History VindicatedByHistory / LiveActionTV

** ''Series/KamenRiderBlade'' attracted criticism while it was airing for its slow-paced plot and stiff main character. Years after it ended howver, most fans agree however that things improve by the second half, which saw much more plot progression, interesting character development and drama between its leads and ultimately, one of the most poetic endings in the series. As a result, it's not uncommon nowadays to see ''Blade'' rank among people's favorites.

* ''Series/BigBrother'''s 15th season in the U.S. became this after 16 aired. During its time, 15 was seen as having been marred with controversial comments from the cast, accusations of racism and homophobia, editing that favoured a disliked showmance, and a starting twist that was far too predictable. However, after seasons 16 and 17, a lot of fans begun to appreciate season 15's overall gameplay, such as the MVP changing to allow the ''audience'' to put a player up (Thus causing drama in the house as everyone tried to find who the MVP was), eviction votes that ''weren't'' determined four days in advance (keeping suspense), split votes causing ''more'' drama and paranoia, and a cast who was actually somewhat complex and weren't afraid to rock the boat. This happened after season 16 and 17 featured large alliances that never ''ever'' splintered until the end, mostly unanimous votes that were determined the second the veto was or was not used, legit [[TooDumbToLive stupid players]] afraid to make big moves, and somewhat boring winners.

* ''Series/Batman1966'' zigzags on this. It was certainly popular and beloved when it first ran, and its wacky plots, camp, and BlackAndWhiteMorality were soon synonymous with the character. As comic books approached the [[UsefulNotes/TheBronzeAgeOfComicBooks Bronze]] and [[UsefulNotes/TheDarkAgeOfComicBooks Dark]] ages, Adam West and Burt Ward's antics became despised by some people. Everyone from Creator/FrankMiller to Creator/TimBurton seemed to measure their success with Batman on how far away from the '60s show they could be. At some point in the late 2000s, however, between gluts of poorly-received DarkerAndEdgier comic book storylines and Adam West becoming a beloved regular on ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', the series was reevaluated by the public and its lighthearted tone and feel were embraced again, eventually spawning new [[ComicBook/Batman66 comic spin-offs]] and even a new [[WesternAnimation/BatmanReturnOfTheCapedCrusaders animated film.]]

** Creator/PeterCapaldi's run as the Twelfth Doctor, coming after the wildly popular runs of Creator/DavidTennant and Creator/MattSmith brought the show into new realms of international and even mainstream success, had a muted public reception over 2014-17 -- not least because it took much of his first season to start GrowingTheBeard (critics were more positive but even their reviews took a similar uptick with time) and he didn't have the youth appeal of Tennant or Smith. But when the ''Radio Times'' [[https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-fans-have-crowned-the-best-episode-do-you-agree/ took a poll in 2023]] to determine the best stories of all time for the 60th anniversary, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E11HeavenSent "Heaven Sent"]] was #1, and his penultimate two-parter "World Enough and Time"/"The Doctor Falls" #2. Both stories ''were'' already highly-regarded by the fanbase and professional critics, but that they ranked '''this''' highly when stacked up against those of rival Doctors spoke to their reputations, and that of Capaldi's Doctor, only getting better in the interim. Though the high reputation may be partially due to how utterly hated the following run was, with the majority of the fandom regarding the entire run as a disaster and the following showrunner Chris Chibnall becoming probably the most hated figure in the DW fandom.

** Creator/PeterCapaldi's run as the Twelfth Doctor, coming after the wildly popular runs of Creator/DavidTennant and Creator/MattSmith brought the show into new realms of international and even mainstream success, had a muted public reception over 2014-17 -- not least because it took much of his first season to start GrowingTheBeard (critics were more positive but even their reviews took a similar uptick with time) and he didn't have the youth appeal of Tennant or Smith. But when the ''Radio Times'' [[https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-fans-have-crowned-the-best-episode-do-you-agree/ took a poll in 2023]] to determine the best stories of all time for the 60th anniversary, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E11HeavenSent "Heaven Sent"]] was #1, and his penultimate two-parter "World Enough and Time"/"The Doctor Falls" #2. Both stories ''were'' already highly-regarded by the fanbase and professional critics, but that they ranked '''this''' highly when stacked up against those of rival Doctors spoke to their reputations, and that of Capaldi's Doctor, only getting better in the interim.

* ''Series/{{Space 1999}}'', although enjoying some popularity at the time (1975-1977), has been a poster boy for poor writing, poor science, poor directing, poor acting. However, most of these criticisms are directed at the very different second season which was produced by Fred Freiberger, a figure noted for ruining good science-fiction shows. Despite the {{handwavium}} throughout the series, the first season is now remembered as being deep, thoughtful, and metaphysical. Despite a widespread perception of the show favoring special effects over story, it can't be denied that the show had visual effects that still hold up even today. Many of its effects crew went on to even bigger things (such as ''Franchise/StarWars'' and ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'') further cementing ''Space 1999''[='=]s place as the show that helped Creator/GeorgeLucas and Creator/RidleyScott discover good technical talent.

* ''Series/{{Survivor}}, being a LongRunner (one of the [[TropeMaker makers]] of Reality game shows!) has of course had various seasons that had receptions change as time went on. Some [[CondemedByHistory were seen less fondly]], but others have been redeemed more by history:

** The post-Diane years were also criticized due to it no longer feeling as fresh, as the Sam and Diane storyline no longer existed. Critical opinion was mixed to the point that when the series ended in 1993, many critics were happy to see the series finally end. Many fans thought the show had lost its flavor after a few years; even if it was still popular, the quality wasn't as well received as the first few seasons. However, ever since a new generation of people have started watching the show (being included on Netflix has certainly helped), the latter seasons are now viewed as just as good as, if not better ''because'' it doesn't have the lingering Sam/Diane storyline. This is because many people like the new focus placed on Woody, Cliff, and Norm, helping develop their characters all the more. (It also helps that the Sam and Diane was [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny redone]] [[Series/{{Friends}} once more]].) The finale is also now looked at as one of the best finales in television history.

* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' underwent such serious ExecutiveMeddling during its original run that it was cancelled after only 11 episodes managed to air. Today, ''Firefly'' as a whole is now hailed as a sci-fi classic.

* ''Series/BarneyAndFriends'' was a huge source of mockery back in the 1990s and 2000s. Since the late 2010s, mocking Barney is seen as in bad taste. Many now look back fondly on the show, citing it as one of the best on the PBS lineup. There are still Barney memes here and there, but they don't mock the show. When the show reran on Creator/UniversalKids in 2018, it drew in very good ratings.

** The post-Diane years were also criticized due to it no longer feeling as fresh, as the Sam and Diane storyline no longer existed. Critical opinion was mixed to the point that when the series ended in 1993, many critics were happy to see the series finally end. Many fans thought the show had lost its flavor after a few years, even if it was still popular, the quality wasn't as well received as the first few seasons. However, ever since a new generation of people have started watching the show (being included on Netflix has certainly helped), the latter seasons are now viewed as just as good as, if not better ''because'' it doesn't have the lingering Sam/Diane storyline. This is because many people like the new focus placed on Woody, Cliff, and Norm, helping develop their characters all the more. (It also helps that the Sam and Diane was [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny redone]] [[Series/{{Friends}} once more]].) The finale is also now looked at as one of the best finales in television history.

* ''Series/{{Friends}}'' was always a ratings juggernaut (even its least-watched season still averaged over 20 million viewers per episode), but it took a while to earn the respect of critics as well. Many of them liked the cast but thought that the characters they played were thinly-sketched, and it frequently earned unfair comparisons to its Creator/{{NBC}} stablemate ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'' (a show with which it had a bitter FandomRivalry at the time), which was seen as far more innovative versus ''Friends''[='=] reliance on a more traditional sitcom formula. As the show went on, however, critics gradually warmed up to it, and by the time of its GrandFinale many considered it to be just as good as ''Seinfeld'' and up there with it as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. One critic, Noel Holston of ''Newsday'', went so far as to [[https://web.archive.org/web/20090124163208/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/news/ny-friendsfanfare%2C0%2C6756416.story apologize]] for the dismissive review he gave the show's pilot episode.

* ''Series/That70sShow'' had mediocre ratings. But in the end, reruns and teenage nostalgia, plus the A-list statuses of Creator/AshtonKutcher and Creator/MilaKunis, kept the show popular long after it ended.

* ''Series/ThirtyRock'' was adored by critics and has won tons of Emmys, but only pulled in mediocre ratings. Nowadays, it's viewed as one of the greatest sitcoms of the 21st century and finds newfound fans every day through Netflix and reruns. It has since moved to Hulu due to streaming content deals.

** While ''Film/StarTrekNemesis'' is still seen as one of the weaker ''Trek'' films to be produced, ''Trek'' fans that ''despise'' the more action-oriented Creator/JJAbrams films have elevated this film's status, focusing on Creator/PatrickStewart (as usual) and Creator/TomHardy executing otherwise poorly-written dialogue quite effectively, especially since Hardy's breakout performances in ''{{Film/Inception}}'' and ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'' have put him on the map in his own right.

* ''Series/TheHoneymooners'' was a spinoff of ''The Creator/JackieGleason Show'', that didn't fare too well against competing shows. The [[ShortLivedBigImpact 39 episodes]] it managed to air before cancellation are today regarded alongside ''Series/ILoveLucy'' as quintessential 1950s television and the foundation of the modern {{sitcom}}.

* ''Series/RedDwarf'' while its pilot had 4 million views, the viewing figures dipped in the following episodes and the first series generally got poor ratings. Creator/TheBBC despite running ''Series/DoctorWho'' for decades, greatly doubted ''Red Dwarf'' would be successful being a Sci-Fi comedy with minimal cast and that lack of support is evident in the cheapness of the early series production, with its cramped wooden sets. By the time of Series VI however the show had achieved over 6 million views with the episode [[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonVIGunmenOfTheApocalypse “Gunmen of the Apocalypse”]] (which won an International Emmy Award) and by the start of the Series VIII, the show would go on to 8 million views. ''Red Dwarf'' would return for the first time in a decade with the ''Recap/RedDwarfBackToEarth'' miniseries the success of which led to the revival series X-XII and a feature-length special ''Recap/RedDwarfThePromisedLand''. These days ''Red Dwarf'' is not only considered one of the best British sitcoms but one of the best long running Sci-Fi shows ''period'', and unlike some of its contemporaries has withstood the test of time. It was an AffectionateParody of the genre long before the likes of ''Film/GalaxyQuest'', ''Series/TheOrville'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty''. Creator/PatrickStewart applauded ''Red Dwarf'' and even wished [[Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration TNG]] had borrowed some of its humour.

* Premium cable channel {{Creator/HBO}} has its fair share of belated success stories:

** The post-Diane years were also criticized due to it no longer feeling as fresh, as the Sam and Diane storyline no longer existed. Critical opinion was mixed to the point that when the series ended in 1993, many critics were happy to see the series finally end. Many fans thought the show had lost its flavor after a few years, even if it was still popular, the quality wasn't as well received as the first few seasons. However, ever since a new generation of people have started watching the show (being included on Netflix has certainly helped), the latter seasons are now viewed as just as good as, if not better 'because' it doesn't have the lingering Sam/Diane storyline. This is because many people like the new focus placed on Woody, Cliff, and Norm, helping develop their characters all the more. (It also helps that the Sam and Diane was [[SeinfeldIsUnfunny redone]] [[Series/{{Friends}} once more]].) The finale is also now looked at as one of the best finales in television history.