History GrowingTheBeard / LiveActionTV

* The first season of ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' following Clark Kent/Superboy as a college student is often not viewed in high regard thanks to its more SliceOfLife focus on the character, sitcom plotlines and crude looking special effects. The second season changed things up with a new set of actors and improved characterizations (including a particularly AxCray take on Lex Luthor), a DarkerAndEdgiermuch plotline/setting and much better looking effects.

* The syndicated ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperboy'' TV series was about Clark Kent/Superboy as a college student facing kind of lame problems and adversaries. The special effects were also very crude. In the second season they changed lead actors and had more deadlier villains including a new actor played Lex Luthor who became AxCrazy. The effects got better and as the series continued it became DarkerAndEdgier.
* The sixth episode of ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' -- "[[Recap/SupernaturalS01E06Skin Skin]]" -- was when it was starting to get really, ''really'' good. It was the start of {{squick}}y gore, uneasy subtext (the misogyny of the shapeshifter and Shifter!Dean's near-rape of Becky), festering issues, awesome acting and more insight to their brotherly relationship. All the things that ''Supernatural'' is loved for.

* Another literal Beard-Growing moment is ''Series/{{Blackadder}}'', where the titular character (or rather, the descendant also played by Creator/RowanAtkinson) gains one between season one and two, along with a ton of MagnificentBastard qualities. Of course, his once HyperCompetentSidekick Baldrick becomes a BumblingSidekick, but that was seen as a necessary part of the overall improvement.

* "Homecoming" marked the moment ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' went from being an ''Franchise/XMen'' wannabe to the show that made NBC relevant again.

** ''[[Series/StarTrekPicard Picard]]'' was a contentious series from the beginning, with many feeling its gritty character drama direction fell short of living up to the potential of the long-awaited return of the titular hero. With a new showrunner brought in after the second season, Season 3 would reunite Picard with his ''Enterprise'' [[TrueCompanions crewmates]] and undergo a significant {{Retool}} to become a true GrandFinale for ''[[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration The Next Generation]]'' to near-universal acclaim where ''Nemesis'' failed years beforehand and close the book on the 24th century era of ''[=Star Trek=]''. For bonus points, the Season 3 premiere would also coincide with return of [[TropeNamer Riker himself]] as a regular cast member.

** ''[[Series/StarTrekStrangeNewWorlds Strange New Worlds]]'' uniquely averts this, with most agreeing the series started strong out of the gate in unusual contrast to the habit. Rather the show is seen as a re-grow of the beard for the ''franchise'', winning over critics and fans alike after dividing opinions on previous iterations. In tandem with ''Picard'''s third season triumphing to WinBackTheCrowd itself, ''Star Trek'' began showing trends of a renaissance in popularity not seen since the 2000s.

* [[spoiler:Ben Sullivan]]'s death on ''Series/{{Scrubs}}''. While the second season was considered among the funniest, that third season episode featured an amazing ability to show drama without betraying the personality of the characters.
** In a more literal vein, J.D. sports a grotty-looking beard as of Season 8. It seems to be partially on purpose as J.D. makes mention that everyone is expecting them to aim higher and perform better. Subsequently, the show was praised by fans and critics alike for being funnier and more sincere than the previous few seasons of the series.
** The Season 8 episode "My Happy Place" features an extensive discussion between J.D. and Elliot which suggests that decision to have J.D. grow a beard may have been an explicit homage to the internet phrase. J.D. and Elliot discuss their decision to once again pursue a romantic relationship. After Elliot reiterates the past times they have hurt each other in romance, J.D. notes that since their last attempt they've both grown up significantly (J.D. became a Dad from an accidental pregnancy and Elliot pursued a new career in private practice). He then notes that "I've changed too. I have a beard now."

* ''[[Series/StrangeNewWorld Strange New Worlds]]'' uniquely averts this, with most agreeing the series started strong out of the gate in unusual contrast to the habit. Rather the show is seen as a re-grow of the beard for the ''franchise'', winning over critics and fans alike after dividing opinions on previous iterations. In tandem with ''Picard'''s third season triumphing to WinBackTheCrowd itself, ''Star Trek'' began showing trends of a renaissance in popularity not seen since the 2000s.

* ''Series/RuPaulsDragRace'' is widely believed to have grown its beard in Season 3. The first season was filmed in a different, smaller location with a very low budget, and the show's pacing can feel off compared to later seasons. The second season was when the show was moved into its current studio and established how the show would look and feel moving forward, but was still rough around the edges in many areas, and the show's first two winners, Bebe Zahara Benet and Tyra Sanchez, were controversial compared to the fan favorites they beat for the crown (Nina Flowers and Raven, respectively). Season 3, on the other hand, was the first truly memorable season. It added [=RuPaul=]'s longtime FagHag Michelle Visage as a regular judge, who quickly won viewers' hearts by having a level of camp second only to Ru herself. Second, the first major plot twist of the series was Ru having Shangela--the first queen eliminated in Season 2--return to the competition by jumping out of a box, the first time an eliminated queen was given a second chance. Third, the season's numerous conflicts--Shangela's "I don't have a sugar daddy" speech, Mimi Imfurst hoisting a screaming India Farrah over her head during a lipsynch, and the whole "Heathers vs Boogers" rivalry--marked how the show would become known for its HamToHamCombat. Lastly, season winner Raja was the first whose victory was widely accepted by the fanbase, as she had been a fan favorite from the start. While the first two seasons had their bright spots (Season 2 introduced the OnceASeason "Snatch Game"), Season 3 is considered by most fans to be when ''Drag Race'' truly came into its own.

* ''Series/RupaulsDragRace'' grew its beard in either the second or third season, depending on who you ask. The first season was filmed in a different, smaller location with a very low budget, and the show's pacing can feel off compared to later seasons. The second season introduced a new Werk Room and Main Stage used for the rest of the series, along with mainstays such as the OnceASeason "Snatch Game" [[note]]A ''Series/MatchGame'' parody challenge where the queens impersonate celebrities and are judged for their improvisation[[/note]], and the eliminated queen writing a goodbye message in lipstick on the mirror[[note]]Started by Shangela when she was the first queen eliminated, and when the next queen did it too, a tradition was born[[/note]]. Some fans argue that Season 3 is when the show truly grew its beard with the addition of [=RuPaul=]'s FagHag Michelle Visage as a regular judge. She quickly won viewers' hearts by having a level of camp second only to Ru herself.

* ''Series/DoctorWho'' fandom is notoriously [[BrokenBase fragmented]] and hard-to-please. What one group might consider a Growing of the Beard might be a JumpingTheShark moment for others (and vice versa). Matters aren't helped by the show's longevity and varied cast, production teams and creative directions. Nevertheless, some commonly-argued examples of this trope include:

** Series 3 seems to be considered this for the 10th Doctor. While Series 2 isn't hated and has some well-thought of episodes like "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E3SchoolReunion School Reunion]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E4TheGirlInTheFireplace The Girl in the Fireplace]]" a lot of people found 10 and Rose unbearable. Series 2 often had quite a goofy, silly tone and produced one of the worst thought of DW stories with "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E11FearHer Fear Her]]" and one of the most divisive (amongst fandom if not the critics) with "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E10LoveAndMonsters Love & Monsters]]". Series 3 emphasised the loneliness of the Doctor and had a more serious tone, along with producing two of the best-regarded DW stories: "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E8HumanNature Human Nature]][=/=][[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood The Family of Blood]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E10Blink Blink]]". The story arc is widely considered much better done, although the ending is also divisive.

* Whilst the first season of ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'' struggled with a few aspects of the show's unusual tone to start with, the second season really hits its stride with the introduction of Frank as a regular, as well as changing Dee from the voice of reason to a neurotic, amoral mess like the rest of the gang and emphasising various aspects of the others (Charlie's [[ManChild immaturity]], Dennis' [[TheSociopath sociopathy]], Mac's... [[ArmouredClosetGay confusion]]). This coincided with the gang's antics as a whole becoming so over-the-top immoral that [[CrossesTheLineTwice the line ended up obliterated a thousand-times over]]. ''Dennis and Dee Go On Welfare'' is generally seen as the definitive beard-growing moment.