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First episodes have one job: convince people to come back for episode two. Sometimes that happens within minutes. Other times, viewers are already reaching for the remote before the opening story has even found its footing. Whether it was awkward writing, disappointing reboots, strange creative choices, or simply failing to live up to impossible expectations, plenty of TV shows lost part of their audience almost immediately.
That doesn’t necessarily mean everyone hated them, but these are the TV shows people gave up on after just one episode.
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That ’90s Show (2023-2024)
Fans of That ’70s Show hoped for a nostalgic return to Point Place, but many felt the sequel struggled to recapture the original cast’s chemistry from the very first episode.
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And Just Like That… (2021-2025)
Even longtime Sex and the City fans admitted they found the revival surprisingly difficult to get into, with many deciding almost immediately that it wasn’t for them.
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Last Man Standing (2011-2021)
Some viewers felt the sitcom leaned too heavily on Tim Allen’s persona, making the first episode feel more like a showcase for its star than an ensemble comedy.
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Riverdale (2017-2023)
What started as a familiar Archie adaptation quickly turned into something much stranger, and plenty of viewers decided one episode was enough.
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The Idol (2023)
Despite all the attention surrounding its release, many viewers walked away after the premiere, saying the controversy surrounding the show ended up being more interesting than the series itself.
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The Office Australia (2024)
Remaking one of television’s most beloved comedies was always going to be a challenge. For many fans, the Australian version failed to make a strong first impression.
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Suits LA (2025)
Many fans hoping for more of the original Suits felt the spinoff lacked the chemistry and sharp dialogue that made the first series so popular.
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13 Reasons Why (2017-2020)
While the series became a major hit, some viewers felt the tone and dialogue didn’t work for them from the very beginning and never returned after the pilot.
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The Good Doctor (2017-2024)
While the medical drama found a loyal audience, others struggled with its presentation of Shaun Murphy and decided not to continue beyond the premiere.
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Iron Fist (2017-2018)
Marvel fans had high expectations, but repetitive flashbacks and a slow first episode convinced many viewers to move on before the season really got going.
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Under the Dome (2013-2015)
Readers of Stephen King’s novel often felt the television adaptation missed what made the source material so compelling almost from the very beginning.
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How I Met Your Father (2022-2023)
Following such a beloved sitcom was always going to be difficult, and many fans never made it past the pilot.
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Yellowstone (2018-2024)
Despite becoming one of television’s biggest hits, some viewers felt the first episode never clicked with them and chose not to continue.
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
The enormous expectations surrounding the series meant every creative decision faced intense scrutiny, and plenty of viewers admitted they checked out after the premiere.
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Elle (2026)
As a Legally Blonde prequel, Elle immediately divided fans who questioned whether the franchise needed another chapter. For some viewers, the series failed to justify its existence from the very first episode.
The post 15 TV Shows People Gave Up on After Just One Episode appeared first on Den of Geek.
