After two seasons, the producers of Valerie made the decision that they wanted to show to be more family orientated and focus on the hijinks of the younger cast members (including Jason Bateman), in an effort to pair the show up with Perfect Strangers. The star of the show, Valerie Harper, did not agree with this new tone and was fired — on the show Valerie died in a car accident. Valerie (which would later be renamed Valerie’s Family then The Hogan Family) lasted four more seasons without the title character. As usual, pretty much every wrong in the world can eventually be traced back to Balki Bartokomous.


http://members.tripod.com/~preTender_316/Balki.jpg

Could you elaborate? I guess I don't see how Balki and Valerie are connected? Other than the fact that it was the same production company behind both series. How is making Valerie more family oriented a way to pair it with Perfect Strangers? I would hardly call Perfect Strangers a family oriented show.

In my opinion, the reason for the death of Valerie is a clash between Harper and the producers over the overall direction of the series.

After two seasons, the producers of Valerie made the decision that they wanted to show to be more family orientated and focus on the hijinks of the younger cast members (including Jason Bateman), in an effort to pair the show up with Perfect Strangers. The star of the show, Valerie Harper, did not agree with this new tone and was fired — on the show Valerie died in a car accident. Valerie (which would later be renamed Valerie’s Family then The Hogan Family) lasted four more seasons without the title character. As usual, pretty much every wrong in the world can eventually be traced back to Balki Bartokomous.


http://members.tripod.com/~preTender_316/Balki.jpg

this was BIG news at the time - Valerie Harper was holding out for more money AND she basically wanted complete control over the show; she held out until they had to either start filming or cancel the show, and they just decided to do it without her.

Valerie was on NBC. Perfect Strangers was on ABC. Where is the connection?

Another good point!

Valerie was on NBC. Perfect Strangers was on ABC. Where is the connection?

Only connection I see is the fact that they were both produced by Miller-Boyett and Mark Linn Baker's appearance on one episode (long after Valerie left the show) and as a different character at that.

Perfect Strangers was more of a slapstick buddy sitcom than a family sitcom if anything.

After two seasons, the producers of Valerie made the decision that they wanted to show to be more family orientated and focus on the hijinks of the younger cast members (including Jason Bateman), in an effort to pair the show up with Perfect Strangers. The star of the show, Valerie Harper, did not agree with this new tone and was fired — on the show Valerie died in a car accident. Valerie (which would later be renamed Valerie’s Family then The Hogan Family) lasted four more seasons without the title character. As usual, pretty much every wrong in the world can eventually be traced back to Balki Bartokomous.


http://members.tripod.com/~preTender_316/Balki.jpg
I don't think so they were both good shows at the time but only Perfect Strangers really holds up today because the comedy timeless like the old days of like I love Lucy.Those family comedy kind of date a bit today.