The Worst New TV Shows of 2021

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 24, 2021

What were the biggest television duds of the past year? Above are the lowest-scoring first-year primetime TV series (including limited series and specials) debuting in the United States between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021. Shows are ranked by Metascore (an average of grades from top professional critics on a 0-100 scale) prior to rounding based on scores from December 21, 2021, and must have at least 4 reviews from professional critics to qualify.

2 of 11 photo by Netflix

42 #9: Sexy Beasts (Netflix)

One part Love Is Blind, one part The Masked Singer, Netflix's oddest dating series follows a series of blind dates in which a single person must choose from three potential suitors ... each of whom has been "transformed into various animals and mythical creatures through the use of Hollywood movie prosthetics" designed by veteran FX artist Kristyan Mallet. Best enjoyed by browsing the various promotional photos for the series rather than actually watching it, Sexy Beasts managed to overcome its mediocre reviews to return for a second season.

“All of this is executed with the least possible effort or ingenuity, from the generic bar where the first dates take place to the casting, which must’ve prioritized cockiness over all other traits. ... Episodes that top out at 25 minutes feel twice as long and culminate in no great desire to hit the 'next episode' button.” —Judy Berman, Time

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