'The Ex List''s bad luck charm

The presence of Eric Balfour (who plays one of Bella’s former boyfriends in the Ex List pilot) can’t help but make us a wee bit nervous: He’s often a sign that things are about to go horribly wrong.

The O.C.
Played Theresa’s angry fiancé during pregnant-in-Chino arc that irrevocably turned series from frolicking-rich-kid fun into depressing parable about ill effects of emo.

24
Reappeared as Internet protocol manager Milo during the creative nadir that was last season. They killed him off…but the damage was done.

Conviction
Remember this 2006 Law & Order spin-off? Exactly.