# Help me come up with a list of TV shows (or movies) as disappointing as "The Killing" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 20, 2011, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145 "2011-06-20T13:08:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/1 "2011-06-20T13:08:41Z")
Twin Peaks Any M. Night Shyamalan movie after _The Sixth Sense_ I want to build a poll, but I’d like some input before doing so. If you actually like(d) _The Killing_ then, obviously, this is not for you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/2 "2011-06-20T14:08:09Z")
I liked both the book and the movie of _Friday Night Lights_ a lot, but the TV show just turned it all into a lame-ass, high school drama for teenaged girls. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/3 "2011-06-20T14:31:24Z")
LOST ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/4 "2011-06-20T14:42:59Z")
The Matthew Broderick _Godzilla_. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/5 "2011-06-20T14:45:38Z")
If you want to talk about all time movie letdowns, I think here’s Episode One and there’s everything else. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/6 "2011-06-20T14:46:22Z")
I’m going ahead and mentioning _American Idol_ in spite of the fact that I was never a really big fan. But once it became obvious that the voting was such that a dedicated group of “call 1,000 times and vote for the worst one in the batch” factions were booting the good ones and keeping the losers, my camel’s back broke. FWIW, I’m hoping this thread will focus on reasonably good shows (at the beginning) going sour, and not the good-to-great shows getting cancelled too early. Another whole thread (and poll?) could be spent on that travesty. But I started out thinking _The Killing_ could have been a decent show. And every week it kept getting more predictable and more silly and finally a real kick in the nuts to people who had stayed with all 13 episodes. At least they shit in the audience’s face after 13 instead of waiting for 30 like _Twin Peaks_ did. Shyamalan? What can you say to redeem that waste? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/7 "2011-06-20T14:51:38Z")
To paraphrase Luke Skywalker: “You want the impossible!” You have to have something developed around a premise of being different from the typical representation of the genre that both completely fails as regards the genre and at the same time as regards the novel aspect, and then also pull the rug out completely at the end. The thing about the Killing was that it was supposed to take a season to address the investigation of one homicide in order to take more time developing characters and drama. It never successfully developed drama or characters. It spent its time with red herrings and pointless meandering. It offended one’s sensibilities regarding any sort of investigational strategies or logic. Then the ultimate finger - abandon at the last minute the pretense that the homicide investigation would conclude at the end of the season. Good luck finding similar shows or movies! ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/8 "2011-06-20T14:54:34Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Twin Peaks Twin Peaks dissapointing? That’s a bold statement. And then, somehow, have “Twin Peaks” in the same category as “Lost”. Dunno… :o ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/9 "2011-06-20T14:57:23Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > To paraphrase Luke Skywalker: “You want the impossible!” > \<\\> > Good luck finding similar shows or movies! That’s the premise of the thread: I can’t think of a worse case, just some that are bad – but not _as_ bad. I just trust The Dope to know more than I about such horrors. 🙂 Didn’t Spielberg dabble in some TV shows that started out okay and then plummeted into nonsense? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/10 "2011-06-20T15:01:02Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Didn’t Spielberg dabble in some TV shows that started out okay and then plummeted into nonsense? Well, _Amazing Stories_ had its moments during its brief run. I guess it was intended as a modern _Twilight Zone_ with glitzy special effects, which overlooks the point that _Twilight Zone_ was about _ideas_, not effects. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/11 "2011-06-20T15:02:25Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > Twin Peaks dissapointing? That’s a bold statement. Just recently – since _The Killing_ started – I used Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” to watch all 30 episodes of _Twin Peaks_ again, after however long it’s been, in hopes that I could find some justification for the way the show ended. I didn’t. I stand by my evaluation. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/12 "2011-06-20T15:04:59Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, _Amazing Stories_ had its moments during its brief run. I guess it was intended as a modern _Twilight Zone_ with glitzy special effects, which overlooks the point that _Twilight Zone_ was about _ideas_, not effects. Yep. That’s one of them for sure. But wasn’t there also some “rapture” theme thing that just sort of oozed away? ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/13 "2011-06-20T15:10:06Z")
Just from this year. V and The Event. I found both waaay more disappointing than the Killing. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/14 "2011-06-20T15:15:56Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Just from this year. V and The Event. I found both waaay more disappointing than the Killing. Fortunately, I saw that coming and bailed straightaway! On the flip side, I stayed with some others, and liked them, and they got cancelled! (See Post #6) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/15 "2011-06-20T15:26:15Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > … But wasn’t there also some “rapture” theme thing that just sort of oozed away? Since I didn’t watch it, I couldn’t remember many details of the one I was thinking about: [Taken (TV mini-series 2002)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289830/) and it would appear that Spielberg had minimal credit/blame for it. > [@](#): > > Taken (TV mini-series) (executive producer - 1 episode) > – Beyond the Sky (2002) (executive producer) Sorry! Bad memory. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/16 "2011-06-20T15:26:34Z")
Once again: the “ending” of **Twin Peaks** was a _season_ finale, with the idea of it being the basis for more plots in the next season. On that basis, it was a perfectly good way to end the season. It was akin to the season finale of the first season of **Weeds** , if the show hadn’t been renewed. **Twin Peaks** did flag a bit after “Bob” was revealed, but soon hit its stride; the final half dozen episodes were excellent. The most disappointing by far was **[The Limping Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046001/)**. You cannot get to the end of it without groaning. [Watch it if you dare!](http://www.archive.org/details/TheLimpingMan) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/17 "2011-06-20T15:40:32Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Once again: the “ending” of **Twin Peaks** was a _season_ finale, with the idea of it being the basis for more plots in the next season. On that basis, it was a perfectly good way to end the season. It was akin to the season finale of the first season of **Weeds** , if the show hadn’t been renewed. **Twin Peaks** did flag a bit after “Bob” was revealed, but soon hit its stride; the final half dozen episodes were excellent. > > The most disappointing by far was **[The Limping Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046001/)**. You cannot get to the end of it without groaning. [Watch it if you dare!](http://www.archive.org/details/TheLimpingMan) The _Twin Peaks_ explanation does make some sense, but if one’s not aware of the behind-the-scenes issues, and only watches the show (which I did pre-internet and without VHS – say nothing of DVR) the collapse of the characters and story arcs in the last few episodes, was very deflating. The standard in my own situation for “disappointing.” Fortunately, I now have _the Killing_ as a better comparator! And with your build-up, I think I’ll punt on _The Limping Man_, but will add it to the list in the poll, if you want. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/18 "2011-06-20T15:42:40Z")
Although I loved every minute while watching them, the endings to _Rome_, _Deadwood_, and _Carnivale_ all disappointed me. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/19 "2011-06-20T16:24:31Z")
Okay, to review, here’s what I have so far: Twin Peaks Friday Night Lights (TV) LOST The Matthew Broderick Godzilla American Idol Amazing Stories V The Event The Limping Man (movie) Rome Deadwood Carnivale Did I miss any? What can we add before heading to a poll? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145/20 "2011-06-20T17:00:39Z")
_Seinfeld_’s finale episode was lame, but the entire show throughout its run, esp. after the first year or so, was terrific. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-come-up-with-a-list-of-tv-shows-or-movies-as-disappointing-as-the-killing/586145.md?page=2)