In an era where streaming services are often accused of being too quick to pull the plug, many beloved television series owe their legendary status to a second chance. A common complaint is that shows are axed just as they begin to find their footing, leaving promising stories untold.
The Slow-Burn Success Stories
Countless series have shaky beginnings. Think of Inside Job, The OA, or 1899 – shows that showed potential but were cut short. However, history is also littered with shows that overcame dreadful first seasons to become television juggernauts. A prime example is Star Trek: The Next Generation, whose first two seasons are notoriously tough going even for dedicated Trekkies. Yet, it evolved into an iconic piece of sci-fi history.
We asked readers which series they believe started terribly but became great. Their answers highlight a fascinating trend in television development.
1. Breaking Bad: A Slow Burn to Greatness
Kim Toft Johannsen admitted she tried and failed to watch Breaking Bad four times before finally falling in love with it. The story of Walter White's descent into crime after a cancer diagnosis is widely hailed as one of the best shows ever made, but the early seasons test viewers' patience.
On Reddit, user Appropriate_Tiger33 echoed this, calling it "one of the slowest slow-burning shows I’ve ever seen." They added that initial boredom almost made them quit. The first and second seasons are the only two in the series not to have a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, underscoring the rocky start. For Kim, it was the spin-off, Better Call Saul, that convinced her to break through the barrier. Breaking Bad is available to watch on Netflix.
2. Better Call Saul: A Prequel That Found Its Footing
The Breaking Bad spin-off was Laura Hope Cordell's pick. She and her husband nearly gave up on Better Call Saul, which charts lawyer Saul Goodman's origin story, but she insists "it’s worth persevering."
Online sentiment mirrors this. In a Reddit thread titled ‘I’m halfway through Better Call Saul season one. Does it get better?’, fans assured the poster that the show improves dramatically after the first season, with many claiming it becomes utterly addictive. Better Call Saul is now streaming on Netflix.
Comedies That Found Their Funny Bone
3. The Office (US): An Uneven Beginning
Moving to comedy, Elaine Roberts believes the American version of The Office had a poor start. "If I’d started at season 1, episode 1, I would have given up on it quite quickly," she wrote. Contemporary critics panned the first series for being a too-faithful, safe copy of the UK original.
Thankfully, a second season allowed the writers to carve their own path. Critic Eric Goldman from IGN noted the show became "brilliant" in its second year. The Office is available to stream on Disney Plus.
4. Parks and Recreation: A Season to Skip?
Jacob King Taylor highlighted the first series of Parks and Recreation, the next project from The Office showrunner Greg Daniels. Like its predecessor, the debut season of this political sitcom is not held in high regard.
A common question online is whether viewers should skip season one entirely, with some arguing the show only truly finds its rhythm in the latter part of season two. Despite this, it grew into a critical and cultural phenomenon, even being named Time magazine’s TV show of 2012. Parks and Recreation is available to stream on U TV.
5. Blackadder: A British Classic's Faltering First Step
It's not just American shows. Nick Clark pointed out that the revered British comedy Blackadder had a difficult first season. Initially, the cunning Edmund Blackadder was written as a feeble moron, a far cry from the sarcastic anti-hero he later became.
Producer David Lloyd revealed in a documentary that the BBC considered cancelling the show due to poor ratings. He managed to secure its future by promising to produce it more cheaply, leading to the iconic series we know today. Blackadder is available to stream on ITVX Premium.
Bonus: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Daniel Savage nominated It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. This sitcom about deplorable Philadelphia bar owners started with positive reviews but modest viewing figures. Its first season remains its worst-reviewed on Rotten Tomatoes.
The show built a cult following, exploding in popularity in season two when Danny DeVito joined the cast. Its success is now undeniable; 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.
The lesson from these iconic series is clear: a shaky start doesn't dictate a show's destiny. With time and creative evolution, television's greatest treasures can emerge from the most unpromising beginnings.
