10 Comedy TV Shows That Crossed the Line and Became Too Serious

Over the years, there were several comedy TV shows this got seriousbut he took things too far. Many warm-hearted comedy TV shows have, at one point or another, been guilty of delving into darker storylines. Some of these titles crossed the line and became very serious, and while it worked for some, it impacted most of them in a negative way. This was mainly because the unusual change in the show's atmosphere was so noticeable that the audience was confused.

Many dark comedy TV shows strike a perfect balance between the two genres and are remembered for their pacing, especially the way the dark moments complement the jokes. However, some couldn't follow a clue, and the drama made the humor shine. While the change in tone didn't necessarily ruin these TV shows, it was clear that the sudden seriousness was too abrupt.

10

Boo's death reveal

Fleabag (2016-2019)

While Flea bag It's always been a pretty dark comedy, the humorous tone quickly disappeared in the last episode of season 1. Throughout the first season, audiences were curious to know what exactly happened to the titular character's best friend and business partner, Boo. But in episode 6, Claire revealed exactly how Boo's death happened. It was revealed through a flashback that Boo's accidental suicide in response to her boyfriend's betrayal was actually Fleabag's fault.

What made this moment even more shocking, though, was that Boo died without ever knowing that it was Fleabag who his partner cheated on. While this was a very dramatic moment, it was perhaps a step too far. The rest of episode 6 highlighted issues in Fleabag's life that weren't necessarily tied to Boo.

It was apparent that Claire and Fleabag's relationship was strained because the titular character's sister knew this dark secret, and the guilt Fleabag felt weighed heavily on her chest, which made her consider taking her own life as well. Although she got over it in Flea bag 2nd season, the tone of the show had already changed too muchand the arrival of the Father did not help at all.

9

Chris' death

Skins (2007-2013)

Although each season of Skins There were many serious moments and a death in every other installment, Chris' death was the most shocking. Since Chris' death was the first in the series, it was much more shocking than the loss of Freddy or Grace. Up to this point, Skins appeared to be a dramedy about teenagers struggling to enter adulthood and face their future, but Chris's abrupt brain bleed taught viewers that not every character would have a happy ending.

It was really messed up that Chris died in the same way as his brother, and that in the last episode of season 2, the others' exam celebrations were overshadowed by the fact that they were banned from attending his funeral. Despite Skins Season 3 starting on a less somber tone, it was hard to forget the harrowing image of Chris bleeding from his nose and Cassie trying to keep him conscious.

8

Season 4 Stories

Shameless (2011-2021)

Although Shameless Season 4 was generally considered the show's peak, there was no doubt that it was also when the show became much more serious. In previous seasons, there was a good balance between comedy and drama, but throughout season 4, things got a lot darker. Ian started showing signs of bipolar, Liam got his hands on cocaine, Fiona was arrested and Frank almost died. While these stories made for great TV, the fact that Season 4 was so heavy-handed affected the later episodes.

Shameless Season 5 tried to return to the light-hearted tone, but it was difficult for the show to achieve the same atmosphere. When the show tried to go dark again, the things that happened Shameless' The Gallagher family used to be so exaggerated that it bordered on unrealistic. Shameless It wasn't completely ruined after Season 4, but it was clear that the series struggled to find a middle ground between comedy and drama.

7

Vee's Arrival

Orange is the new black (2013-2019)

Orange is the new black has always been a prison TV show that revolutionized the genre, and during its first season it was initially billed as a comedy. That was until 2015, when the Emmys changed their rules, which forced the show to redefine itself as a drama. This change was justified, however, since The arrival of Yvonne “Vee” Parker caused a lot of tension in Litchfield.

Vee was a classic sociopath who manipulated everyone around her, and her impact on others caused a change in the tone of the show as much as she did. For example, the attack she ordered on Red created a lot of unnecessary tension in the kitchen. Rosa's cancer story was incredibly moving, and it was brilliant to see her kill Vee as she escaped.

However, It was amazing that Vee had such a bad reputation that her coffee shop interaction with Rosa was enough to motivate the dying prisoner to run her over. Vee was one of the most hated characters in Orange is the new blackbut the feathers she ruffled also created enough friction that events like mutiny and the deaths of others later followed.

6

Henry's death

MASH (1972-1983)

The controversial death of Henry Blake in MASH was a widely discussed TV event in 1975 and generated negative reactions about how the sitcom had veered into darker territory. Although MASH was about the Korean War, and deeper stories were likely to follow, the show killing off the commanding officer was a step too far. This was mainly because of how his death was carried out.

In the Season 3 finale, “Abyssinia, Henry,” the characters celebrated the news that Blake would finally be discharged and be able to return home to his family. However, Blake never made it back, and Radar announced that his plane had been shot down and had “no survivors.” This off-screen death was heartbreaking and very unexpectedespecially from a sitcom.

Critics and audiences were horrified with Blake's death, but it was also a turning point for MASH. Season 4 mixed the MASH characters massively, and the show leaned into more complex and emotional narratives going forward. While MASH it still managed to be funny, this hated death allowed the show to become more serious, and it was one of the few titles that did this well.

5

Bow and Dre divorce arc

Black (2014-2022)

The most powerful episodes of Black were so notable because of how the show tackled difficult topics, but the episodes covering the collapse of Bow and Dre's marriage in Season 4 were particularly prominent. Dre and Bow were a brilliant comedy coupleand although they always solved their problems, they were unique because they appreciated each other's struggles in life.

However, there was a point in season 4 where the super couple just couldn't take it anymore. Black it felt like a different show during these episodes. The duo's interactions quickly changed from light-hearted to incredibly tense, and the flashbacks only highlighted the harsh reality of their marriage rather than providing Bow and Dre with any hope for their relationship.

Even when the two worked it out, it was mostly because of Bow's father's death, which was a relatively morbid way for a comedy to fix its main romance. Happily, Black returned in season 5 with a lighter tone, and the show was still serious when it needed to be, but not in such big chunks.

4

The shooting at the monastery

Barry (2018-2023)

The television program Barry It famously got pretty dark during the Season 2 finale. When the titular character went to the monastery to kill Fuches, he slaughtered everyone else who stood in his way, including Esther. This was an amazing moment and Even Barry himself was shocked by his actions.

The monastery massacre was one of the best action sequences in Barry and really moved the show away from the comedy genre and into a deep drama, and that had a big impact on the third season. Barry the tone of season three has changed massively, and not just for the main character. Although Barry began to show his true self, characters like Sally also became darker.

Barry's arrest at the end of season 3 was also very shocking, especially since he was always so careful with his murders, so it was unexpected when the police arrived to capture him. Barry it was still comical after that, but the serious tone overshadowed the show's humor. However, this generally worked for the narrative, and the drama Barry The Season 4 finale would have been strange without this change in atmosphere.

3

Buffy's sacrifice

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer has always been great at mixing comedy and drama, but the events after Buffy sacrificed herself in “The Gift” were darker than usual. In “The Gift,” Buffy threw herself between dimensions so she could save the world and, most importantly, Dawn. The show was initially supposed to end at this point, but when Buffy the Vampire Slayer was renewed for season 6, returned to screens with a notable change in tone.

After that, Buffy the Vampire SlayerThe stories were quite dark. A lot of time was spent focusing on Buffy's return from the dead, but groundbreaking events like Tara's death shook up Buffy the Vampire Slayer massively. While there was still plenty of camp humor, the show's later seasons definitely veered into more serious territory than the earlier episodes. Until Buffy the Vampire SlayerThe musical episode of Buffy was quite depressing as it followed the characters' grief over Buffy's sacrifice.

2

Rebecca's breakdown

Crazy ex-girlfriend (2015-2019)

Crazy ex-girlfriend went from hilarious to extremely dark in one of the most shocking changes ever. After Josh left Rebecca at the altar, her mental state worsened and she hatched a ridiculous plan to ruin her ex's life. In a matter of episodes, Rebecca Bunch's quirky life and brilliant musical moments were gone, and audiences were left looking at a woman who barely resembled the character from the pilot.

Suddenly, Rebecca attempted suicide, was diagnosed with BPD and was arrested for attempted murder after pushing Trent off a roof. While this resulted in a fascinating character arc for Rebecca, who took time to reflect on her behavior and realized she needed to ask for more help, it was still an incredible change of pace for Crazy ex-girlfriend.

This was a notable moment when a sitcom turned surprisingly emotional, but it was especially shocking because of how quickly Rebecca spiraled. However, this allowed the series to go in a different direction in later seasons, although they were considered less funny than the earlier episodes.

1

Alisha's death

Misfits (2009-2013)

The first episode of Misfits established the dark comedy tone of the show, and while the group that accidentally killed their parole officers wasn't exactly light-hearted, humor was always at the forefront of each episode. But when Alisha was suddenly killed off at the end of Season 3, Misfits became deeper than ever.

It was heartbreaking for the audience because they already knew Simon was going to die, but Alisha's death came out of nowhere. It later made sense since that's what sent Simon back in time, but it was still a shock at first. Misfits slowly declined after Alisha died, and the show ended with season 5. After Curtis was also killed, the last of the original cast, Misfits it was unrecognizable.

The last two seasons of the series weren't as funny, the stories were much darker and the comedic moments were just plain weird. The plot focused on even more violence, health scares, and biblical prophecies, and there were barely any moments that allowed viewers to take a break from the seriousness of the show.