Warning : This article discusses subject of end , violence , felo-de-se , and drugs .

Over the years , there have been severalcomedy TV showsthat turned serious , but take thing too far . Plenty ofwarm comedy television receiver shows , at one degree or another , were guilty of dig into darker storylines . Some of these titles track the air and became too serious , and while it worked for some , it impacted most of them in a negative direction . This was mainly because the strange change in the show ’s air was so noticeable that audiences were thrown off .

A lot ofdark comedy telly shows have a unadulterated balanceof the two genres , and they ’re remembered for their pacing , especially how the somber moments congratulate the jokes . However , some failed to perplex to one lane , and the dramaturgy out shined the humour . While the break in smell did n’t necessarily destroy these video shows , it was clear that the sudden seriousness was too disconnected .

Fleabag and the Priest

10Boo’s Death Reveal

Fleabag (2016-2019)

WhileFleabagwas always a rather dark comedy , the humorous tone promptly vanished in the last installment of time of year 1 . Throughout time of year 1 , audiences were rum about what exactly happened to the titular eccentric ’s best friend and business partner , Boo . But in sequence 6 , Claire revealed exactly how Boo ’s death make out to be . It was unveil via flashback that Boo ’s accidental suicide in response to her beau cheating was actually Fleabag ’s fault .

From the mystery behind Claire and Klare to the implication of the slyboots , these are 11 burning motion left unanswered by Amazon ’s show Fleabag

What made this moment even more shocking , however , was that Boo pass away without ever know that it was Fleabag who her better half chicane with . While this was a very dramatic moment , it was perhaps a footprint too far . The remainder of episode 6 highlighted issues across Fleabag ’s aliveness that were n’t needs connected to Boo .

Oliver (Martin Short), Charles (Steve Martin) and Mabel on a FaceTime call with the actors in Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 8

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Cast

Created by and starring Pheobe Waller - Bridge , Fleabag follows its titular main character through her animation in modern - day London . After the dying of her best supporter and the close at hand death of their joint business venture , the show deals with Fleabag ’s brokenheartedness over the personnel casualty , her struggle to maintain the business , and her complicated relationships with her prompt household . The show is lie with for its use of the fourth - wall break and is ground on Waller - Bridge ’s awarding - win one - woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013 .

It was apparent that Claire and Fleabag ’s kinship was strain because the titular character ’s sister know about this dark secret , and the guiltiness that Fleabag felt laid heavy on her chest , which made her consider taking her own life , too . Although she moved on from this inFleabagseason 2,the tone of the show had already shifted too much , and the arrival of the Priest did n’t help things .

9Chris' Death

Skins (2007-2013)

Althoughevery season ofSkinshad plenty of serious moments , and a death in every other installment , Chris ’ demise was the most shocking . As Chris ’ demise was the first in the show , it was far more jarring than the loss of Freddy or Grace . Until this point , Skinsappeared to be a comedy dramatic event about teenagers clamber with enter maturity and facing their futures , butChris ’ sharp brain hemorrhagetaught viewers that not every character would have a happy closing .

Created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain , Skins is a British drama serial released in 2007 . This teen drama offer an self-examining expression at a group of teens in England as they sail sexual activity , drugs , mental wellness , death , and more over seven seasons , with the final seasons seeing a work shift in the shape . An American remake was unfreeze in 2011 on MTV but only lasted one season .

It was really mess up that Chris pass away in the same way of life as his comrade did , and that in the last episode of season 2 , the others ’ test celebrations were shadow by the fact they were censor from attend his funeral . DespiteSkinsseason 3 kicking off with a less sober whole tone , it was hard to block the harrowing image of Chris bleeding from his nose and Cassie trying to keep him witting .

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

8Season 4 Storylines

Shameless (2011-2021)

Even thoughShamelessseason 4was broadly consider the peak of the show , there was no doubtfulness that it was also when the show became a fate more serious . In the earlier seasons , there was a well proportion of comedy and drama , but from throughout time of year 4 , thing were far darker . Ian start out to display signs of bipolar , Liam got his hand on cocain , Fiona was jailed , and Frank almost kick the bucket . Although these storylines made for great TV , the fact season 4 was so heavy dissemble the late installments .

Shameless is a Black Comedy , Family Drama make by Paul Abbott and starring William H. Macy , Emmy Rossum , and Justin Chatwin . The premise follows the Gallagher family and their close friends as they deal with a not - so - helpful father , Frank Gallagher . His children each find their own way , growing into their own flawed hoi polloi without much guidance or help from the family paterfamilias .

Shamelessseason 5 tried to regress to its light - hearted tone , but it was difficult for the show to achieve the same atmosphere . When the show attempted to be sorry again , the things that chance toShameless’Gallagher familywere often so over the top that it bordered on unrealistic . Shamelesswasn’t completely ruin after time of year 4 , but it was clear that the show struggled to find a felicitous culture medium between comedy and dramatic play .

Vee smiling at someone off-screen in Orange is the New Black.

7Vee’s Arrival

Orange Is The New Black (2013-2019)

Orange is the New Blackwas always a moment of a genre - bendingprison telly show , and during season 1 , it was initially categorized as a comedy . That was until 2015 , when the Emmys altered their rule , which force the show to redefine itself as a drama . This change was justified , however , asthe reaching of Yvonne “ Vee ” Parker caused a raft of latent hostility at Litchfield .

Vee was a text edition psychopath who manipulated everyone around her , and her impact on others stimulate just as much of a chemise in the show ’s whole step as she did . For object lesson , the attack she ordain on Red created a lot of unnecessary stress in the kitchen . Rosa ’s cancer storyline was incredibly moving , and it was bright to see her kill Vee while she escaped .

Based on the memoir by Piper Kerman , Orange Is the New Black follows Piper Champman ( Taylor Schilling ) after she work herself in for a 15 - month sentence in a minimal - security women ’s prison house for aid in a drug - smuggling mathematical operation run by her ex - girlfriend Alex Vause ( Laura Prepon ) . One of Netflix ’s most popular original series , the show explores the subversion inherent in the US prison system through the lense of Piper ’s experiences .

Fleabag TV Poster

Created by and starring Pheobe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag follows its titular main character through her life in modern-day London. After the death of her best friend and the imminent demise of their joint business venture, the show deals with Fleabag’s grief over the loss, her struggle to maintain the business, and her complicated relationships with her immediate family. The show is known for its use of the fourth-wall break and is based on Waller-Bridge’s award-winning one-woman show which debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013.

However , it was wild that Vee had such a poor reputationthat her cafeteria interaction with Rosa was enough to prompt the break down prisoner to run her over . Vee was one ofthe most hat character inOrange is the New Black , but the plumage she pleat also create enough friction that events like the riot and the end of others later followed .

6Henry’s Death

MASH (1972-1983)

Henry Blake ’s controversial destruction inMASHwas a widely discuss TV case in 1975 , and it sparked backlash over how the sitcom had slew into a dreary territorial dominion . Even thoughMASHwas about the Korean War , and so deeper storylines were likely to happen , the show pour down off the commanding military officer was a step too far . This was mainly because of how his end was fulfil .

This off - CRT screen end was heartbreaking and very unexpected , especially from a sitcom .

In the season 3 finis , " Abyssinia , Henry , " the character reference celebrated the news that Blake was finally being discharged and was able to yield home to his family . However , Blake never made it back , and Radar announce that his plane had been shot down and there were “ no survivor . ”This off - blind death was heartrending and very unexpected , particularly from a situation comedy .

Headshot Of Phoebe Waller-Bridge

MAS*H is a dramatic play - funniness series set during the Korean War , centering on the lives of the stave at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they voyage the challenge of wartime medical military service with mood and resilience .

Critics and audiences likewise were horrifiedat Blake ’s demise , but it was also a turning point forMASH . Season 4 mixed uptheMASHcharactersmassively , and the show leaned into more complex and worked up narratives conk out ahead . WhileMASHstill negociate to be curious , this hated death allowed the show to be more serious , and it was one of the few titles that did this well .

5Bow & Dre’s Divorce Arc

Black-Ish (2014-2022)

The most potent episode ofBlack - ishwere so notable because of how the show tackle hard theme , but the installment that covered the breakdown of Bow and Dre ’s marriage in season 4 were especially salient . Dre and Bow were a brilliant situation comedy couple , and while they always fix their issues , they were unique because they appreciated each other ’s struggles in living .

However , there was a pointedness in time of year 4 when the super couple simply could n’t do it any longer . dim - ishfelt like a different show during these episode . The couple ’s interaction fleetly changed from low-cal - hearted to fantastically tense , and the flashback only highlighted the harsh realities of their marriage , rather than providing Bow and Dre any hope for their relationship .

Black - ish is a television receiver serial that premiered in 2014 , focusing on a family man navigating ethnical identity in a preponderantly whitened , upper - middle - class neck of the woods . The show explore themes of airstream , class , and family moral force as he balances his roles as a father and married man .

Headshot Of Sian Clifford

Even when the two worked it out , it was mainly because of Bow ’s father die , which was a relatively morbid manner for a funniness to patch up its main romance . gratefully , Black - ishreturned in season 5 with a light tone , and the show was still serious when it needed to be , just not in such big glob .

4The Monastery Shooting

Barry (2018-2023)

The television set showBarryfamously turned quite sullen during its time of year 2 finale . When the titulary character went to the monastery to defeat Fuches , he instead photograph down everyone else who resist in his way , let in Esther . This was an astounding moment , andeven Barry himself was floor at his actions .

Some show have a perfect blend of comedy and dramatic play , never relying heavily on one musical style or the other to give birth a fantastic watch .

The monastery mass murder was one ofthe serious action sequences inBarryand truly push the show away from the comedy literary genre and into deep play , and this affect time of year 3 greatly . Barryseason 3 ’s tone shifted hugely , and not just for the main character . Although Barry start to show his genuine ego , character like Sally also became darker .

skins

Created by Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, Skins is a British drama series released in 2007. This teen drama offers an introspective look at a group of teens in England as they navigate sex, drugs, mental health, death, and more over seven seasons, with the final seasons seeing a shift in the cast. An American remake was released in 2011 on MTV but only lasted one season.

A hit man becomes captivated by an act class and seeks to abandon his criminal past times for a sprightliness on microscope stage . As he struggles to equilibrize his new dream with his violent profession , the serial publication delves into his internal conflict and unexpected encounters within the world of theater .

Barry ’s arrest in the season 3 finale was also very shocking , peculiarly as he was always so careful about his killings , so it was unexpected when the law arrived to bewitch him . Barrywas still comedic after this , butthe serious tone overshadowed the show ’s humor . However , this more often than not worked for the narrative , and the dramaticBarryseason 4 endingwould’ve been strange without this change in atmosphere .

3Buffy’s Sacrifice

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Buffy the Vampire Slayerwas always great at blending comedy and drama , but the events after Buffy give herself in “ The Gift ” were moody than usual . In “ The Gift , ” Buffy threw herself between the dimensions so that she could write the world , and most importantly , Dawn . The show was initially think to end at this item , butwhenBuffy the Vampire Slayerwas renewed for time of year 6 , it returned to screens with a noticeable tonal shift .

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a video series created by Joss Whedon , focusing on Buffy Summers , portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar , a untested cleaning lady chosen to battle against vampire , demons , and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexity of teenage biography .

After this , Buffy the Vampire Slayer ’s storylines were rather bleak . A circle of metre was spent concenter on Buffy devolve from the dead , but groundbreaking events likeTara ’s death shookBuffy the Vampire Slayerup massively . While there was still flock of camp humor throughout , the show ’s later season definitely veered into more serious district than old instalment . EvenBuffy the Vampire Slayer ’s musical episodewas quite uncheerful , as it followed the characters ’ grief over Buffy ’s forfeiture .

Headshot Of Nicholas Hoult

2Rebecca’s Breakdown

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)

Crazy Ex - Girlfriendjumped from being uproarious to extremely sober in one of the most jarring shifts ever . After Josh left Rebecca at the altar , her genial state declined , and she concoct a idiotic programme to ruin her ex ’s life . Within a matter of episode , Rebecca Bunch ’s kinky sprightliness and brilliant melodic moments disappeared , and audiences were left staring at a cleaning woman who scarce resembled the character reference from the pilot .

all of a sudden , Rebecca essay suicide , was diagnose with BPD , and was arrest for attempted murderafter push Trent off a ceiling . Although this resulted in a fascinating character discharge for Rebecca , who took the fourth dimension to meditate on her behavior and realized she demand to expect for assistant more , it was still an amazing alteration of pace forCrazy Ex - Girlfriend .

make by and asterisk Rachel Bloom , Crazy Ex - Girfriend is a comedy serial about Rebecca Bunch , a high - power New York City lawyer who dead determine to root out her life and move to little - township California after a chance encounter with her X - fellow Josh , play by Vincent Rodriguez III . As Rebecca begin to build her new life in West Covina and attempt to win Josh back , she must contend with several obstruction to her dreams let in Josh ’s current girl , the disapproval of her mother , and the ever - evolving idea of what she actually wants her life to front like .

headshot Of Hannah Murray In The World Premiere of Charlie Says

This was a notabletime that a sitcom became surprisingly emotional , but it was peculiarly jarring because of how apace Rebecca spiraled . However , this permit the show to go in a unlike focusing for its later season , although they were count less odd than previous episodes .

1Alisha’s Death

Misfits (2009-2013)

The first sequence ofMisfitsestablished the show ’s sorry comedic tone , and while the group accidentally killing their probation officer was n’t on the button lighthearted , sense of humour was always at the vanguard of each installment . But when Alisha was suddenly stamp out in the season 3 close , Misfitsbecame more heavy than ever .

The last two seasons of the show were n’t as comical , the storylines were much sullen , and the laughable mo were just strange .

It was heartbreaking for audience because they already get it on that Simon was going to die , but Alisha ’s demise came out of nowhere . It later made signified , as this was what mail Simon back in time , but it was still a shock at first . Misfitsslowly decline after Alisha died , and the show end with season 5 . After Curtis was also killed off , the last of the original cast , Misfitswas unrecognizable .

Article image

Shameless is a Black Comedy, Family Drama created by Paul Abbott and starring William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, and Justin Chatwin. The premise follows the Gallagher family and their closest friends as they deal with a not-so-helpful father, Frank Gallagher. His children each find their own path, growing into their own flawed people without much guidance or help from the family patriarch.

Misfits is a British comedy - play sci - fi serial publication that blends skill fable with disconsolate clowning . It is centered around five young offenders who gain supernatural ability after a outlandish electrical tempest . Set during their community of interests Robert William Service , the show explore how each character deals with their newfound major power , shining a igniter on the dark sides of having especial abilities .

The last two seasons of the show were n’t as funny , the storylines were much black , and the comical moments were just strange . The plot focused on even more violence , health scare , and scriptural prophecies , and there were barely any minute that allowed viewers to take a break from the seriousness of the show .

Headshot Of William H. Macy

Headshot Of Jeremy Allen White In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Orange is the new black TV Poster

Based on the memoir by Piper Kerman, Orange Is the New Black follows Piper Champman (Taylor Schilling) after she turns herself in for a 15-month sentence in a minimum-security women’s prison for aiding in a drug-smuggling operation run by her ex-girlfriend Alex Vause (Laura Prepon). One of Netflix’s most popular original series, the show explores the corruption inherent in the US prison system through the lens of Piper’s experiences.

Headshot Of Taylor Schilling

Headshot Of Dascha Polanco

mash

MASH is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.*

Headshot Of Alan Alda

Headshot Of Loretta Swit

0314933_poster_w780.jpg

Black-ish is a television series that premiered in 2014, focusing on a family man navigating cultural identity in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. The show explores themes of race, class, and family dynamics as he balances his roles as a father and husband.

Headshot Of Anthony Anderson In The 12th Annual Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation ‘Big Fighters, Big Cause’

Headshot Of Gary Cole

Headshot Of Nat Faxon

Headshot Of Tracee Ellis Ross

Barry Season 4 Poster

A hitman becomes captivated by an acting class and seeks to abandon his criminal past for a life on stage. As he struggles to balance his new aspirations with his violent profession, the series delves into his internal conflict and unexpected encounters within the world of theatre.

Headshot Of Bill Hader In The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards

Headshot Of Sarah Goldberg

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Poster

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.

Headshot Of Sarah Michelle Gellar IN The Los Angeles Premiere Of ‘The Girl In The Pool’ At The ALO HQ Screening Room

Headshot Of Nicholas Brendon

Crazy Ex Girlfriend TV Poster

Created by and starring Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girfriend is a comedy series about Rebecca Bunch, a high-powered New York City lawyer who suddenly decides to uproot her life and move to small-town California after a chance encounter with her ex-boyfriend Josh, played by Vincent Rodriguez III. As Rebecca begins to build her new life in West Covina and attempts to win Josh back, she must contend with several obstacles to her dreams including Josh’s current girlfriend, the disapproval of her mother, and the ever-evolving idea of what she actually wants her life to look like.

Cast Placeholder Image

misfirs

Misfits is a British comedy-drama sci-fi series that blends science fiction with dark comedy. It is centered around five young offenders who gain supernatural abilities after a bizarre electrical storm. Set during their community service, the show explores how each character deals with their newfound powers, shining a light on the darker sides of having special abilities.

Headshot Of Joseph Gilgun