Wings is a good ensemble comedy, Lowell was a great supporting character. But Thomas Haden Church left after season 6 so he could star in his own show. I think that was a big mistake as Ned and Stacey is terrible and nowhere near the level of Wings.

Besides Thomas Haden Church, how many actors from Wings have been nominated for an Academy Award? Oh, yeah: zero.

One could argue that Church is, by far, the most successful alumni of that show (with Tony Shalhoub a close second). Leaving Wings didn't hurt him at all.

The Academy Award certainly wasn't for Ned and Stacey! Thomas Haden Church wouldn't have missed any of his movies if he stuck with Wings, just the other rotten TV show. All of the other original cast members stayed with Wings for the entire run, plus Tony Shalhoub didn't leave after he was cast.

I think he made a good call, sure Ned & Stacey only lasted 2 seasons, but if you followed the shows premise, it was for a 2 year marriage agreement anyway.

Plus, Lowell was treading water, I think they all were. He put in 6 solid years, and I think his sendoff was about the only way you could write him off the show respectfully, without killing him off :D .