Why did THC leave?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

barwars · 02-11-2005, 10:08 PM

....

phoebe7165 · 02-11-2005, 10:55 PM

I'm not sure, but I read or heard somewhere that he was just unhappy being on the show. I guess he felt the writers didn't give his character enough to do anymore. There were a few episodes where he wasn't even on them, so he was probably working somewhere else, and wanted to leave Wings to "expand his horizons". I also read that THC originally auditioned for Brian. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Maybe he really wanted the role of Brian. Now that we're all used to those actors playing their certain roles, I really can't imagine anybody but Steven Weber playing Brian, and who knows, the writers may have liked THC so much, they created Lowell for him. I've heard of shows doing that.

AngeFaitore · 02-11-2005, 11:59 PM

Somewhere in the alt.tv.wings archive, there was a post about THC's contract disputes and how he wanted to go on to bigger projects.

Adamantium · 02-12-2005, 12:05 AM

He left, as far as I know, to star in the FOX sitcom "Ned & Stacey". His final episode of Wings was as a guest star. In an old Entertainment Weekly, he sounded like he wasn't going to go back to Wings for a final episode. But after the article came out, he went back for his final show "The Person Formerly Known as Lowell."

I think that Lowell was the funniest in the sixth season. So at least he left the show funnier then when he began.

AngeFaitore · 02-12-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVAdam

He left, as far as I know, to star in the FOX sitcom "Ned & Stacey". His final episode of Wings was as a guest star. In an old Entertainment Weekly, he sounded like he wasn't going to go back to Wings for a final episode. But after the article came out, he went back for his final show "The Person Formerly Known as Lowell."

I think that Lowell was the funniest in the sixth season. So at least he left the show funnier then when he began.

THC really began to expand his acting and bring his personality into Lowell near the end of his run.

Chocoholic · 02-12-2005, 12:07 PM

Lowell isn't even one of my favorite characters, but I still think the show took a big nosedive after he left.

barwars · 02-12-2005, 12:38 PM

IMO, Lowell made the show. Everyone else was funny, but Lowell made the show unique.

He and Antonio were my favorite characters.

Adamantium · 02-12-2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

IMO, Lowell made the show. Everyone else was funny, but Lowell made the show unique.

I agree! Lowell was the reason I watched the show back in 2000. I remembered how funny he was, and I was home (since I graduated and was home 24/7) so I began watching it on USA. I like everyone else, but Lowell was always the funniest. He also had an interesting story line, when Bunny left him, his boat sank and he moved in with the Hacketts and so on... I also liked the way he left the show. Instead of just moving or leaving without explanation, they had Lowell join the witness protection program. It added to the character's depth and was also very sad.

I also liked that Lowell was a mechanic and proud of it. Although he usually played the dumb guy in the airport, he was actually very smart. Just not in social situations.

AngeFaitore · 02-12-2005, 06:43 PM

Just a word of caution on the Sideways front... be careful what Pinot Noir you pick out. My mother bought some cheap stuff. It smells like beer and has no fruity flavor.

Wings#1ShowPeriod · 02-12-2005, 08:40 PM

I know Thomas Haden Church is having success right now but I think if he would of stayed and finished Wings, he would of had more success.. Maybe another successful sitcom... more movie projects.. just more success but hopefully if Wings does come out on DVD maybe he'll do some commentary...

McFly121 · 02-12-2005, 10:04 PM

He was on Greg Kinnear's old talk show the year he left saying he felt there was nothing left for the character to explore. So his agent put the word out that he was looking for a pilot where he would be the star. Fox proposed Ned and Stacey and he took it.

I wouldn't believe any contract or producer problem talk, because an eye-witness to the final episode noted that THC made an appearance on-set to get a look at the last taping.

Chocoholic · 02-13-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVAdam

I also liked that Lowell was a mechanic and proud of it. Although he usually played the dumb guy in the airport, he was actually very smart. Just not in social situations.

I think Lowell is actually smarter than the average TV idiot. In fact, somethimes I think Antonio is really the dumb guy of the show!

pilotguy · 02-14-2005, 02:41 AM

I've always been impressed by the fact that the "WINGS" cast and crew wanted to include THC in the final "Wings" episode....especially when they found out that he was going to be attending the final filming. However, Thomas firmly refused to appear on the last show. He thought that "The Return Of Lowell" would take away from the story line dealing with the still-remaining characters. He chose to sit in the studio audience, enjoy the show and give the cast and crew his "from the audience" support. After I heard that story I knew that Thomas was a classy guy...and as much as I would have loved to have seen Lowell again, I think that Thomas was right in his decision to sit out the finale. Remember how Shelley Long's "Return of Diane Chambers" ruined the "Cheers" finale?

spunkygirl · 02-14-2005, 03:12 AM

I thought it was because he got tired of playing the "dumb" guy?

AngeFaitore · 02-14-2005, 08:21 AM

When he was on Danza, Thomas said that he liked Lowell, but he found the character to be really limited.

By the way, I don't know what's with me lately, but I'm growing less interested in Thomas Haden Church and more interested in Family Guy and American Dad. Maybe I'm finally moving on or I'm just fed up with watching awards shows.

02-11-2005, 10:55 PM	#2
phoebe7165 Pop Culture Goddess Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Location: US of A - the country of "really bad music" lovers Posts: 11,600	I'm not sure, but I read or heard somewhere that he was just unhappy being on the show. I guess he felt the writers didn't give his character enough to do anymore. There were a few episodes where he wasn't even on them, so he was probably working somewhere else, and wanted to leave Wings to "expand his horizons". I also read that THC originally auditioned for Brian. I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Maybe he really wanted the role of Brian. Now that we're all used to those actors playing their certain roles, I really can't imagine anybody but Steven Weber playing Brian, and who knows, the writers may have liked THC so much, they created Lowell for him. I've heard of shows doing that.
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02-11-2005, 11:59 PM	#3
AngeFaitore This Week's Logo Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 30, 2002 Location: Something somewhere, in some way at some point and time Posts: 690	Somewhere in the alt.tv.wings archive, there was a post about THC's contract disputes and how he wanted to go on to bigger projects.
	__________________ Ange Faitore The Closing Logo of the Week: The Viacom "V" of Death. Thomas Haden Church: The Power of a Laugh http://www.geocities.com/thc3_31_60/Thomas.html

02-12-2005, 10:04 PM	#11
McFly121 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: calif Posts: 812	He was on Greg Kinnear's old talk show the year he left saying he felt there was nothing left for the character to explore. So his agent put the word out that he was looking for a pilot where he would be the star. Fox proposed Ned and Stacey and he took it. I wouldn't believe any contract or producer problem talk, because an eye-witness to the final episode noted that THC made an appearance on-set to get a look at the last taping.
	__________________ "That was Bob's donut!"

02-11-2005, 10:08 PM	#1
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Why did THC leave?? ....

02-12-2005, 12:05 AM	#4
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	He left, as far as I know, to star in the FOX sitcom "Ned & Stacey". His final episode of Wings was as a guest star. In an old Entertainment Weekly, he sounded like he wasn't going to go back to Wings for a final episode. But after the article came out, he went back for his final show "The Person Formerly Known as Lowell." I think that Lowell was the funniest in the sixth season. So at least he left the show funnier then when he began.

02-12-2005, 12:07 PM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Lowell isn't even one of my favorite characters, but I still think the show took a big nosedive after he left.

02-12-2005, 12:38 PM	#7
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	IMO, Lowell made the show. Everyone else was funny, but Lowell made the show unique. He and Antonio were my favorite characters.

02-12-2005, 06:43 PM	#9
AngeFaitore This Week's Logo Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 30, 2002 Location: Something somewhere, in some way at some point and time Posts: 690	Just a word of caution on the Sideways front... be careful what Pinot Noir you pick out. My mother bought some cheap stuff. It smells like beer and has no fruity flavor.

02-12-2005, 08:40 PM	#10
Wings#1ShowPeriod Boo Lois, Yay Beer. Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 03, 2005 Location: Inside the Big Brother House Posts: 797	I know Thomas Haden Church is having success right now but I think if he would of stayed and finished Wings, he would of had more success.. Maybe another successful sitcom... more movie projects.. just more success but hopefully if Wings does come out on DVD maybe he'll do some commentary...

02-14-2005, 02:41 AM	#13
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	I've always been impressed by the fact that the "WINGS" cast and crew wanted to include THC in the final "Wings" episode....especially when they found out that he was going to be attending the final filming. However, Thomas firmly refused to appear on the last show. He thought that "The Return Of Lowell" would take away from the story line dealing with the still-remaining characters. He chose to sit in the studio audience, enjoy the show and give the cast and crew his "from the audience" support. After I heard that story I knew that Thomas was a classy guy...and as much as I would have loved to have seen Lowell again, I think that Thomas was right in his decision to sit out the finale. Remember how Shelley Long's "Return of Diane Chambers" ruined the "Cheers" finale?

02-14-2005, 03:12 AM	#14
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	I thought it was because he got tired of playing the "dumb" guy?

02-14-2005, 08:21 AM	#15
AngeFaitore This Week's Logo Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 30, 2002 Location: Something somewhere, in some way at some point and time Posts: 690	When he was on Danza, Thomas said that he liked Lowell, but he found the character to be really limited. By the way, I don't know what's with me lately, but I'm growing less interested in Thomas Haden Church and more interested in Family Guy and American Dad. Maybe I'm finally moving on or I'm just fed up with watching awards shows.