The 10 Most Hopeless TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

This ranked feature selects ten television shows that it considers especially bleak, arguing that their stories offer a strong contrast to familiar “comfort shows”. The list spans dramas and comedies, with hopelessness arising from loss, moral compromises, loneliness and the power of wealthy characters to escape consequences.

The article discusses shows including *24*, *Angel*, *Succession* and *Peep Show*. It notes that the first eight seasons of *24* each cover 24 hours, describes *Angel* as darker and lonelier than *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*, and points to *Succession*’s portrayal of the powerful bouncing back while poorer characters suffer. *Seinfeld* and *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia* receive honourable mentions.