TV Creators and Stars Reflect on Regretted Storylines from Iconic Shows
NEW YORK, N.Y. — As television continues to evolve, some of its most beloved shows have left behind storylines that even their creators and stars now admit were missteps. A recent BuzzFeed compilation titled “We Made A Mistake”: 36 Terrible, Terrible TV Storylines The Writers And Actors Now Regret (Or Even Hated At The Time) sheds light on moments when writers took risks that didn’t resonate with audiences or cast members alike.
One of the most infamous examples comes from the hit sitcom Friends, where the romantic pairing of Joey Tribbiani and Rachel Green sparked discomfort among the cast and fans. Matt LeBlanc, who portrayed Joey, openly expressed his unease with the storyline, describing it as “wildly inappropriate” and “incestuous,” given the brotherly bond he had built with the female characters over the years. Executive producer Kevin S. Bright confirmed that LeBlanc was “firmly against it,” emphasizing that Joey’s character would never pursue his friend Ross’s girlfriend. Despite the cast’s objections and lobbying against the plot, the writers pressed forward, hoping to explore new territory — a gamble that ultimately alienated many viewers.
Similarly, Tim Kring, creator of the superhero drama Heroes, has publicly acknowledged the missteps of the show’s second season. Speaking during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, Kring admitted the season suffered from pacing issues and unfocused storylines. He pointed to a particular arc where the character Hiro Nakamura travels to feudal Japan to mentor a samurai, which was stretched beyond its narrative justification. Kring conceded, “We took too long to get to the big-picture story,” and that the romantic subplots involving Hiro and Claire Bennet felt forced and unconvincing, undermining the show’s strengths.
Even comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld has reflected on the controversial finale of his groundbreaking series Seinfeld. While Seinfeld resists the notion of regret, calling it “arrogant” to think one could have done things differently, he has admitted lingering discomfort with the final jail cell scene that left fans divided. The finale, which doubled as a clip show featuring past characters testifying against the main cast, was a departure from the show’s typically quick, small-scale humor. Seinfeld later remarked that “big is always bad in comedy,” highlighting the tension between creative ambition and audience expectations.
Medical drama Grey’s Anatomy also made the list, particularly for a storyline in its fifth season where the character Izzie Stevens hallucinates her deceased fiancé, Denny Duquette. Both Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played Denny, and Katherine Heigl, who portrayed Izzie, have described the ghost plot as “awkward” and “cringe-worthy.” The supernatural element was a stark departure from the show’s usual grounded medical narratives, leaving both cast and viewers puzzled. Heigl has expressed embarrassment over scenes involving the hallucination, especially those depicting intimacy, and has said she would never watch those moments with her children.
These candid reflections from actors and creators offer a rare glimpse into the challenges of serialized storytelling, where balancing innovation, character consistency, and audience expectations is a constant struggle. As the television industry continues to embrace new formats and narratives, these lessons from past misfires underscore the importance of thoughtful creative choices.
For more on television production and storytelling, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s media page and the Library of Congress TV News Archive. Industry standards and insights are also detailed by the Pew Research Center’s journalism project, which tracks media trends and audience reception.
As the entertainment world looks ahead, the candid admissions from these television veterans remind us that even the most celebrated shows are not immune to creative stumbles — but those missteps often pave the way for future successes.
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