Until Game of Thrones hit the airwaves I would’ve said that the two most recent Star Trek series were the worst offenders in this regard. Flagging ratings and fans losing interest because of a decline in quality? Stick in a stacked babe in a catsuit and watch the ratings climb!

Of course even Game of Thrones doesn’t really qualify as trying to sweeten the scenery for the sake of ratings. They were pretty up front from the beginning about the amount of fanservice that would be on display. Heck, that was one of the main selling points presented in the original trailers, presumably to draw in the crowds that weren’t necessarily sold on an episodic fantasy tv series but would gladly tune in to see Emilia Clarke getting stripped down and manhandled by every male character she comes into contact with.

Star Trek are the most recent examples I can think of but I’m sure there are more. Chime in down in the comments if you remember another sci-fi or fantasy series where they tried to replace quality with sex appeal.