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Often, TV exhibits are supposed to make a viewer suppose, cry, snicker, or in any other case immerse themselves in a narrative. In different instances, the purpose is to convey audiences collectively in a shared viewing expertise or to easily supply one thing stress-free to assist them unwind. Nevertheless, each on occasion, a present pops up that appears to have a special objective totally: to make us offended.

Rage bait exhibits are sometimes related to unusual plot selections, infuriating characters, or real-life controversies. Positive, some individuals get pleasure from these exhibits and their weird, anger-inducing nature. However within the case of many, many viewers, it is obscure why or how these exhibits grew to become a factor within the first place.

On the subject of among the exhibits on this record, the rage-baiting nature may need been unintentional, or maybe we’re simply the incorrect viewers. However whatever the causes, one factor’s for certain: we’re nonetheless offended simply fascinated by them.

8

‘Caillou’ (1997 – 2011)

Most viewers will acknowledge the yellow-shirted, bald Caillou, even when they have not seen the eponymous collection. Every episode, Caillou “learns” about household, pals, college, and so many different issues which might be vital for a kid to grasp. The one subject is, he by no means appears to achieve that understanding. As a substitute, he continually whines, throws tantrums, and simply typically misbehaves, all whereas the adults round him do little to intervene.

A Unhealthy Affect

We all know he is only a child who’s 4, however you’d suppose Caillou’s dad and mom would attempt to reign in a few of his worse behaviors. As a substitute, Caillou grew to become a supply of not simply anger, but additionally fear for fogeys, who feared that he may negatively affect their very own youngsters. The truth is, dad and mom celebrated when Caillou was canceled in 2021 (…at the very least, till the CGI reboot was introduced in 2022).

7

‘Drawn Collectively’ (2004 – 2007)

Initially marketed as an animated collection a few actuality TV present, Drawn Collectively had a enjoyable premise, nevertheless it rapidly become one thing unusual. All through its three seasons, Drawn Collectively tried to subvert established character archetypes, however relatively than ship an attention-grabbing message about tropes, the characters merely felt sociopathic. At occasions, it appeared just like the present was merely making an attempt to “go there” for the sake of going there, making the episodes really feel as grotesque as they have been pointless.

Did not Draw Us In

Many followers of Drawn Collectively considered its comedy as being much like different grownup cartoons like South Park. To us, nevertheless, the distinction is that these different cartoons used shock worth or stereotypes to attract consideration to or critique some social subject. On the alternative finish, Drawn Collectively seemingly introduced up stereotypes merely to level and snicker at them.

6

‘Q-Power’ (2021)

Described as a “homosexual James Bond,” Q-Power rapidly grew to become a supply of confusion and criticism after its trailer was launched. Though the present wound up being higher than the trailer steered, the characters have been nonetheless over-the-top and stereotypical, and the jokes themselves simply weren’t that humorous. Viewers and critics alike have been unsure whether or not Q-Power was making an attempt to embrace queer tradition or mock it. Whereas it seems that Q-Power was an earnest try on the former, it finally missed the mark.

Questionable Content material

What makes Q-Power so infuriating is that it might have been one thing nice. Even now, some viewers nonetheless reward the present for what it was trying to do, though it failed within the try. Maybe that is why many suppose the present might show itself with extra episodes. Thankfully, or sadly, Q-Power was canceled after Season 1.

5

‘The Swan’ (2004)

Usually thought-about the worst actuality TV present ever created, every episode of The Swan targeted on two girls who underwent a magnificence “transformation.” They’d work with a private coach and obtain beauty surgical procedure, all with the objective of changing into extra “stunning” than their competitor. The winner of that episode would then go on to compete with different winners to change into “The Swan,” a title that, in hindsight, carried some fairly ugly implications.

An Ugly Premise

Sexist, shallow, and shockingly exploitative, The Swan was demeaning to each its rivals and its viewers. Within the years because it premiered, many have critiqued the present for its problematic magnificence requirements. Much more rage-inducing, among the contestants have since come out and accused the present of exacerbating their physique and psychological well being points.

4

‘Massive Mouth’ (2017 – 2025)

Massive Mouth can succinctly be summed up as “cartoon youngsters uncover puberty.” Now assigned Hormone Monsters, the children should take care of the awkwardness of crushes, erections, zits, and numerous different teenage points. Because the collection progressed, the tales grew to become much more outlandish, specializing in attractive pillows, Disgrace Wizards, and randomly, the ghost of Duke Ellington. Positive, there have been some heartwarming moments, too, however total, the present was gross and excessively targeted on shock humor, trying to push boundaries that nobody wanted (nor wished) it to push.

The Most important Supply of Rage

One thing distinctive about Massive Mouth that angered viewers was how usually Netflix renewed the present. Different fashionable Netflix collection obtained the axe, but Massive Mouth continued on for 8 entire seasons, even getting a spin-off present, Human Assets. Once more, there are some issues to get pleasure from about Massive Mouth, however that simply makes the issues that do not work much more rage-inducing.

3

’13 Causes Why’ (2017 – 2020)

Following the suicide of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) found a collection of cassette tapes detailing the occasions that led as much as her demise. He quickly grew to become obsessive about understanding what led to her choice and punishing these accountable. Because the collection progressed, much more stunning occasions occurred, together with an tried college capturing and several other murders. Via all of it, many viewers struggled to search out the explanation why the present remained on the air.

Controversial and Uncomfortable

To be truthful, some viewers praised 13 Causes Why for tackling delicate subjects that its teenaged viewers is likely to be coping with. Nevertheless, a number of psychological well being professionals considered the present’s depiction of suicide as overly glamorized and its dealing with of sexual assault as insensitive.

2

‘Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ (2022)

A real-crime present concerning the murderous Jeffrey Dahmer (Evan Peters), Dahmer achieved widespread fame and success when it premiered in 2022. Peters’ portrayal was particularly lauded, as was the inventive course the collection took with its real-life premise. Nevertheless, none of that makes up for the blood-boiling discussions that have been happening behind the scenes.

A Monstrous Transfer

Even earlier than Dahmer got here to Netflix, it grew to become clear that the victims’ family did not need the present to be made. Later, a number of would categorical despair over Peters’ Golden Globe win, including that numerous components of the present have been both inaccurate or re-traumatizing. Figuring out that historical past, it is onerous to look at the present and never get offended, since there have been loads of ways in which the present might have been made with out harming those that have been already hurting (or possibly it simply did not must be made in any respect).

1

‘Velma’ (2023 – 2024)

The Scooby-Doo spin-off that no one requested for, Velma was meant as an origin story for a meaner model of Velma. Moreover being unlikable, Velma lacked the intelligence she was recognized for in different collection, however she was under no circumstances the one character to undergo from a personality shift: Daphne, Shaggy, and Fred have been additionally all unrecognizable. To make issues worse, Scooby-Doo wasn’t even a personality, which makes it straightforward to grasp why followers of the unique collection have been so incensed.

The Greatest Thriller

To be truthful, like different exhibits on this record, Velma did have just a few good moments and precise jokes, nevertheless it was unattainable to grasp who it was making an attempt to entertain. Was its commentary on woke tradition purported to anger liberals or conservatives? Had been the characters purported to be humorous, insightful, or one thing else totally? These questions are way more attention-grabbing than any of the mysteries that Velma solved, which is why it is unsurprising that the collection was canned after Season 2.