It is SO bizarre when a TV show removes a character without saying why they left, and I have never read anything about why the producers decided to take him off the show.


Too many kids, I assume, but I wonder if it was something else.


Anyone know?

Brendan hadn't had a story of his own in ages and Lily filled the cute little kid role.

Well, it was before the move to CBS. Supposedly, it was due to lack of storylines. But Patrick Duffy himself stated that he wants all 7 children present should a reunion happen.

I assume cast budget was a factor. Some of the kids were appearing in fewer and fewer episodes each season. Christopher Castile wasn't in 12 episodes that final season (and only 19 episodes were produced). He was barely more than a guest star.

I hate it when a family member is Chuck Cunninghammed, and I missed Brendan.

I know - the only thing I can't stand more than removing a character without explanation, is lack of continuity.

Like when a character states in an episode, "My Birthday is in March" but then in a later episode, that same character says, "Well, I am a Virgo."

My pet peeve. ;-)

There was an episode in season 7 where Frank references having seven kids, so Brendan technically still existed.

There was an episode in season 7 where Frank references having seven kids, so Brendan technically still existed.

Glad they at least did that. The episode where Mr. Cunningham mentions he has just two children is creepy as hell.

I know - the only thing I can't stand more than removing a character without explanation, is lack of continuity.

Like when a character states in an episode, "My Birthday is in March" but then in a later episode, that same character says, "Well, I am a Virgo."

My pet peeve. ;-)

Continuity is important. Why invest in a show if the writers and producers aren't willing to invest in the characters and their backstory, too?

Glad they at least did that. The episode where Mr. Cunningham mentions he has just two children is creepy as hell.

Agreed. I don't think they ever specifically say they have two kids on FM, they just say "Eddie and Laura"

Agreed. I don't think they ever specifically say they have two kids on FM, they just say "Eddie and Laura"
That is slightly less creepy. It doesn't acknowledge one of their kids (kinda creepy), but doesn't unacknowledge Judy, if you know what I mean.

Well, it was before the move to CBS. Supposedly, it was due to lack of storylines. But Patrick Duffy himself stated that he wants all 7 children present should a reunion happen.
In my opinion, that is how a reunion for this show should be and may Cody also be included too should a reunion ever take place. The show was not the same after his leaving.

God bless you and the whole cast always!!!

Holly

I know - the only thing I can't stand more than removing a character without explanation, is lack of continuity.

Like when a character states in an episode, "My Birthday is in March" but then in a later episode, that same character says, "Well, I am a Virgo."

My pet peeve. ;-)
Yeah, those things are equally annoying, and I hate those too.

If they ever did a TV Movie or Reboot, it should be explained what happened to Brendan. Why he disappeared. Maybe he got with bad kids and we didn't see that and the family decided to ship him away to military school or something, so he didn't turn out bad? That's the only explanation I can think of why he wasn't around.

I have to be very careful when I say this but several years ago, there was a former child star (https://www.reddit.com/r/confession/comments/4e8ogv/remorse_i_am_a_former_child_actor_coping_with_a/) who anonymously posted on Reddit about what it was like to work on the set of a successful family sitcom in the '90s. To make a long story short, said former child star claimed that there were a lot of predators (https://www.reddit.com/r/confession/comments/4h2nl3/remorse_i_too_was_sexually_abused_when_i_was_a/) going around on set. When said child star started to gain weight and enter puberty, he apparently became less desirable to these predators. Some "sleuths" online (https://www.datalounge.com/thread/16961615-juicy-reddit-post-i-am-a-former-child-actor-coping-with-a-nasty-heroin-addiction-) have come to the conclusion that this former child star is actually Josh Byrne.

Seems more like one of the boys from "Home Improvement"

^^^ One boy did leave the Home Improvement show, but the leaving was his idea.

God bless you and him always!!!

Holly

Let's be real. Puberty wasn't kind to Josh Byrne. He had a massive growth spurt and gained alot of weight. By Season 6 he looked like a giant oaf, a far cry from the cute little kid from Season 1. Also, his acting got really crappy when he got older. But I always thought his character was pointless. He was just kind of there..... The writers never gave him a defining personality or any character. I couldn't even describe his character if you asked me to.