This is a list of shows that you were surprised went on after one of the actors left the show. This isn't a "Jump the Shark" type thread. It doesn't matter about your opinion of what happened to the show after they left. This is just shows you can't believe continued without one of their leading actors.

#1. Freddie Prinze dies. They continue "Chico and the Man" without him, even though he's the title character of "Chico". I'm surprised they went on for another season. I know Jack Albertson, Scatman Crothers and Della Reese could technically take the show for another season. But it was Freddie Prinze's charm and charisma that made the show successful in my opinion. Anyways, the show only lasted a season.

#2. Cindy Williams leaves "Laverne & Shirley". They continue it without her. This, to me, is ridiculous. I mean she was a title character, the co-star, and she left. They went on for a season with just Laverne, by her self. Growing up, I always knew that Shirley was absent for the last season. But now when I think about it, I can't believe they continued the show after she left.

#3. Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher leave "That '70s Show". They contine it for one more season without them. When I first heard that they were both leaving, I just assumed the show would come to an end. I was surprised when I heard the show was going on without them. I mean Topher was the star of the show. It was his friends and his family. Next in the show was Ashton's popularity. Even if they could do it without Topher, I couldn't imagine them doing it without BOTH actors.

#4. Ron Howard leaves "Happy Days". They continue for four more seasons without him. Not only him, but Donny Most left as well. He could leave and they could go on, but "Happy Days" without Richie surprised me that ABC made the decision to go on without him. I know Fonzie was basically the star by that point, but it just seems odd to me that that last few seasons of "Happy Days" are without Richie Cunningham. I actually like the Post-Richie episodes, but I'm still surprised that they made them.

#5. Dick York leaves "Bewitched". Now a-days, it's common TV history. There were two Darrins: Dick York and Dick Sargent. However, at the time, when Dick York announced he couldn't go on with the show anymore, it's surprises me that they chose to replace Darrin and continue the show. I know that as long as Elizabeth Montgomery was there, they felt they had a hit. And the show still was obviously popular, lasting three more seasons. But I'm sure at the time, I would have been like "What? They're getting a new Darrin!"

#6. Don Knotts leaves "The Andy Griffith Show". This is to a lesser extent than the others. Because Barney was still a supporting character. But he was a very popular character and in my opinion one of the reasons the show was a classic and still gets rerun today. The show ran three more seasons after Don left, and three more seasons on top of that without Andy and under a new title "Mayberry R.F.D." It just seems surprising that they would go on without Deputy Barney Fife.

#7. Charlotte Rae leaves "The Facts of Life". They replaced her with Cloris Leachman and they continued for a couple more seasons. Now growing up, it was just common knowledge to me that Beverly Ann replaces Mrs. Garrett in the later seasons. But now, looking back, I'm surprised that the show went on without Mrs. Garrett. She was originally the star of the show, before letting the girls take over.

#8. Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers leave "All in the Family". Not only do they continue it without them, but it lasted five seasons without them (albeit four of those seasons were under the title "Archie Bunker's Place" and three of them were without Jean Stapleton's Edith). The show was about the four of them, Archie, Edith, Mike and Gloria. Was was like Fred and Ethel both leaving "I Love Lucy".

So what about you?

Hogan Family after Valerie Harpur left.

There's one I forgot to mention. When John Ritter died, I assumed "8 Simple Rules" would end. Maybe they'd rerun it for a while on ABC Family, much like how they reran the short-lived "Two of a Kind" for a time. I was surprised to hear that they were continuing the show without him. I, however, am glad they did.

"Gimmie a Break"-I do remember that the Chief died in real life and was terribly sad that the show went on without him, I remember Nell packing up Joey Lawrence and moving to New York.

"227"-They should have never continued this show without Jackee. The show was terribly corny when they added the four other characters to replace the strong presence of Jackee.

When Michael J Fox left Spin City, replaced (unfortunatly) by Charlie Sheen.

Alias Smith and Jones from the early 70's continued after Pete Duel died. They
brought in Roger Davis to continue as his character. Pete was dark haired and
medium built where Roger had light hair and a very slim build. You would have
thought they could pick someone closer to his appearance to play his character.

LAVERNE & SHIRLEY after Cindy Williams left

MASH

ALL IN THE FAMILY

sanford without lamont and others that was hard but i liked fred and cal

half the family matters cast surprised when ti became urkle show it continued.


charles in charge replace whole family it stil went on.

steve left mwc that was a shock but stil great show

I'm surprised they continued Petticoat Junction after Bea Benaderet died, she played Kate Bradley owner of the Shady Rest Hotel. Kate was replaced by June Lockhart, who played a Doctor on the show and it went on for two or three more seasons.

Xfiles-After Mulder (David Duchovney) left the show it continued on.

Good Times-The show continued after the James Evans character was killed off when John Amos was fired from the show.

Even more surprised when Esther Rolle left Good Times and the show continued with the kids and neighbor.

Three's Company after many cast changes the show continued on after Chrissy was replaced by two other roomates, and the landlords were replaced by a different landlord played by Don Knotts.

Shelley Long leaving Cheers couldn't stand Rebecca.

The original mom leaving Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Very strange that they recast imo.

My picks: Bewitched w/o Dick York and Happy Days w/o Ron Howard.:(

The most recent example that immediately comes to mind is 2 and a Half Men after Charlie Sheen was fired.