TV Shows with Ruined Characters
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Friends (1994)
Monica Geller: At first, Monica was the sanest and most rational member of the group. By the end of the series, her competitiveness and obsession with cleanliness are so exaggerated that she even admits that she is in competition with herself.
Phoebe Buffay: Phoebe used to be a nice girl, albeit one with a few quirks. She later develops an extreme dark side and a few sexual fetishes.
Joey Tribbiani: In the beginning, Joey wasn't exactly "booksmart" but he was certainly on the same intelligence level as his friends. By the end of the series, he becomes a babbling moron who cannot even do simple math.
Ross Geller: Ross used to be a mostly successful guy whose only flaw was his bad luck with women. By the end of the show, he has become a failure in nearly anything in life. Seriously, for a successful college professor (he even gains tenure during the last seasons), so many bad things happen to him.
Phoebe Buffay: Phoebe used to be a nice girl, albeit one with a few quirks. She later develops an extreme dark side and a few sexual fetishes.
Joey Tribbiani: In the beginning, Joey wasn't exactly "booksmart" but he was certainly on the same intelligence level as his friends. By the end of the series, he becomes a babbling moron who cannot even do simple math.
Ross Geller: Ross used to be a mostly successful guy whose only flaw was his bad luck with women. By the end of the show, he has become a failure in nearly anything in life. Seriously, for a successful college professor (he even gains tenure during the last seasons), so many bad things happen to him.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
The Big Bang Theory (2006)
Leonard Hofstadter: At first, Leonard used to be a normal guy whose only flaw was that he had to put up with Sheldon. In season 3, he becomes a sex-obsessed jerkass who is willing to betray his friends if it gets him the chance to get in bed with a girl. Fortunately, later seasons have begun correcting this.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
J.D.: In the beginning, J.D. used to be a smart and competent doctor with a few quirks. He later becomes an effeminate super-geek who cannot even find Iraq in a map. The only saving grace is that he retains his medical abilities.
Elliot Reid: Elliot used to be believably insecure, but she later becomes insanely neurotic and insensitive to other people's feelings.
Jordan Sullivan: At first, Jordan was a bitch, but she was still a good mother. As seasons pass, she becomes eviler and is even willing to abuse her own children just to spite Dr. Cox.
Fortunately, these characters are redeemed in season 8.
Elliot Reid: Elliot used to be believably insecure, but she later becomes insanely neurotic and insensitive to other people's feelings.
Jordan Sullivan: At first, Jordan was a bitch, but she was still a good mother. As seasons pass, she becomes eviler and is even willing to abuse her own children just to spite Dr. Cox.
Fortunately, these characters are redeemed in season 8.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
Heroes (2006)
Claire Bennet: Oh boy. At first, she had realistic insecurities about her powers and her father's secret. But as seasons pass, Claire needlessly rants about how her powers prevent her from being a normal girl.
Sylar: The worst offender. At first, he was a powerful and magnificent villain. But in season 3, he becomes confused about his parents' identities. This causes him to alternate between good and evil for the rest of the show.
Adam Monroe: It only takes one scene for Adam to transform from a magnificent bastard to a wimpy coward, all of this to introduce Arthur Petrelli as the new antagonist.
Sylar: The worst offender. At first, he was a powerful and magnificent villain. But in season 3, he becomes confused about his parents' identities. This causes him to alternate between good and evil for the rest of the show.
Adam Monroe: It only takes one scene for Adam to transform from a magnificent bastard to a wimpy coward, all of this to introduce Arthur Petrelli as the new antagonist.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
Hannah Montana/Miley Stewart: At first, Miley was a sweet and normal girl who wanted to maintain a low profile so that no one could discover her secret. She later becomes an unsufferable diva who is willing to use her fame to get what she wants.
Lilly Truscott: Lilly used to be a tomboy who didn't want Miley to become obsessed with her fame. She later becomes an opportunistic slob who uses all her screentime to cry and complain.
Jackson Stewart: Jackson has become a loser who cannot even score a date, when in the beginning, he was nowhere near that pathetic.
Robbie Ray Stewart: Robbie Ray was a reasonable adult, but in the latter seasons, he becomes a hair-obsessed manchild.
Lilly Truscott: Lilly used to be a tomboy who didn't want Miley to become obsessed with her fame. She later becomes an opportunistic slob who uses all her screentime to cry and complain.
Jackson Stewart: Jackson has become a loser who cannot even score a date, when in the beginning, he was nowhere near that pathetic.
Robbie Ray Stewart: Robbie Ray was a reasonable adult, but in the latter seasons, he becomes a hair-obsessed manchild.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
Bizarro: He is introduced as a monstruous jerkass who delights in destroying lives but his final appearance sees him being in love with Lana Lang.
Davis Bloome: At first, Davis is a good man who is broken by guilt by the destruction caused by his alter-ego Doomsday. He tries to kill bad people in order to keep his evil side under control. When Davis and Doomsday are finally separated, what happens? Davis is revealed to be just as evil as Doomsday and murders Jimmy Olsen. To say that this didn't make sense would be a bad understatement.
Chloe Sullivan: Chloe was introduced as a smart and nice girl with a crush on Clark. She even becomes his secret-keeper. Unfortunately, in season 8, she begins manipulating and decieving her friends for the greater good. She is even willing to resort to murder, something she would have never done before.
Davis Bloome: At first, Davis is a good man who is broken by guilt by the destruction caused by his alter-ego Doomsday. He tries to kill bad people in order to keep his evil side under control. When Davis and Doomsday are finally separated, what happens? Davis is revealed to be just as evil as Doomsday and murders Jimmy Olsen. To say that this didn't make sense would be a bad understatement.
Chloe Sullivan: Chloe was introduced as a smart and nice girl with a crush on Clark. She even becomes his secret-keeper. Unfortunately, in season 8, she begins manipulating and decieving her friends for the greater good. She is even willing to resort to murder, something she would have never done before.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
Ben 10: Alien Force (2008)
Ben Tennyson: In the original series, he was an immature brat, but a good person deep down. At the beginning of ''Alien Force'', he matures significantly. In the third season, he becomes more self-centered and unsufferable due to his role in saving the galaxy. ''Ultimate Alien'' tried to balance the two different personalities, with mixed results. In ''Omniverse'', he turns out more idiotic than he was in the original show.
Gwen Tennyson: At first, Gwen was the more mature and responsible of the Tennyson cousins. But during ''Ultimate Alien'', she becomes more serious and angry.
Gwen Tennyson: At first, Gwen was the more mature and responsible of the Tennyson cousins. But during ''Ultimate Alien'', she becomes more serious and angry.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
This series just loves ruining its characters, wouldn't you say?
Homer Simpson: At first, Homer was a well-intentioned idiot who still managed to be a devoted husband and father. He later becomes an insensitive jerkass who abuses everyone around him, even his own family.
Marge Simpson: Marge used to be a sweet and reasonable woman who managed to keep Homer's more outrageous traits at check. Unfortunately, she becomes a ditzy and snappy housewife who is willing to take part in Homer's crazy stunts.
Bart Simpson: At first, Bart was a underachieving trickster who still loved his family. More recent seasons see him as a full-time delinquent who abuses his own family just for his own sick amusement.
Lisa Simpson: She was an idealistic young girl who supported honorable and righteous causes. Later seasons transform her into an unsufferable, ultra-liberal preacher obsessed with activism.
Ned Flanders: At first, Flanders was a religious nice guy who loved everyone. The whole joke was that Homer hated him for no good reason. In the latter seasons, his devotion to Christianity is exaggerated until he becomes a right-wing strawman. This basically justifies Homer's hatred towards him.
Mr. Burns: When he was introduced, Burns was a truly despicable asshole who abused his employees, stole from children, tried to block out the sun for money and even tried to turn a litter of puppies into a fur coat. In the more recent seasons, he is a pathetic old man on the recieving end of jokes about being behind the times.
Patti and Selma Bouvier: Possibly the worst offenders. At first, they were introduced as a duo of grumpy women who had a rivalry with Homer. Later seasons see them as terribly incompetent at their jobs and smoking anywhere, even in front of children. Selma goes through three horribly bad marriages while Patti becomes a militant lesbian. This all pales in comparison to their obsession to end Homer and Marge's marriage, even resorting to kidnapping and murder.
That said, the writers have been trying to redeem the characters in the more recent seasons.
Homer Simpson: At first, Homer was a well-intentioned idiot who still managed to be a devoted husband and father. He later becomes an insensitive jerkass who abuses everyone around him, even his own family.
Marge Simpson: Marge used to be a sweet and reasonable woman who managed to keep Homer's more outrageous traits at check. Unfortunately, she becomes a ditzy and snappy housewife who is willing to take part in Homer's crazy stunts.
Bart Simpson: At first, Bart was a underachieving trickster who still loved his family. More recent seasons see him as a full-time delinquent who abuses his own family just for his own sick amusement.
Lisa Simpson: She was an idealistic young girl who supported honorable and righteous causes. Later seasons transform her into an unsufferable, ultra-liberal preacher obsessed with activism.
Ned Flanders: At first, Flanders was a religious nice guy who loved everyone. The whole joke was that Homer hated him for no good reason. In the latter seasons, his devotion to Christianity is exaggerated until he becomes a right-wing strawman. This basically justifies Homer's hatred towards him.
Mr. Burns: When he was introduced, Burns was a truly despicable asshole who abused his employees, stole from children, tried to block out the sun for money and even tried to turn a litter of puppies into a fur coat. In the more recent seasons, he is a pathetic old man on the recieving end of jokes about being behind the times.
Patti and Selma Bouvier: Possibly the worst offenders. At first, they were introduced as a duo of grumpy women who had a rivalry with Homer. Later seasons see them as terribly incompetent at their jobs and smoking anywhere, even in front of children. Selma goes through three horribly bad marriages while Patti becomes a militant lesbian. This all pales in comparison to their obsession to end Homer and Marge's marriage, even resorting to kidnapping and murder.
That said, the writers have been trying to redeem the characters in the more recent seasons.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
Family Guy (1999)
An even worse example than The Simpsons!
Peter Griffin: At first, he was a bumbling yet well-intentioned moron. After the show was revived, Peter's antics become more and more reprehensible until he becomes a borderline criminal.
Lois Griffin: Along with Brian, she was the most sensible and rational character on the show. Nowadays, she is an insane sex addict. This can be justified if you spend too much time with Peter.
Meg Griffin: And how! She was simply an unpopular teenager who tried to find herself. Now, she is the series' biggest butt monkey.
Stewie Griffin: Stewie began as an evil genius who tried to kill his mother and take over the world. Now, he is just Brian's effeminate sidekick (but his violent tendencies still show up now and then).
Brian Griffin: Boy howdy! He began as Peter's more intelligent and rational sidekick. Now, Brian is the mouthpiece for the writers' liberal views, not to mention he is constantly on the recieving end of jokes about how he cannot hold a job or hold a relationship.
Peter Griffin: At first, he was a bumbling yet well-intentioned moron. After the show was revived, Peter's antics become more and more reprehensible until he becomes a borderline criminal.
Lois Griffin: Along with Brian, she was the most sensible and rational character on the show. Nowadays, she is an insane sex addict. This can be justified if you spend too much time with Peter.
Meg Griffin: And how! She was simply an unpopular teenager who tried to find herself. Now, she is the series' biggest butt monkey.
Stewie Griffin: Stewie began as an evil genius who tried to kill his mother and take over the world. Now, he is just Brian's effeminate sidekick (but his violent tendencies still show up now and then).
Brian Griffin: Boy howdy! He began as Peter's more intelligent and rational sidekick. Now, Brian is the mouthpiece for the writers' liberal views, not to mention he is constantly on the recieving end of jokes about how he cannot hold a job or hold a relationship.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)
Not as bad as Family Guy but worse than the Simpsons.
SpongeBob: He used to be a kind-hearted and funny everyman. Recent seasons slowly removed the everyman aspect of his persona, until SpongeBob became an obnoxious manchild who is emotionally dependent on his friends.
Patrick: He becomes dumber as the series goes on, in season 4, he is practically brain-dead. He also begins abusing his friends.
Mr. Krabs: He started as a greedy but nice boss who treated his employees fairly. His daughter Pearl and SpongeBob were the ones who held his more negative traits in check. Nowadays, he is an asshole who resorts to dirty tricks just so that he can get a quick buck.
SpongeBob: He used to be a kind-hearted and funny everyman. Recent seasons slowly removed the everyman aspect of his persona, until SpongeBob became an obnoxious manchild who is emotionally dependent on his friends.
Patrick: He becomes dumber as the series goes on, in season 4, he is practically brain-dead. He also begins abusing his friends.
Mr. Krabs: He started as a greedy but nice boss who treated his employees fairly. His daughter Pearl and SpongeBob were the ones who held his more negative traits in check. Nowadays, he is an asshole who resorts to dirty tricks just so that he can get a quick buck.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
The Fairly OddParents (2001)
Timmy: He started as a typical frustrated child with occassional moments of selfishness. At the end of the episode, he admits his mistake and promises to make wishes about crucial moments on his life. In the more recent seasons, he becomes more selfish and one episode depicts him as being addicted to making wishes.
Cosmo: He started the show as being genuinely happy with his marriage. Now, he drools over any woman who appears onscreen. His intelligence also decreases as the series progresses. Remember when Wanda said that they were both "two halves of a whole idiot"? Well, now Wanda is smart and Cosmo is one whole idiot.
Vicky: At first, she resorted to psychological torture and destruction of personal belongings in order to torture Timmy. Now, she outright tries to murder him. This is especially jarring, given that her job depends on Timmy being alright.
Cosmo: He started the show as being genuinely happy with his marriage. Now, he drools over any woman who appears onscreen. His intelligence also decreases as the series progresses. Remember when Wanda said that they were both "two halves of a whole idiot"? Well, now Wanda is smart and Cosmo is one whole idiot.
Vicky: At first, she resorted to psychological torture and destruction of personal belongings in order to torture Timmy. Now, she outright tries to murder him. This is especially jarring, given that her job depends on Timmy being alright.
Leader Vladimir's rating:
Some TV shows have a bad tendency to absolutely derail their characters until they are a broken shell of what they used to be. This is a list of some of the examples.
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