Joe Concha criticizes Stephen Colbert’s departure from ‘The Late Show’ and declining ratings

FOX News contributor Joe Concha has voiced strong criticism regarding Stephen Colbert’s recent exit from “The Late Show,” which he attributes to President Trump’s outspoken social media comments. Concha noted the show’s substantial staff, its predictable anti-Trump themes, and the considerable financial losses faced by CBS, suggesting that the focus on “social justice” contributed to the program’s dwindling ratings and reduced comedic impact.

The TV series “The Boys” concluded this week, leaving many fans feeling frustrated and, honestly, a bit betrayed after investing so much time into the show, only to experience a disappointing finale.

Without diving into specifics, it’s fair to say that die-hard viewers felt like they had the rug pulled out from under them. It’s kind of like, well, when you think a story is going one way, and suddenly it veers off course. If you’ve felt that way before, you’re in the right place. In light of “The Boys” ending on a sour note, I’ve decided to revisit four other TV shows that also left audiences feeling let down.

This doesn’t mean I think all of them ended poorly, though—I guess some did. But each finale sparked substantial backlash at the time.

A Variety report suggests the troubling themes of ‘The Boys’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ seem to reflect reality

While some of these series have aged better than others, all were met with swift disapproval from fans and critics alike. Let’s jump right into it.

*Warning: Spoilers Ahead*

4. Until I Met Your Mother (2014)

First up is “How I Met Your Mother.” This show has yet to escape the wrath of its fanbase, as that much-criticized ending left many feeling upset.

The finale seemed to build towards the character “Mother” and the marriage of Robin to Barney, only to pull a bait-and-switch, eliminating “Mother” and ending the marriage of Barney and Robin within the last half-hour.

Then, to top it all off, Robin and Ted come together, with the kids even calling her “Aunt Robin.” That felt a bit disingenuous, to say the least.

Many fans argued that this finale undid years of character development just to return to where it started, which is a kind of frustrating narrative loop. It’s difficult to watch a show avoid meaningful growth and wrap things up too hurriedly—definitely a dangerous move for any series.

3. Seinfeld (1998)

“Seinfeld,” often hailed as the greatest sitcom ever (and yes, I stand by that), has its own blemish—its series finale. In this episode, the main characters nearly die in a plane crash, leading to their arrest for breaking the “Good Samaritan Law.” Sounds intriguing, right? But many fans felt it was overly harsh.

The finale felt like it relied too heavily on returning characters and previous storylines, making it seem more like a rehash than a deserving conclusion. Over time, opinions softened a bit, and creator Larry David even expressed criticisms about the backlash.

2. The Sopranos (2007)

Moving on, “The Sopranos” is often deemed perhaps the greatest drama series ever—it’s certainly up there, right? Yet, its finale left a lot to unpack. After several seasons of intense storytelling, creator David Chase chose to end with ambiguity rather than closure.

In the series finale, Tony Soprano shares a tense meal with his family in a diner while Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” plays—then, abrupt cut to black. Many viewers were so bewildered that they called HBO to check if their TV had malfunctioned. Chase always intended for the ending to be deliberately ambiguous, but quite a few fans were left unsatisfied.

1. Game of Thrones (2019)

And then there’s “Game of Thrones.” If folks were upset with “The Boys,” they clearly missed the uproar surrounding this finale. This series, which revolved around complex political intrigue, stumbled notably in its final season, rushing to tidy up character arcs that had been meticulously developed over years.

Fan favorites like Jon Snow and Jaime Lannister seemed to lose their identities in the process, and Bran Stark’s ascension to the throne felt particularly unearned after sitting back for much of the last season.

And oh, Daenerys—her transformation felt rushed and, dare I say, lacked the subtlety of other narrative twists I’ve encountered. It’s tough to believe how a show could shift from a cultural landmark to something people lamented in only a handful of episodes. It’s pretty remarkable in a way, though also a bit sad.

So there you have it! Those are some finales that left lasting impressions—or perhaps just bitter taste—in viewers’ mouths. What about you? What series finale left you feeling disappointed or unsatisfied? Let me know your thoughts!