14 Most Cursed TV Shows
What does it mean that something is cursed? Well, in the way the term is used now, it doesn’t mean that something (or someone) is being altered supernaturally, rather, it refers to events or circumstances that are so weird or tragic, they feel like a curse was cast.
No one actually thinks these shows were cursed, but people do agree that parts of their plots, productions or scripts feel that way. These are the TV shows that generate a lot of online discussions, not due to their plots or characters, but due to how they look and feel in the real world.
The Partridge Family
The wholesome family sitcom had a surprisingly troubled legacy. Several cast members faced personal struggles, health problems, financial difficulties, or addiction issues, giving the show’s history a much darker tone than its cheerful premise suggested.
Glee
Few shows have accumulated as many real-life tragedies as Glee. The deaths of Cory Monteith, Mark Salling, and Naya Rivera, combined with numerous controversies involving cast members, fueled its reputation as a cursed production.
8 Simple Rules
The sitcom was forced to radically reinvent itself after the sudden death of star John Ritter during production. Losing its lead actor in the middle of a successful run remains one of television’s most shocking tragedies.
The Young and the Restless
Long-running soap operas naturally experience losses, but The Young and the Restless has seen an unusually large number of cast deaths over the decades, leading some fans to jokingly label it cursed.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
The original Power Rangers cast experienced a remarkable number of tragedies, legal troubles, and untimely deaths. Those incidents have contributed to a long-running belief among fans that the franchise is unusually unlucky.
The Curse of Oak Island
A show about misfortune almost seems destined to attract more of it. Over the years, accidents, injuries, equipment failures, and endless setbacks have become part of the series’ identity.
Diff’rent Strokes
The lives of several young stars from Diff’rent Strokes were marked by personal struggles, legal problems, addiction issues, and early deaths. The show’s behind-the-scenes history remains one of television’s saddest.
ALF
The sitcom was successful on screen but notoriously difficult behind the scenes. Cast members frequently described the production as miserable, with technical limitations and stressful working conditions creating constant tension.
The X-Files
Production delays, demanding shooting schedules, injuries, and frequent reports of difficult filming conditions followed The X-Files throughout much of its run. Even the cast has spoken openly about the challenges.
Bonanza
Several cast members died relatively young, including Dan Blocker and Michael Landon. Combined with other tragedies connected to the show’s extended family of actors, Bonanza developed a reputation for bad luck.
The Royle Family
British sitcom The Royle Family became associated with sadness after the deaths of multiple beloved cast members, including Liz Smith, Geoffrey Hughes, and Caroline Aherne, all within a relatively short period.
Deadliest Catch
A show about commercial fishing in dangerous waters almost qualifies automatically. Numerous crew members featured on the series have died over the years, both on and off the job.
The Jerry Springer Show
The show became infamous for the chaos surrounding it. Multiple guests later faced arrests, scandals, or violent incidents that kept adding to its notoriety.
The Simpsons
No major television show has generated more “curse” theories. Fans have spent years pointing to the uncanny number of real-world events seemingly predicted by episodes, giving the series a bizarre reputation online.