# Can one cast member ruin a TV show for you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 25, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079 "2016-03-25T01:21:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/21 "2016-03-25T04:15:52Z")
I lost interest in “The Avengers” almost immediately after they replaced Emma Peel with Tara Whatsherface. ---
**Author:** ![CatastrophicFailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@CatastrophicFailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatastrophicFailure)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/22 "2016-03-25T04:16:36Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I’d heard good things about **Dexter**. I made it through about an episode and a half before I shut it off - never to return - because of the title character’s sister. > mmm Oh god yes. She was awful. Beyond awful. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/23 "2016-03-25T04:26:26Z")
My girlfriend and I recently watched _Babylon 5_, which I’d never seen before. The only thing that kept me going after the first few episodes was the foreknowledge that Sinclair would be gone after the first season. I’m not one who usually notices when an actor sucks, but man, that guy was horrible. He may as well have been holding his script up in front of him on screen, the way he delivered his lines. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/24 "2016-03-25T04:50:11Z")
I haven’t been able to watch 30Rock yet because of how much I dislike Tracy Morgan. I’ll probably give it a shot someday when it’s in syndication and I start catching them here and there without really noticing it. I’ve actually seen one or two episodes and did like them, but he puts me off too much to decide that I’m ‘going to start watching 30 Rock tonight’. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/25 "2016-03-25T04:54:00Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Billy Eichner on Parks And Rec. :mad: Billy Eichner was DELIGHTFUL!!! :mad::mad::mad: I LITERALLY could not stand Rob Lowe, though. (But not enough to ruin the show for me.) ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/26 "2016-03-25T04:57:34Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > My girlfriend and I recently watched _Babylon 5_, which I’d never seen before. The only thing that kept me going after the first few episodes was the foreknowledge that Sinclair would be gone after the first season. I’m not one who usually notices when an actor sucks, but man, that guy was horrible. He may as well have been holding his script up in front of him on screen, the way he delivered his lines. Don’t be too hard on [Michael O’Hare](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_O%27Hare). Sadly, he was severely mentally ill and suffering from paranoid delusions and hallucinations during the filming of Babylon 5. Michael Straczynski was very accommodating, but eventually had to let O’Hare go, while agreeing not to reveal the real reason. He kept that promise until after O’Hare died. A truly tragic story. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/27 "2016-03-25T05:08:28Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Don’t be too hard on [Michael O’Hare](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_O%27Hare). Sadly, he was severely mentally ill and suffering from paranoid delusions and hallucinations during the filming of Babylon 5. Michael Straczynski was very accommodating, but eventually had to let O’Hare go, while agreeing not to reveal the real reason. He kept that promise until after O’Hare died. A truly tragic story. Yes, I know about all of that. But I don’t think it has anything to do with his “acting.” He was horrible right from the start. How did he even land the role? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/28 "2016-03-25T05:19:58Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > Yes, I know about all of that. But I don’t think it has anything to do with his “acting.” He was horrible right from the start. How did he even land the role? He was an acclaimed stage actor who had studied at Julliard and played the Jack Nicholson role in the original Broadway production of “A Few Good Men”. He’d also had numerous guest roles on T.V. I’m sure he was a fine actor before mental illness took over. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to try to act when you’re suffering from delusions. ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/29 "2016-03-25T05:39:05Z")
One word: Chachi. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/30 "2016-03-25T05:50:33Z")
Kristen Schaal. When comedians get enough power to start casting stuff they always include some annoying, shitty, terrible person because they think it’s funny. She is embodiment of that cappy Aristocrats joke. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/31 "2016-03-25T06:11:21Z")
Wesley Crusher. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/32 "2016-03-25T07:04:14Z")
Jon Lovitz was the turd in the punch bowl of the fifth season of _NewsRadio_. Even with the loss of Phil Hartman, I thought the show still had plenty of juice, but every time I saw Lovitz, I couldn’t help but cringe a little. Lovitz’s success in general has mystified me over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Corporal\_Clegg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Corporal\_Clegg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corporal_Clegg)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/33 "2016-03-25T07:20:01Z")
I was a “Deadliest Catch” fan. But I have seen some things that turned me off for good. I don’t watch with regularity. Wild Bill turned out to be a jerk, Captain Keith is a nut job who temperment I can’t stand (that “mohawk” affair and the way he scapegoated the “greenhorn” was unacceptable, and I can not understand a word Captain Elliot says without subtitles. It sounds like “ee-bee–bee-ee–bibiddiy–bee-dee-bee-dee-biddy-beep” ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/34 "2016-03-25T12:54:31Z")
No love (or hate) for Cousin Oliver? Luckily he was only a recurring character in later years, but Mac on Magnum PI He started out ok, but as the series went on, the continuous head-shaking “I won’t let that happen” promiser (right before letting it happen) Jax on Sons of Anarchy. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/35 "2016-03-25T13:02:25Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > What immediately comes to mind is **Dollhouse** , a cleverly-written Joss Whedon series about people who have their minds wiped and personalities replaced with made-to-order personalities as playthings for the very wealthy. It’s a fun premise, with a lot of potential, and a plum job for any actor worth her salt–you get to play a new character each episode, with new mannerisms, accents, speech patterns, etc.! > > Except Eliza Dushku was cast as the lead, and Dushku plays the tough jaded city babe really well but can’t play another part to save her life. The backup actors were all so much better than her. I stopped watching just because I couldn’t suspend disbelief any more. Yes, I can never remember his name without looking it up but the actor who plays Victor was phenomenal. Everyone was phenomenal. But Dushku had to be in every single episode and she is a terrible, terrible actress. Also Gwen from Torchwood who I hated with the fire of a thousand suns. And goddamn Beverly Crusher from TNG. I watched four and a half seasons but I just couldn’t take anymore of her sanctimonious whining bullshit. You are the DOCTOR why are you even on the bridge and SHUT UP! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/36 "2016-03-25T13:57:57Z")
Are we talking characters, or are we talking actors? There’s a big difference. For example, I couldn’t stand Newman or George Costanza on Seinfeld, but that doesn’t mean that I have an issue with Wayne Knight or Jason Alexander. I’ve enjoyed their work on other shows and movies just fine. OTOH, Sean Penn is a fine actor, but seems to be a Grade-A nimrod in real life, and I often end up seeing past the acting and seeing him. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/37 "2016-03-25T14:36:23Z")
Alan Alda on…well…anything, but especially M_A_S\*H. Even in the early episodes before it became the “Alda spews on the leftie topic du jour and tries to prove what a sensitive, new-age guy he is” Show, his smirky, smug, obnoxious delivery just wanted to make me reach through the TV and smack him. Ditto Bea Arthur. The actress was an obnoxious, shrewish, shrill, bombastic bitch in every role she ever played (Including her stage roles as Vera in “Mame” and Yenta the Matchmaker in “Fiddler On The Roof”). If she appeared on a show, I’d turn off the show. (She was also in the “Star Wars Holiday Special”, so that’s another sin she committed. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/38 "2016-03-25T14:50:31Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Wesley Crusher. I would extend that to most kids/teenagers in mainstream shows, and mostly because of the writing. Too often their characters are written as sarcastic little adults, and as a result are exceptionally grating. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/39 "2016-03-25T14:51:38Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Alan Alda on…well…anything, but especially M_A_S\*H. Even in the early episodes before it became the “Alda spews on the leftie topic du jour and tries to prove what a sensitive, new-age guy he is” Show, his smirky, smug, obnoxious delivery just wanted to make me reach through the TV and smack him. I liked him a lot on **The West Wing** , and he was a terrific villain in **The Aviator** and **Crimes and Misdemeanors**. But yeah, he really wore his welcome out with **MASH**. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/40 "2016-03-25T14:54:35Z")
Conversely, _Happy Days_ was never the same after Chuck left. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079.md?page=3)