You'd think that a compelling protagonist would be a key ingredient of a successful TV show, but it's surprising how many get by without one. Some, like Friends and Downton Abbey, have a great ensemble cast, and others deliberately opt for an Arthur Dent whose most appealing characteristic is the fact that he's an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances. Then there are the shows on this list, in which the main character just isn't that interesting. In these shows, it's not unusual for protagonists to be upstaged by the frankly more exciting supporting characters. It might be because they're burdened by the main plot, which drags on whilst subplots are more satisfyingly resolved, or because the writers forget that the main character needs development too. Whatever the reason, they aren't why we tune in. Instead, the show is sustained by its style, wit, and the excellent work it's doing with every character except the most important one of all. We start after the jump with a Joss Whedon vehicle whose lack of a solid protagonist was likely its downfall.
