5 TV Shows That Get Away With Terrible Writing, Ranked

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While a perfect script isn’t essential for a good TV show, there’s a big difference between a simple story and a poorly written one. Some shows can succeed thanks to strong personalities, a unique style, or exciting moments, but others fall apart when you start to notice problems with the plot. When storylines become repetitive or rely on contrived events just to move forward, it’s clear the script is no longer serving as a solid foundation for the show – it’s just barely holding things together.

This begs the question: how important is strong writing to a show’s success? Here are 5 shows that prove you can still have a long run even with weak scripts. We’ve ranked them from the least flawed to the absolute worst.

5) Lucifer

Ultimately, Lucifer is a fun show, and that’s what most viewers care about. However, the writing isn’t consistently great. While the premise – Lucifer Morningstar, aka the Devil, leaving Hell for Los Angeles and becoming a crime-solving consultant – has potential, the show sometimes struggles with its own internal consistency. Each episode presents a new case, layered with a larger, ongoing story about the characters.

The investigations in the show feel very similar each time, and it often seems like there’s a lack of overall planning or development. This leads to a feeling of stagnation, where the story goes around in circles without making real progress. Characters sometimes act in ways that only fit the current episode, rather than being consistent with their established personalities. Even when the show attempts more serious or emotional storylines, the writing doesn’t quite deliver. While Lucifer is enjoyable and generally not bad, it had the potential to be much more compelling.

4) Euphoria

While Euphoria initially gained popularity due to its striking visuals and strong acting, the storyline doesn’t quite live up to the hype. The series centers on Rue, a teenager battling addiction and navigating complicated relationships, but the plot often feels inconsistent. The first two seasons are somewhat successful, but that’s mainly due to the interesting concepts, not how well they’re executed. Ultimately, the show lacks a clear direction and feels disjointed.

Ultimately, Euphoria tries to do a lot, which initially draws you in. However, this often comes at the expense of believable characters and consistent storylines. While some episodes are strong on their own, the overall series prioritizes dramatic moments and visual style over solid storytelling. This is especially noticeable in Season 3, which feels disconnected from everything that came before and almost like a new show entirely.

3) The Flash

It’s disappointing to see The Flash included here, but the show had a promising start that unfortunately declined over time. The series follows Barry Allen, a forensic scientist who becomes the super-speed hero of Central City. The main issue is its repetitive structure: each season falls into a pattern of a villain, personal conflicts, and an easy resolution. It lacks complexity and consistently plays it safe, resulting in a fairly predictable and basic storyline.

The show also suffers from inconsistent storytelling. Barry’s powers appear and disappear whenever the plot demands, and characters often act in ways that don’t quite add up. It feels like the writers prioritized immediate needs over a cohesive story. While The Flash maintains a more conventional structure than shows like Euphoria and Lucifer, it doesn’t execute it well. After nine seasons, these constant inconsistencies make the show feel stale and ultimately wear it down.

2) Riverdale

Trying to explain Riverdale is tough, because the show quickly becomes a chaotic jumble – it feels like the writers abandoned any consistent storyline. It throws together random genres and shifts tones without much logic. The series began as a teen drama investigating a murder in the seemingly peaceful town of Riverdale, initially resembling Twin Peaks to attract viewers. However, it soon spirals into a series of increasingly outlandish and unbelievable plotlines.

The writing on the show quickly becomes incredibly erratic, unlike anything else on television. The script constantly shifts its own rules, characters are redefined without explanation, and storylines pop up and vanish without a trace. The show doesn’t attempt to correct these inconsistencies, instead leaning into increasingly bizarre and unpredictable directions. While it might sound like an overstatement, it’s true. This chaotic, unrestrained storytelling is precisely why it ranks so highly – it’s a completely wild narrative ride.

1) The Idol

“The Idol” struggles because its storyline never quite finds its focus. From the start, it’s unclear what kind of story the show wants to tell. It centers on Jocelyn, a pop star on the rise, and her complicated relationship with a nightclub owner who begins to control her career and life. The series wavers between being a satirical take on the music industry and a serious drama exploring themes of abuse and power, leaving viewers constantly wondering if it’s meant to be taken seriously or not.

The show’s problems aren’t just its overall mood; the writing itself is weak. The dialogue feels unnatural, the characters aren’t well-developed, and scenes often feel disjointed. This lack of clarity results in a shallow story where shocking moments seem to be the main purpose, rather than contributing to a meaningful narrative. Ultimately, The Idol feels empty and deliberately provocative, as if controversy was the sole aim of the writers.

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2026-05-12 03:12