Why did the character of Eddie Haskell not appear in most of Season 2? Ken Osmond appeared in just a handful of episodes.

He's also MIA in some of season 5.

I think we've had this discussion before, and I don't know that anyone came up with an answer, other than maybe he was sick. Anyone know for sure?

I haven’t found an answer- I’m guessing he was either sick or maybe his agent was trying to negotiate for more money? I just know I’m sad when he isn’t around very much.

He's also MIA in some of season 5.

I think we've had this discussion before, and I don't know that anyone came up with an answer, other than maybe he was sick. Anyone know for sure?

Basic Googling indicates that he was in the Army reserve the final two years of the show's run and had to coordinate his availability for filming.

Basic Googling indicates that he was in the Army reserve the final two years of the show's run and had to coordinate his availability for filming.

Yeah I think Ken mentioned this in his autobiography, but not what happened during season 2.

Yeah I think Ken mentioned this in his autobiography, but not what happened during season 2.

I recall seeing somewhere that Eddie Haskell was originally intended as a "one time" type character, whose popularity was unexpected.

Just speculating ....but perhaps the proper answer is not "what happened to season two?", but instead that in season three he was "back by popular demand?"

As a series goes on, you start to run out of fresh ideas. You can only over fill the washing machine with detergent so many times.
Perhaps Eddie was brought back to add depth, and dimension?

Yeah I think Ken mentioned this in his autobiography,.

Did they go into any depth in the autobiography about the Alice Cooper and John Holmes rumors?

I remember when those were happening in real time, and understanding his reaction.... I would find interesting.

My guess was that it was because his voice was changing during season 2. It was high during season 1 and low during season 3.

I recall seeing somewhere that Eddie Haskell was originally intended as a "one time" type character, whose popularity was unexpected.

Just speculating ....but perhaps the proper answer is not "what happened to season two?", but instead that in season three he was "back by popular demand?"

Good point!

I think I did read that he was only supposed to be in a few episodes and then after Season 2 they asked him to come back as a regular character.

I always liked how June would look at Eddie askance, merely tolerating him for Wally's sake. "THAT Eddie," as my Mom would have said.

I think I did read that he was only supposed to be in a few episodes and then after Season 2 they asked him to come back as a regular character.

He probably was not under contract in seasons 1 and 2, and they called him for various scripts as they would for any bit player/character actor.

During the latter part of the season 2 filming schedule they were probably negotiating his contract, and from season 3 on he was a recurring regular.

Just a theory.

He probably was not under contract in seasons 1 and 2, and they called him for various scripts as they would for any bit player/character actor.

During the latter part of the season 2 filming schedule they were probably negotiating his contract, and from season 3 on he was a recurring regular.

Just a theory.


That sounds about right.