10 worst rated tv show episodes of all time

Some TV episodes are just plain bad. It’s not because people expect perfection. It’s because certain episodes get everything wrong. Bad plots. Weird character choices. Jokes that don’t land. No one is safe. Even shows people usually love have dropped the ball. IMDb users made sure to let the world know exactly how bad these episodes are.

They didn’t hold back with their ratings. What’s funny is how many big-name shows made the list. The Simpsons. Family Guy. Even True Blood. Every single episode here earned its low score for a reason. Sometimes a strange guest star throws off the whole vibe. Sometimes the writing feels lazy. Other times an episode just doesn’t fit the show at all. Fans notice when that happens.

They don’t forget either. Some of these episodes still get talked about today and not in a good way. They stand out because they missed the mark so badly. Here’s a rundown of the ten worst-rated TV episodes of all time. All based on IMDb ratings. Each one shows how even the best shows can stumble hard when something goes off track.

---

Worst rated tv show episodes of all time

1) House of Payne – Moving Day (Rating: 2.0)

Moving Day carries a brutal 2.0 rating, which is way below the average for House of Payne. The episode shows Malik moving in with Summer and revealing a co-dependent relationship that feels more forced than funny. Fans pointed out how none of the character growth felt earned and most of the jokes fell flat.

Instead of offering the usual balance of humor and family drama, the show became awkward to watch. This episode left many longtime viewers frustrated and made people question if the show had completely lost its original charm.

---

2) Roseanne – Roseambo (Rating: 2.7)

Roseambo sits at 2.7, which is embarrassingly low for a show like Roseanne. The episode throws Roseanne into an over-the-top plot where she fights terrorists on a train. Fans hated how far it strayed from the grounded storytelling the show was built on.

It felt desperate and disconnected from what made earlier seasons relatable. Many saw this episode as the point where the series lost focus. The shift toward ridiculous plots rather than real family struggles turned off loyal viewers and weakened the show’s stronghold heading into its final stretch.

---

3) SpongeBob SquarePants – Keep Bikini Bottom Beautiful / A Pal for Gary (Rating: 3.3)

This episode pair holds a low 3.3 rating, which is a sharp drop compared to most of SpongeBob’s run. In A Pal for Gary, SpongeBob brings home a new pet and ignores how it bullies Gary. Viewers slammed it for being unnecessarily cruel and making SpongeBob look oblivious.

It felt like the writers ignored what made the characters likable. Fans often name this as the moment the show started shifting toward bizarre humor and away from its clever roots. It left a bad taste and lowered trust in future episodes.

---

4) The Simpsons – Lisa Goes Gaga (Rating: 4.0)

Lisa Goes Gaga holds a 4.0 rating, which is shockingly low for The Simpsons. Lady Gaga visits Springfield to lift everyone's spirits, but the focus feels completely misplaced. Instead of sharp jokes or relevant satire, the episode leans entirely on Gaga’s celebrity status.

Fans felt Lisa’s character got reduced to shallow storytelling without depth. Many longtime viewers cite this episode as the start of the show’s creative dip. It made clear the writers were relying more on stunt casting than on the clever writing that defined earlier seasons.

---

5) Meet the Browns – Meet the Hubby (Rating: 4.0)

Meet the Hubby sits at a weak 4.0, which is far below what early seasons managed. Will proposes marriage, but the story feels rushed and the jokes miss their mark. Fans noticed how none of the character reactions felt genuine and the episode lacked the charm that kept viewers hooked.

People grew frustrated with how repetitive the plots had become. This episode especially showed how the show started leaning on formula instead of character-driven stories. It played a big role in pushing longtime fans away and slowing down the show’s momentum.

---

6. Family Guy – Life of Brian (Rating: 4.8)

Life of Brian carries a 4.8 rating, which is low compared to the show's usual scores. The episode kills off Brian and replaces him with Vinny. Viewers rejected the change and saw it as pointless shock value. Fans were angry because Brian had been central to the show's humor for years.

The backlash was immediate and strong. Petitions pushed for Brian’s return. The episode damaged trust and made people feel the writers cared more about short-term reactions than the show's consistency. Brian was eventually brought back, but this episode’s poor reception stuck.

---

7. True Blood – Thank You (Rating: 5.4)

Thank You sits at 5.4, which is low for a finale. It closes out True Blood but left fans disappointed. Sookie kills Bill in a scene that felt rushed and emotionally empty. Several character arcs got little closure. Fans felt the show ignored its earlier tension and strong buildup.

The ending seemed forced and hollow. Many long-time viewers felt let down after years of investment. This episode made people question how far the series had drifted from what made it exciting in the first place. It remains one of the show’s most criticized moments.

---

8. Spider-Man (1967) – Down to Earth (Rating: 5.5)

Down to Earth holds a 5.5 rating, which is low even for the inconsistent quality of the 1967 Spider-Man series. The episode focuses on aliens landing in New York with a clumsy world domination plot. Animation errors and recycled scenes stood out badly.

The story felt disconnected from the grounded charm of Spider-Man’s usual struggles. Viewers called it one of the weakest entries because it leaned heavily on generic science fiction clichés. It added nothing memorable to the series. This episode became an example of how far the show could stray from its strengths.

---

9. Two and a Half Men – People Who Love Peepholes (Rating: 5.3)

People Who Love Peepholes sits at 5.3, which is low compared to the show’s earlier seasons. This episode follows Walden struggling with his love life. Fans pointed out how the jokes felt recycled. Without Charlie Sheen, the dynamic changed.

The writing leaned too hard on awkward setups that lacked the energy of previous seasons. Viewers felt the episode lacked spark. It became one more example of how the show struggled after its major cast change. Many consider it part of the show’s steady creative decline and proof it never fully recovered.

---

10. X-Men: The Animated Series – Jubilee’s Fairytale Theatre (Rating: 5.3)

Jubilee’s Fairytale Theatre holds a 5.3 rating, which is low for a show known for mature themes. The episode has Jubilee telling a fantasy story that simplifies the X-Men’s world. Fans disliked how it abandoned the complex storytelling that made the series strong.

The childish tone felt out of place. Many skipped the episode because it added nothing important. It became one of the most forgettable parts of the series. Viewers still mention it when talking about filler episodes that did not fit the show’s style.

---

Follow for more updates.