# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/41 "2016-03-25T15:40:12Z")
Mariska Hargitay is the main reason I won’t watch L&O SVU. That, and I find the storylines to be beyond depressing, but mainly she grates on me. At least, her character does. For all I know, she’s a lovely person off-camera. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/42 "2016-03-25T15:48:58Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I lost interest in “The Avengers” almost immediately after they replaced Emma Peel with Tara Whatsherface. But were you a watcher when Emma Peel replace Mrs. Gail (played by the wonderful Honor Blackman)? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/43 "2016-03-25T15:53:34Z")
I watched Rockford Files religiously when it was new, but now I fear trying to watch a rerun because it might have Angel in it. I have grown to hate Angel. Imdb says he was in 39 episodes! It didn’t seem that many the first time around. > [@edwards\_beard](#): > > Luckily he was only a recurring character in later years, but Mac on Magnum PI I assume you mean Jim “Mac” Bonnick and not Lt “Mac” McReynolds? TrueMac was killed in Season 3. After _Tales of the Gold Monkey_ was cancelled, Jeff MacKay came back as a different character that just looked like TrueMac. Come to think of it, Jim Bonnick really was another Angel Martin, wasn’t he? A “friend” of Magnum’s that was always running scams and causing trouble. ---
**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, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/44 "2016-03-25T16:35:36Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Yeah, I kinda liked Criminal Minds especially when it first started with Mandy Patinkin, who was great. They replaced him with Joe Mantegna, who is pretty much the worst actor I’ve ever seen. I’d say that was more a “mis-casting” than inability to act. for the most part, if you’ve got an Italian sounding name and are the least bit swarthy everyone pretty much pigeonholes you into mob films. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/45 "2016-03-25T16:42:42Z")
The old pedophile guy on Family Guy. That said, I still watch the show. I just cringe whenever he is in them. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/46 "2016-03-25T16:56:41Z")
Yeah in 'House ’ Charlyne Yi character ruin the show for me and in NCIS Bishop ruin the show for me. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/47 "2016-03-25T16:59:54Z")
[Patrick Warburton.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911320/) I don’t like his smug expression, I don’t like his flat delivery, and I don’t even like his phyiscally presence in a scene. I didn’t like him as Puddy, I didn’t watch _Rules of Engagement_ because of him even more than because of David Spade, and based on the one episode I saw, I’m not going to be watching him in _Crowded_, either. ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/48 "2016-03-25T17:07:31Z")
Yes. Even though I wanted to watch the new Hawaii 5-0 for the scenery, the Asian actors, and the use of Hawaiian language in the titles, I couldn’t, because Scott Caan annoys me too much. I quit watching Person of Interest because of Amy Acker. It works in reverse, too. A show can go bad and make you dislike actors you used to like. For instance, the debacle that Castle became now has me disliking Nathan Fillion, and I’m afraid it will reach back into time and contaminate Firefly for me, too. ---
**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, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/49 "2016-03-25T17:13:22Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I assume you mean Jim “Mac” Bonnick and not Lt “Mac” McReynolds? TrueMac was killed in Season 3. After _Tales of the Gold Monkey_ was cancelled, Jeff MacKay came back as a different character that just looked like TrueMac. > > Come to think of it, Jim Bonnick really was another Angel Martin, wasn’t he? A “friend” of Magnum’s that was always running scams and causing trouble. IIRC the second incarnation of Mac that seemed to be in Magnum’s head…like when he was dressed as a clown and just kept expanding. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/50 "2016-03-25T17:18:32Z")
Jon Voight in _Ray Donovan_. The guy eats the scenery like it’s prime rib. The show had some promise until they brought him on board. I also agree about Jeremy Piven in _Mr. Selfridge_ as one of the worst casting choices in almost ever. I grit my teeth, as my wife likes the show, but I keep praying for cancellation. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/51 "2016-03-25T18:18:10Z")
> [@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 hell yes. I can still hear every annoying delivery of “ICETRUCKKILLER” ringing in my ears. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/52 "2016-03-25T18:36:21Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I’d say that was more a “mis-casting” than inability to act. for the most part, if you’ve got an Italian sounding name and are the least bit swarthy everyone pretty much pigeonholes you into mob films. I’d be the opposite of this. I love Joe and Mandy could take a flying leap, despite being a terrific actor. As for mine, I’ll skip anything with Marcia Gay Harden in it. She grates, grates, grates on my last nerve like nobody’s business. I’ll third (or more?) Jeremy Piven. Anyone who can run John Cusack off as a best friend is one smug turd, both on screen and off. I’ve also never tried Once Upon a Time because of the über blandness that is Jennifer Morrison, despite how much I adore Robert Carlyle. And that new Heartbeat show is also right out for the same reason, except in the form of Melissa George. Gah, those two just suck the very life out of the room. Lastly, there’s some acting that’s so awful, wooden and inept, that there’s no point of even watching a preview if you get a mere glimpse of their name… like Ryan Phillipe, as a prime example. Perhaps he’ll improve with age, but right now, he’s still so damn impressed with himself that it’s embarrassing. I just can’t even. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/53 "2016-03-25T18:39:35Z")
> [@Goofus](#): > > Yes, if that cast member is Andy Dick. So true. Also Michael Richards. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/54 "2016-03-25T18:44:21Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > 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. Calling her “wooden” is an insult to fine timber products. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/55 "2016-03-25T18:44:35Z")
You can’t mention _Major Crimes_ without people denouncing the actor Graham Patrick Martin and his character Rusty. Annoying on every single front. I now hate the name Rusty. There was even an in-show reference earlier this season to how many people on the Internet hated Rusty. His character is also part of the terrible non-procedural “personal” stuff that degrades many cop/law shows. So even if he could act and the character made sense, it would still detract from the show. Ross on _Friends_ was a frequent hole of suckitude. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/56 "2016-03-25T18:45:56Z")
> [@bump](#): > > 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. Hmm, that may be my issue with Michael Richards. But Andy Dick is such a dick he gets thrown out of strip clubs. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/57 "2016-03-25T18:48:09Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > [Patrick Warburton.](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911320/) I don’t like his smug expression, I don’t like his flat delivery, and I don’t even like his phyiscally presence in a scene. > > I didn’t like him as Puddy, I didn’t watch _Rules of Engagement_ because of him even more than because of David Spade, and based on the one episode I saw, I’m not going to be watching him in _Crowded_, either. One of the best voice actors around, however. He was great as Kronk. And not so bad as Agent T in MIB2. ---
**Author:** ![Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90ced4/32.png) [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/58 "2016-03-25T18:51:43Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I lost interest in “The Avengers” almost immediately after they replaced Emma Peel with Tara Whatsherface. Yup, that’s what I came in to say. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/59 "2016-03-25T19:02:46Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > One of the best voice actors around, however. He was great as Kronk. And not so bad as Agent T in MIB2. And great as the live-action Tick > [@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 Well, yeah, she’s a terrible actor. But she was also married to Dexter in real life while playing his sister. Of course, she’s from my current state (Kentucky), so you’d think being married to her own brother wouldn’t be hard to channel. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079/60 "2016-03-25T19:06:42Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > And great as the live-action Tick > . Very true! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-cast-member-ruin-a-tv-show-for-you/750079.md?page=4)