Greatest Shows? I think the depature of (JAMES EVANS) from GOOD TIMES Stopped the show from being one of the Greatest Shows of All Time.

Finally, you are actually asking a decent question.

I think the departure of Vivian Vance prevented The Lucy Show from being one of the great classics that everyone remembers. Although I enjoy the later episodes of show it just wasn't quite the same when she departed the series. It was a tragic event within the show because the focus was being shifted primarily on Lucy and the guest stars and not on the ensemble cast like it used to be. Overall, I consider The Lucy Show to be ONE of the GREATEST shows from the 1960's era.

Don Knotts leaving the Andy Griffith Show made it all fall apart, imo.

"Becker" sort of lost some of it's energy when Reggie (Terry Farrell) left.

People are always saying how they hate the last few seasons of Happy Days, and I agree. Richie and Ralph leaving helped to kill the show.

Originally posted by Jenny
Don Knotts leaving the Andy Griffith Show made it all fall apart, imo.

I agree.

Originally posted by *~PinkLady59~*
People are always saying how they hate the last few seasons of Happy Days, and I agree. Richie and Ralph leaving helped to kill the show. :nod: The show was already a huge hit, so I guess it really wouldnt count though. I cant really think of a show that wouldve picked up hadnt someone left..

Originally posted by *~PinkLady59~*
People are always saying how they hate the last few seasons of Happy Days, and I agree. Richie and Ralph leaving helped to kill the show.

I Actually liked the later years better.

Mike and Gloria leaving All In The Family kinda made the show less good. I Still enjoyed it though.

How about when Cindy left three's company. Come to think of it I liked the later shows better. What about Diane leaving Cheers - would the show have been better? Maybe the comment about Becker is right on - i used to watch that show all the time now all of a sudden there is a new diner owner?

Solomon always asks thought provoking questions.

Dick York's departure from Bewitched sent that show right over the shark. Bewitched is still a classic, but York's exit was a fatal wound in my opinion.

When Flo (Polly Holliday) left "Alice," it was never the same to me.(she was there for only 4 of the 9 seasons).

Originally posted by Janice
Solomon always asks thought provoking questions.

Dick York's departure from Bewitched sent that show right over the shark. Bewitched is still a classic, but York's exit was a fatal wound in my opinion.

I Agree, I Usually dont Like shows less when people leave but his departure really did hurt the show badly. Dick Sargent was a good actor and did a good job but he couldnt compare to Dick York, Plus it didnt help any that they were remaking old episodes and running out of story ideas fast.

Originally posted by Chad Doody
I Agree, I Usually dont Like shows less when people leave but his departure really did hurt the show badly. Dick Sargent was a good actor and did a good job but he couldnt compare to Dick York, Plus it didnt help any that they were remaking old episodes and running out of story ideas fast.
You're right. Dick Sargent was a very good actor, and I've always felt bad for him--having to fill such big shoes. If he had originated the role of Darrin, maybe we'd feel differently, but he didn't, and Dick York's portrayal of Darrin was so off the charts great.
I think Dick York was as important to Bewitched as Elizabeth Montgomery was--in the sense that they were both irreplaceable. They carried equal weight, talent and contribution to the show.

It was bad enough that Dana was forced to leave Diff'rent Strokes, but the new casting made it even worse.

Originally posted by Kitt
It was bad enough that Dana was forced to leave Diff'rent Strokes, but the new casting made it even worse.
Kitt, I'm not all that familiar with Diff'rent Strokes. They didn't replace Dana, did they--in recasting Kimberly?

Originally posted by Janice
Kitt, I'm not familiar with Diff'rent Strokes. They didn't replace Dana, did they--in recasting Kimberly? No, they didn't replace or recast Kimberly. I meant the new characters they brought in after or soon after Dana was pushed out. The Danny Cooksey character for example. If I rember correctly he came in during the first season after she left.

Originally posted by dlemond
When Flo (Polly Holliday) left "Alice," it was never the same to me.(she was there for only 4 of the 9 seasons).

"Alice" and "Three's Company" kinda went through the same thing. After a major character left, with "Alice" it was Flo, with TC it was Chrissy, they had a period of transition. TC brought in Chrissy's cousin Cindy, and she was the roommate for one season. ALICE brought in one of Mel's old waitresses Belle, and she was on for the end of the 1979-1980 season and the first 15 episodes of the 1980-1981 season. Then TC took Cindy and made her more of a recurring character, like Larry was in the second season of the show. Belle was written out on Alice. TC got a new roommate with Terri, and soon later, Cindy was written out. After Belle left "Alice," they brought in Jolene. Both TC and "Alice" kept respectible ratings with the third characters, TC even came in #4 for the 1982-1983 season. Then TC was cancelled in 1984, and "Alice" was cancelled in 1985. So both of them went from great ratings, to OK ratings, then they went back up to good ratings. Not great ratings, but good ratings. I kinda found that interesting...

Originally posted by Chad Doody
I Actually liked the later years better.


Me too :D.

Originally posted by Kitt
No, they didn't replace or recast Kimberly. I meant the new characters they brought in after or soon after Dana was pushed out. The Danny Cooksey character for example. If I rember correctly he came in during the first season after she left.
At least the powers to be had the good sense to realize that Dana was irreplaceable, even though they were morons to let her go in the first place. How did they explain Kimberly's absence?
Is this show ever on now?
It's just never presented itself to me. I'd love to watch it.

Originally posted by Janice
At least the powers to be had the good sense to realize that Dana was irreplaceable, even though they were morons to let her go in the first place. How did they explain Kimberly's absence?
Is this show ever on now?
It's just never presented itself to me. I'd love to watch it.

I can answer that. :D They wrote her out by saying she was moving to Paris for some job (modeling?). I don't really remember, but I know she went to France. She came back for about 3 episodes in the last two seasons, but other than that, they didn't even bother with her. Same with Willis and the 3rd maid, Pearl. By the 8th season, the show became "The Arnold and Sam Show" with Mr. Drummond basically to fill in as the adult.

And unless you live in Chicago, the show isn't being shown anywhere, which is a shame. It went on for 8 seasons (Well, technically 5 good seasons).