https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/new-character-additions-that-saved-popular-tv-shows/

The core cast of characters in a television series can make or break a show, but adding to that cast after the show has already seen success is an even trickier situation. Although some new characters have almost ruined a series, others have saved them and added something to the show that fans didn’t even know was missing. Here are new character additions to popular TV shows that ended up saving the series!

Yeah uh... I find this list crappy to be honest. Really? Charlie Sheen in Spin City? He completely ruined the show and just made it a prototype version of Two and a Half Men. I've never met someone who liked the Charlie seasons of Spin.

Also, no mention of the addition of Danny DeVito as Frank in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Come on now.

Also, no mention of the addition of Danny DeVito as Frank in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Come on now.I don't watch that show but had assumed he was with it from the start.

I don't watch that show but had assumed he was with it from the start.

He joined the cast during season 2 after the creators of the show found out his kids were fans of the first season and that the CEO of FX used to work for Danny.

Jeri Ryan on STAR TREK: VOYAGER

I agree with the list-makers that Amy and Bernadette saved The Big Bang Theory. No way could the show have lasted this many seasons without their storylines.

I disagree with the list-makers regarding Mike Hannigan on Friends. While he definitely was a refreshing addition, and I genuinely like the character and how he interacted with Phoebe, I think saved the show is overplaying his role on the last two seasons. Despite this, one of my all-time favorite episodes of Friends is the episode where Phoebe pretends to have a posh, upper-crust accent to impress Mike's parents (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc7quH-i_0w). Comedy gold! And it wouldn't have been possible without Mike. So, he was an excellent addition, but doesn't really rise to saved the show status.

I wouldn't say all of these actors "saved" these series, but they definitely helped the longevity of them:


Family Matters: Jaleel White as Steve Urkel

The Hogan Family: Sandy Duncan as Sandy Hogan

The Facts Of Life: Nancy McKeon as Jo

Cheers: Kelsey Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth, Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson as Frasier, Lilith, Rebecca, Woody.

ER: Alex Kingston, Maura Tierney, Goran Visnjic, Parminder Nagra as Corday, Abby, Luka, Neela

Melrose Place: Marcia Cross, Laura Leighton, Heather Locklear as Kimberly, Sydney, Amanda

LOST: Michael Emerson, Elizabeth Mitchell, Henry Ian Cusick, Jeremy Davies as Ben, Juliette, Desmond, Daniel Faraday

Charmed: Rose McGowen as Paige

Beverly Hills, 90210: Tiffani Amber Thiessen as Valerie

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Emma Caulfield and James Marsters as Anya and Spike

Angel: Amy Acker as Fred