Television shows often have characters engage with a few romantic partners throughout their runtime, no matter if they stay together or not. These pairings are meant to be endearing, charming, or at the very least cute, but they don’t always have that desired effect on audiences.Actually finding a given pairing ‘cute’ is complicated, since the story necessitates conflict in order to stay relevant, and said conflict needs to come from somewhere. As such, characters that seemed nice can end up being grating, depending on how the show handles them. These are the couples that, when all is said and done, were not handled well.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});IMDbRoss and Emily (Friends)Ross and Emily were clearly intended to be a serious romance, but most viewers knew it was doomed from the start. The infamous wedding mishap involving Rachel made it nearly impossible for audiences to invest in the relationship.IMDbTed and Zoey (How I Met Your Mother)Ted and Zoey spent most of their relationship fighting over completely incompatible goals. The show tried to create romantic tension, but many fans felt they worked better as temporary obstacles than an actual couple.IMDbDawson and Joey (Dawson’s Creek)The series treated Dawson and Joey as soulmates for years, yet large portions of the audience preferred Joey’s chemistry with Pacey. By the end, many viewers had long stopped rooting for Dawson’s side of the triangle.IMDbRory and Dean (Gilmore Girls)Rory and Dean initially seemed sweet, but the relationship aged poorly as both characters changed. Their later attempts to reconnect were particularly unpopular, with many viewers feeling the pairing should have stayed in the past.IMDbAria and Ezra (Pretty Little Liars)The show constantly framed Aria and Ezra as a romantic couple worth supporting. However, the teacher-student dynamic made many viewers uncomfortable, creating a relationship that inspired debate far more than genuine rooting interest.IMDbOliver and Felicity (Arrow)While initially popular, Oliver and Felicity gradually became one of television’s most divisive couples. Many fans felt later seasons devoted so much attention to their relationship that it hurt the larger superhero storyline.IMDbJackson and Maggie (Grey’s Anatomy)Grey’s Anatomy tried turning Jackson and Maggie into a major romance, but the pairing never gained much support. Viewers frequently criticized the lack of chemistry and often preferred both characters with previous partners.IMDbSerena and Dan (Gossip Girl)Although Gossip Girl repeatedly returned to Serena and Dan as an endgame couple, many fans struggled to overlook the increasingly bizarre revelations surrounding Dan’s identity and actions throughout the series.IMDbFez and Jackie (That ’70s Show)The final season unexpectedly pushed Fez and Jackie together despite years of buildup elsewhere. Many viewers felt the relationship appeared out of nowhere and lacked the chemistry needed to justify the pairing.IMDbDeb and Dexter (Dexter)Few television romances generated more discomfort than the storyline involving Deb developing romantic feelings for Dexter. Even fans who loved the series often viewed the plot as one of its strangest decisions.IMDbPiper and Alex (Orange Is the New Black)Orange Is the New Black treated Piper and Alex as the emotional center of the series, but their relationship was often defined by lies, betrayals, and toxic behavior. Many viewers found the constant cycle of breakups and reconciliations exhausting rather than romantic.IMDbLana and Lex (Smallville)Smallville spent significant time developing Lana and Lex, but many fans found the relationship uncomfortable due to Lex’s manipulative behavior and the long-running rivalry that already existed between him and Clark.IMDbStefan and Caroline (The Vampire Diaries)Stefan and Caroline eventually became a major couple, but the pairing divided viewers. Many felt the characters worked better as friends and never matched the chemistry of some of the show’s earlier romances.IMDbArchie and Veronica (Riverdale)Despite being one of Archie Comics’ most famous couples, Archie and Veronica often struggled to win over viewers. Constant breakups, reunions, and competing relationships left many fans emotionally checked out.IMDbLucas and Peyton (One Tree Hill)While One Tree Hill positioned Lucas and Peyton as a destined romance, their on-again, off-again drama frustrated many viewers. Large portions of the fanbase ultimately preferred alternative pairings throughout the series.The post ‘Cute’ TV Couples Nobody Actually Rooted For appeared first on Den of Geek.