SpoilerTV

How Not to Say Goodbye: TV Shows That Deserved A Better Send-Off

2025-03-17T15:32:00.000+00:00

It’s hard to get the ending of a story right. As a community of writers, we at Spoiler TV are well aware of that. It’s especially challenging when producing a TV show with an audience of several million people per episode, each with their own ideas about how the finale should unfold. It’s impossible to please everyone – someone will always be unhappy, complaining that their favorite character’s arc felt weak or that the actors weren’t given a worthy send-off.

But then there are shows where the finale is such a disastrous letdown that the majority of the audience agrees that it’s a trainwreck with no survivors, a final act of self-destruction. Everything the show spent years building is destroyed in the final episode(s), leaving the audience feeling betrayed after investing so much time and emotion into the series. Some finales almost seem to mock viewers for staying loyal through all those seasons and years. It feels as if the final storyline was deliberately crafted to punish fans for shipping a couple that was never meant to be or for rejecting a character the creators were determined to push. Other shows, however, collapsed under the weight of their own ambition, trying too hard to create the perfect ending, only to buckle under pressure, rushing the finale or cramming in too much at once.

We at SpoilerTV have come together to compile a list of the shows we believe were robbed of a satisfying conclusion.

Dexter – Cristina

The Dexter series finale, "Remember the Monsters?" (Season 8, Episode 12), is widely considered one of the most disappointing endings in TV history because it failed to deliver a satisfying or logical conclusion to Dexter’s journey. Throughout the series, Dexter Morgan carefully balanced his double life as a blood-spatter analyst and serial killer who followed “The Code.” But in the finale, he makes irrational, uncharacteristic choices—especially in how he handles Debra’s fate and his own supposed “self-exile.” Debra (Jennifer Carpenter), arguably the show’s emotional core, is shot and left brain-dead after a rushed and poorly executed shootout with Saxon. Instead of letting her die with dignity, Dexter decides to unplug her life support and dispose of her body in the ocean—just like his victims. This not only contradicts his love for her but also feels cold and senseless.

After dumping Deb’s body in the sea, Dexter steers his boat into a hurricane, seemingly committing suicide. However, the show inexplicably reveals that he faked his death and is now living as a lumberjack in Oregon. Why? The reasoning is unclear. Dexter just decides he brings doom to everyone he loves, so instead of being with his son Harrison (whom he just abandoned to Hannah, an ex-lover on the run), he isolates himself in the woods. It felt lazy, unearned, and completely out of sync with the Dexter we knew.

Oliver Saxon (the Brain Surgeon) was a forgettable, underwhelming antagonist. Compared to past villains like the Trinity Killer or the Ice Truck Killer, he lacked charisma or depth. His final showdown with Dexter was over in seconds, making him feel like a throwaway villain rather than a true final challenge for Dexter.

One of the most frustrating aspects was the lack of closure. Throughout the series, Dexter was always on the edge of being caught—by law enforcement, his colleagues, or even his own conscience. But in the end, he simply walks away, avoiding justice, reckoning, or redemption. It felt like the writers didn’t know how to end his story, so they just… didn’t.

The ending ignored what made Dexter great: its psychological depth and moral complexity. The backlash was so strong that Dexter: New Blood had to come in years later to try and fix it, but by then, the damage was done. Instead of a thrilling or emotional payoff, it left fans scratching their heads—and making a lot of lumberjack jokes.

House MD – Eve

The final episode of House MD, titled "Everybody Dies," aired on May 21, 2012. The episode received mixed reactions from viewers and critics alike. Some viewers appreciated the introspective nature of the episode, which focused on House examining his life and future while treating a drug-addicted patient. The episode featured cameos from several characters from previous seasons, adding a sense of nostalgia. The decades-long friendship between House and Wilson was highlighted, which many fans found very fitting. However, others felt that the episode was overly sentimental and melodramatic, straying from the darker, more realistic tone of the show's earlier seasons.

Dr. Lisa Cuddy, played by Lisa Edelstein, did not appear in the final episode of House MD. She left the show after Season 7. Lisa Edelstein chose to leave the show due to contract disputes. In the storyline, Cuddy moved away from New Jersey following a violent end to her relationship with House, which included House driving his car into her dining room. This event shocked many fans and the writers received some substantial heat for this. Cuddy’s absence in the finale felt like a significant oversight, especially given her importance throughout the series and her meaningful relationship with House. The underwhelming response to the finale episode and even the complete final season triggered an ongoing debate between fans about the finale's effectiveness and its place in the series' legacy.

Major Crimes – Julia

The first show that immediately comes to mind when I think of butchered series finales is TNT’s Major Crimes. As a spin-off of The Closer, the crime procedural ran for six seasons, only to end with the main character’s death and those closest to her disregarding her values and everything she had stood for. Commander Sharon O’Dwyer Raydor, the head of LAPD’s Major Crimes division, mother of three and a newlywed, was needlessly killed off four episodes before the series finale, seemingly mainly to remove her rule-following, principled presence from the equation.

While the show consisted of an ensemble cast, Sharon Raydor was essentially the show's central figure. As it became clear that Major Crimes likely would not get renewed for another season, season 6 was written with the understanding that it would be the final chapter. The creators chose to end the show by pushing aside the woman who had carried the series for six seasons and shifted the focus to a character who had become increasingly disliked by a significant portion of the audience, a fact they were undoubtedly aware of.

To make matters worse, they killed Sharon Raydor in the most uninspired way possible: they gave her a heart condition and had her ignore her doctor's orders (which was very much out of character for her) until she collapsed and died. The moment she took her last breath, her adopted son and colleagues wasted no time in disregarding everything she had stood for, unraveling her legacy. As the final slap in the face, they removed the actress’s name from the opening credits faster than one could blink. Great show – awful ending. Sharon Raydor deserved better, the actors deserved better and so did the fans.

Sherlock - Anjali

Anyone who has ever watched BBC’s Sherlock (2010-2017) knows that it was one of the best modern adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s titular detective, Sherlock Holmes. For the first two seasons, everything was absolutely praise-worthy, from the writing to the acting to the stories that were given a modern-day twist and the hype turned into a full-fledged internet phenomenon which exploded amongst audiences who were not only completely invested in the “Johnlock” mania of the duo, but in the fandom trying to solve one of the biggest mysteries when Sherlock seemingly faked his death in season 2 which sent Tumblr (and the entire internet as a collective whole) into a frenzied chaos for two years until the third season aired.

In the beginning of season 3 Sherlock makes his triumphant return, reuniting with John after being presumed dead. While Watson’s anger, devastation, and shock at seeing his best friend again were focused on the "why" rather than the "how," the mystery of Sherlock’s survival remained entierly unanswered. Instead, every explanation was turned into a parody. Even Andersen’s character became a comic relief, acting as a stand-in for the audience. Obsessed with figuring out how Sherlock survived, he joins a fan group and creates a conspiracy board filled with photographs and strings, trying to connect the dots and make it make sense. It came across as the showrunners brushing off the question about Sherlock’s survival as unimportant and every theory becoming irrelevant, which in turn, suggested that all the fandom’s time and effort and dedication into something they had truly enjoyed immersing themselves in was for nothing.

There’s also the issue of Eurus Holmes, a sibling of Sherlock and Mycroft that did not exist for the entire previous episodes and seasons, until suddenly, she was conjured out of thin air. She had a very convoluted backstory and ties to Moriarty and a grand plan to destroy her brother's lives and John's as well – but by the end of the series, everything felt more of a letdown than each episode that preceded it. Andrew Scott’s portrayal of Jim Moriarty casts a long shadow, as no other villain matched his brilliance. The show started to feel divided into two halves, before season 2 and after.

The magic was gone, that lightning in a bottle feeling which was captured twice, didn’t work a third or fourth time and even though Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman's chemistry continues to be the talk of the fandom, even years after the show “ended” (though never officially renewed or cancelled last season 4, the show is considered finished) it's safe to say that Sherlock had had its swan song with the finale of season 2 which was a peak television experience.

The X-Files – Elena


David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson © All Rights Reserved.

“Not only the worst X-Files episode of all time, but the worst television my eyes have ever had to see.”

“There (are) some TV series that (I) don't think know when to end.. This eleventh @thexfiles season is a remarkable example.”

“Worst tv series finale? The X-Files finale ruined me.”

Need I say more?

The season 11 finale, “My Struggle IV” raised more questions than it answered, namely, why Chris Carter was writing yet another pregnancy storyline for Scully, who was in her mid-fifties. Between Cigarette Smoking Man insisting he was William’s biological father, William’s death, and Scully telling Mulder they are expecting a baby, it’s safe to say that fans were left confused and disappointed. This show’s handling of fertility and conception left much to be desired, but in a show about the paranormal, writers have a certain amount of leeway, which they have used unsparingly.

It must be said that at a certain point in the original run, Chris Carter and other writers of the X-Files had lost their vision regarding the mytharc and the “truth” that guided the characters and their decisions. He also received criticism from many viewers for the way in which he handled Mulder and Scully’s relationship after such a slow-burn romance. Many fans believed the show should have ended in season 8, as references to the pilot and previous episodes were made, and they felt the story had come full circle.

There is much to be said about showrunners extending a series beyond its rightful end, whether for profit or legacy. In this case, it seems that the revival did not garner the appeal of the original fans in the same way.

In a November 2024 episode of David Duchovny’s podcast, Gillian Anderson says about the revival storyline, “It felt like Scully’s trajectory was no longer one of strength and agency, it felt like it was beholden to an old idea of what a woman is and that’s all she could talk about, literally.” referring to the return of their son William, who went by Jackson Van De Kamp.

Unfortunately for the producers and actors, if the X-Files reboot should ever become a reality, they will never escape the shadows of their predecessors, and any attempts, no matter how renewed and ambitious, would ultimately be futile.

My advice? Rewatch the original series and movies! Nine seasons is way more than the average these days, and though the series finale was truly despised by many, most argued that the two revival seasons featured some fun monster-of-the-week episodes, and they enjoyed being able to watch Mulder and Scully grow together through another period of their lives.

The 100 – María Sol

© All Rights Reserved.

I started watching The 100 a few years after it originally premiered, and soon I became obsessed with it, making it an instant favorite. The first seasons were amazing, full of twists and turns that kept us engaged, with great character development for almost everyone. The characters were always facing dilemmas that sometimes led them to do good, but other times took them to a dark place.

I can appreciate seasons 5 and 6, even though they weren’t the best. However, I think things started to go downhill in season 7, where they introduced too many plotlines, almost one in every episode, sending the characters to different planets. This didn’t help much in closing the story, which ideally should happen in the final season of a show.

But the main issue for me was Bellamy’s journey. They turned him into some sort of villain, which went against everything we had seen in his character development. The peak of this was his death—not the fact that he died, as I kind of imagined that could happen in the end, but the how and why of his death. It felt like a betrayal for Clarke to kill him after everything they had been through. I understand she did it to protect Maddie, but in the end, it was completely useless since she couldn’t help Maddie either.

Anyway, even though I’m not a big fan of how the story concluded, I still think The 100 is a great show worth rewatching. Though, maybe I'll just pretend that last season never existed.

Which TV finale left you the most disappointed? Share your thoughts in the comments!

USD POLL : Which of these serial killer shows do you like the most?

2024-03-29T11:00:00.006+00:00

Today's User Submitted Daily (USD) Poll was submitted by LauraLikesTV who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click here to submit your poll.

Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?

You can vote for 1 Option.

Recent USD Polls

USD POLL : Which of these popular TV show's ending do you think was the most disappointing?

2023-09-28T12:00:00.003+01:00

Today's User Submitted Daily (USD) Poll was submitted by Raj who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click here to submit your poll.

Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?

You can vote for 2 Options.

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The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2023 - Round 3A

2023-09-15T17:00:00.026+01:00

We're down to 16 shows remaining! Staggeringly, seven of the eight seeded finished shows are still standing, with only Walker Independence being eliminated so far.

Good to see as many as five of the unseeded shows still going, including the all-unseeded meeting of Turner & Hooch and The Legend of Korra tomorrow. Four of the five are finished shows - I don't have the numbers, but 11 out of 16 feels like an astonishingly high number. Kudos to them! At a glance, I make it four previous years in which a finished show has won. Are we on for another?

A reminder of the rules:

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

The draw:

Click here to view the draw in a new window

Don't forget to share the poll - spread the word far and wide to help your show get through! And, of course, let us know in the comments who you're voting for.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of round three!

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2023 - Round 2A

2023-09-11T11:49:00.000+01:00

32 down, 32 to go! I'm writing this before the final round one polls close, but from the look of it, we'll have lost five of the seeded shows in the first round.

A reminder of the rules:

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2023 - Round 1A

2023-09-06T09:43:00.000+01:00

Here we go! A day later than planned - sorry, life got busy!

After two weeks of nominations, we have our contenders for the 2023 Series Competition. As ever, it's 32 current and 32 finished shows, drawn for the main bracket with the following rules:

1) The top 8 current shows (displayed in the draw in bold) were split up so that the earliest they could meet is the Quarter Finals.
2) The top 8 finished shows (displayed in the draw in bold italics) were split up so that the earliest they could meet is also the Quarter Finals.
3) The earliest one of the top 8 current shows can face one of the top 8 finished shows is in Round Three.
4) The other 48 shows were randomly selected a position in the draw.

The full draw can be seen below, as always, using the bracket designed for us by Rendy.

Click here to view the draw in a new window

I've not had time to do a proper analysis of the entrants, but just 19 of them featured last year. Three-time champion Supernatural is also the only previous winner to make it! Astonishing, really. There are a lot of debutants, which I'll analyse in the wrap-up at the end of the competition.

The posting structure of the competition: Round One will take place over five days, with seven polls each today and tomorrow, then six per day the following three days. Round Two onwards will consist of four polls per day.

I should have the free time to stick to this schedule, but it may change by a day or so.
We do have some simple rules for voting in this competition, so for those of you who are new or who are returning and just need a refresher, here they are:

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

Everyone happy? Everyone ready? Cracking. Let's go.

Check back tomorrow for the next set of polls from round one!

2023 Character Cup - Winner and Wrap-Up

2023-06-29T17:03:00.000+01:00

2023 Character Cup Winner

Rebecca Pearson

This Is Us

64 polls later and we have a winner! Congratulations to This Is Us fans for voting Rebecca Pearson to the top. While not the blowout that was last year’s finale, Rebecca retained the lead throughout and ended with 58% of the vote. With this, Rebecca becomes the 12th winner of the Character Cup, improving on her third place win last year. Way to go, Rebecca fans! To become the winner, Rebecca had to defeat Kamila Khan, Jessica Knight, Dexter Morgan, Jax Teller, Charlie Nicoletti, and Deran Cody. Congratulations to all This Is Us fans!

In second place is Deran Cody in his first time in the Character Cup. Impressive debut! With a second place win, Deran is still eligible to compete next year. Will 2023 be his year? Congratulations to Animal Kingdom fans for a well-played contest. In third place, Charlie Nicoletti barely beat out Olivia Benson, who placed second last year. This is Charlie’s first year in the Cup. Both characters remain eligible to be in the Cup next year, also.

Our breakout character this year was Sister Beatrice from Warrior Nun, who jumped 51 ranks to land in the #9 spot. What a feat! Over in the Favorite TV Dad mini-contest, Monkey Dragon from One Piece reigned supreme with Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender placing second. Marty Deeks from NCIS: LA took third with Danny Tanner from Full House in fourth.

As the winner, Rebecca Pearson joins Jack Shephard from LOST, Dean Winchester and Castiel from Supernatural, Root and Sameen Shaw from Person of Interest, Alex Danvers from Supergirl, Lucifer Morningstar from Lucifer, Temo Lopez from Mi Marido Tiene Más Familia, Lexa from The 100, Malcolm Bright from Prodigal Son, and Scylla Ramshorn from Motherland: Fort Salem in our Hall of Retired Winners. Congratulations to the This Is Us, Animal Kingdom, The Company You Keep, Law & Order: SVU, and all other fandoms who supported their favorites.

Prediction Contest:

By earning a whopping 120 points, Hard is the winner of this year’s prediction contest. Congratulations! You rock! You earn the all-important bragging rights this year. Pavelas (98 points), Clueless (93), and Prpleight (91), round out the top 4. Awesome job predicting all around in a year when former favorites didn’t make it past round 3.

Stay Tuned: Favorite Episode Competition and Favorite Show Contest

The summer fun is not over here at SpoilerTV. We still have 2 contests remaining. Up next is the Favorite Episode Competition, which normally debuts in June preceding the Cup. Nominations for it should open soon. Then we end with our biggest summer contest for Favorite Show. This is our main hiatus event so you don't want to miss it either. Until next year, I officially call this the close of the 2023 Character Cup. Thanks everyone for another successful year!

Thanks!

The Character Cup does not happen without the support of so many people. First and foremost, thanks to Andy for running SpoilerTV and hosting this contest every summer. If you haven’t been to SpoilerTV before the Character Cup, I urge you to stick around and try it out. Not only are hundreds of shows covered but the people who make up the STV community are knowledgeable, thoughtful, passionate, respectful, and eager to discuss. You will not find better, balanced conversation about TV anywhere online. It is my privilege to have been a part of the STV team for 13 years now.

Everyone knows that the TV Talk Topics are my favorite part of the Cup and you didn’t disappoint. I loved talking TV with you this year. I appreciate everyone who shared their thoughts, whether it was every time, just once, or somewhere in between. You are the reason why so many people are drawn to SpoilerTV. A special thanks, also, to everyone who nominated topics. I’m sorry if we didn’t get to yours, but we have a great mix of topics to start us out next year.

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in any capacity. There is no contest without you. I appreciate your nominating, voting, discussing, mini-contest ideas, TV Talk Topics, spreading the word through social media, and sharing your thoughts. Once again, I had a blast during this contest and I can’t wait to see you next year for the 2024 Character Cup. It's one of my favorite parts of summer and a joy to participate with you.

Until next year, may your favorite shows not be canceled and your favorite characters have amazing storylines. Thanks for being a part of the Character Cup!

All 2023 Character Cup Posts
Prediction Contest

Final Ranking:

1. Rebecca Pearson (This Is Us)
2. Deran Cody (Animal Kingdom)
3. Charlie Nicoletti (The Company You Keep)
4. Olivia Benson (Law & Order: SVU)
5. Lucy Tara (NCIS: Hawai’i)
6. Iris West-Allen (The Flash)
7. Dwight Schrute (The Office)
8. Jax Teller (Sons of Anarchy)
9. Sister Beatrice (Warrior Nun)
10. Abby Walker (Walker: Independence)
11. Sam Winchester (Supernatural)
12. Clark Kent/Superman (Superman & Lois)
13. Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
14. Dexter Morgan (Dexter)
15. Demetri Alexopoulos (Cobra Kai)
16. EZ Reyes (Mayans MC)
17. Jessica Knight (NCIS)
18. Loki (Loki)
19. Felicity Smoak (Arrow)
20. Soldier Boy (The Boys)
21. Marty Deeks (NCIS: LA)
22. Hailey Upton (Chicago PD)
23. Juliet Higgins (Magnum PI)
24. Bode Donovan (Fire Country)
25. Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory)
26. Spencer Reid (Criminal Minds)
27. Ted Lasso (Ted Lasso)
28. Elliot Stabler (Law & Order: OC)
29. Allie Marjan (CSI: Vegas)
30. Cassie Perez (Walker)
31. Nancy Drew (Nancy Drew)
32. Samantha Maroun (Law & Order)
33. Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher)
34. Sara Manning (Orphan Black)
35. Beth Dutton (Yellowstone)
36. Temperance Brennan (Bones)
37. Will Trent (Will Trent)
38. Wynonna Earp (Wynonna Earp)
39. Grogu (The Mandalorian)
40. Cassandra Cillian (The Librarians)
41. Max Mayfield (Stranger Things)
42. Samantha Arondekar (Ghosts)
43. Dream (The Sandman)
44. Zeke Landon (Manifest)
45. Lucy Chen (The Rookie)
46. Maya Bishop (Station 19)
47. Kamila Khan (Ms. Marvel)
48. Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
49. Blake Gallo (Chicago Fire) - tie
49. Kit Tanthalos (Willow) - tie
51. Shaun Murphy (The Good Doctor)
52. Joel Miller (The Last of Us)
53. Carlos Reyes (911: Lone Star)
54. Ross Geller (Friends)
55. Evan “Buck” Buckley (911)
56. Rafe Cameron (Outer Banks) - tie
56. Abbie Mills (Sleepy Hollow) - tie
58. Al Bundy (Married…with Children)
59. Jack Bauer (24)
60. Erin Reagan (Blue Bloods)
61. Jesse Pinkman (Breaking Bad)
62. Elizabeth Jennings (The Americans)
63. Zoe Powell (S.W.A.T.)
64. Archie Bunker (All in the Family)

2023 Character Cup - Round 3 (Sweet Sixteen)

2023-06-25T16:05:00.000+01:00

We’re now down to the Sweet Sixteen as we start round 3. Unlike the previous rounds, round 2B did have some close polls, which makes things more exciting. The mini-contest nominations will close momentarily and that competition will begin in the next round. Even if your favorites are out, I urge you to check back for the mini-contest and, of course, the TV Talk Topic.

Over in the prediction contest, our leaderboard has changed. Hard is now in the lead with 48 points, with Pavelas, Nick 49, and me right behind. Congratulations to all! This is the point where my brackets start busting all over, and with Hailey Upton out, that's one fourth gone for me.

If you are just joining the contest, please check out the rules link below. Remember one vote per person per poll. Good luck and happy voting!

All 2023 CC Posts
CC Rules
Prediction Contest

Round will end at approximately 10:00 am CST on June 26 .

TV Talk Topic: Crossovers

In an attempt to grab ratings, shows seem to be doing more crossovers than ever. Do you like crossovers? Do you prefer crossovers to continue to delve into a character’s personal drama or for them to stick more to the case at hand? What makes a crossover successful? (Thanks to Alice Den for the topic suggestion.)

2023 Character Cup - Round 2A

2023-06-22T16:27:00.003+01:00

With round 1 behind us, we’ve gone from 64 to 32 characters left in the Cup: Rebecca Pearson (second highest votes), Jessica Knight, Dexter Morgan, Marty Deeks, Demetri Alexopoulos, Allie Marjan, Jax Teller, Hailey Upton, Charlie Nicoletti, Ted Lasso, EZ Reyes, Juliet Higgins, Sister Beatrice (highest votes), Samantha Maroun, Nancy Drew, Lucy Tara, Abby Walker, Sheldon Cooper, Soldier Boy, Dwight Scrute, Olivia Benson, Felicity Smoak, Buffy Summers, Cassie Perez, Deran Cody, Bode Donovan, Sam Winchester, Loki, Clark Kent/Superman, Spencer Reid, Elliot Stabler, and Iris West-Allen.

I hope some of your favorites are still in. If not, it’s time to start thinking about the mini-contest. Our theme this year will be TV Dads, so think about those TV dads that inspired you, made you laugh, made you awww, or made you wish you were part of their family. We’re using the term “dad’ loosely so father figures count. Just remember that no character that has a TV show still in the contest at round 3 will be eligible for the mini-contest. Nominations can be found here.

Over in the prediction contest, I am shockingly winning so far but have no fear, this can change rapidly. In second place is Hard and Tylen with 24 points each and then Pao Andrade and Leigh with 23 points. It is still very much anybody’s contest. I will be out of reach for most of the day but if you have any questions put them in the comments section below and I’ll answer as soon as I can. Have a great day and happy voting!

If you are just joining us, please click on the Rules link below.

All 2023 CC Posts
CC Rules
Prediction Contest

Mini-contest Nominations

Round will end at approximately 10:15 am CST on June 22 .

TV Talk Topic: Father Knows Best?

Since the mini-contest focuses on our favorite TV dads, what makes a good father character? Do you prefer how comedies or dramas portray them? How has the father role in TV changed?

2023 Character Cup - Round 1A

2023-06-19T07:17:00.002+01:00

Let’s do this! Welcome everyone to the 2023 Character Cup! This is a special one for me since it is my 10th year running the Cup. To ensure that everybody has a good time, please read the rules below. It is important that everyone be kind and fair to make it the most fun for everyone.

Below is a link to Character Cup posts and a current set of brackets is at the bottom of the post each day. Most importantly, the daily TV Talk Topic will be found above the polls. We have a new TV Talk Topic every day and all are encouraged to participate. It's my favorite part of the contest. I can’t wait to talk TV with you!

The Character Cup goes by very quickly so check SpoilerTV every day to vote, check the prediction standings, and participate in daily discussions. For those with underdog characters, get the word out now because round 1 generally has fewer votes, so it is easier for an upset. With no further ado, I announce the 2023 Character Cup, open! Happy voting!

Earlier Posts
Prediction Contest

Round will end at approximately 1:15 am CST on Tuesday, June 20.

Character Cup Rules:

1. Don't take it too seriously! Have fun. Discuss. Play nice.

2. Cheaters suck! - Only one vote per person per poll please. While we do our best to keep the contest running smoothly, it's up to each person to follow the rules. The Cup is just a fun little piece of internet fluff. It won't get anyone's show renewed or un-cancelled. It has zero effect on ratings, so there is zero reason to cheat. All cheaters do is disrespect themselves, their fandom, their show, the actors, and this community. Just don't.

3. Focus on characters, not people. Talking about what you like and dislike about a character is encouraged. Going after actors or fans is not.

4. The aliens have not landed. There's no conspiracy here. I will do my best to keep the contest running smoothly, but I make mistakes. I apologize in advance for any technical difficulties, spelling errors, and general absentmindedness. Let me know and I'll fix it.

5. Comments are life. As you anxiously await the end of hiatus, why not distract yourself with a little TV Talk? Each day is a new topic so even if your favorites are out, you can still discuss. While the Cup is just a silly little distraction, the conversation here dives deep, so jump on in.

6. Nuts and Bolts - All polls are active for around 24 hours. Winners advance to the next round. In the case of a tie, both characters go to the next round. New polls should go up every day and polls may overlap each other. Any questions? Ask away in the comments.

TV Talk Topic: Missed It By That Much

There are a lot of awesome characters and unfortunately not all of them could get in. Below are the characters who just missed getting into the contest so it seems fair to begin our TV Talk by honoring them.

Note - Inspired by All in the Family getting in (the first Character Cup show to debut before I was born), I’m retitling our regular opening TV Talk Topic “Missed It By That Much.” It’s the catchphrase of Maxwell Smart, the 60’s comedy character from Get Smart. My brother used to love that show!

Characters Who “Missed It By That Much”:
Gary Mendez (A Million Little Things), Maggie Bell (FBI), Crystal Tyler (Heels), Sara Lance (Legends of Tomorrow), Stiles Stilinski (Teen Wolf), John Winchester (The Winchesters), Leo Fitz (Agents of SHIELD), Cordelia Chase (Angel), Will Halstead (Chicago Med), Robin McCall (The Equalizer), Remy Scott (FBI: Most Wanted), Harvey Dent (Gotham Knights), Miranda Bailey (Grey's Anatomy), Jessica Jones (Jessica Jones), Eliot Spencer (Leverage), Dr. Lauren Bloom (New Amsterdam), Dan Fielding (Night Court), Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building), Kaz Brekker (Shadow and Bone), Alec Lightwood (Shadowhunters), Roman Roy (Succession), Bellamy Blake (The 100), Amos Burton (The Expanse), Keyleth of the Air Ashari (The Legend of Vox Machina), Negan (The Walking Dead), Dana Scully (The X-Files), and Dale Cooper (Twin Peaks).

Shows That Split the Vote:
Agents of SHIELD, Chicago Med, Doctor Who, FBI, Game of Thrones, Grey’s Anatomy, A Million Little Things, Shadow and Bone, Succession, Teen Wolf, The 100, The Winchesters, and Yellowjackets.

Characters whose shows/actors are represented by another character:
Cordell Walker (Walker), Derek Hale (Teen Wolf), Kate Whistler (NCIS: Hawai’i), Sylvie Brett (Chicago Fire), Kim Burgess (Chicago P.D.), Angela Lopez (The Rookie), Adam Ruzek (Chicago PD), Walter White (Breaking Bad), Kelly Severide (Chicago Fire), Thomas Magnum (Magnum PI), Calian (Walker: Independence), Elle (The Last of Us), Athena Grant (911), TK Strand (911: Lone Star), Beau Alan (Big Sky), Hank Voight (Chicago PD), Johnny Lawrence (Cobra Kai), Gabriela Perez (Fire Country), Nick Torres (NCIS), and Deputy Augustus (Walker: Independence).

Ray Stevenson Passes Away

2023-05-22T18:34:00.006+01:00

As per Deadline

Ray Stevenson, a 58-year-old veteran actor with dozens of film and TV credits, including RRR, the Thor and Divergent films, Vikings and Star Wars animated series, passed away on Sunday. His reps at Independent Talent confirmed the news but did not provide details. He was recently cast in the lead role of 1242: Gateway to the West, which was originally to be played by Kevin Spacey.

USD POLL : Which of the following popular TV shows do you think had the most satisfying ending?

2023-04-11T12:00:00.000+01:00

Today's User Submitted Daily (USD) Poll was submitted by Penelope who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click here to submit your poll.

Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?

You can vote for 3 Options.

Recent USD Polls

USD POLL : Which TV show had the most shocking finale of all time?

2023-02-14T11:00:00.008+00:00

Today's User Submitted Daily (USD) Poll was submitted by Demi who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below). Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click here to submit your poll.

Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why?

You can vote for 2 Options.

Recent USD Polls

Dexter - Showtime Announces Plans For New Projects Based On The Emmy Nominated Hit Drama Dexter

2023-02-06T18:25:00.001+00:00

Press Release

LOS ANGELES – February 6, 2023 – SHOWTIME announced today it has placed a straight-to-series order for the new drama DEXTER: ORIGINS (w/t), to be executive produced by Emmy nominee Clyde Phillips, based upon the Emmy-nominated hit series DEXTER that starred Emmy nominee Michael C. Hall. The network is also developing a new version of DEXTER: NEW BLOOD, which depicts the ongoing emergence of Dexter’s son Harrison. In addition, SHOWTIME is exploring projects based on other characters from the DEXTER universe, such as the makings of the notorious Trinity Killer originally played by Emmy winner John Lithgow. The announcement was made by Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, Showtime and Paramount Media Networks.

DEXTER: ORIGINS will dramatize young Dexter Morgan at the outset of his transition into the avenging serial killer he would become. Set in the Miami that was a hotbed of real serial killers of his time, the show will begin as Dexter graduates college to join Miami Metro, where he meets younger versions of many of the characters we came to know in the original DEXTER. And, of course, the show will also focus on Dexter’s family, including a very-much-alive Harry and a very formidable, teenage Deb.

DEXTER: NEW BLOOD is a new incarnation of the 2021-22 drama that became the most-watched series in SHOWTIME history. The drama focuses on Dexter’s son Harrison, who survived his tumultuous reintroduction with his father and flees to New York City where he must wrestle with his own violent nature and whether, like his father, he too is compelled to kill. DEXTER: NEW BLOOD will explore the kinds of themes and scenarios seen in the original series on SHOWTIME but through a new lens.

In addition, SHOWTIME is exploring other characters from the DEXTER universe whom the network could develop for potential series.

“The DEXTER saga has been an undeniable creative and popular success for SHOWTIME, both in its original, groundbreaking form and the record-setting DEXTER: NEW BLOOD,” said McCarthy. “The series is a rich foundation for other shows in the lane of complex, subversive antiheroes that SHOWTIME has always done so brilliantly. Clyde is deep into compelling stories and characters that will satisfy the cravings of our multifaceted audience.”

Said Phillips: "I couldn’t be more excited about exploring and expanding the universe of DEXTER. It’s a privilege to contemplate going even deeper with these complex and iconic characters – and the stories, themes and possibilities they inspire. I’m thrilled that Chris and my friends at SHOWTIME want me to help them grow this truly unique and amazingly successful franchise.”

The eight-season run of the original DEXTER premiered in the fall of 2006 and starred Hall as Dexter Morgan, a complicated and conflicted blood-spatter expert for the Miami Metro police department who moonlights as a serial killer. The show became one of the most acclaimed series on television, earning multiple Emmy nominations for best television drama series as well as a prestigious Peabody Award in 2008, and was twice named one of AFI’s top 10 television series. All previous seasons of DEXTER and DEXTER: NEW BLOOD, are now available for subscribers on SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME signed Phillips to an overall deal in 2021. Phillips has earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series in three consecutive years, as well as a Peabody Award and four nominations from both the Producers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America, for his work as executive producer and showrunner of DEXTER. In addition, Phillips created the series Suddenly Susan, Get Real and Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, and his producing and writing credits include the series NURSE JACKIE, Feed the Beast and Boomtown among many others. In addition, he is the author of four national bestselling mystery novels.

Source:

SHO

Dexter - Prequel In Development at Showtime / Dexter: New Blood likely to get 2nd Season

2023-02-06T16:36:00.001+00:00

McCarthy also confirmed that a Dexter prequel is in the works, telling the title character’s origin story. Set in his home town of Miami, it will chronicle the title character’s origin story and incorporate stories of real-life serial killers of the time. The recent sequel series Dexter: New Blood, which set Showtime viewership records, is also likely to continue with a second season in the future, McCarthy said.

Source:

Full Article @Deadline

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2022 - The Final: Superman & Lois vs. Warrior Nun

2022-12-16T10:09:00.000+00:00

And then there were two.

Superman & Lois and Warrior Nun were, respectively, the sixth and seventh most nominated current shows. But they have shown themselves to be particularly impressive during the competition proper. Superman & Lois has knocked out shows such as Game of Thrones and, in the semi-final, Buffy. Warrior Nun has blitzed past every opponent so far, seeds This Is Us and Legends of Tomorrow the most notable alongside former winner Wynonna Earp.

Warrior Nun is the clear favourite based on what's happened in the voting so far, and especially with news yesterday of the show's cancellation. Can Superman & Lois pull off an impressive win and take the crown?

We've also got a third-place play-off for you, featuring Buffy - which suffered a third semi-final defeat from three - and Dexter, already guaranteed a best-ever finish, with both searching for a bronze medal.

And remember, both polls run for 48 hours in the final!

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 48 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

THE FINAL

THIRD-PLACE PLAY-OFF

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2022 - Semi-Finals: Superman & Lois vs. Buffy & Dexter vs. Warrior Nun

2022-12-13T09:49:00.001+00:00

We're down to our final four shows. Despite losing seven of our 16 seeded shows in the first round, we arrive at the semi-final stage with three still intact. History is against Dexter: no unseeded show has ever won the competition (the seeding rules were first implemented in 2012), but there is a first time for everything. Everyone ready?

Superman & Lois faces a seed for the first time in the competition, and it is our sole remaining finished seed in Buffy. Some franchise heritage for the DC Comics series: Smallville secured its first silver medal last year. Buffy, meanwhile, returns for its third semi-final. It suffered defeat to Castle in 2013 and Lucifer in 2018 - the latter went on to win the title.

As mentioned, as the only remaining unseeded show, Dexter faces a steep task. But as highlighted in the quarter-finals, no show had previously reached the last four having also secured a last-place finish. It has already performed magnificently and will need another herculean effort from its fans to overhaul Warrior Nun. The Netflix show has blitzted through the competition thus far and is clearly the one to beat. Can Dexter oblige?

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2022 - Quarter-Finals

2022-12-11T14:30:00.000+00:00

What a fascinating line-up of quarter-finals we have in store. Six of the eight competing shows have never previously reached this stage. The other two have never reached a final, which means we're guaranteed a brand-new winner after the elimination of Supernatural in round three. It's getting very exciting - if you have shows left, rally your fandoms to win the crown.

Last year's third-round exit is now a distant memory for Superman & Lois, one of five seeded shows to reach the last eight. It has already beaten one Netflix show in Sense8, and will have to knock out another in Dark for a semi-final berth. The German-language drama is facing its third seed: FBI and Supernatural have both fallen in opposition.

The two shows familiar with this stage go head-to-head. In the all-time standings, Buffy and LOST occupy 19th and 20th positions and it is remarkable how similar the two records are. Here's an overview of each time the shows have reached at least the third round.

The two shows have never met before! It remains staggering that neither have ever reached the final, but 2022 presents a fantastic opportunity for one of them to do so. Who wins this one?

For the second year running, a show which has previously finished bottom of the pile is into the quarter-finals. Criminal Minds finished sixth in 2021 having been 64th a year prior. Today, Dexter, 64th in 2018, attempts to reach the semi-finals. This is already the Showtime series' best performance - and no show to have been the worst of the best, as I'll dub it, has ever also gone further than the quarters. Abbott Elementary is seeking a debut spot in the final four, having added The X-Files to its list of scalps in round three. Probably a good time to remember that half our semi-final line-up last year, including our eventual winner, was a debutant show.

Legends of Tomorrow is bettering a ninth-place finish in 2019, and faces a fellow seed for the first time. Warrior Nun was pushed hard by This Is Us but the Netflix series prospered. The vote tallies suggest it remains the one to beat.

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2022 - Round 3B

2022-12-10T09:05:00.000+00:00

Dexter is into the third round for the first time since 2010, so it's already been a very successful year for the Showtime series. Reaching the quarter-finals would be a competition-best performance. NCIS is rolling back the years, having last reached this stage in every edition between 2010 and 2012. Not bad since the last of those was its last victory before this year.

The X-Files has progressed from this stage to the quarter-finals three times in four attempts, and having beaten seed Walker and hopeful The Winchesters, today is a decent chance to make it four out of five. Abbott Elementary stands in the way and will be no easy battle, after knocking out Motherland: Fort Salem and Chicago Fire.

Prison Break's only appearance in the third round ended in defeat in 2012. That was to NCIS and the two could be on for another meeting in this half of the draw. The first hurdle is reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, and it'll have to beat Legends of Tomorrow to do so. In 2019, it topped the rankings of shows eliminated at this stage - aka it finished ninth. That's a best placing and so one of these two is guaranteed to set a new best.

This is the most exciting tie of the competition so far. Warrior Nun has breezed past its two opponents, Fire Country and 2020 winner Wynonna Earp, so far, and is a clear favourite to win the entire thing. This Is Us racked up a huge vote tally in the first round and won comfortably in the second too. Victory today would give it a very good chance of becoming champion.

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2022 - Round 2C

2022-12-06T10:51:00.000+00:00

Dexter got the better of seeded pick NCIS: Hawaii to reach the second round in back-to-back appearances - the previous one was in 2019, mind. It hasn't progressed past this stage since the competition's inaugural year. Facing it today is Friends, knocking out House of the Dragon and looking to replicate its best-ever finish from two years ago.

The last time NCIS won a tie, it was the third-place play-off against Game of Thrones in 2012. Seven attempts in between, that streak is broken. Perhaps another run is imminent? Newbie The Sandman stands in the way today having knocked out the returning Dark Angel.

The X-Files marked its return to the competiton with a win against Walker - another seed - and is rewarded with a tie against The Winchesters, taking its first baby steps in the shadow of its franchise daddy.

Abbott Elementary also won its first tie in the competition, consigning Motherland: Fort Salem to consecutive first-round defeats. Chicago Fire was eliminated at this stage last year, the first time it's reached the second round, and vies to record a best finish by progressing today.

A reminder of the rules:

1) A pair of shows will go into battle in a poll, where after exactly 24 hours, the leading show will win the battle and will progress into the next round. Each poll will open at 12pm ET on a given day.
2) Vote for your favourite and spread the word with your friends & fans.
3) One vote per person per poll.
4) Comment on what you voted for on in the comments below.
5) Have fun. This is a friendly & competitive competition. Please do not start attacking other fans or fangroups in the comments, because this really isn't what this competition is about.

The SpoilerTV Favourite TV Series Competition 2022 - Round 1C

2022-12-01T10:27:00.000+00:00

Two of ABC’s 21st century powerhouses face off today. LOST, an ever-present in the competition but which has only ever finished as high as third, faces Grey’s Anatomy, which last year reached the last 16 for the first time since 2013.

Firefly’s first absence came last year but the short-lived cult hit returns today, taking on Hawaii Five-0 in its seventh appearance. Another show from the Aloha State comes next as NCIS: Hawaii becomes the third show in the franchise to enter the competition. Sorry, New Orleans. Dexter is the opponent today, back for the first time since 2019. Will last year’s revival help give it success here?

House of the Dragon debuts next, HBO’s latest global sensation facing one of NBC’s all-time biggest hits, Friends. Last year was the comedy’s first absence, having finished a competition-best sixth in 2020. Go figure.

Something has to give between The Leftovers and NCIS. This is the HBO series’ seventh appearance and it is still awaiting its first win; CBS’s flagship show hasn’t won since 2012, when it finished third. Again, go figure.

We end on the return of Dark Angel, back for its second appearance having suffered a first-round defeat to Orphan Black in 2014. The Sandman debuts against it today.

2022 Character Cup - Winner and Wrap-Up

2022-08-13T00:00:00.000+01:00

2022 Character Cup Winner

Scylla Ramshorn

Motherland: Fort Salem

53 polls later and we have a winner! Congratulations to Motherland: Fort Salem fans for voting Scylla Ramshorn to the top. In a blowout, Scylla gained votes steadily and pulled out ahead with 77% of the vote. With this, Scylla becomes the 11th winner of the Character Cup. Way to go, Scylla fans! To become the winner, Scylla defeated Leo Fitz, Kamala Khan, Gil Arroyo, Rebecca Pearson, and Olivia Benson. Congratulations to all Motherland: Fort Salem fans!

In second place is Olivia Benson, who came into the Cup ranked 15th and moves up 13 spots. At second place, this is the highest Olivia has ever gotten in the Cup, having represented Law & Order: SVU five times. With a second place win, Olivia is still eligible to compete next year. Will 2023 finally be her year? Congratulations to SVU fans for a well-played contest, too.

In a year of big blowouts, Rebecca Pearson reaches third place in her debut in the Cup with 83% of the third place poll. She defeated Spencer Reid, who comes in fourth. What an impressive run for both of them! Our breakout character this year was Dexter Morgan from Dexter, who jumped 39 ranks to land in the #9 spot. Over in the Best Opening Credits mini-contest, Game of Thrones reigned supreme with Arcane placing second.

As the winner, Scylla Ramshorn joins Jack from LOST, Dean and Castiel from Supernatural, Root and Shaw from Person of Interest, Alex Danvers from Supergirl, Lucifer Morningstar from Lucifer, Temo Lopez from Mi Marido Tiene Más Familia, Lexa from The 100, and Malcolm Bright from Prodigal Son in our Hall of Retired Winners. Congratulations to the Motherland: Fort Salem, Law & Order: SVU, This Is Us, Criminal Minds, and all other fandoms who supported their favorites.

Prediction Contest:

By earning 96 points, Luana Arturi is the winner of this year’s prediction contest. Congratulations! You rock! You earn the all-important bragging rights this year. Luana previously won second place in the 2019 Character Cup prediction contest. Noor (86 points), Elvis (86), and I (92), round out the top 4. Awesome job predicting all around in a year when former favorites faltered fast. Until next year, I officially call this the close of the Character Cup. Thanks everyone for another successful year!

Thanks!

The Character Cup does not happen without the support of so many people. First and foremost, thanks to Andy for running SpoilerTV and hosting this contest every summer. If you haven’t been to SpoilerTV before the Character Cup, I urge you to stick around and try it out. Not only are hundreds of shows covered but the people who make up the STV community are knowledgeable, thoughtful, passionate, respectful, and eager to discuss. You will not find better, balanced conversation about TV anywhere online. It is my privilege to be a part of the STV team.

Everyone knows that the TV Talk Topics are my favorite part of the Cup and you didn’t disappoint. I loved talking TV with you this year. I appreciate everyone who shared their thoughts, whether it was every time, just once, or somewhere in between. You are the reason why so many people are drawn to SpoilerTV. A special thanks, also, to everyone who nominated topics. I’m sorry if we didn’t get to yours, but we have a great mix of topics to start us out next year. Thanks, as well, to anyone who helped with pictures this year.

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in any capacity. There is no contest without you. I appreciate your nominating, voting, discussing, mini-contest ideas, TV Talk Topics, spreading the word through social media, and sharing your thoughts. Once again, I had a blast during this contest and I can’t wait to see you next year for the 2023 Character Cup. It's one of my favorite parts of summer and a joy to participate with you.

Note - Just a reminder, the Best Show Contest which is usually held right after the Character Cup will be postponed until December this year. Neither Bradley nor I have time right now, so thanks to everyone who participated in the SpoilerTV Awards, Favorite Episode Competition, and the Character Cup. It’s been a great summer hiatus competition season. Until December, may your favorite shows not be cancelled and your favorite characters have amazing storylines. Thanks for being a part of these contests.

Previous Posts

Prediction Contest

Final Ranking:

1. Scylla Ramshorn
2. Olivia Benson
3. Rebecca Pearson
4. Spencer Reid
5. Gil Arroyo
6. Hailey Upton
7. Sydney Bristow
8. Raymond Reddington
9. Dexter Morgan
10. Clark Kent / Superman
11. Wanda Maximoff
12. Kamala Khan
13. Eleven
14. Ted Lasso
15. Neal Caffrey
16. Stella Kidd
17. Lucas Bouchard
18. Soldier Boy
19. Sam Winchester
20. Sherlock Holmes
21. OA Zidan
22. Lea Dilallo
23. Leo Fitz
24. Yelena Belova
25. Buffy Summers
26. Evan Buckley
27. Bucky Barnes
28. Peter Bishop
29. Chloe Decker
30. Nancy Drew
31. Bellamy Blake
32. Juliette Fairmont
33. Dana Scully
34. Angus MacGyver
35. Lena Luthor
36. Sara Lance
37. Vanessa Ives
38. The Doctor
39. Wynonna Earp
40. TK Strand
41. Juliet Burke
42. Michael Guerin (tie)
42. Christopher Pike (tie)
44. Eliot Spencer
45. Leslie Knope
46. Philip Jennings
47. Thomas Magnum (tie)
47. Ryan Wilder (tie)
49. Emily Dickinson (tie)
49. Klaus Hargreaves (tie)
49. Kim Wexler (tie)
52. Micki Ramirez
53. Nicky Shen

2022 Character Cup - Round 3A (Sweet Sixteen)

2022-08-03T17:00:00.000+01:00

It’s the Sweet Sixteen and I don’t know about you but I am shocked at how the Cup is shaping up. Oh how the mighty have fallen this year! With perennial favorites like Buffy Summers, Sam WInchester, Leo Fitz, Bellamy Blake, Peter Bishop, Chloe Decker, and others defeated, this is a far different Cup than I imagined - which is always part of the fun. The Character Cup never goes the way I think it will, and this year is no exception. Who will prevail this round?

Round 3 will be in 2 parts and we will take a break on Saturday again, after round 3 closes. Don’t forget that you have until the end of round 3B to nominate your favorite opening scene for our mini-contest. The link to the nominations is below, along with all the 2022 Character Cup posts, rules, prediction contest, brackets, and most importantly, the daily TV Talk Topic. We have a new TV Talk Topic every day and all are encouraged to participate. It's my favorite part of the contest. The Character Cup goes by very quickly so don't forget to check SpoilerTV every day to vote, look at the prediction standings, and participate in the daily discussion. Happy voting!

Mini-contest Nominations

Earlier Posts

Prediction Contest

Rules

This round will end at approximately 2:30 am CST on Thursday, August 4.

TV Talk Topic: Cinematography

How important to you is the cinematography of a show? Are there certain cinematic locations you like better (city scape vs landscape, specific countries, etc.) Which shows have the best cinematography? (Thanks to Carlotta Dodd for the topic.)

2022 Character Cup - Round 2A

2022-08-01T12:20:00.000+01:00

Round 1 is now over and 32 characters advance to round 2. For some, this will be their first round of the Cup. Will those high ranking characters at the nominations stage have the staying power to advance to round 3? There have already been some big upsets in round 1 so I can’t wait to see what happens in round 2. In our prediction contest, AlexLav and Ruth A currently trail behind no name but it is anyone's contest. Congrats, all!

Below is a link to all the 2022 Character Cup posts, the prediction contest, a current set of brackets, and most importantly, the daily TV Talk Topic. We have a new TV Talk Topic every day and all are encouraged to participate. It's my favorite part of the contest. The Character Cup goes by very quickly so don't forget to check SpoilerTV every day to vote, look at the prediction standings, and participate in the daily discussion. Happy voting!

Earlier Posts

Prediction Contest

Rules

Round will end at approximately 2:15 pm CST on Monday, August 1. The round 2 polls will overlap due to some prior commitments this week.

TV Talk Topic: Show Writers

Some shows have one person who writes all the scripts, while others have multiple and sometimes changing writers. Is one model better than another? Which writers do the best at keeping continuity with their characters? (Thanks to Monique75 for the topic.)

2022 Character Cup - Round 1A

2022-07-27T07:14:00.000+01:00

Let’s do this! Welcome everyone to the 2022 Character Cup! I can’t wait to talk TV with you! To ensure that everybody has a good time, please read the rules below. It is important that everyone be kind and fair to make this the most fun for everyone.

Below is a link to all the 2022 Character Cup posts and the prediction contest. There will also be a current set of brackets at the bottom of the post each day. Most importantly, the daily TV Talk Topic will be found above the polls each time. We have a new TV Talk Topic every day and all are encouraged to participate. It's my favorite part of the contest.

The Character Cup goes by very quickly so don't forget to check SpoilerTV every day to vote, look at the prediction standings, and participate in the daily discussion. For those of you with underdog characters, get the word out now because round 1 is where the biggest change can happen. Generally there are fewer votes in round 1, so it is far easier for an upset. With no further ado, I announce the 2022 Character Cup, open! Happy voting!

Earlier Posts

Prediction Contest

Round will end at approximately 11:45 am CST on Wednesday, July 27.

Character Cup Rules:

1. Don't take it too seriously! Have fun. Discuss. Play nice.

2. Cheaters suck! - Only one vote per person per poll please. While we will do our best to keep this contest running smoothly, it's up to each person to follow the rules. This Cup is just a fun little piece of internet fluff. It won't get anyone's show renewed or un-cancelled. It has zero effect on ratings. It won't be seen by anyone who has any power in the TV industry, so there is zero reason to cheat. All cheaters do is disrespect themselves, their fandom, their show, the actors, and this community. Just don't.

3. Focus on characters, not people. Talking about what you like and dislike about a character is encouraged. Going after actors or fans is not.

4. The aliens have not landed. There's no conspiracy here. I will do my very best to keep the contest running smoothly, but I do make mistakes. I apologize in advance for any technical difficulties, spelling errors, and general absentmindedness. Let me know and I'll fix it.

5. Comments are life. As you anxiously await the return of your shows, why not distract yourself with a little TV Talk? Each day is a new topic so even if your favorites are out, you can still discuss. While this contest is just a silly little distraction, the conversation here dives deep, so jump on in.

6. Nuts and Bolts - All polls are active for around 24 hours. The winners advance to the next round. In the case of a tie, both characters go to the next round. New polls should go up every day and polls may sometimes overlap each other. Any questions? Ask away in the comments.

TV Talk Topic: Unsung Characters

Traditionally we start the Cup by talking about the other great characters who did not make it in. NOT including any characters in the 2022 Character Cup, list your top 5 characters of all time and/or your top 5 characters of this TV year?