A Viral Thread Asked Which TV Finale Ruined the Show — and People Did Not Hold Back
There are TV shows you love… and then there are TV shows you loved right up until the ending.
In the past, we’ve discussed the 10 most popular movies from the last year and even the 10 greatest movies of all time.
However, on the opposite spectrum, a recent online discussion asked a simple question: which TV show does the entire internet agree had the worst ending ever?
The short answer? No one could fully agree.
A few shows came up again and again, though, and people had very strong feelings. To be fair, many of these shows were fantastic right up until those final episodes, so I wouldn’t necessarily let this stop you from watching them.
Here are some of the most talked-about answers. And yes, there are spoilers ahead, so proceed accordingly.
1. Lost Still Sparks Debate
This was one of the most consistent answers.
One commenter wrote, “People will say Game of Thrones, but the actual answer is Lost.”
Another summed up the frustration like this: “They are not in purgatory… finale: ‘guys, guess what? They are in purgatory.’”
Even years later, it’s clearly still a sore spot for a lot of viewers. (I haven’t personally watched the ending, but my husband has been complaining about it for years!)
2. Game of Thrones Might Be the Most Agreed Upon
If there’s one show people expected to see on the list, it was this one.
Several commenters mentioned it directly, with one saying: “Hard tie between Lost and Game of Thrones.”
Another added: “I never watched Game of Thrones, but… literally no one was happy about the way it ended.”
Whether you watched it or not, the reputation of that finale has definitely stuck. (I did watch this one, and it is by FAR the worst ending I have ever seen._
3. The Sopranos Is Still Dividing People
Not every “worst ending” is universally hated. Some are just… confusing.
One person simply said: “Sopranos.”
Another added, “I thought the cable went out.”
Interestingly, not everyone agreed it was bad.
One commenter even said, “I thought the Sopranos ending was great.”
Which kind of proves the point. It’s rare everyone agrees on which shows were disappointing. This one still splits people.
4. Firefly and Shows That Didn’t Really End
Some frustration came from shows that never got a proper ending at all.
For instance, one commenter wrote, “Firefly because there wasn’t one until they made a movie.”
For fans, that lack of closure can feel just as bad as a disappointing finale.
5. My Name Is Earl Left People Hanging
Cliffhangers came up more than once.
One commenter pointed out: “The cliffhanger to My Name is Earl or the official ending to Samurai Jack.”
And that was enough. There’s no explanation needed for anyone who remembers them. After all, is an open ending really an ending at all?
6. ALF Had a Surprisingly Dark Ending
This one caught a lot of people off guard.
“ALF. It ended with Alf being captured by the government…”
Falling in line with the cliffhangers listed above, it’s not exactly the kind of ending people expect from a sitcom.
7. Quantum Leap Still Sticks With People
Older shows made the list, too. Quantum Leap seemed to make the top of people’s disappointment lists.
One commenter stated, “Quantum Leap….although in my head canon he ended up in the future and went to Starfleet Academy…”
Another simply stated, “Sam Beckett never jumped home.”
For fans, that one line says everything. You know it’s not good when they have to start creating their own endings.
8. Santa Clarita Diet Didn’t Get Closure
Another unfinished story that frustrated viewers: “Santa Clarita Diet… since there wasn’t one.”
Again, sometimes the problem isn’t a bad ending. It’s no ending at all.
9. Gilligan’s Island (Technically) Never Resolved
Some answers referenced shows that aired years and years ago.
“Going way back, Gilligan’s Island! They never were rescued.”
It’s almost funny but also kind of true. After 98 episodes, you would think viewers would get a little more closure.
10. And Then… There’s Reality
Not every answer was about scripted TV.
One person joked, “2024 US Presidential Election.”
Another added: “The entire internet can’t agree on ANYTHING.”
Which, based on this thread, feels pretty accurate. So, what are your thoughts?
Do you agree with this list?
While movies are subjective, this thread made it obvious that there are instances where the majority of voters can agree. That’s how we get cult classics, after all. Keeping this in mind, I’ve been digging into more movie-related topics, studying popular opinions, good and bad, like 10 of the worst movies people regret watching immediately and 12 movies that always stop viewers in their tracks while channel surfing.
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