In the late ’90s, premium cable networks were known for their movie selections and late-night offerings before they started really investing in creating their own original content and delivering award-winning shows. These days, HBO, Max,HBO Max… whatever we’re calling it, provides audiences with hilarious comedies likeHacks, plus the ability to revisit shows likeVeepandBarry. They’ve taken on superheroes with a clever twist through shows likePeacemaker, adult animation likeHarley Quinn,and even impressive, prestigious dramas likeThe Pitt. So why would anyone waste their time with overrated shows? There’s too much going on these days. Here are nine shows I’m sure someone told you were great but aren’t worth your precious minutes.
1’Entourage' (2004 - 2011)
One of the broiest shows in existence,Entourageshines a light on the vapid side of the movie-making machine, with a biased portrayal of the entertainment industry and its pitfalls. Created byDoug Ellinwith plotlines that amplified true events, allegedly based onMark Wahlbergand his friends, this comedy encouraged a generation of Hollywood hopefuls. Highlighted by tons of celebrity cameos and a stellar cast, led byAdrian Grenier,Kevin Connolly,Kevin Dillon,Jerry Ferrara, andJeremy Piven,Entourageis a show for the wannabes and fame chasers. From the fashion to the tech and slang,Entourageemphasizes a specific time and place for these privileged few.
2’Succession' (2018 - 2023)
Successioncenters on the wealthy Roy family, owners of a global media conglomerate, as they battle for company control amidst the uncertainty of their patriarch’s health. Created byJesse Armstrong, this dark comedy satire starsBrian Coxas the ruthless head of the family, supported by his four adult children – Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Roman (Kieran Culkin), and estranged eldest son Connor (Alan Ruck), as well as his only daughter, Shiv (Sarah Snook). While the savvy politics and clever comedy of the series are undeniable, with a show crafted for audiences to root for a winner, this series doesn’t offer a single character worthy of succession.
3’The White Lotus' (2021 - Present)
The White Lotusspends each season sharing a week in a new exotic location, following the exploits of spoiled, wealthy guests and a variety of employees within a luxury resort. While the clever first season ofMike White’s dark dramedy series spawned a resurgence of appreciation forJennifer Coolidge– who has undeniably deserved recognition for all her prior quality work –The White Lotusultimately flails by the time it hits Season 3,missing the markwith its messaging on greed and entitlement, bland murder mysteries, and repetitive character types placed in each locale. On the positive side, White’s ability to collect talented ensemble casts cannot be overlooked and should be applauded.
4’Girls' (2012 - 2017)
Originally promoted as a new generation’sSex and the City,Lena Dunham’s quirky comedyGirlsfollows four millennial friends as they navigate relationships and sexuality as twenty-somethings living in New York City. While the show falls into the same whitewashing pitfalls asSex and the City– particularly egregious for a show set in Manhattan –Girlsis more progressive with matters of queerness and attempts to highlight body diversity. The comedy stars Dunham alongsideAllison Williams(M3GAN),Jemima Kirke, andZosia Mamet(The Flight Attendant) and is considered the show that putAdam Driveron the map.
5’The Righteous Gemstones' (2019 - Present)
Known for his iconic hair and wacky shenanigans,Danny McBride(Eastbound & Down) stars inThe Righteous Gemstones, a comedy he created that centers on a world-famous and highly dysfunctional family of mega-church televangelists. Co-starring with McBride areAdam DeVine(Pitch Perfect) andJohn Goodman, along with a handful of other hilarious comedic stars. The premise of this satire, as well as the clever casting, is truly fantastic. In reality,The Righteous Gemstoneshas everything going for it to be a sharp commentary, yet somehow, it doesn’t stick the landing and leans too heavily on low-hanging cheap shots and crude jokes.
6’And Just Like That' (2021 - Present)
After six seasons, two feature films, and a prequel series on The CW,no one askedfor another chapter in theSex and the Cityfranchise, yet co-creatorsMichael Patrick KingandDarren Stardecided to get the band back together… mostly.And Just Like Thatis the next stage of Carrie Bradshaw and friends, reunitingSarah Jessica Parker,Cynthia Nixon, andKristin Davis, withoutKim Cattrall. While these beloved characters already got their happy endings, the creative team rips up their lives for the sake of crafting new happily-ever-afters in an attempt to rectify the original series’ lack of diversity, as well as its outdated thoughts on sex, sexuality, and identity.
7’The Penguin' (2024)
Taking an iconic super villain and giving them their own series is a great idea. Crafting an entire mini-series after the events ofThe Batman, based solely onColin Farrell’s highly prosthetic-covered performance? Less so. And showrunnerLauren LeFrancdoes just that. Without denying Farrell’s clear talent,The Penguinwas a disappointment from inception. In fact, the acting inThe Penguinis fantastic all around – withCristin Miliotias Sofia Falcone andRhenzy Felizas Victor Aguilar – but the political storyline of Farrell’s Penguin attempting to seize control of the criminal world in Gotham falls flat.
8’House of the Dragon' (2022 - Present)
After the global success ofGame of Thrones(minus that last season), there was no surprise that another adaptation fromGeorge R. R. Martin’s work was going to be made, yet the question still remains: Why? StarringDoctor WhoalumMatt Smith, along withRhys Ifans,Olivia Cooke, andEmma D’Arcy,House of the Dragonpulls together incredible actors, placing them in a gorgeous fantastical world, yet asks them to slog through a boring drama about the internal politics within House Targaryen, nearly 200 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, a woman who would be one day known as Khaleesi.
9’Euphoria' (2019 - Present)
Let’s put aside the discomfort of an adult man taking the reins of molding a drama series centering on the sexual exploration of teenage girls… actually, let’s not. Adapted for US audiences bySam Levinsonandbased on an Israeli miniseries set in the ’90s, the American version has garnered praise for its style, music, and acting, particularly by starsZendaya,Maude Apatow,Barbie Ferreira, andHunter Schafer. That said,Levinson has been criticizedconcerning his choices when depicting adult content, and it’s not hard to see why. Despite its gorgeous cinematography and excellent acting,Euphoriasloppily and exploitatively handles plotlines revolving around addiction, sex, and family issues.
