10 TV Shows That REALLY Shouldn't Have Worked

10. Jane The Virgin

Whilst shows are never a guaranteed success, good quality source materials or experienced writers with a solid pedigree make it more likely that a show will be successful. It’s fair to say that amongst the pantheon of great TV shows very few are inspired by, or based on a Venezuelan telenovela.

This however is the case with Jane the Virgin. Based on the telenovela Juana la Virgen, Jane the Virgin is perhaps the archetypical ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ TV series. Critics and fans alike questioned the premise, with the story following the life of a 23-year-old devout Latina virgin who is accidentally impregnated through artificial insemination.

The idea sounded limited and fairly cheap, however the shows acting, clever writing and parodying of common Latin telenovela tropes and themes garnered critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Jane the Virgin’s awareness of its silly premise added to the laughs, and with plans of a spin-off shelved in 2019, it could be a while until we see another Venezuelan telenovela inspired comedy on our screens.