....

I'm not sure, but I read or heard somewhere that he was just unhappy being on the show. I guess he felt the writers didn't give his character enough to do anymore. There were a few episodes where he wasn't even on them, so he was probably working somewhere else, and wanted to leave Wings to "expand his horizons". I also read that THC originally auditioned for Brian. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Maybe he really wanted the role of Brian. Now that we're all used to those actors playing their certain roles, I really can't imagine anybody but Steven Weber playing Brian, and who knows, the writers may have liked THC so much, they created Lowell for him. I've heard of shows doing that.

Somewhere in the alt.tv.wings archive, there was a post about THC's contract disputes and how he wanted to go on to bigger projects.

He left, as far as I know, to star in the FOX sitcom "Ned & Stacey". His final episode of Wings was as a guest star. In an old Entertainment Weekly, he sounded like he wasn't going to go back to Wings for a final episode. But after the article came out, he went back for his final show "The Person Formerly Known as Lowell."

I think that Lowell was the funniest in the sixth season. So at least he left the show funnier then when he began.

He left, as far as I know, to star in the FOX sitcom "Ned & Stacey". His final episode of Wings was as a guest star. In an old Entertainment Weekly, he sounded like he wasn't going to go back to Wings for a final episode. But after the article came out, he went back for his final show "The Person Formerly Known as Lowell."

I think that Lowell was the funniest in the sixth season. So at least he left the show funnier then when he began.

THC really began to expand his acting and bring his personality into Lowell near the end of his run.

Lowell isn't even one of my favorite characters, but I still think the show took a big nosedive after he left.

IMO, Lowell made the show. Everyone else was funny, but Lowell made the show unique.

He and Antonio were my favorite characters.

IMO, Lowell made the show. Everyone else was funny, but Lowell made the show unique.

I agree! Lowell was the reason I watched the show back in 2000. I remembered how funny he was, and I was home (since I graduated and was home 24/7) so I began watching it on USA. I like everyone else, but Lowell was always the funniest. He also had an interesting story line, when Bunny left him, his boat sank and he moved in with the Hacketts and so on... I also liked the way he left the show. Instead of just moving or leaving without explanation, they had Lowell join the witness protection program. It added to the character's depth and was also very sad.

I also liked that Lowell was a mechanic and proud of it. Although he usually played the dumb guy in the airport, he was actually very smart. Just not in social situations.

Just a word of caution on the Sideways front... be careful what Pinot Noir you pick out. My mother bought some cheap stuff. It smells like beer and has no fruity flavor.

I know Thomas Haden Church is having success right now but I think if he would of stayed and finished Wings, he would of had more success.. Maybe another successful sitcom... more movie projects.. just more success but hopefully if Wings does come out on DVD maybe he'll do some commentary...

He was on Greg Kinnear's old talk show the year he left saying he felt there was nothing left for the character to explore. So his agent put the word out that he was looking for a pilot where he would be the star. Fox proposed Ned and Stacey and he took it.

I wouldn't believe any contract or producer problem talk, because an eye-witness to the final episode noted that THC made an appearance on-set to get a look at the last taping.

I also liked that Lowell was a mechanic and proud of it. Although he usually played the dumb guy in the airport, he was actually very smart. Just not in social situations.

I think Lowell is actually smarter than the average TV idiot. In fact, somethimes I think Antonio is really the dumb guy of the show! :lol:

I've always been impressed by the fact that the "WINGS" cast and crew wanted to include THC in the final "Wings" episode....especially when they found out that he was going to be attending the final filming. However, Thomas firmly refused to appear on the last show. He thought that "The Return Of Lowell" would take away from the story line dealing with the still-remaining characters. He chose to sit in the studio audience, enjoy the show and give the cast and crew his "from the audience" support. After I heard that story I knew that Thomas was a classy guy...and as much as I would have loved to have seen Lowell again, I think that Thomas was right in his decision to sit out the finale. Remember how Shelley Long's "Return of Diane Chambers" ruined the "Cheers" finale?

I thought it was because he got tired of playing the "dumb" guy?

When he was on Danza, Thomas said that he liked Lowell, but he found the character to be really limited.

By the way, I don't know what's with me lately, but I'm growing less interested in Thomas Haden Church and more interested in Family Guy and American Dad. Maybe I'm finally moving on or I'm just fed up with watching awards shows.

When he was on Danza, Thomas said that he liked Lowell, but he found the character to be really limited.

By the way, I don't know what's with me lately, but I'm growing less interested in Thomas Haden Church and more interested in Family Guy and American Dad. Maybe I'm finally moving on or I'm just fed up with watching awards shows.

Ange, maybe it's because the THC you see now isn't the same one that you liked before. I know that he's basically the same guy, but before you would frequently talk about Thomas being a great actor and never receiving the recognition that he deserved....and you used to hope that someday he would be noticed for the great actor that he is. Well, now he HAS been noticed, he IS a part of "mainstream show-biz", and maybe that's taken away some of the fun for you. I don't know you personally, so all I can do is guess.

I've always been impressed by the fact that the "WINGS" cast and crew wanted to include THC in the final "Wings" episode....especially when they found out that he was going to be attending the final filming. However, Thomas firmly refused to appear on the last show. He thought that "The Return Of Lowell" would take away from the story line dealing with the still-remaining characters. He chose to sit in the studio audience, enjoy the show and give the cast and crew his "from the audience" support. After I heard that story I knew that Thomas was a classy guy...and as much as I would have loved to have seen Lowell again, I think that Thomas was right in his decision to sit out the finale. Remember how Shelley Long's "Return of Diane Chambers" ruined the "Cheers" finale?

But that's what made the Cheers finale so big, and IMO, greatly executed. The "Return of Diane Chambers" was what attracted the large audience. Shelley Long was the star of the show, even outshadowing Ted Danson in those first five years. Whether or not Sam and Diane would get back together was what made the finale so highly rated.

Had Lowell returned for the finale, I think it would have been better.

I think THC just got too full of himself, much like Shelley Long. Anyone who leaves a successful television show is just plain cocky.

Ange, maybe it's because the THC you see now isn't the same one that you liked before. I know that he's basically the same guy, but before you would frequently talk about Thomas being a great actor and never receiving the recognition that he deserved....and you used to hope that someday he would be noticed for the great actor that he is. Well, now he HAS been noticed, he IS a part of "mainstream show-biz", and maybe that's taken away some of the fun for you. I don't know you personally, so all I can do is guess.

That and the fact that other girls are ogling him and saying that they have crushes on him.

But that's what made the Cheers finale so big, and IMO, greatly executed. The "Return of Diane Chambers" was what attracted the large audience. Shelley Long was the star of the show, even outshadowing Ted Danson in those first five years. Whether or not Sam and Diane would get back together was what made the finale so highly rated.

I have mixed feelings on Diane's return. Of course, it was great to see that character come back. I'm sure fans were curious of what she had been up to and why she didn't return in six months like she told Sam. Yet, the Sam-Diane romance had been over for six seasons and I don't see why it needed to come back.

It would have been different if Sam and Diane finally got married, or decided to stay together. But in the end, Diane left again. I'm the kind of guy who wants closure for the series finale. "Cheers" didn't have any closure. "Wings" sort of did, but not much.

It's okay though. I liked the "Cheers" finale.

I have mixed feelings on Diane's return. Of course, it was great to see that character come back. I'm sure fans were curious of what she had been up to and why she didn't return in six months like she told Sam. Yet, the Sam-Diane romance had been over for six seasons and I don't see why it needed to come back.

It would have been different if Sam and Diane finally got married, or decided to stay together. But in the end, Diane left again. I'm the kind of guy who wants closure for the series finale. "Cheers" didn't have any closure. "Wings" sort of did, but not much.

It's okay though. I liked the "Cheers" finale.

If Sam and Diane had gotten married, there would be no reasonable concept for a reunion, because there is no "reuniting" if people end up together before hand.

If Sam and Diane had gotten married, there would be no reasonable concept for a reunion, because there is no "reuniting" if people end up together before hand.

Well we know that Norm, Cliff, Carla and Sam are still together at the bar. I forget, did Woody stay at Cheers? I think he was elected into office. I can't remember if Rebecca stayed or not. I know they talked about the status of the gang on a few episodes of "Frasier" plus the mini reunion.

This goes for both Cheers and Wings. If either of them have reunions, I would hope they wouldn't be the typical two hour movies that are more dramady than comedy. Although I couldn't picture either of them being dramedies.

And so not to turn this into a "Cheers" thread:

Pilotguy
I've always been impressed by the fact that the "WINGS" cast and crew wanted to include THC in the final "Wings" episode....especially when they found out that he was going to be attending the final filming. However, Thomas firmly refused to appear on the last show. He thought that "The Return Of Lowell" would take away from the story line dealing with the still-remaining characters. He chose to sit in the studio audience, enjoy the show and give the cast and crew his "from the audience" support. After I heard that story I knew that Thomas was a classy guy...and as much as I would have loved to have seen Lowell again, I think that Thomas was right in his decision to sit out the finale. Remember how Shelley Long's "Return of Diane Chambers" ruined the "Cheers" finale?

I think it was for the best that Lowell didn't return. I mean they had their own storyline going on. One scene that really made me miss him in the finale was when they went to the locker upstairs. Then they found the money and started throwing around. It reminded me of the first episode. Lowell was upstairs on the phone with his mom, when Joe threw a key up to him. Lowell opened the locker and threw down the joke suitcase. It would have been cool if he was still on the show. They could have had Lowell get the money-filled suitcase, much like in the premiere.

Well, it's tough when you talk about the integrity of the show and seeing an old familiar face. I wouldn't have minded seeing Lowell, I love when old characters return. But in terms of the world of the show, it would've been silly considering his Witness Protection stuff. You're not allowed to just show up at your old haunts.

I adored Cheers and it really left me disappointed when it finished. No real life changes, the bar wasn't sold, we couldn't say "goodbye" to them, because the characters didn't leave. I remember a few months before the finale saying it would be cool for Diane to return, because what other shake-up could the characters have? But it was right for her and Sam to call it off. They were so WRONG for each other all those years, for them to all of sudden get this rush of love would be false.

Now, say Helen stayed in New York and in the finale came back. Her and Joe hooking up would've been more appropriate because they were more of a balanced couple.

But that's what made the Cheers finale so big, and IMO, greatly executed. The "Return of Diane Chambers" was what attracted the large audience. Shelley Long was the star of the show, even outshadowing Ted Danson in those first five years. Whether or not Sam and Diane would get back together was what made the finale so highly rated.

Had Lowell returned for the finale, I think it would have been better.

I think THC just got too full of himself, much like Shelley Long. Anyone who leaves a successful television show is just plain cocky.

Sure, I agree with you in that Diane's finale return brought in a large viewing audience...but it was a blatant case of "stunt casting" to insure high ratings. (And it's not as though they NEEDED to bring Diane in to get those high finale ratings).

I'm not against the idea of Diane returning to the bar for "closure"...but it should not have been the focus of the series finale. They could have had Diane return as a special two-parter DURING the final season....but the finale should have been devoted to the people who had worked so hard during the last years of "Cheers" and have the story wrap-ups concentrate on THEM more. I think that Kirstie Alley and her character of Rebecca were REALLY short-changed in the finale....Rebecca was an interesting, complex character, and Kirstie really gave it her all during her "Cheers" run....both Kirstie and Rebecca deserved better treatment (and more on-air time) in the finale.

I like the way that "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" handled it's finale episode. Former series characters Rhoda and Phyllis were brought back, but it was for a brief "reunion" SCENE for "old-time's sake"....they weren't made the FOCUS of the finale's story. The series finale focus was reserved for the then-CURRENT cast members and characters.

I, too, feel that he's a bit absorbed although he seems really talented and charming. I've read of a few instances of celebrity sighting when people were eger to meet him and he totally blew them off a la Rosie O'Donnell.
I guess it depends on who you are and when he's willing to flash his "celebrity".

Anyway, I'm moving on from IMDB THC board before I come off as a crazy person. I should leave the fangirls alone and allow them to be fangirls. I'll just enjoy Thomas Haden Church from my own site and over here at Sitcoms Online. I guess that there's always a time for everyone and my time has passed. I'm old news, but I'm still known in the cult fanbase and that's all that really matters. I should stay in places where I'm established.
I really don't want to feel or seem like my ego is too big for my judgement, because no matter how nieve I may be, I don't want to be taken the wrong way and get in trouble for it, especially at the movie epicenter of the internet, IMDB, where I COULD get in trouble.

I wonder when Thomas' official site is going up. The address www.thomashadenchurch.com is registered now. I'm hoping for an online diary so he can clear up some of the internet rumors about himself.