Have you ever almost given up on a TV show, only for it to become one of your all-time favorites? You're not alone! In today's streaming landscape, it feels like networks are trigger-happy with cancellations. Shows barely have time to find their voice before the axe falls. It's a frustrating reality for viewers who believe a little patience can pay off big time. I can think of so many shows – Inside Job, The OA, Dead Boy Detectives, Pushing Daisies, and 1899 come to mind – that had potential, even if their initial seasons weren't perfect. The list goes on and on! It's such a shame because some truly remarkable series started rough but evolved into television powerhouses.
Perhaps the most glaring example? The first two seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Even the most devoted Trekkie would likely admit they're... challenging. But here's where it gets controversial... despite that rocky start, The Next Generation became an absolute icon. And it's not the only one!
We asked Metro readers to share their picks for shows that started terribly but ultimately became great. Here's what they said:
Breaking Bad
Kim Toft Johannsen sparked a debate by admitting she attempted – and failed – to watch Breaking Bad four times before finally falling in love. Four times! The story of Walter White's descent into crime to provide for his family after a terminal cancer diagnosis is widely considered one of the best TV shows ever. And this is the part most people miss... Kim's experience isn't unique. Appropriate_Tiger33 wrote on Reddit that they, too, found the first season slow and difficult to get into. "Breaking Bad is one of the slowest slow-burning shows I’ve ever seen," they wrote. "It’s why it took me so long to actually commit to watching it through, because I got bored in the first episode the first time. After having watched the entire thing through twice now, it is one of the best shows ever made in my opinion." Critics seem to agree; the first and second seasons are the only ones without a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Oh, and the reason Kim finally broke through her Breaking Bad barrier? She loved Better Call Saul. Which brings us to...
Breaking Bad is available on Netflix.
Better Call Saul
The Breaking Bad spin-off, Better Call Saul, was Laura Hope Cordell's choice. Laura confessed that she and her husband almost gave up, but ultimately felt "it’s worth persevering," and now they adore it. Better Call Saul focuses on Saul Goodman, the morally flexible lawyer from Breaking Bad, exploring his transformation from a well-meaning (though arguably flawed) individual into the Saul we reluctantly love.
Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul is often cited as one of the greatest shows ever. But it has its detractors. In a Reddit post titled "I’m halfway through Better Call Saul season one. Does it get better?" one user boldly stated they were "underwhelmed" despite their love for Breaking Bad. However, many responded that it does improve dramatically, with one fan claiming you'll be hooked after the first season.
Better Call Saul is streaming on Netflix.
The Office (US)
Moving from drama to comedy, Elaine Roberts believes The Office (the US version, to be clear) didn't start strong. "I started it partway through season 2," she wrote. "If I’d started at season 1, episode 1, I would have given up on it quite quickly." The US Office's shaky first season is well-documented. Contemporary critics felt it was too safe, too closely mirroring the UK original. Thankfully, it was renewed for a second season, allowing the writers to find their own voice and create the iconic show we know and love. Eric Goldman of IGN even called its second season "brilliant."
The Office is available on Disney Plus.
Parks and Recreation
Jacob King Taylor nominated the first season of Parks and Recreation. Interestingly, it was the next show from The Office showrunner Greg Daniels after he left Dunder Mifflin. Created by Daniels and Michael Schur, Parks and Rec follows Leslie Knope and the staff of the Pawnee Parks Department as they strive to improve their town. Like The Office, its first season isn't highly regarded. You'll find many online discussions asking if you should skip it entirely, with some suggesting the show doesn't truly find its stride until the later episodes of season 2. However, the series eventually achieved critical and cultural acclaim, even being named Time's TV show of 2012.
Parks and Recreation is available to stream on U TV.
Blackadder
It's not just American comedies that struggle initially. Nick Clark pointed out that Blackadder, a British comedy classic, had a rocky first season. The premise is simple: each season is set in a different historical period, with a different generation of "Blackadders" serving as a witty foil to the fools around them. But here's where it gets controversial... In the first season, Blackadder is portrayed as a feeble moron, a far cry from the suave and sarcastic character we know and love. This chapter isn't fondly remembered. Producer David Lloyd admitted the BBC considered cancelling it due to poor ratings. Thankfully, he convinced them to continue by reducing the budget, and the rest is history.
Blackadder is available on ITVX Premium.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Daniel Savage suggested It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This bizarre sitcom about a group of friends running a bar in Philadelphia, who happen to be terrible people, has become an American classic. But its first season wasn't a hit. In fact, the show got off to a rather ignominious start. It received positive reviews (the first season still has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score), but modest viewership. As the show continued, it built a cult following before exploding in popularity in its second season when Danny DeVito joined the cast. How popular is Always Sunny today? In December 2025, Disney announced it was one of the few series to surpass one billion hours streamed on Disney Plus.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is available to buy on Amazon Prime Video.
So, what do you think? Are there any shows you almost gave up on but are now obsessed with? Do you agree with the picks above, or are there other series that deserve a mention? Let us know in the comments below!
