Additions that made a TV show better.

[Nr1Humanoid]

What are some changes (beyond Riker's beard) in TV shows that improved a show's quality?

I am a big fan of 80's cop show Hunter but the first two seasons gets very tiresome with Hunter having beligerent captains. When he got a captain who comes off as human rather than a charicature the show got much better.

[I'm Team Bayley and Indi]

Mark leaving Parks and Recreation and bringing in Ben and Chris

Mark wasn't fitting in as part of the ensemble and them two came in and it felt like they was there all along

[Moppy]

[Lizuka #BLM]

I feel like season 2 of Avatar being so much better than season 1 is in large part, though not entirely, due to the addition of Toph and Azula to the cast. The two of them help a lot with balancing the character dynamics.

Also I got into Kaguya-Sama recently and while season 1 is very good, the greater focus on ongoing narratives in season 2 and the addition of Iino to the core cast do a lot to help elevate the show.

[theironyuppie]

Mar 7, 2024 5:21:39 GMT -5 I'm Team Bayley and Indi said:

Mark leaving Parks and Recreation and bringing in Ben and Chris

Mark wasn't fitting in as part of the ensemble and them two came in and it felt like they was there all along

At least Mark gave us Jerry baiting him with those unpaid parking tickets.

[chrom]

Winchester in Mash.

It came off anymore as them just needlessly bullying Frank and Winchester showed he wasn't a pushover and give it right back

[The Barber]

Urkel to Family Matters (full time).

[thechase]

Edward James Olmos on Miami Vice

Wesley, Gunn, and Fred on Angel

The second team of Rangers on Power Rangers Turbo

[Sephiroth]

Jefferson was better than Steve

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Changes on a show that improved it?

Diane leaving and Rebecca replacing her in Cheers. It became an ensemble show, and let the incredibly talented cast to shine.

In that same vein, Ashley leaving Spin City. When she left it went from focusing on Mike and Ashley's relationship to a more ensemble show about the antics of the NYC Mayor's staff and him with Mike as the lead.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

Supernatural got better when they added Castile to the main cast.

[Ben Wyatt]

Mar 7, 2024 5:21:39 GMT -5 I'm Team Bayley and Indi said:

Mark leaving Parks and Recreation and bringing in Ben and Chris

Mark wasn't fitting in as part of the ensemble and them two came in and it felt like they was there all along

This is my go-to answer.  The show immediately hits a completely different stratosphere.


Similarly, Amy and Bernadette joining the Big Bang Theory. The latter was especially necessary as the Howard character was really gross and creepy, almost beyond repair. Had they not added her as a love interest, the show absolutely doesn't last 12 seasons

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Another sitcom, Night Court hit it's stride when Roz came in.

[jason1980s]

Mar 7, 2024 6:28:04 GMT -5 chrom said:

Winchester in Mash.

It came off anymore as them just needlessly bullying Frank and Winchester showed he wasn't a pushover and give it right back

I came in to say this too. Charles, Colonel Potter and BJ being added to the cast or really replacing Frank, Henry Blake and Trapper. The first three seasons I feel like would only appeal to a smaller audience while the later seasons, especially after Frank left had a broader appeal. I can't imagine the final episode having such success if they kept on with Trapper, Henry and Frank.
I've watched every episode on DVD and watch them on my work break and while I'm interested in the early seasons because I don't remember them as well, it's really the later years that I enjoy.

[Mighty Attack Tribble]

The changes Red Dwarf made in the third season were a universal upgrade – the new sets, new costumes, new theme tune, adding Kryten to the cast, and introducing more sci-fi into the stories.

[El Pollo Guerrera]

Mar 7, 2024 12:00:28 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

Mar 7, 2024 6:28:04 GMT -5 chrom said:

Winchester in Mash.

It came off anymore as them just needlessly bullying Frank and Winchester showed he wasn't a pushover and give it right back

I came in to say this too. Charles, Colonel Potter and BJ being added to the cast or really replacing Frank, Henry Blake and Trapper. The first three seasons I feel like would only appeal to a smaller audience while the later seasons, especially after Frank left had a broader appeal. I can't imagine the final episode having such success if they kept on with Trapper, Henry and Frank.
I've watched every episode on DVD and watch them on my work break and while I'm interested in the early seasons because I don't remember them as well, it's really the later years that I enjoy.

Hawkeye and Trapper were too alike at the beginning, Hawkeye having BJ as a friend/foil worked better because there were bigger differences between them.

Although, it did feel like there was an attempt to separate Hawkeye and Trapper a bit more in Wayne Rogers' last season. Would have been interesting to see that developed more.

[Cyno]

Jeri Ryan and Seven of Nine effectively replacing Jennifer Lien and Kes on Star Trek Voyager.

[Zombie Mod is not a ghoul.]

Mar 7, 2024 7:37:46 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

Supernatural got better when they added Castile to the main cast.

I'd say adding Bobby gave the show a bit of extra heart to it, also an easy way to exposition dump for monster of the week as there was only so much they could have done with john's journal not the planned 5 seasons worth of shows.

[Ben Wyatt]

Ohhh.. I got one we all missed: Anya joining Buffy

[wildojinx]

Mr. Wick on the Drew Carey show. Just added more to the crazy atmosphere of the show.