Sometimes a show seems like the best thing since sliced bread, until you find out you're the only one watching it. You go online and find that the show is being torn apart, and may even be hated by many more people than those who love it. Perhaps it has already been canceled. How can this be? How is it that a show you love can be considered so horrible, when you never liked any of the shows to which it may be compared?
Sometimes a characteristic of a show will be its biggest virtue to some people, and its biggest downfall to others. Usually it is the unconventional characteristics of a show that causes it to lose in the ratings, even if that is what makes it so fun to watch. There are shows in every genre that are adored by many, but somehow fall through the cracks to end up at the bottom of the ratings heap.
Character personalities
Shows that are considered ratings winners typically have likable characters that seem like people you may know in real life. Ratings winners such as "NCIS" and "New Girl" have mostly likable characters that are quirky enough to make the show different from other shows in the same genre.
Some shows take a different route, and become ratings losers because of it, despite a rabid following of fans. For example, "Stargate Universe" had a crew of mostly unlikable characters. Many fans felt the odd and disagreeable ensemble was exactly what made the show interesting.
Unconventional acting
Sometimes a show may be considered by many to have horrible acting, while others may feel it is spot on. This is most common with shows such as "Sanctuary," where many fans get the sense that the acting is perfect for the campy nature of the show, while others who "don't get it" may think the acting is horrible.
Story arcs
"Stargate Universe" was a perfect example of a show that had a long-reaching story arc. It was impossible to watch an episode and understand what was going on without seeing all of the episodes before it. Part of the reason people stopped watching was probably because it was too difficult to keep up with the story after missing even one episode.
Most sitcoms tend to be episodic, and therefore have a better chance in this arena. Shows such as "How I Met Your Mother," "The Office," and "2 Broke Girls," offer up minimal story arcs, but are almost completely episodic. You can start watching any episode and enjoy the laughs they have to offer. In many cases, you can jump into the middle of a single episode and still enjoy the jokes. A few references may be lost on you, but you will still get the gist enough to know when something is funny.
Shows such as "Grimm" and "Person of Interest" try to walk a middle line. They have enough of a story arc to keep the fans interested, but you can still start watching the show at any point and pick up the plot well enough to become a fan. It can be a bit annoying for the biggest fans of these shows, but it is a smart move to avoid alienating viewers who miss an episode. It also gives the shows a chance to capture new fans.
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