TV
20 Best Television Cliches
If you are looking for the best list of the best television cliches, you have come to the right place. Television has been a popular medium for storytelling for decades, and over the years, certain clichés have become ubiquitous across different genres and formats. These tropes have become so ingrained in our collective consciousness that they are often used as shorthand for particular plot points or character developments.
In this article, we will explore 20 of the best-known television clichés, from the “will they/won’t they” romance to the “cliffhanger” ending. We will give you a great overview with plenty of examples.
#20 | The Will They/Won’t They Romance
This classic TV cliche sees two characters being constantly thrown together, hinting at romantic tension, but never quite getting together. This creates a sense of anticipation for viewers, who eagerly await the moment when the two characters finally give in to their feelings.
Examples include Ross and Rachel from Friends, who were on-again, off-again for 10 seasons, and Jim and Pam from The Office, who finally got together in season 4.
#19 | The Misunderstood Rebel
This television cliche sees a character who is misunderstood by their family or community, but eventually wins them over with their good heart and unique outlook on life. This often involves the character rebelling against authority figures, but ultimately coming out on top.
Examples include Bender from Futurama, who is initially seen as a selfish troublemaker but ultimately proves himself to be a loyal friend, and Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who is initially seen as a reckless teenager but ultimately saves the world.
#18 | The Clumsy Character
This television cliche sees a character who is constantly tripping over themselves, knocking things over, and generally being a disaster. While this can be frustrating for other characters, it can also provide comic relief and endear the character to viewers.
Examples include Joey from Friends, who famously gets his head stuck in a turkey, and Lucy from I Love Lucy, who is known for her iconic grape-stomping mishap.
#17 | The Rich and Powerful Villain
This tv cliche sees a villain who is wealthy and powerful, using their money and influence to get what they want. This creates a sense of danger and intrigue, as the hero must use their wits and skill to defeat their powerful adversary.
Examples include Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones, who uses his position as king to terrorize the people of Westeros, and Lex Luthor from Smallville, who uses his vast resources to try to destroy Superman.
#16 | The Wise Old Mentor
This television cliche sees an older, wiser character who helps guide the hero on their journey. This often involves providing wisdom and advice, as well as imparting important life lessons.
Examples include Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars, who teaches Luke Skywalker the ways of the force, and Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who is a Watcher with the job of training slayers.
#15 | The Sassy Best Friend
This television cliche sees a character who is funny, sassy, and always ready with a witty comeback. While they may not be the main character, they often steal the show with their quick wit and larger-than-life personality.
Examples include Samantha from Sex and the City, who is known for her outrageous one-liners, and Schmidt from New Girl, who is known for his over-the-top antics.
#14 | The Mysterious Stranger
This television cliche sees a character who appears out of nowhere, with a mysterious past and an air of intrigue. This often creates a sense of mystery and suspense, as the other characters try to unravel the stranger’s secrets.
Examples include John Locke from Lost, who is revealed to have a mysterious connection to the island, and Dr. Who from Doctor Who, who is known for his enigmatic personality and time-traveling adventures.
#13 | The Bumbling Detective
This television cliche sees a detective who is always one step behind, but manages to solve the case through a combination of luck and perseverance. While they may not be the most competent investigator, they often stumble upon clues that lead them to the truth.
Examples include Inspector Clouseau from The Pink Panther, who is known for his comical mishaps and exaggerated French accent, Columbo from Columbo, who is known for his rumpled appearance and unassuming demeanor and the very inept Maxwell Smart from Get Smart.
#12 | The Damsel in Distress
This tv cliche sees a female character who is in need of rescue by the hero. This can be frustrating for some viewers, as it reinforces outdated gender stereotypes, but it can also create a sense of urgency and drama.
Examples include Princess Peach from Super Mario Bros, who is constantly being kidnapped by Bowser, and Lois Lane from Superman, who is often in need of rescue by the Man of Steel.
#11 | The Family Sitcom
This television cliche sees a family navigating the ups and downs of everyday life, often with plenty of laughs along the way. This can be a comforting and relatable format for viewers, as it reflects the joys and challenges of family life.
Examples include The Simpsons, which has been on the air for over 30 years and follows the lives of the titular family in the fictional town of Springfield, and Modern Family, which focuses on three interconnected families and their unique dynamics.
#10 | The Workplace Comedy
This television cliche sees a group of coworkers navigating the ups and downs of their job, often with plenty of laughs along the way. This can be relatable for viewers who have experienced the joys and frustrations of office life.
Examples include The Office, which follows the employees of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Parks and Recreation, which follows the employees of the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.
#09 | The Time Jump
This television cliche sees a TV show jumping forward in time, often to explore the characters in a new phase of their lives. This can create a sense of excitement and anticipation for viewers, as they see how the characters have evolved over time.
Examples include the Weeds season finale which jumps ahead years into the legalization of marijuana, The Walking Dead, which jumps forward several years after the death of a major character, and Gilmore Girls, which jumps forward several years to show the characters in new stages of their lives.
#08 | The Cross-Over Episode
This television cliche sees characters from one TV show appearing in another TV show, often for a special event or storyline. This can be exciting for viewers who are fans of both shows, as they get to see their favorite characters interacting with each other.
Examples include The Simpsons and Family Guy, which had a cross-over episode in which the two animated families interacted, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, which had several cross-over episodes between the two supernatural shows.
#07 | The Musical Episode
This television cliche sees characters breaking into song and dance, often in a dream sequence or alternate reality. This can be a fun and lighthearted break from the show’s regular format, and can showcase the actors’ singing and dancing abilities.
Examples include Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Once More, with Feeling,” which saw the characters singing their feelings and secrets, and Scrubs’ “My Musical,” which saw the characters imagining their hospital as a musical.
SEE ALSO: 20 Best Musical Episodes of TV Shows
#06 | The Flashback Episode
This television cliche sees a TV show exploring the characters’ past, often through a series of flashbacks. This can provide context for the characters’ actions and motivations, and can create a sense of nostalgia for viewers.
Examples include How I Met Your Mother’s “The Pineapple Incident,” which explored the events of a drunken night through a series of flashbacks, and Lost’s “The Constant,” which explored the character Desmond’s past through a series of time jumps.
#05 | The Bottle Episode
This television cliche sees a TV show taking place in one location, often with a limited cast of characters. This can be a cost-effective way to produce a TV episode, but can also create a sense of intimacy and intensity for viewers.
Examples include Community’s “Cooperative Calligraphy,” which takes place entirely in the study group’s study room, and Breaking Bad’s “Fly,” which takes place entirely in the meth lab, as Walter White becomes obsessed with catching a fly that has infiltrated the lab.
#04 | The Time Loop
This tv cliche sees a character or characters stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day or event over and over again. This can create a sense of suspense and curiosity for viewers, as they try to figure out how the characters will break free from the loop.
Examples include Supernatural’s “Mystery Spot,” which saw Sam Winchester stuck in a time loop and forced to relive his brother’s death, and Star Trek: The Next Generation’s “Cause and Effect,” which saw the Enterprise crew stuck in a time loop that ended with the destruction of their ship.
#03 | The Clip Show
This television cliche sees a TV show using clips from previous episodes to recap the show’s history. This can be a cost-effective way to produce a TV episode, but can also create a sense of nostalgia and reflection for viewers.
Examples include Friends’ “The One with All the Clips,” which recapped the show’s history through a series of clips and interviews, and Seinfeld’s “The Clip Show,” which recapped the show’s history through a series of clips and behind-the-scenes footage.
SEE ALSO: 35 Best TV Shows That Used The Clip Show Cliche A-Z
#02 | The Big Twist
This television cliche sees a TV show delivering a shocking twist or revelation, often in the season finale or mid-season finale. This can create a sense of excitement and anticipation for viewers, as they try to predict what will happen next.
Examples include Game of Thrones’ “Red Wedding,” which saw several major characters brutally murdered at a wedding, and Lost’s “We Have to Go Back,” which revealed that some of the characters had escaped the island but had to return to save their friends.
#01 | The Unresolved Cliffhanger
This television cliche sees a TV show ending a season or series with an unresolved cliffhanger, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and desperate for more. This can be frustrating for viewers who want closure, but can also create a sense of excitement and anticipation for the next season or series.
Examples include The Sopranos’ controversial series finale, which ended with a cut to black as Tony Soprano sat down for dinner with his family, and The Walking Dead’s season six finale, which ended with a cliffhanger as to which character was killed by the villainous Negan and his baseball bat.
SEE ALSO: 20 Best Uses of The Unresolved Cliffhanger Story Cliche in TV
In conclusion, television cliches can both delight and frustrate viewers. While some may argue that these cliches are overused and tired, they continue to be effective tools for engaging and entertaining audiences. Whether it’s the will-they-or-won’t-they romance or the family sitcom, these cliches have become an integral part of the TV landscape.
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This has been the list of the 20 Best Television Cliches. Let us know what you think of the list in the comments below!
