Why did Donna Wilkes leave "Hello, Larry"? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 07-15-2025, 01:58 PM

I remember back in the day that supposedly Donna Wilkes was fired from Hello, Larry because she mouthed off to McLean Stevenson. I may have read this in a tabloid, but regardless, when the show came back retooled for season 2, Donna Wilkes was gone and replaced by Krista Errickson.

Never knew the reason why Wilkes was let go.

Anybody here know the real story...?

TJ · 07-15-2025, 02:58 PM

There are a few different stories. It depends on who you believe. I don't know if she left voluntarily. She was possibly fired from the show for some reason.

Lisa Whelchel was interviewed on The Jenny Jones Show on October 14, 1998. She said she was offered the role of Diane at the same time as The Facts of Life. She didn't mention her by name, but she said one of the girls was having some drug problems and they were going to replace her. She took The Facts of Life pilot over the definite role of the older daughter on Hello, Larry.

Jenny Jones show - (CHILD STARS) - Blair from (FACTS OF LIFE) Part - 2

Donna Wilkes gave a different story at a Cinema Wasteland panel for the movie Angel in October 2013.

23:33-26:14

DONNA WILKES PANEL AT CINEMA WASTELAND OCTOBER 2013

TV Guy mentioned an interesting fact in another thread. There was a second actress who played Diane who was also let go before Krista Errickson got the role.

Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide

DJM77 · 07-15-2025, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I remember back in the day that supposedly Donna Wilkes was fired from Hello, Larry because she mouthed off to McLean Stevenson.

According to John Femia that's what happened. I won't even mention the reason that Kim Richards gave because I'm about 99% sure that it's nonsense, especially considering that she claimed that Diff'rent Strokes was a spinoff of Hello, Larry in the same interview.

I'm inclined to believe that either Lisa Whelchel or John Femia were telling the truth.

TVFactFan · 07-15-2025, 10:16 PM

Right before the start of season 2 in August of 1979, NBC only said she left for personal reasons

icecream · 07-15-2025, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Right before the start of season 2 in August of 1979, NBC only said she left for personal reasons

The PR Jedi running the broadcast networks often make things up or spin things in their favor if they don't want the public knowing details.

TVFactFan · 07-15-2025, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecream

The PR Jedi running the broadcast networks often make things up or spin things in their favor if they don't want the public knowing details.

True lol

TVFactFan · 07-15-2025, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icecream

The PR Jedi running the broadcast networks often make things up or spin things in their favor if they don't want the public knowing details.

it appears to have been some kind of dispute

Dr. Thong · 07-16-2025, 09:33 AM

Lisa Whelchel made the right choice going with Facts Of Life, as the show ran for several seasons. Hello, Larry only made it to two seasons because the network wanted to hold on to McLean Stevenson in case they needed him to replace Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.

When Carson's contract issues were settled, Hello, Larry was given the axe.

TVFactFan · 07-17-2025, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Lisa Whelchel made the right choice going with Facts Of Life, as the show ran for several seasons. Hello, Larry only made it to two seasons because the network wanted to hold on to McLean Stevenson in case they needed him to replace Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.

When Carson's contract issues were settled, Hello, Larry was given the axe.

Maybe Lisa would have saved the show as hot as she was. I dont think this was a bad show at all. Surprised it is labeled as being so awful

Dr. Thong · 07-19-2025, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Maybe Lisa would have saved the show as hot as she was. I dont think this was a bad show at all. Surprised it is labeled as being so awful

I never got to see his other shows, save Condo, but I agree. This wasn't M*A*S*H, but it wasn't the trainwreck some people made it out to be.

It's too bad it became synonymous with failure, becoming the butt of jokes from Johnny Carson himself. Imagine being someone's guest host like Stevenson was and then being ridiculed by the guy you were being groomed to replace?

TVFactFan · 07-19-2025, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I never got to see his other shows, save Condo, but I agree. This wasn't M*A*S*H, but it wasn't the trainwreck some people made it out to be.

It's too bad it became synonymous with failure, becoming the butt of jokes from Johnny Carson himself. Imagine being someone's guest host like Stevenson was and then being ridiculed by the guy you were being groomed to replace?

I enjoyed the show, Morgan was hot, the obese engineer was funny as hell and overall very enjoyable

07-15-2025, 01:58 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Why did Donna Wilkes leave "Hello, Larry"? I remember back in the day that supposedly Donna Wilkes was fired from Hello, Larry because she mouthed off to McLean Stevenson. I may have read this in a tabloid, but regardless, when the show came back retooled for season 2, Donna Wilkes was gone and replaced by Krista Errickson. Never knew the reason why Wilkes was let go. Anybody here know the real story...?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

07-15-2025, 10:16 PM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Right before the start of season 2 in August of 1979, NBC only said she left for personal reasons Attached Images

07-15-2025, 02:58 PM	#2
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,648	There are a few different stories. It depends on who you believe. I don't know if she left voluntarily. She was possibly fired from the show for some reason. Lisa Whelchel was interviewed on The Jenny Jones Show on October 14, 1998. She said she was offered the role of Diane at the same time as The Facts of Life. She didn't mention her by name, but she said one of the girls was having some drug problems and they were going to replace her. She took The Facts of Life pilot over the definite role of the older daughter on Hello, Larry. Jenny Jones show - (CHILD STARS) - Blair from (FACTS OF LIFE) Part - 2 Donna Wilkes gave a different story at a Cinema Wasteland panel for the movie Angel in October 2013. 23:33-26:14 DONNA WILKES PANEL AT CINEMA WASTELAND OCTOBER 2013 TV Guy mentioned an interesting fact in another thread. There was a second actress who played Diane who was also let go before Krista Errickson got the role. Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide

07-16-2025, 09:33 AM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Lisa Whelchel made the right choice going with Facts Of Life, as the show ran for several seasons. Hello, Larry only made it to two seasons because the network wanted to hold on to McLean Stevenson in case they needed him to replace Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. When Carson's contract issues were settled, Hello, Larry was given the axe.