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Welcome to WatchMojo.WORLD In today’s countdown, we’re exploring films that had devastating real-life consequences for the people involved. Whether it was legal trouble, personal trauma, or public backlash, these movies left a lasting impact beyond the screen.

From "WarGames" and "Dog Day Afternoon" to "The Conjuring" and more, these productions didn’t just make headlines—they changed lives, and not always for the better.

💬 Have another example of a movie that ruined someone’s life or career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Category

📺
TV
Transcript
00:00You know, thinking back, it's like one big blur.
00:04You're welcome.
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks from the most beloved TV shows
00:11that have been tarnished by scandals.
00:13There's two ways this can end.
00:15And right now, I'm thinking they're both gonna hurt.
00:19I think you're right.
00:22Number 10, Arrested Development.
00:24With its irreverent humor and talented cast,
00:26it's no wonder the show is considered one of the best of the 2000s.
00:29Arrested Development earned a dedicated following with its unique humor,
00:32and the Bluth family's utter dysfunction helped create several highly-referenced pop-culture moments.
00:37I mean, it's one banana, Michael. What could it cost?
00:40Ten dollars?
00:41You've never actually set foot in a supermarket, have you?
00:44I don't have time for this.
00:45However, when it was revealed that Jeffrey Tambor had harassed Jessica Walter to tears,
00:49with their co-stars defending him, fans were appalled.
00:52While the toxicity was hilarious on camera, knowing it continued in real life made people re-examine the show as a whole.
00:58I'm a little nervous, but I am so excited about this. I'm such a fan of these people.
01:06This scandal caused dissent within the fanbase,
01:08which certainly wasn't helped by the lukewarm reviews the 2018 revival received.
01:12The respect the show once held quickly petered out, causing it to go out with a whimper.
01:16The conversation shifted toward Jessica Walter, who Tambor had apparently verbally berated on set years before.
01:21Number 9, Empire. Striking the perfect balance between musicianship and drama isn't easy.
01:27Empire was able to walk the line, with both components helping it gain a large following.
01:31I've been trying to come out for months, and I don't.
01:38This is just who you are.
01:39The impeccable acting and constant character development kept supporters engaged from beginning to end,
01:45and set it up to be remembered as one of Fox's most innovative creations.
01:48You knew every single thing that she was doing, and you could have said something, but you didn't.
01:53And for that, my brother almost died. For that, some of him already did die.
01:57That potential legacy was halted after Jesse Smollett made national news for lying about being attacked in a hate crime.
02:03The story overshadowed Empire, pushing it to the background amid the messy drama.
02:07A jury found Smollett guilty of making up a story about being the victim of a racist anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago in 2019,
02:15and lying to police about it.
02:17After his subsequent removal, the show struggled to regain its footing, causing one of the most interesting concepts of the 2010s to end on a low note.
02:24Number 8, Louie.
02:26Seeing a comedian beyond their sets on stage is like peering into their mind.
02:30Louis CK leaned into that with Louie, a series about an exaggerated version of his life.
02:35Well, I always wanted to make a movie where a guy's life is really bad, and then something happens and it makes it worse.
02:42But instead of resolving it, he just makes bad choices.
02:45The self-deprecating humor was a hit, making people crack up while offering a glimpse behind his persona.
02:50That all changed after several women came forward about their negative experiences with him.
02:54Although he apologized, the magic was gone.
02:56Bits that were once innocently edgy were suddenly viewed through a much darker lens, making it much harder to root for CK's fictionalized self.
03:03Okay, that is way out of line, Mr. CK. This young lady.
03:06That's alright. I know you're a comedian, so this is probably so funny to you.
03:11Yeah, it's pretty funny.
03:13The close ties between Louie and the comedian's real life blurred the lines for many fans, effectively ending the praise the show had initially received.
03:20Number 7, iCarly.
03:22It's no exaggeration to say that Nickelodeon had a grip on the youth of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
03:27Shows like iCarly captivated young ones by leaning into the blossoming social media era and crafting jokes that resonated with a wide age range.
03:34Five grand. Grand means thousand.
03:37I'm hip. Hip people don't say hip. Fine, I'm down, I'm cool, I'm jiggly.
03:45While the odd humor was written off as random, allegations about creator Dan Schneider have now painted them in a more disturbing light.
03:51These allegations were revealed in the 2024 docu-series quite on set.
03:56It was about power at that point. And when you are someone who wants more and more power, eventually you're going to fly too close to the sun.
04:06Additionally, Jeanette McCurdy's insinuations about Schneider regarding her career have made both shows she appeared in, iCarly and Sam & Cat, difficult to rewatch.
04:14What was once considered a golden era for Nickelodeon is now a troubling reminder of the lack of protection for young performers.
04:20But inside it was hurting. It was painful. It was angry. I felt unsupported.
04:25You pull back the curtain on childhood stardom. It is not a pretty picture. Not as I see it, no.
04:31Number 6. Rick and Morty.
04:33Despite airing for just over a decade, Rick and Morty has left an undeniable mark on adult animation.
04:38Between the zany adventures and fun look, the show's impact has clearly rippled across the industry.
04:43The seamless blend of sarcastic, lowbrow comedy and genuine hard-hitting moments helped create a complex show that delighted audiences worldwide.
05:01All of that was thrown into contention in early 2023 after several accusations were made about one of the creators and stars, Justin Roiland.
05:08I'm gonna tell you where to stick it.
05:10Because...
05:12Got it.
05:13See, that sounds too sober.
05:14No, it doesn't. It sounds great.
05:15I don't believe it. I don't believe you.
05:17The entire show was affected as Roiland was heavily involved in both the voice acting and creative decisions.
05:23Although he was replaced, the scandal remained fresh in fans' minds, which seemed to have a potentially disastrous effect on the seventh season.
05:29It really is fine, huh?
05:31You do seem a little less burdened.
05:33Rick, am I irreplaceable?
05:36I mean, define irreplaceable.
05:38Number 5.
05:39That 70s Show
05:40Nostalgia and good vibes all wrapped up into one series.
05:44Who could ask for anything more?
05:45Serving as a happy-go-lucky time capsule to simpler times, That 70s Show quickly became a fan favorite.
05:50Why are we wasting our time talking about this?
05:53Donna's leaving town. It's the end of the decade.
05:55We should be doing something awesome, man.
05:57Something we have never done before.
05:59Or this.
06:01The relatable personalities and heartwarming stories helped it become a staple of the 2000s.
06:06That facade was shattered after Danny Masterson was accused and eventually convicted of felony charges.
06:11That 70s Show star Danny Masterson is now at a state prison.
06:15While one bad apple could have been ignored, several other cast members provided character witnesses after his sentencing.
06:21This was the final nail in the coffin, revealing that the group viewers once saw as wholesome friends were seemingly anything but.
06:27The actors were criticized for calling their former co-star a role model among other things.
06:32And the consensus in is that that video didn't help.
06:36It's previously sunny reputation was completely clouded, leaving a permanent black mark on its once shining image.
06:41Number 4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
06:44Few franchises can boast being both the topic of several academic discussions and a beloved facet of nerd culture.
06:50Buffy the Vampire Slayer masterfully blended intense action and deeper themes, causing it to reach a much broader audience.
06:56You really got a problem with strong women, don't you?
06:58It spawned a whole universe, including the similarly acclaimed Angel.
07:02It was also widely perceived as a feminist and progressive work due to its well-developed female lead and groundbreaking LGBTQ plus representation.
07:09You guys, you do whatever you want.
07:11Um, I'll go watch TV downstairs really loud in the basement where I can't hear anything.
07:18Oh my god.
07:19Those perceptions ended up being questioned when actresses on both programs came forward alleging that the creator, Joss Whedon, had been mistreating them behind the scenes.
07:28This news drastically affected the show's previous influence, transforming it from a genuinely empowering piece into something much more insidious.
07:35Whedon, quote, proceeded to attack my character, mock my religious beliefs, accused me of sabotaging the show, and then unceremoniously fired me the following season once I gave birth.
07:47Number 3. Roseanne.
07:49A good sitcom can make people of any demographic laugh, even if they aren't the intended audience.
07:54Roseanne was just that.
07:55No way.
07:56But you just said we could.
07:59Yeah, but you sat here long enough for me to change my mind.
08:02Maybe there's a lesson in this for you, young lady.
08:04It offered a hilarious yet realistic look into working class families with relatable plot lines and charismatic lead actors.
08:11To many, it was considered the ultimate comfort watch.
08:13That promptly changed after Roseanne Barr posted an offensive, racist remark about a former White House senior advisor.
08:20The disgraced comedian recorded yet another explanation on her YouTube channel, but this time she softened her message.
08:27I thought Valerie Jarrett was white.
08:29Longtime supporters couldn't help but feel betrayed.
08:32Someone they considered a childhood icon has seemingly revealed her true self, making it hard to view her as the harsh, yet loving matriarch of the Connor family.
08:39Although she was written out and the project renamed, her actions cast a shadow over the series that it couldn't shake off.
08:45It doesn't say one damn thing in there about rendering nothing under Leon.
08:48But, Mom!
08:50No, DJ!
08:51Would you get off my back? Even God took a day off!
08:54Number 2. House of Cards.
08:57Even if a viewer isn't well-versed in politics, a well-made political drama can still keep them at the edge of their seats.
09:02No show portrayed the rotten underbelly of politics more than House of Cards.
09:06Well then I guess we both did what we had to.
09:09The intense themes coupled with the award-winning performances helped to become one of Netflix's most acclaimed projects.
09:14Kevin Spacey, in particular, was lauded for his role as the complex protagonist, Frank Underwood.
09:19Following an alarming claim from a fellow actor, both his reputation and the drama went up in flames.
09:24I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out,
09:30to shine a light and hopefully make a difference as they have done for me.
09:34He was swiftly fired, and the focus pivoted to the secondary main character.
09:37To many, the show had been irreparably damaged, as evidenced by the lukewarm reception to the final season.
09:42I couldn't let him destroy everything we built.
09:47I had to protect the legacy from the man.
09:50He got weak, Doug.
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10:07Number 1. The Cosby Show
10:11When it comes to creating and tarnishing a legacy, there's no more infamous example.
10:15The Cosby Show was revolutionary within the entertainment industry.
10:18It's unapologetic portrayal of a financially stable and happy black family was unheard of at the time,
10:23helping break several negative stereotypes while it was on the air.
10:26One of these days when I travel on, you're gonna be sorry you didn't spend more time with your mother, yes.
10:33Ow!
10:34Cosby was highly respected, earning himself the honorary title of America's dad.
10:38That illusion was broken when dozens of women came forward asserting that he had assaulted them.
10:43Several of his alleged victims were in tears after the verdict came down.
10:47The jury deliberated about 14 hours. Testimony lasted 12 days.
10:52These claims in the ensuing cases eroded his and the production's pristine reputations.
10:57The fallout was severe, with seemingly innocent jokes now coming across much darker.
11:01With several networks pulling it from their lineups, the once uplifting sitcom may never regain its former support.
11:07Why don't you give the chicken to these people that's going up and have some sauce?
11:13Which TV show do you have trouble returning to after a massive scandal? Let us know in the comments.
11:18Tonight, they're going down.
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