Fish was a really funny show. Why did it get cancelled after only two seasons?

i dont know, but they always let the good ones go too soon.

Bad ratings.:(

According to Todd Bridges (as explained in his 2010 memoir, "Killing Willis"), "Fish" had actually been renewed by ABC for the 1978-79 season, but Abe Vigoda demanded more money to return for season three. Bridges also noted that the landscape of television was considerably different in the '60s, '70s, and '80s than it is today, and producers (and networks) had a stranglehold on bankable TV stars--such as Vigoda--back in those days (compared to later TV titans like Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen, the cast of "NCIS," and, of course, the six co-stars of "Friends"). Once Vigoda demanded a salary increase, producers decided to cancel "Fish" altogether--and rather abruptly--instead of agreeing to Vigoda's demands. Thus, the final episode of "Fish" aired on ABC in May of 1978.

According to Todd Bridges (as explained in his 2010 memoir, "Killing Willis"), "Fish" had actually been renewed by ABC for the 1978-79 season, but Abe Vigoda demanded more money to return for season three. Bridges also noted that the landscape of television was considerably different in the '60s, '70s, and '80s than it is today, and producers (and networks) had a stranglehold on bankable TV stars--such as Vigoda--back in those days (compared to later TV titans like Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen, the cast of "NCIS," and, of course, the six co-stars of "Friends"). Once Vigoda demanded a salary increase, producers decided to cancel "Fish" altogether--and rather abruptly--instead of agreeing to Vigoda's demands. Thus, the final episode of "Fish" aired on ABC in May of 1978.

I don't remember starting this 15 year old thread. I did read Todd's book a few years ago and I remembered what he said about the cancellation of Fish. Thanks for the reply though. :wave:

I don't remember starting this 15 year old thread. I did read Todd's book a few years ago and I remembered what he said about the cancellation of Fish. Thanks for the reply though. :wave:

You're very welcome, DJM77!

According to Todd Bridges (as explained in his 2010 memoir, "Killing Willis"), "Fish" had actually been renewed by ABC for the 1978-79 season, but Abe Vigoda demanded more money to return for season three. Bridges also noted that the landscape of television was considerably different in the '60s, '70s, and '80s than it is today, and producers (and networks) had a stranglehold on bankable TV stars--such as Vigoda--back in those days (compared to later TV titans like Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen, the cast of "NCIS," and, of course, the six co-stars of "Friends"). Once Vigoda demanded a salary increase, producers decided to cancel "Fish" altogether--and rather abruptly--instead of agreeing to Vigoda's demands. Thus, the final episode of "Fish" aired on ABC in May of 1978.


I don't understand how he demanded more money and the show wasn't in the top 10 or 20?:confused:

I don't understand how he demanded more money and the show wasn't in the top 10 or 20?:confused:

It's a mystery to me, too...I've skimmed through my old volumes of Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh's "The Complete Directory To Prime Time Network And Cable TV Shows" and looked at the annual Nielsen rankings for every season, and you're absolutely right, TVFactFan--"Fish" never cracked the top thirty during its two-season run (1977-78). "Fish" probably hovered in the top fifty throughout most (if not all) of its run because it was a spinoff of "Barney Miller," and "Barney Miller" was ranked in the top twenty during seasons three through five.

As for Abe Vigoda demanding a salary increase in order to return for a third season of "Fish"...my theory is that because Vigoda's "Q-rating" was high (due to his popularity among television viewers), he must've felt that he deserved more money.

Thanks for commenting, TVFactFan! Enjoy your day!

According to Todd Bridges (as explained in his 2010 memoir, "Killing Willis"), "Fish" had actually been renewed by ABC for the 1978-79 season, but Abe Vigoda demanded more money to return for season three. Bridges also noted that the landscape of television was considerably different in the '60s, '70s, and '80s than it is today, and producers (and networks) had a stranglehold on bankable TV stars--such as Vigoda--back in those days (compared to later TV titans like Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen, the cast of "NCIS," and, of course, the six co-stars of "Friends"). Once Vigoda demanded a salary increase, producers decided to cancel "Fish" altogether--and rather abruptly--instead of agreeing to Vigoda's demands. Thus, the final episode of "Fish" aired on ABC in May of 1978.

...and ABC did the same thing to WHAT'S HAPPENING! when it's 3 stars wanted raises after season 3 (Spring, 1979)

But Keep in mind at this time period ABC had the top comedies so they could afford to drop both shows. In 1978-1979 alone the top 5 shows - all comedies were all on ABC - 4 from Garry Marshall, and one from Taffner. This following several seasons of the top 3 shows - all comedies.

...and ABC did the same thing to WHAT'S HAPPENING! when it's 3 stars wanted raises after season 3 (Spring, 1979)

But Keep in mind at this time period ABC had the top comedies so they could afford to drop both shows. In 1978-1979 alone the top 5 shows - all comedies were all on ABC - 4 from Garry Marshall, and one from Taffner. This following several seasons of the top 3 shows - all comedies.

Good point, RetroTVNitekatt. ABC was definitely in the catbird seat during the 1978-79 season, for seven of the top ten programs for that season--"Laverne & Shirley," "Three's Company," "Mork & Mindy," "Happy Days," "Angie," "The Ropers," and "Taxi"--aired on that network (the three remaining programs in the top ten--"60 Minutes," "M*A*S*H," and "All In The Family"--all aired on CBS).

Speaking of "What's Happening!!," ABC did indeed cancel it, rather abruptly, in the spring of '79 due to Fred "Rerun" Berry's demands; Berry wanted a salary increase as well as better dressing rooms for him and his co-stars, Ernest "Raj" Thomas and Haywood "Dwayne" Nelson. During "What's Happening!!'s" second season in 1977, Berry and Thomas had actually walked out during production of one episode ("If I'm Elected") due to the substandard working conditions on the set; because of their walkout, Nelson subsequently appeared alone in that episode. Berry and Thomas threatened to go on strike once again during season three (1978-79) because they both demanded a salary increase; this time, ABC responded to Berry and Thomas' demands by canceling "What's Happening!!" outright rather than negotiate with the two co-stars.

Thanks for commenting, RetroTVNitekatt! Enjoy your day!

According to Todd Bridges (as explained in his 2010 memoir, "Killing Willis"), "Fish" had actually been renewed by ABC for the 1978-79 season, but Abe Vigoda demanded more money to return for season three. Bridges also noted that the landscape of television was considerably different in the '60s, '70s, and '80s than it is today, and producers (and networks) had a stranglehold on bankable TV stars--such as Vigoda--back in those days (compared to later TV titans like Seinfeld, Ray Romano, Charlie Sheen, the cast of "NCIS," and, of course, the six co-stars of "Friends"). Once Vigoda demanded a salary increase, producers decided to cancel "Fish" altogether--and rather abruptly--instead of agreeing to Vigoda's demands. Thus, the final episode of "Fish" aired on ABC in May of 1978.I wouldn't say Charlie Sheen had the same pull as the others in that sentence. He was fired and replaced with a totally different lead actor.

I wouldn't say Charlie Sheen had the same pull as the others in that sentence. He was fired and replaced with a totally different lead actor.

Hmmmm...good point. Seems like Sheen pissed on a lot of people on the set of "Two And A Half Men," including co-creator/writer/co-executive producer Chuck Lorre. Sheen was indeed replaced by "That '70s Show" alum Ashton Kutcher beginning with its ninth season in 2010. Thanks for commenting, catsrule!

Fish was a really funny show. Why did it get cancelled after only two seasons?
I remember reading somewhere at the time that Abe Vigoda took some bad advice from someone who advised him to not get involved in a TV series.

I like fish!!!! (I havent seen it in so long)

If ABC hadn’t been so frugal, it could have lasted longer.