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SpoilerTV - TV Spoilers

USD POLL : Do Babies/Kids Ruin TV Shows?

25 May 2013

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Today's User Submitted Daily (USD) Poll was submitted by b3rt4 who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below).

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

Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click the Blue Button below

You can see all the previous User Submitted Polls here.

You can vote for up to 1 option.


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68 comments:

  1. Jashack25 May 2013 at 11:07

    Yes, annoying. The first example that always comes to mind is that kid from Once Upon a Time. I don't know what his problem is but I can't enjoy any scene he's in.

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  2. Ben Carpenter25 May 2013 at 11:08

    Not always.... The Brady Bunch is an example of kids not ruining a show.

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  3. Michele25 May 2013 at 11:12

    "Kids ruin everything. I mean look at the stitching on this. You cannot trust a ten year old to do a good hidden button." - Karen Walker, Will & Grace

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joshua AJB25 May 2013 at 11:12

    Depends how big their role is on the show. They can be great (Desp Hwives) or awful (OUAT)

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  5. Anna Paolinelli25 May 2013 at 11:21

    Nothing is worse than the kids in commercials.

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  6. Anna Paolinelli25 May 2013 at 11:23

    I was glad to see that kid on Grey's anatomy finally leave.

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  7. R.H.25 May 2013 at 11:26

    I chose "only if...", because there are shows that were likable before and after babies, and shows that didn't interest me after kids (but perhaps that all didn't happen because of the babies at all...)

    Babies/Kids (main characters becoming pregnant/having babies, or children introduced on TV shows in any other way) make the show "annoying" only if the writers choose to take the annoying route.

    To be likable to me, a show has to keep being what it is, adding the new aspects that kids bring (or any change, not just kids, but any big changes in characters lives). If the writers have been excellent before, it usually continues, but if they make it the "let's-insert-every-possible-clichee-baby-joke-and-storyline-that-is-overused-already" story now, it might become unlikable to me.

    So... it all depends on the show, the characters, and the writers. No story line on TV can be all bad or all good. In my opinion it all depends on so many aspects. What works for one show, doesn't for other. And so on... just the fact that tv character now is a parent does not ruin anything. Just like tv character not being a parent doesn't make everything great automatically.

    It's all a big balancing act. To keep the show and main story going, while adding this new side to the story (and the character(s) - being parents).

    ReplyDelete
  8. dunmif25 May 2013 at 11:29

    They often at times drag their parent's/guardian's story down. And throw temper tantrums.


    The only kid in TV that I really like that comes to mind right now is Carl from The Walking Dead. But only since season 3, before that he belonged to the TV Brat Pack

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  9. Jashack25 May 2013 at 11:44

    You're right. Great examples.

    ReplyDelete
  10. cipkamala25 May 2013 at 11:46

    Yes and no. Yes, because most of them act like morons (Tyler from V is a great example). And no, because kids are also present in normal life and it would be weird to do most shows without them.

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  11. phnxgrl25 May 2013 at 11:55

    It depends if the writers are inventive enough.kids and babies can invigorate a dormant show. But it will change the show's focus.

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  12. Mailin25 May 2013 at 12:04

    Not always. Depends on the acting talent of the kids and their roles. Henry from OUAT is nothing except annoying and I wish he would disappear forever. But I would miss Arya on GoT for example.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Linlighthouse25 May 2013 at 12:52

    Aww. Hope Chance is adorable.

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  14. Lou25 May 2013 at 12:56

    Really does depend on casting.

    Look at Game of Thrones all the kids they have cast have been amazing and need to be as many of them have big important roles.

    The kids on Modern Family are good as well especially Luke and Manny.

    But then you come across some really stinkers like Henry from OUAT or the annoying kids in Terra Nova.

    So casting is key followed by how they are used.

    If they are teenagers are they being typically annoying and always fighting their parents because whilst its ok for a little bit no one wants to see seasons of it. Give them more interesting storylines.

    Babies is always a difficult one, easier in comedy because you can have funny situations but with dramas then it usually ends up with the baby/mother in danger and that is really boring and cliched.

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  15. Jim 10825 May 2013 at 13:21

    I guess that depends on whether they are used as simple plot devices or actual characters. Astor and Cody from Dexter are good additions to the show, but Harrison isn't really... simply because he barely talks and is seemingly just there to add some depth and conflict to Dexter himself. The kids on Game Of Thrones, The Americans, The Walking Dead or even Fringe (if you could count that one ;)) are not annoying at all because they have their own storylines, their own developments and characteristics... The kids (babies) on shows like LOST not so much. But I suppose there are exceptions. Dana from Homeland is quite annoying because her role is just too big and a bit random. She's not a bad character per se, but her role on the show doesn't feel "earned".

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  16. CrimTV25 May 2013 at 13:32

    Just remember, you were all kids once. I don't think Henry from OUAT is annoying at all and the kids on Modern Family, The Middle, Desperate Housewives, The New Normal and Glee to name a few are/were very entertaining. I also can't grasp why people think Charlie from Revolution is annoying and a bad actress, when I think she is the complete opposite and the people who want her to be killed off are delusional because she is such a main part of the show.

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  17. Janneke25 May 2013 at 14:53

    Only if the casting was completely wrong, or when the kid just can't act... an example of where it went wrong... Once Upon a Time, the kid cannot act and is simply annoying. But when I see kids on for instance, Game of Thrones, they have a purpose, a solid solo storyline and are capable of carrying such a role.



    Kids can also get a show going again... Rachel (Friends) getting pregnant was, in my opinion, a good move... and it gave the writers some fun new material to work with.

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  18. laura334125 May 2013 at 14:55

    Please tell me you said that in jest?

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  19. Leonie198825 May 2013 at 14:58

    ...it's forced or if it's a baby in a show that is not about kids.

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  20. thedane25 May 2013 at 15:00

    Depends on the show and the casting. I love the actress that plays Becca on Californication, she does an amazing job. Loretta on Justified also comes to mind as a great casting.

    I don´t watch many comedies and I find that they have the most annoying kid (read bad casting).

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  21. laura334125 May 2013 at 15:07

    The first half of the season Charlie was annoying,always pouting and whining.But when they came back from hiatus her character had changed.She was stronger,more independent she had grown up...Your right that character will never be killed off,not until the series ends,her contract is up,or if, and when the show gets canceled... But i don't know why you brought her into the mix, she isn't a kid.

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  22. laura334125 May 2013 at 15:13

    Yeah,i don't get all the hate for Henry either.I will say i enjoyed him more in S1.The last half of this season he has gotten to that awkward stage that all kids go through,so i found him a bit annoying...


    Ha,Yes,i do count Michael as i kid,I don't think i know anyone who didn't like Michael on Fringe!

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  23. InvestedInYourFuture25 May 2013 at 16:08

    Depends on how they are handled.


    - Pregnancy storylines? YES THEY DO. In 99% out of all cases, it ruins the tv show. Best examples being Angel The Series Season Four, Doctor Who, that tvd spin off, etc.
    - Kid-characters ? Depends on both the kid actor and what the character does. Its VERY rarely successful, because most of shows misinterpret a "kid" stereotype as either awfully annoying(ex:Henry in OUAT) or awfully gary stu-ish (ex: the kid from Heroes)
    -take-care-of-Baby plotlines? easier to succeed at . You can either fail and do cliched nonsense or you can take it carefully and succeed(ex: Angel The Series baby-Connor episodes, Person of Interest baby-case, etc). It IS very hard to NOT make it cheesy as hell.

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  24. Paula Ireri25 May 2013 at 16:10

    Depends. Kids are awesome in some shows, like Game of Thrones, but sometimes they re really not necessary for the story in other show.

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  25. Veronika K.25 May 2013 at 16:19

    Depends on personal interest. There should be more kids in TV shows for adults, because giving young children a voice in the adult world is fundamental to growing up. But overall, I just have problems with pregnancy and baby plots (cough The Originals cough)

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  26. Lizzy25 May 2013 at 16:58

    Only if the showrunners use them plotwise and if they can act. Like in Charmed how they used the baby/kids storyline (giving them powers) was very good and natural step for the characters and show.

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  27. Pablo Troncoso25 May 2013 at 17:47

    It depends, for instance I've always loved Brick in The Middle, but Henry in Once Upon a Time is usually annoying. It depends on the kid himself, they can be great assets or they can bring a show down

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  28. Pablo Troncoso25 May 2013 at 17:49

    also the kids actors of the flashback episodes that portrayed Peter and Olivia were pretty great!

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  29. Pablo Troncoso25 May 2013 at 17:52

    Tracy Spiridakos acting skills are not that great. She usually has the same expression all the time, she hasn't let the character to flesh out, the faces she makes are beyond over the top. Compare Tracy Spiridakos acting to Eden Sher's, you notice that Spiridakos lacks of the confidence and comfort that Eden Sher brings in The Middle. Granted, one is drama the other one is comedy, they are different, but Sher brought life to a character by fleshing out all of her quirks into her character, while Spiradakos seems to struggle into relating to her own characters. That's why she is usually annoying, but I do believe she might have learnt a lot this season and I'm hopping she improves sharply on season 2

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  30. Sarah Dallosto25 May 2013 at 17:55

    I think it depends on how well the producers and writers plan and write the baby's/kid's presence and how the actor/actress approaches it. I usually have no problem with a baby or kid being around.

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  31. CrimTV25 May 2013 at 18:43

    this is her first major American television role. Remember not everyone is perfect and some have to adjust, the crew and producers obviously liked her enough to cast her in the first place.

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  32. Kaalyn Johnson25 May 2013 at 18:45

    Kids not so much, depending on the quality of the child actor.


    Babies absolutely. They're absolute show-killers. You have to account for them at all times, and that limits most shows.

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  33. Nawaf Karmustaji.25 May 2013 at 19:14

    Not every show. Jamie Didnt ruin One Tree Hill

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  34. Alex Forrest25 May 2013 at 19:46

    It really depends on the context. I thought Charmed went to hell when they gave Piper that stupid magical baby who's more powerful than the rest of the world and its mother put together. The entire focus shifted from "saving innocents" to "saving Wyatt from whatever demon is after him this week". On the other hand, sometimes kids can be integrated into a show without affecting it too much.

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  35. CP25 May 2013 at 21:01

    Depends on what kind of show it is, how often the kid shows up, and the actor/actress. Can you say the kids in Full House were annoying? I can't. It was a major part of the show etc.

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  36. MattiasLTC25 May 2013 at 21:57

    The kids in "Married with children" was great and funny, but normally I don't like children on TV or in real life and I would never would like to have children of my own. I prefer dogs and cats.

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  37. Winston Mize25 May 2013 at 23:54

    Parenthood is an example of show where kids and babies are done right.

    ReplyDelete
  38. magnutude25 May 2013 at 23:57

    for me it definitely depends - on the writing/handling of the characters and the actor - I know that this can be said for any character/actor, but it always seems to be more noticeable/magnified when it's a child

    ReplyDelete
  39. Panos Nestoras25 May 2013 at 23:57

    Yes they are annoying in most cases.. Henry from OUAT is the best example for me because he annoys me so much that i have almost given up on the show a few times.. On the other hand there are kids like all those on GoT that make the show even better...

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  40. Cathy26 May 2013 at 00:15

    Agreed, Basically, depends on the casting (GoT, ModFam) and if the roles are written in a specially annoying way (Henry on OUaT).

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  41. Cathy26 May 2013 at 00:17

    *Bows to the wisdom of Karen Walker* hahahahahahha. I miss that character.

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  42. Cathy26 May 2013 at 00:23

    Depends on casting and how the roles are written.

    Good: Modern Family (good all around), Raising Hope (cute baby and good storylines), Game of Thrones (amazing all around), HIMYM (cute baby and good storylines), Friends (cute baby that wasn't really on many storylines but in a belieavable way).

    Bad: most kids and babies, but one has to mention Henry on OUaT (hors concours), because that is bad casting, bad acting and annoyingly written character rolled up in one big irritating mess. Blergh.

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  43. Cathy26 May 2013 at 00:25

    You are right, adults ruin baby roles and baby related storylines. Babies just sit there being cute and drooling.

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  44. laura334126 May 2013 at 01:23

    Your right they were good!

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  45. CrimTV26 May 2013 at 02:33

    Yeah someone said below about Jamie from OTH. He was an amazing part of One Tree Hill and actually aided the adults storylines and pushed them further. For example, when Hayley and Nathan had marriage problems and they were so into their argument that Jamie fell into the pool and almost drowned, highlighted their problems as a couple.

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  46. antonio dueñas26 May 2013 at 02:47

    Only if they are given too much screen time.

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  47. MurderMondays26 May 2013 at 06:51

    I felt like Marvin(HIMYM) actually dragged down Marshall and Lily's plotlines quite a bit.

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  48. rehabber26 May 2013 at 12:07

    Only if the kid is not Colin Ford, I have enjoyed every scene he has been in as young Sam on Supernatural. Usually I find kids portrayed as back talking, spoiled and annoying a big turn off, Krissy comes to mind(SPN). I don't watch commercials with kids and the ones I don't get to in time to FF thru them are hard for me to understand.

    I have also stopped watching some shows with moms I don't like, Memphis Beat for one.

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  49. Cathy26 May 2013 at 15:28

    Hm, I don't know. I think they managed to make it more realistic than Rachel and Emma on Friends for instance by showing that babies are exhausting and that sometimes parentes just wish to be far away from their child (I don't have any kids yet, but several friends do and it's like that in real like). They couldn't have kept the show runnign this far without a baby for Lilly and Marshall and I think they did the best they could. They are no longer gonna be the group in the bar from the first seasons, but characters and storylines changed as much as real people and interests change in real life. One of the things that I liked the most was the storyline of "8 or higher" when Marvin had just been born. Every parent goes through that part when they think that nothing else is that important as their baby and neglect people aroung them. They included that nicely in the show.

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  50. Pablo Troncoso27 May 2013 at 00:41

    and that's exactly why I said I'm hopping for improvements on S2

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  51. Dahne27 May 2013 at 06:11

    If you mean Henry, he is one of two reasons why I stopped watching the show. Emma was the other. Those two together were more than I could take.

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  52. Jashack27 May 2013 at 06:16

    Yes, I can tolerate Emma though. I'm also about to stop watch next season if he doesn't get some acting skills over the summer. Is that why we don't like him? I can't think of any other reason.

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  53. Dahne27 May 2013 at 06:24

    I stopped watching halfway through season 1 so I don't know what it is now. For me, he was such a brat that I ended up feeling sorry for Regina. I was supposed to be rooting for Emma and Henry but I really wanted them to fall through a portal and never be heard of again. The "bad guys" were much more interesting than the good guys for me.

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  54. rehabber27 May 2013 at 12:24

    I stopped watching, but not because of any one reason, the show was just boring to me.

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  55. Dahne27 May 2013 at 16:14

    Fair enough. There are several popular shows which seem to be right up my TV alley that I just couldn't get into. I always liked the premise of OUaT so I have high hopes for the spin-off. If it has characters I can really get behind, it could end up being my favorite new show of the season. The previews have looked interesting.

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  56. Stacey L Toth28 May 2013 at 06:08

    Only if they are my own kids and won't go to sleep!! :D

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  57. littlebit56128 May 2013 at 06:33

    Sometime kids when they don't pick the right kids. The kid on once upon a time sometime he can get annoying. But the kids on one tree hill he was cute and not bad a actor for a kid.

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  58. Folie-lex28 May 2013 at 17:40

    They still are....

    ReplyDelete
  59. Dahne28 May 2013 at 18:32

    I see. Well at least they were very interesting "bad guys" when I stopped watching. Hopefully that is still the case.

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  60. Folie-lex28 May 2013 at 19:08

    Eh.... IMO even they have been kinda all over the place.
    I think Rumple is in way worse shape than Regina, and for me that has a lot to do with Belle being an insufferable doe eyed idiot when it comes to this guy and Rumple buying into her delusions.


    Really the only saving grace is Robert and Lana (and now even Colin - aka Hook) being able to pull off and sell the crap these people write.


    The Charmings, Emma and Henry still suck though. And Henry specifically is THE WORST CHILD CHARACTER in the history of television. And we all know how long that list is. Well he's made it to the top of it.

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  61. Dahne28 May 2013 at 19:18

    Yikes, that's quite the dubious honor of being the absolute worst child character of all time. I can think of 5 recently that made me turn off the TV whenever they came on. You have convinced me that I made the right decision to dump this show. Emma, Henry, and the Charmings all sucked out loud as characters and that was just the first half of the first season.

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  62. Folie-lex1 August 2013 at 22:02

    Depends.... some shows, the writing and kid actors carry it out well (examples: Modern family, HoD)... some don't (example: OUaT)...

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  63. Jim 1088 April 2014 at 03:38

    I was talking about Etta actually! :p Remember when Olivia announced that she was pregnant and people actually went "nooo, pregnancies always ruin good shows!" even AFTER that flashforward episode with Etta as an adult? I never got that. Michael is a good example actually. He's somewhere in the middle between character and plot device, and definitely not annoying IMO.

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  64. Patrick Maloney8 April 2014 at 05:32

    Babies don't really ruin shows because they don't do anything

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  65. CrimTV8 April 2014 at 05:32

    I know it's just people refer to her as childish. Also just finished watching the first half and I didn't see her as whiny and pouty at all, she went into that boat and has done many risky things which shows that she is strong.

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  66. laura33418 April 2014 at 05:32

    I didn't think of Etta because we saw so little of her as a child,what was it a minute of her in the park? Yeah,i don't know why some people thought a child would hurt the show in some way,maybe they thought it would turn it into a procedural,like that could ever happen! ;)

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  67. Dan Kemp8 April 2014 at 05:32

    It all depends on their acting chops, and of course, the writing.

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  68. Joanne8 April 2014 at 06:37

    It's really a "depends on" question... pregnancy storyline are usually good in daytime drama and certain type of drama, and kids are essential for family sitcom, but some kids are annoying in show... Teenagers show like glee just suck, but I dont know if they count are kids.

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