TVLine has released a list highlighting 12 on-screen relationships from various TV shows that fans found mismatched or uncomfortable. The article explores how these pairings, often introduced for dramatic purposes, failed to resonate with audiences. Published on November 22, 2025, it reflects on classic and modern series alike.
Overview of the List
The TVLine article compiles couples that detracted from their shows due to lack of chemistry or poor narrative fit. It emphasizes how such relationships, while sometimes meant to add conflict, often left viewers cringing during rewatches. The list spans decades of television, from 1990s sitcoms to fantasy epics.
Notable Entries
Starting with 'Seinfeld,' George Costanza and Susan Ross's engagement ends tragically due to toxic envelopes, a plot point tied to cast dynamics. In 'Friends,' Rachel Green and Joey Tribbiani's brief romance in the final season feels forced amid declining momentum. 'Sex and the City' features Carrie Bradshaw's toxic liaison with Aleksandr Petrovsky, marked by condescension and an argument turning physical.
Other highlights include Jackie Burkhart and Fez from 'That '70s Show,' a convenience pairing after other options fade; Lorelai Gilmore and Christopher Hayden's impulsive marriage in 'Gilmore Girls,' later ignored in the revival; and Andy Bernard and Erin Hannon's lackluster arc on 'The Office,' which sours Andy's character.
'Ted Mosby and Zoey Pierson' in 'How I Met Your Mother' builds tension from opposition but fizzles quickly. 'Ann Perkins and Tom Haverford' on 'Parks and Recreation' yields unfunny gags, while 'Rosita Espinosa and Gabriel Stokes' in 'The Walking Dead' arises from post-time-jump convenience.
'Game of Thrones' addresses the incestuous Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen union, revealed as aunt-nephew. Shorter flings like Felicity Smoak and Billy Malone in 'Arrow' serve as plot devices, and Archie Andrews and Valerie Brown in 'Riverdale' end abruptly due to neglect.
Context and Impact
These pairings often stemmed from creative shifts, such as filling romantic voids or introducing drama. The article notes fan relief at their conclusions, underscoring the importance of authentic chemistry in ensemble storytelling.