When a TV show like 9-1-1 runs for years, you expect drama, chaos, and the occasional over-the-top plot. But this show? It doesn’t just flirt with ridiculousness—it marries it, buys it a house, and gives it a dog.
And here’s the twist: fans LOVE it.

The internet is overflowing with comments like, “This episode is terrible… so anyway, I’ve seen it three times.”
And honestly? Same.

In this article, we’re diving deep into the 9-1-1 episodes and moments people swear are “awful,” “cringe,” or “unrealistic”—the exact scenes that transformed the show from a procedural to a pop-culture icon. Let’s unpack the beautiful chaos.

Why 9-1-1’s ‘Bad’ Episodes Are Actually Brilliant

The truth is simple: 9-1-1 doesn’t fear the cringe.
It embraces it, owns it, monetizes it, and repackages it for sweeps week.

These so-called “terrible” episodes?
They’re unforgettable. They spark memes, think-pieces, TikToks, and fan debates that refuse to die.

Now let’s break down the crème de la cringe.

The Wild, The Weird, and The Fully Unhinged: A Breakdown

1. The Tsunami Arc — Peak Disaster Cinema on a TV Budget

Remember when Buck got swallowed by a tsunami?
Yes, swallowed—as in whole.

People said it looked fake. People laughed. People dragged it.

But let’s be honest…
Did you watch it once or ten times? Exactly.

It was dramatic, chaotic, completely unrealistic—and also one of the most-loved arcs ever aired.

2. The Escaped Giraffe Episode — The Moment 9-1-1 Stopped Caring About Reality

A giraffe running loose on a California highway shouldn’t work in a serious procedural drama.
But somehow, it did.

Why?
Because 9-1-1 leans into absurdity with full commitment. Not halfway. FULL SEND.

And viewers eat it up.

3. The Woman Stuck in a Cement Block — A Fever Dream of an Episode

Is it realistic?
No.

Was it iconic?
Absolutely.

This episode became a fandom legend. People still reference it on social media because it perfectly captures the show’s “What did I just watch?” energy.

The Episodes Critics Called Awful—But Fans Call Chef’s Kiss

4. The Human Hamster Wheel Guy

One man.
One giant wheel.
One spectacular disaster.

Critics rolled their eyes. Fans replayed it.
It became meme gold.

Sometimes 9-1-1 isn’t just TV—it’s performance art.

5. The Evil Drone Attack Episode

Who knew drones could be villains?
Apparently, 9-1-1 did.

It sounded ridiculous on paper, but the execution?
Shockingly fun.

Sure, it’s wild.
But you’ll remember it forever, which is more than most TV episodes can say.

Why We Love “Bad” TV When It’s Done Right

Entertainment Over Realism

9-1-1 prioritizes adrenaline over accuracy.
And guess what? That’s why you can’t stop watching.

Real life is boring.
9-1-1 is not.

Chaos Is Relatable

Life is messy.
Chaos feels real.
And watching first responders navigate nonsense somehow makes our nonsense feel manageable.

Camp Is Comforting

There’s something oddly cozy about predictable unpredictability.

You know things will go off the rails.
You know someone will end up in danger in the wildest way possible.
You know Buck will make a questionable decision.

Predictable chaos = comfort TV.

The Characters That Make the Chaos Work

Buck — The Disaster Magnet We’d Die For

If something insane is happening, Buck is probably involved.
We clown him because we love him.

He’s chaotic good. Emphasis on chaotic.

Athena — The Queen of Handling Nonsense Like It’s Her Job (Because It Is)

Athena Grant is the backbone of the show.
She deals with criminals, disasters, supernatural-level coincidences, and still goes home looking flawless.

Unrealistic?
Yes.
Iconic?
Also yes.

Chimney — The Universe’s Favorite Target

Every disaster in the 9-1-1 universe:
“Let’s make it happen to Chimney.”

The man has suffered enough.
And yet, we love every second of his storylines.

Maddie — Trauma’s Main Character

When Maddie goes through it, she goes through it.
Fans complain the drama is heavy, yet her arcs are some of the most-watched in the series.

She’s proof that emotional “bad TV” still hits hard.

When 9-1-1 Goes Viral: The Internet’s Favorite ‘Bad’ Moments

TikTok Edits of Ridiculous Rescues

The tsunami.
The animals.
The roller coaster mishaps.

They’re everywhere, and they slap every time.

Meme Culture Lives Because of Shows Like 9-1-1

The fandom loves to laugh at (and with) the wildest plotlines.

The memes are half the fun.
Honestly? Sometimes more than half.

Reaction Videos Driving New Viewers

Nothing converts a new fan like watching someone else scream,
“What in the world is THIS show?!”

Cringe becomes community.

Why These “Awful” Episodes Keep Getting Rewatched

Nostalgia + Chaos = Addictive TV

You remember where you were the first time Buck got swallowed by water.
You remember giggling at the giraffe.
You remember screaming at the drone attack.

It’s nostalgia wrapped in madness.

They’re Comfort Episodes in Disguise

Sometimes we don’t want deep plots.
We want entertainment.
We want vibes.

9-1-1 delivers vibes on a silver platter.

They Make the Show Uniquely 9-1-1

No one else is doing what this show is doing.
Not like this.
Not with this commitment. It’s one of one.

The Secret Sauce: Intentionally Unintentionally Funny

The Show Knows When It’s Ridiculous

And it leans in.
But not too far—just enough to make it entertaining without turning it into full parody.

Disaster + Heart = The Formula That Works

You laugh one second and cry the next.
That emotional whiplash keeps fans hooked.

The Writers Know Their Audience

If people rewatch the “bad” episodes more than the serious ones…
Are they really that bad?

Exactly.

Final Verdict — These Episodes Aren’t Bad. They’re Legendary.

When fans say, “It’s awful. I’ve rewatched it twice,” what they really mean is:

This is comfort TV.
This is iconic TV.
This is peak “so bad it’s good” storytelling that no one else is brave enough to do.

9-1-1 isn’t afraid to be unhinged.
And honestly? That’s why we adore it.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the episodes people mock the most are the ones we remember forever.
We quote them, meme them, and rewatch them until the absurdity becomes comfort.
9-1-1 succeeds not because it’s perfect, but because it’s unapologetically bold, chaotic, heartfelt, and occasionally ridiculous.

And that’s exactly what makes it low-key iconic.