. And don’t get us wrong, there are long-running procedural dramas that still manage to bring a fresh story to the TV screen week after week. But there are also those that after a while start to feel repetitive. And when this happens usually it is not long before the ratings start to drop and the show gets canceled.
The second way how a show can get repetitive is for it to start repeating its own plot lines. And that is even worse. Because it means that either the show doesn’t know what to do with its characters. Or that it has just become that unoriginal. Romantic relationship arcs are ones that get repeated the most often. Alongside other relationship trials and tribulations like secret keeping for example. And although there is a concept that is known as the will-they-won’t-they, no matter if we are talking about will or won’t a romantic couple get together or will or won’t someone find out someone else’s secret, even that needs to be done properly for it not to feel repetitious and boring.
Not my brand of humor
Then there is a common problem that plagues many comedy shows, especially longer-running ones. And that is that the humor suddenly doesn’t feel the same and the show just isn’t funny to watch anymore. Sometimes it’s your own doing. You just grow as a person, your tastes change and your humor preferences change with you. But more often it’s the show that changes. Sometimes the show wants to try something new. While other times it just changes over time. And if this updated version of the show isn’t in line with your sense of humor, there is a good chance that you won’t like it anymore.
Went too far
Nowadays darker genre shows are loved by fans and praised by critics. But sometimes even these shows go too far. And whether it’s brutal fight scenes, gruesome torture scenes or unnecessarily many sex scenes it can quickly turn off viewers.
I know what you’re thinking. Well, why are you watching these type of shows in the first place if you think that they tend to go too far? After all, usually shows like this make it clear from the get-go that they won’t be your average go-lucky family show. But the thing is, often these shows are dark from the beginning. And since they start off so gritty they have nowhere else to go but to become even rougher. And that can often be problematic, especially on cable and streaming service shows that don’t have to stick to the same strict guidelines like network series do. So they get darker and darker until it’s just too much for many of the show’s original viewers.
Plain ridiculous
And then there is the fifth reason why one might stop watching a TV show. And it’s that the series gets just too ridiculous for you to be able to continue watching it.
Luckily, in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t that common, but it does happen sometimes. And when it does, the show usually turn into a complete and utter mess. It starts doing story lines that are not only hard to follow and wired. But also completely non-typical to the show. And that is a turn off for even the most loyal of viewers.
Hopefully, you can relate to at least one of the points we made in this article. But if not let us know in the comments below why you have stopped loving, liking and watching a TV show! We would love to know and expand on all the reasons why one might stop watching a certain TV show.