We’ve had quite a few characters on television who inspired a great deal of discussion, outrage and backlash, usually outshining the series they call home. Che Diaz in And Just Like That and Cousin Oliver in The Brady Bunch have both become punchlines. Yet, they have caught our attention—not for their successes. The characters in this article are examples of the worst characters to ever ruin a once-excellent TV show. It explores why they were poorly received and the impact on the shows.
The Rise and Fall of Che Diaz
In And Just Like That, Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez) has emerged as the target of toxic outrage. Most viewers interpret Diaz as a one-dimensional stereotype of a non-binary person. They disagree that the character’s portrayal lacks depth and nuance. Critics have pointed out that Che’s over-the-top personality detracts from the intricate storytelling that fans expect from a Sex and the City sequel.
The backlash against Che Diaz only shows the need for this representation and the larger issue of media representation. Some critics contend that Diaz’s representation misses the mark as a normalization figure for the non-binary community. Stereotypes Injo plays heavily into racial stereotypes, instead of giving Asian Americans the opportunity to be relatable or human. The character’s mixed reception makes it apparent that something has gone wrong with how television depicts diverse identities without leaning on clichés.
Additionally, Che’s interactions with central characters like Miranda Hobbes have fueled discussions on character realism. Critics say that Che’s impact on Miranda’s arc is contrived and undeserved. This has illustrated the difficulties and realities of introducing new characters into already-established narratives. Together, then, Che Diaz represents how ill-thought-out characters can tank even the most beloved shows.
The Case of Cousin Oliver and Other Missteps
Cousin Oliver arrived on The Brady Bunch to bring some new energy to the struggling series. His introduction is a masterclass on how to use characters to bring your audience back to life. Cousin Oliver was supposed to generate audience excitement, but he did just the opposite. Today, “Cousin Oliver syndrome” is the term used for the practice of bringing in a little kid in the misguided expectation that it’ll save a sinking show. Unfortunately, this approach flopped because audiences just didn’t respond to Oliver as charmingly unpleasant.
In Homeland, both Finn Walden, played by Timothée Chalamet, and Dana Brody, portrayed by Morgan Saylor, faced criticism for their lackluster storylines. Finn, as the son of a vice president involved in a hit-and-run incident, felt like an unnecessary addition rather than a compelling character. Dana’s sulking and whining during her entire arc didn’t play well with audiences who wanted less of this kind of bullshit, mopey storytelling.
In much the same way, Bran the Broken from Game of Thrones is still one of the most hated television characters of all-time. Having spent most of the series on the sidelines, Bran’s ultimate ascension to power left a bad taste in many viewers’ mouths. Most folks think his character didn’t grow enough to warrant a pivotal role in the finale of this beloved series. This stagnation ultimately made audiences feel disappointed with the ending.
Quirky Characters That Missed the Mark
For example, not every poorly received character is just a shallow, shoehorned addition. A few are so weird that they just defy explanation and leave audiences confused. Elsbeth Tascioni of The Good Wife first appeared as a quirky secondary character. She eventually received her own spin-off series, testifying to her undeniable charm. For every viewer who embraced her quirks, thousands more were thrown by her shenanigans, not adding anything to the overall story.
In Frasier, characters like Gertrude and Daphne Moon’s family often derailed perfectly workable plots. Gertrude, depicted as a dragon lady mother, frequently seemed like an ill fit to the otherwise polished milieu of the show. Daphne’s family members frequently added to the scenes with anguish. Their presence removed the cutting irony and sarcastic wit that originally made Frasier so great.
Even one more supporting character, Nathan Shelley from Ted Lasso, was originally introduced as a supporting character. He eventually moved full-time to assistant coach and received the moniker “Nate the Great.” When his character arc turned in a direction that polarized fans, Peter—as well as the fans—were caught off guard. Many felt that his transformation undermined the overall uplifting message of the series, highlighting how even well-loved shows can misstep when it comes to character arcs.
The Legacy of Unsatisfactory Characters
From Sam on Diff’rent Strokes to The Man in Black on Lost, sometimes just adding a little something unexpected goes a long way. Those impressions aren’t always favorable. Unfortunately, Sam’s introduction came at a time when Diff’rnt Strokes was quickly fading into obscurity. He showed up with that washy bowl-cut big-Best-Friend energy but did nothing to advance the actual plot. In much the same way, The Man in Black’s secretive nature probably had more players annoyed than fascinated by the time the credits rolled.
Grandad from Only Fools and Horses shows that action isn’t always necessary to achieve an impactful character. His presence is perhaps the most powerful reminder of this truth. He literally abdicated to his armchair and did nothing to advance the action onstage. Yet, his world-weary craftiness became an important steer of the show’s unique allure.