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Summary
While mostTVshows make their audience and story jolly clear from the outset , some go out of their way to mislead viewers about what they ’re really about . This deception can take many physique . Sometimes , it can be as simple as a purposely provocative title . On other occasion , the background and themes of a show can evolve in such a agency that even the creators could n’t have predicted what was to fall . Whatever the ground , amisleading TV showcan be a surprisingly rewarding viewing experience .
inadvertent or careful deception around TV shows can affect all genres . A common reason can be a internet need to obscure some of a show ’s more challenging and improper component in club to benefit from democratic tropes . Other situations can lift through simple mistake . Either way , misleading an audience does n’t have to leave in a negative response . In fact , in the case of these 10deceptive TV show , the reverse is probably unfeigned .
The emergence of streaming has changed the tv landscape painting forever , and Modern seasons of TV are taking longer and longer to come out .

10Gotham (2014-2019)
Jim Gordon’s origin became a Batman anthology
From initial lagger and selling material , it seemed as though Fox’sGothamwas design to be an origin story forBatmansupporting character , James Gordon . While the show was always rooted in theBatmanuniverse , the suggestion seemed to be thatGothamwould deliver a more mealy , grounded take on the source material set up within the parameter of more traditional police work . This was not the case . Instead , the show exposit to let in an intact roster of iconicBatmancharacters – a pleasant surprise given its more adjective selling .
9Mr & Mrs Smith (2024)
Pitt and Jolie get an unexpected update
Although theMr & Mrs Smithfranchisehas been around since the mid-90s , fans are mostly familiar with the 2005 movie of the same name . Starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie , the movie revolves around a matrimonial duet who had no idea that they were both bravo . Naturally , many viewers expect a 2024 TV reboot of the same name to observe the same premise . The 2024Mr & Mrs Smith , however , fill a very different approach , with the show focusing on a couple growing into their relationship while being cognisant of their secret background . In this way , the dynamic are very unlike – though no less watchable .
8The Orville (2017-2022)
Seth MacFarlane’s heartfelt Star Trek love letter
Because of his involvement in comedies likeFamily GuyandAmerican Dad , most spectator expectedThe Orvilleto be an irreverent mockery of the democratic sci - fi franchiseStar Trek . This was far from the full taradiddle . Instead , The Orvillewas a touching tribute to Roddenberry ’s dear original , far removed from some of the puerile wit seen in MacFarlane ’s animated body of work . Although it was still risible , The Orvillewas much more interested in honoringStar Trekthan mocking it .
Fans of The Orville will be happy to know that there are a wide of the mark diversity of other show that score some of the similar bank bill of this very popular serial publication .
7Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)
More than a coming-of-age drama
On the open , Reservation Dogsseemed like a stock coming - of - age dramatic play about full-grown pipe dream and rebellious teens . Certainly , its initial trailers foreground the show ’s irreverent step and centered the four master protagonists ' antics . However , Reservation Dogs ' real achiever lies in its ability to tackle societal issues away from its central story about a programme to move to California . The show touches on everything from community of interests trauma to crime , only becoming more complex as its season progress . Its rebellious bar stay intact , butReservation Dogsis much more mature than it might seem .
6Cougar Town (2009-2015)
A raunchy title hides the show’s true meaning
There ’s no doubt thatCougar Town ’s title is a deliberate double - entendre . However , for all its suggestiveness , the show is not the raunchy comedy its name might suggest . Instead , Bill Lawrence ’s sitcomis just as concerned in the friendships and household dramatic event of the main protagonists as it is in their relationships . In fact , even though Courteney Cox ’s Jules Cobb ab initio earned her " panther " cognomen by dating younger military personnel , the show presently vacate even this connection to the title as she act on relationships with partners her own age .
5The Last Man On Earth (2015-2018)
The apocalypse leaves a surprising number of survivors
audience could be forgiven for expectingThe Last humanity On Earthto boast a stamp of one . Certainly , former trailers and marketing material focused on Will Forte ’s Phil ’s singular experience being the sole survivor of a orbicular pandemic . However , this initial premise was soon abandoned asthe show discovered more and more survivor over its four - time of year run . The expansion ofThe Last Man On Earth ’s cast of characters did not negatively affect the show ’s story . However , as the serial publication developed , there ’s no denying that it became far removed from the initial pitch shot to TV audience .
As a genre , sci - fi can feature some of the most telling ensemble stamp come up anywhere . Here are 10 of the best examples in TV chronicle .
4Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)
Provocative title hides the show’s musical genius
On the surface , Crazy Ex - Girlfriendseems to be exploit into problematical stereotypes about spurn women . The truth about this acclaimed comedy serial , however , could n’t be more different . Although the series does arguably live up to its titular assumption , as Rebecca Bunch run across the country to act on a former boyfriend , the show succeed acclamation for its sore and nuanced word of fundamental themes such as mental health and distaff sexuality . Furthermore , initial selling arguably play down the show ’s standout melodic element , gain the actual serial even more of a pleasant surprise .
3The Good Place (2016-2020)
A complete subversion of expectations
In many means , The Good Place ’s consultation magic hold up a set longer than other examples on this list . For much ofThe Good Placeseason 1 , viewers could safely assume that the show was a quirky clowning about a flawed reference seek to justify her berth in a heaven - like afterlife . However , one shameful twist prove this to be a total lie . In fact , The Good Placedoes not take place in the nominal " Good Place " at all but is plant in an off - shoot of the pits . This recontextualizes the show ’s integral premiss and deed of conveyance , making for one of thegreat TV show interview dissimulation .
2SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-)
A children’s show with incredible depth
Animation is often unfairly maligned as being a genre exclusively for younger viewers . While some show go out of their way to refute this notion , SpongeBob SquarePantsis a uncommon instance of a television set serial aimed explicitly at kids that also delivers for an older consultation . Despite commercials , marketing , and merchandise all suggesting a typically phantasmagorical , infantile animation , SpongeBobis full of emotional vibrancy , important theme , and eccentric growth , making it gratifying for viewers of all ages . While its central sponge character and windy tone might suggest reasonless tike ’s amusement , SpongeBob SquarePantsis really anything but .
1How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
It was never about the mother
While every sitcom can gasconade side plots that perturb from the main narrative , only a smattering demonstrably fail to live up to their premise . HIMYMis certainly one . Despite the show ’s primal gimmick of a founder secernate his baby about his and their mother ’s human relationship , HIMYMwas almost never about how Ted Mosby actually suffer the titular mother , dwelling instead on his betray relationship and the trick of his friends . To make things worse , even when the female parent did finally appear , she quickly vanished from thestory beforeHIMYM ’s ending , making the show a select deterrent example of aTVshow misleading viewers with its deed of conveyance .







