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TV Shows That Never Outdid Their First Season

TV Shows That Never Outdid Their First Season

Courtesy of American Movie Classics

40. Legion (2017-2019)

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

39. Supergirl (2015-2021)

Source: Courtesy of CBS

38. See (2019-2022)

Source: Courtesy of Apple TV

37. A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022)

Source: Courtesy of Acorn Media Group

36. My Name Is Earl (2005-2009)

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

35. Emily in Paris (2020-Present)

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

34. The O.C. (2003-2007)

Source: Courtesy of Fox Network

33. Servant (2019-2023)

Source: Courtesy of Apple TV+

32. Sleepy Hollow (2013-2017)

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox Television

31. Narcos: Mexico (2018-2021)

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

30. Final Space (2018-2021)

Source: Courtesy of Turner Broadcasting System

29. Shooter (2016-2018)

Source: Courtesy of USA Network

28. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

27. Under the Dome (2013-2015)

Source: Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images Entertainment

26. Fargo (2014-2024)

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

25. Prison Break (2005-2017)

Source: Courtesy of 20th Television

24. The Walking Dead (2010-2022)

Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics

23. American Crime Story (2016-Present)

Source: Courtesy of FX Network

22. New Amsterdam (2018-2023)

Source: Courtesy of NBC

21. Jessica Jones (2015-2019)

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

20. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018-2023)

Source: Courtesy of Amazon Studios

19. Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

18. Westworld (2016-2022)

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office

17. Doom Patrol (2019-2023)

Source: Courtesy of DC Universe

16. Empire (2015-2020)

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

15. American Gods (2017-2021)

Source: Courtesy of Starz

14. Titans (2018-2023)

Source: Courtesy of HBO Max

13. Quantico (2015-2018)

Source: Courtesy of Disney-ABC Domestic Television

12. The Rookie (2018-Present)

Source: Courtesy of American Broadcasting Company

11. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)

Source: Courtesy of CBS

10. Riverdale (2017-2023)

Source: Courtesy of The CW Network

9. Heroes (2006-2010)

Source: Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

8. Goliath (2016-2021)

Source: Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video

7. The Flash (2014-2023)

Source: Courtesy of The CW Network

6. The Sinner (2017-2021)

Source: Courtesy of USA Network

5. Killing Eve (2018-2022)

Source: Courtesy of American Movie Classics

4. The Morning Show (2019-Present)

Source: Courtesy of Apple TV

3. The Witcher (2019-Present)

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

2. True Detective (2014-Present)

Source: Courtesy of Home Box Office

1. 13 Reasons Why (2017-2020)

Source: Courtesy of Viacom

40. Legion (2017-2019)
39. Supergirl (2015-2021)
38. See (2019-2022)
37. A Discovery of Witches (2018-2022)
36. My Name Is Earl (2005-2009)
35. Emily in Paris (2020-Present)
34. The O.C. (2003-2007)
33. Servant (2019-2023)
32. Sleepy Hollow (2013-2017)
31. Narcos: Mexico (2018-2021)
30. Final Space (2018-2021)
29. Shooter (2016-2018)
28. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)
27. Under the Dome (2013-2015)
26. Fargo (2014-2024)
25. Prison Break (2005-2017)
24. The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
23. American Crime Story (2016-Present)
22. New Amsterdam (2018-2023)
21. Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
20. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018-2023)
19. Designated Survivor (2016-2019)
18. Westworld (2016-2022)
17. Doom Patrol (2019-2023)
16. Empire (2015-2020)
15. American Gods (2017-2021)
14. Titans (2018-2023)
13. Quantico (2015-2018)
12. The Rookie (2018-Present)
11. Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
10. Riverdale (2017-2023)
9. Heroes (2006-2010)
8. Goliath (2016-2021)
7. The Flash (2014-2023)
6. The Sinner (2017-2021)
5. Killing Eve (2018-2022)
4. The Morning Show (2019-Present)
3. The Witcher (2019-Present)
2. True Detective (2014-Present)
1. 13 Reasons Why (2017-2020)

When a new television show is created, it can either be a spectacular hit or an incredible bomb. For every success like "Breaking Bad" and "Handmaid's Tale," there is an epic failure like "Coupling" or "The Bionic Woman". TV audiences are receptive to new shows and how each show performs in its freshman season can indicate how long it may last. Some typically stand out from the pack, doing much better than others. However, as great as many new series' scored with audiences, there are some TV shows that never outdid their first season.

It's often hard to replicate the magic of a show's first season when the audience is introduced to the main characters, the storyline is set up, and everything is just so fresh. The characters – and the actors who play them – are key to a show – without a great cast, a TV show is less likely to succeed. Think of what "Friends" might have been without Chandler Bing or Phoebe Buffay and the actors who portrayed them. (Click here for the most despicable TV characters ever.) While these shows have still performed well, the magic from season one hasn't been the same and things often get stale.

To determine the TV shows that never outdid their first season, 24/7 Tempo reviewed episode-level data on audience reception from IMDb. TV series were ranked based on the percentage difference between the average IMDb rating for episodes in the first season and the average across all other episodes. Only shows with at least 40,000 IMDb user reviews total were considered.

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