Some TV shows hit the ground running with great concepts, then deliver on them for the remainder of their runs. By contrast, other series get off to slower and less impressive starts, then turn things around as they progress. Those in the latter category sometimes benefit from changing their premise. Many times, this happens naturally as a series finds its footing and comes into its own.
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Of course, reconsidering the initial focus or tone of a story doesn’t always change it for the better. From Scrubs to Westworld, there are plenty of shows that alter their original concepts and decline in quality because of it. However, on rare occasions, taking this risk benefits a story. That’s true for two sitcoms that dominated the 2010s, as well as a bold CBS procedural.
3) Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation attempts to capture the style of The Office during its first season, but it gets much better when it leaves that hope behind. The sitcom’s early episodes embrace a more rigid mockumentary format, something it gradually moves away from — but doesn’t fully abandon — in later outings. Leslie Knope also comes off as less competent and assured, making her feel more like Michael Scott than the iconic character she would become. While the first season still focuses on her trying to advance her career, it has a more pessimistic feel than later chapters.
Fortunately, Parks and Rec embraces a more heartfelt and optimistic approach as time goes on. By reinventing itself in this way, it totally sets itself apart from other workplace sitcoms. It still pokes plenty of fun at the shortcomings of bureaucracy, but it shows its characters making change in spite of them. It’s a far more enjoyable watch in its later seasons, and this shift is the reason why.
2) Person of Interest
Not many procedurals overhaul their premises the way Person of Interest does after its first two seasons. However, the CBS show’s willingness to do so makes it stand out. It helps that it noticeably improves once it embraces a larger, higher-stakes story. Person of Interest begins like many other procedurals, leaning into formulaic, investigation-of-the-week installments. These are still entertaining, but starting with Person of Interest Season 3, the series sets its sights on a more interesting overarching storyline — one that digs deeper into artificial intelligence and its use on the global stage.
The narrative centered on The Machine and Samaritan departs from Person of Interest‘s initial setup, but it works in the series’ favor. It allows it to have more serious conversations about surveillance and technological advancement, and it gives the series a more suspenseful throughline. It’s far better at keeping one’s attention during its later outings, and that stems directly from this concept change.
1) New Girl
When New Girl opens, the sitcom is mostly concerned with the circumstances of Jess Day, Zooey Deschanel’s lead who’s forced to move in with three men she’s never met after a crushing break-up. Initially, the show keeps its focus primarily on Jess’ problems, but its scope eventually expands, and it’s stronger because of it. Over time, New Girl begins to balance the struggles of all of its characters, shifting from a series about Jess to an ensemble.
And as great as Deschanel is in the role, the other stars and characters are just as compelling. Giving their narratives greater depth serves the sitcom well, and it improves Jess’ story as a result. New Girl likely wouldn’t have gotten as big or lasted as long if it hadn’t made this change. Fortunately, it saw the value in rethinking its early premise.
What TV show did you like better after it changed its original concept? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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