Just curious, can you think of any sitcom characters that returned to their original sitcom when they weren't on the sitcom in later episodes (and/or in the final episode) like Diane on "Cheers", Randy on "Home Improvement", Steve Hale on "Full House", Steve Rhoades on "Married... With Children", and Richie Cunningham and Ralph Malph on "Happy Days"), and/or on the spin-off of the original show, like Sophia Petrillo on "Empty Nest" and Zack Morris, AC Slater, and Lisa Turtle on "Saved By the Bell: The New Class"?

Thanks! :)
Sean

On "Frasier": Diane, Lilith, Sam, Woody, Carla, Cliff & Norm all reprised their "Cheers" roles.

Archie & Edith Bunker were on "Maude" and Maude was on "All in the Family"

Zelda came back on the last episode of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch"

The original Becky came back on "Roseanne"

abe vagoda came back as fish for 1 ep of barney miller

Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers came back for a couple episodes of All in the Family, and then later, Archie Bunker's Place.

Another one I forgot about was on "That 70's Show" when Eric returned for the series finale! :)

The characters of Jason Pembroke and his mom both appeared in the "Amityville" episode of Charles in Charge to kick off the second season and hand over the reins to the Powell family.

Stuart Minkus made a later appearance on "Boy Meets World" in the graduation episode after only appearing in the first season during their 6th. grade year.

What about characters (and actors) that were written out of the show then returned? That includes Florida Evans from "Good Times" and Julie Cooper on "One Day At a Time".
Then you have the bizarre case of Lionel Jefferson on the "Jeffersons". Originally played by Mike Evans, then by another actor, then by Mike Evans again. Finally they just dropped the Lionel character altogether.

Michael, Kelly, Ryan, and Devon (a minor character) on The Office.

Joanie and Chachi left Happy Days for their own show and returned to Happy Days after their series was canceled.
Marla Gibbs got her won short lived comedy called Checkin In, after the show was canceled she went back to The Jeffersons.

Michael J. Fox returned for three episodes of "Spin City" in its final season.

Ted McGriff (David Lascher) returned to "Hey Dude", first as a guest star and then a few episodes later he returned full time to the show.

Rhoda and Phyllis returned to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" for its final episode.

Alex Lambert (Farrah Forke) returned for a guest spot in the middle of season six of "Wings" after leaving at the end of season five.

Barney Fife made a couple appearances all three seasons he was no longer a cast member for on "The Andy Griffith Show."

Ritchie and Lori-Beth Cunningham and Ralph Malph returned to Happy Days for a visit.

Edna Garrett - Diff'rent Strokes
Cody Lambert - Step By Step

Cindy, Sue Ann, and Nancy (Julie Anne Haddock, Julie Piekarski, and Felice Schachter) on The Facts of Life, who returned for a reunion episode. Molly Ringwald was the only hold-out.

On Petticoat Junction, Rufe Davis came back for a late episode as his character Floyd Smoot -- this was after the Wendall Gibbs character had taken over the running of the train (Byron Foulger).

On The Beverly Hillbillies, I believe the oil executive Mr. Brewster came back for at least one color episode. He'd been gone for a long period. (Granny is going to teach his new wife how to do "down on the farm" chores).

Also, on The Danny Thomas Show ("Make Room for Daddy"), nubile daughter Terry Williams came back in Season 7 (originally played by Sherry Jackson, later by Penny Parker).

Ronnie Schell left his role as Private Duke Slater to join the cast of Good Morning, World and when that show was canceled he returned to Camp Henderson but as the new Corporal taking over for Roy Stuart who played Cpl Boyle.

Mr. Bentley left The Jeffersons for a couple seasons then returned for the last 2 seasons.

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis: Regular cast member Tuesday Weld playing the character Thalia Menninger returned briefly, after having left the series.

Alicia Goranson Becky on Roseanne was replaced by Sara Chalke. Goranson returned to the show.

Det. Fish returned for one episode of Barney Miller in 1981 (late in #7).

One One Day at Time, David Kane left early season two and came back for an episode at the end of season 6.

In The Beverly Hillbillies, Pearl Bodine returned for one episode of season 6 after being absent since season 1.

Farrah Fawcett returned (although not by choice) after she left Charlie's Angels .

In The Beverly Hillbillies, Pearl Bodine returned for one episode of season 6 after being absent since season 1.
so she WASin at least one of the color episodes!

so she WASin at least one of the color episodes!
Yeah I was surprised when I read it on IMDB. I don't think I've actually seen that one but I hope to someday.

Yeah I was surprised when I read it on IMDB. I don't think I've actually seen that one but I hope to someday.
was it the one where Granny and Elly go to visit her?

Ropers came back to Three's Company once after leaving for their spinoff "The Ropers."

Dana Plato returned to Different Strokes

Lisa Bonet returned to The Cosby Show then gone again

Whitley and Duane from A Different World appeared on The Cosby Show

Not sure if this counts but the guy who played Denises' husband on The Cosby Show appeared as a different character in earlier episodes, a blind date for Sondra. He then returned to Cosby to play Denises' husband.