When is it time to quit watching a TV show? We take a look at five signs that should signal the end of your relationship with a series.

There is so much television it is impossible to watch everything. If you want to catch up on all of FX’s incredible dramas or keep up with the CW’s superhero block, sacrifices must be made. But how do you know when it is time to let a show go? Is it after one bad episode? After one bad season? After four bad seasons?

There are five common signs that should signal when you and a TV series are heading for disaster. Don’t get caught in the riptide of content that drags you along for years. Recognize the warning signs before you dive into the waters and get out while you still can!

5 signs it’s time to breakup with your TV show:

  1. You begin each conversation about that show highlighting the negatives
  2. People noticeably go out of their way to avoid talking about the show with you
  3. There is a sinking feeling in your gut when the show is about to air and you make a mental list of everything else you could be doing. (Suddenly, those Big Bang Theory reruns from season 2 start to look really good)
  4. You actively yell at the show through the entirety of the episode
  5. Any coverage of the show from outlets praising its genius makes you aggressive

Some of those are a bit extreme, but if you recognize the symptoms early in your viewing experience, then you can get ahead of the game!

Just like any relationship, you may experience some fall out from your decision to call it quits. You may hear, “But you love that show! It’s been horrible for years and you still watched it! But you own so much Glee merchandise, you went to the concerts, your iTunes is 95% Glee covers, how can you walk away midseason?”


Yeah… this definitely went on too long.

Okay, that last one got a bit personal. But you get the point. The shows we watch become part of our identity. They connect us to our co-workers, family, and the virtual water cooler of the internet.

If a show begins to feel more like a leech sucking you dry than something fulfilling, walk away.

This year, I took a hard look at one show that truly made 10 weeks of my life feel like an eternity. Ultimately, I made the decision to walk away from the show at the end of the season.

My break up letter to ‘AHS’

Dear AHS,

I hope this letter finds you well on the morning after your sixth season finale. It is important that we have this chat before the hiatus makes us both forget what we went through the last few months.

This season, I held your hand through your promotional phase, bit my tongue as your parents stood on various stages telling everyone how amazing you are. But the spark just isn’t there anymore.

You lured me in with flashy performances by Connie Britton and Jessica Lange. I credit you with my favorite wardrobe purchase when Kathy Bates graced my screen with a tiger sweatshirt. I’ll even admit that when your execution missed the mark, you left great apology letters with brilliant character work and stunning visuals.

But I’m not in it for a series of one night stands and booty calls at 10:45 every Wednesday. Is it unfair of me to expect more? I don’t think so. I know you are capable of it!

When I look back at Asylum, I hazily remember Santa’s rampage, but fondly recall those nights with Lana Winters flipping off the cameras from the car. I think of Hotel, and I don’t care about Lady Gaga’s sin-sational sex scenes. Instead, I cling on to Liz Taylor’s backstory and Mr. March, the serial killer collector.

You somehow always managed to keep things interesting even when you operated in self-destruction mode. I stuck it out with Freak Show, even though you killed Twisty after episode 4 (but I’m glad I did). Where would I be without ever knowing the joy of watching Dandy Mott go on a rampage?

But six years later and it’s like you are a ghost of your former self. Star-stuffing episodes no longer provides the thrill it did in the early days. If we are in this for the long-haul I need to know you’ll give me something deeper. And that is why, after 10 episodes of Roanoke, I am walking away.

I wish you nothing but success and millions of fans wearing pig masks at your next Paley Fest.

Don’t call me. I’ll call you for the Murder House/Coven crossover.

Love,

Brittany

I’m walking away from ‘AHS’ — which show are you considering leaving?