Flanderization

[3][4] The term was coined by TV Tropes,[1] a wiki that collects and documents descriptions and examples of plot conventions and devices in fiction and pop culture, in reference to the character of Ned Flanders.

[9] The specific case of Ned Flanders has been discussed as a symptom of the general decline of The Simpsons, once one of the most popular sitcoms in television history and once known for how dynamic its characters were.

[11] Dinesh from Silicon Valley is a lesser example of Flanderization, specifically in the show's final two seasons with the departure of T.J. Miller as Erlich Bachman.

[13] Other animated series criticized for Flanderization include SpongeBob SquarePants,[14] The Fairly OddParents, Dexter's Laboratory, Thomas & Friends & The Loud House.

Flanderization can sometimes occur in reboots or revivals of older, positively-received works, including Teen Titans Go!, ThunderCats Roar, Ren and Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon, and Velma.

[8] Another example of real-world Flanderization is the tendency for musicians, especially those associated with social media such as TikTok and SoundCloud, to simplify their musical personas after finding some commercial success.

[3] Some works have consciously attempted to avoid Flanderization, such as Rick and Morty, although the show itself has been accused of jumping the shark by other means as early as season 3.