When a supporting character upstaged the star...and then got the boot.

[cfr1970]

I know of 2 instances when a supporting character became more popular than the star and the star then got them booted off the show.

One was Alice where Polly Holliday was booted for upstaging Linda Lavin and the other was 227 where Jackee was booted for upstaging Marla Gibbs.

Were there any more times this has happened?

[tlc38tlc38]

Definitely Flo on “Alice”.

[Heenan Fan]

This could be an interesting thread. I don't remember a thread like this here before.

Would Vivian Vance on The Lucy Show count? Some say yes, some say no.

Probably more drama tv shows than sitcoms when it comes to this subject matter.

[Heenan Fan]

Originally Posted by cfr1970

I know of 2 instances when a supporting character became more popular than the star and the star then got them booted off the show.

One was Alice where Polly Holliday was booted for upstaging Linda Lavin and the other was 227 where Jackee was booted for upstaging Marla Gibbs.

Were there any more times this has happened?

I would definitely say Diane Ladd (as Belle) would fall under this same category, even more so than Polly. The producers liked Polly enough to give her a starring role spin-off. Those same producers gave Diane the shaft, both for the same reason...Linda Lavin's insecurity and ego.

[theoneandonlytvqueen]

]mary lousie wilson as ginny on one day at a time. she only lasted a season
glenn scarpelli as alex on one day a time. he didn't do the last seasson\
jason bateman on silver spoons left after either the 2nd or 3 rd season/

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by Heenan Fan

I would definitely say Diane Ladd (as Belle) would fall under this same category, even more so than Polly. The producers liked Polly enough to give her a starring role spin-off. Those same producers gave Diane the shaft, both for the same reason...Linda Lavin's insecurity and ego.

I had no idea the same thing happened again with Dianne Ladd. I just thought she left because the Belle character didn't click with audiences. So Lavin got her booted too? Wow, sounds like she was unpleasant to work with.

I can't think of any other instances where this happens...your right, probably more so in drama shows than sitcoms.

As for Vivian Vance, I believe there was a time where her relationship with Lucille Ball was strained and that's why she left The Lucy Show. It's nice they eventually did make up and she guested on Here's Lucy later on.

[cfr1970]

Originally Posted by theoneandonlytvqueen

jaleel white as steve urkel on family matters
mary lousie wilson as ginny on one day at a time. she only lasted a season
glenn scarpelli as alex on one day a time. he didn't do the last seasson\
jason bateman on silver spoons left after either the 2nd or 3 rd season/

Yes Ginny! I read about that one and forgot. Bonnie Franklin didn't like the attention she was getting and upstaging her so she got her the boot.

I didn't know about the others though. Interesting about Glenn Scarpelli and Jason Bateman. I found both those characters annoying and was glad when they left.

[Heenan Fan]

But like Polly Holiday, Jason Bateman immediately was given a series of his own in It's Your Move. Another good show that lasted only one season and disappeared. I'm starting to sense a pattern here.

[loaferman]

Originally Posted by Heenan Fan

I would definitely say Diane Ladd (as Belle) would fall under this same category, even more so than Polly. The producers liked Polly enough to give her a starring role spin-off. Those same producers gave Diane the shaft, both for the same reason...Linda Lavin's insecurity and ego.

I do not recall reading anything good about Linda Lavin from those who worked with her. She had the idea she was some superstar since the show was named after her character but she was not even likeable on the show. It would have been better to give Linda the boot and keep Polly.

[rcbrad]

Originally Posted by theoneandonlytvqueen

]mary lousie wilson as ginny on one day at a time. she only lasted a season
glenn scarpelli as alex on one day a time. he didn't do the last seasson\
jason bateman on silver spoons left after either the 2nd or 3 rd season/

Glen Scarpelli? It have never heard anything about this, but it could be true? I cannot imagine the character of Alex or the actor upstaging anyone on ODAAT. He was a minor character, wasn't he? I do not remember him being overly popular or that important to the show.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by rcbrad

Glen Scarpelli? It have never heard anything about this, but it could be true? I cannot imagine the character of Alex or the actor upstaging anyone on ODAAT. He was a minor character, wasn't he? I do not remember him being overly popular or that important to the show.

He left ODAAT to star in Jennifer Slept Here on NBC that season.

[glickmam]

Originally Posted by loaferman

I do not recall reading anything good about Linda Lavin from those who worked with her. She had the idea she was some superstar since the show was named after her character but she was not even likeable on the show. It would have been better to give Linda the boot and keep Polly.

True, however, it probably would have gone just as well when Valerie Harper was booted off The Hogan Family.

[quincywagstaff]

Originally Posted by loaferman

I do not recall reading anything good about Linda Lavin from those who worked with her. She had the idea she was some superstar since the show was named after her character but she was not even likeable on the show. It would have been better to give Linda the boot and keep Polly.

Definitely, Lavin was notorious for being vain and difficult to work with. She insisted on singing the theme song, even though she clearly did not have much of a voice. Polly Holliday was getting the big laughs, and she had to go.

Same for Mary Louise Wilson on "One Day". Bonnie Franklin complained she was getting bigger laughs than her, so bye bye Mary Louise.

As for Vivian Vance/Lucille Ball, her reason for leaving after the third season of The Lucy Show was simply due to having to fly back in forth each week to film the show. She lived with her new husband in Connecticut and had no interest in living in L.A. anymore. Her relationship with Ball was fine and had nothing to do with her decision to quit the show. And of course, she made annual visits to The Lucy Show (and later Here's Lucy), so there were certainly no hard feelings on Lucy's part.

[Duster76]

I think the Ropers (Norman Fell and Audra Lindley) were moved from Three's Company because John Ritter wanted that show to revolve around his character. I believe he also wanted Suzanne Somers off the show for the same reason.

[rcbrad]

Originally Posted by Duster76

I think the Ropers (Norman Fell and Audra Lindley) were moved from Three's Company because John Ritter wanted that show to revolve around his character. I believe he also wanted Suzanne Somers off the show for the same reason.

What makes you believe that John wanted these cast members off the show? I have never heard anyone or even John make statements about wanting certain cast members off the show for his own benefit.

When the Roper's left the show, Three's Company did not revolve around Jack any more or less that I noticed. Suzanne was off the show due to her own making, she really disrupted the show.