Why Did WH Get Cancelled So Fast ?

[MikeLutton]

hey why did this show get cancelled so fast it only lasted 3 years fastest show i ever seen

[TMC]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%2...!#Show_changes

During the second season, using the show's success as leverage, Berry demanded a higher salary and better studio accommodations for the actors. The accommodations issue eventually led to a full-fledged walkout by Berry and Thomas during the second season episode "If I'm Elected" (leaving Nelson alone to carry the entire episode).[3] During the final season (1978-79), Berry threatened to strike. Thomas again joined Berry in the strike, leading to the executive producers to cancel the series, rather than give a pay raise to the stars.[4]

While being interviewed on TV One's Unsung Hollywood, Ernest Thomas said that the final straw so to speak was when Fred Berry accused the powers that be of being racist. Since (according to Ernest) these producers in question had relatives who went through the Holocaust, they naturally didn't take too kindly of randomly being accused of bigotry. So they basically told Fred Berry and company since they didn't like working for "racists" they were going to cancel the show.

[EccentricGenius]

Originally Posted by TMC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%2...!#Show_changes



While being interviewed on TV One's Unsung Hollywood, Ernest Thomas said that the final straw so to speak was when Fred Berry accused the powers that be of being racist. Since (according to Ernest) these producers in question had relatives who went through the Holocaust, they naturally didn't take too kindly of randomly being accused of bigotry. So they basically told Fred Berry and company since they didn't like working for "racists" they were going to cancel the show.

I enthusiastically concur, TMC. I think Fred Berry envisioned himself as the next Jimmie Walker or the next Henry Winkler (translation: the "star of the show"); ergo, he got a little too greedy. This is the same reason Berry got the boot from "What's Happening Now!!" after its first season.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by EccentricGenius

I enthusiastically concur, TMC. I think Fred Berry envisioned himself as the next Jimmie Walker or the next Henry Winkler (translation: the "star of the show"); ergo, he got a little too greedy. This is the same reason Berry got the boot from "What's Happening Now!!" after its first season.

The difference was Happy Days and Good Times were major hits. WH never achieved that success. They were more popular after they went into syndication.

[TV Tan]

And here I always thought it was Mabel King demanding content control.
Specifically in regards to her and ex husband reuniting being what she felt should be the direction. Not getting what she wanted, she left the show. And season 3 had changes to accommodate her absence. Momma was no longer seen and new characters added, Earl & Earl Jr (I think) and season 3 just wasn't the same show anymore.

Anyways, that was always how I thought why the show ended.
While I agree the show wasn't 'the same', it was still good.

Thanks for the intel on the pay disputes. Knowing Hollywood history, they probably were cheating them on the pay. Entertainment industry is greedy as all heck.

[EccentricGenius]

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

The difference was Happy Days and Good Times were major hits. WH never achieved that success. They were more popular after they went into syndication.

Good point, Mr. Television. Much like "The Brady Bunch," "What's Happening!!" didn't achieve major success until it went into syndication (following its cancellation by ABC in '79). Since sixty-five episodes of "What's Happening!!" had been produced, local stations could air the series five days a week. After thirteen weeks, the episode cycle could be repeated again and again; that meant that each episode of "What's Happening!!" could be repeated at least four times a year.

"What's Happening!!'s" enormous success in syndication throughout the early '80s led producers to develop a revival of the series; the end result, of course, was "What's Happening Now!!," which debuted as a weekly, first-run syndicated series in the autumn of 1985.

[MikeLutton]

such a shame I liked mama she was funny could care less about the earl family,but to many fat jokes,went on about rerun and shirley

[GSU2004]

This should explain everything clearly along with the TV One Life After special. ABC was interested in a 4th season but tensions among Fred Berry and others led to that not coming alive.

http://www.tvparty.com/recwhats.html

[TMC]

http://mentalfloss.com/article/56439...hats-happening

17. THE SERIES’ CANCELLATION WAS THE RESULT OF YET ANOTHER DEMAND FOR MORE MONEY.

“After I had left the show," Alan Rafkin noted in his book, "there was a big contract dispute and I was told that Fred was the instigator behind the trouble that followed. He convinced Ernest and Haywood to join him in a strike for more money. Eventually, the producers simply had enough of the boys’ antics and they closed the series down.” But Thomas notes that, “There’s a mystery over that… I remember distinctly that they had a meeting and wanted the entire cast to meet with all of the producers. And they said, ‘Fred Berry tells us that you think we’re racist. So we don’t want you working for racists and we’re going to cancel the show.’ That’s what I remember… Fred was very happy, even at that meeting. He didn’t take it back and say, ‘No, they really didn’t say it, I was the one who said it.’ He said, ‘No, you know you all said it!’ So they thought he really was telling the truth.” The show’s final episode (in its original form) ran on April 28, 1979.

[shutupdummy]

For some reason I really enjoyed watching that show. I still do. I guess it brings me back to my childhood?

[tlc38tlc38]

Originally Posted by EccentricGenius

I enthusiastically concur, TMC. I think Fred Berry envisioned himself as the next Jimmie Walker or the next Henry Winkler (translation: the "star of the show"); ergo, he got a little too greedy. This is the same reason Berry got the boot from "What's Happening Now!!" after its first season.

LOL Rerun was not the star of the show. Dee and Shirley were.

[mets82]

Rerun was good but I'd put my ego aside if I were him for the good of the show. It's also too bad Mabel King wasn't in more episodes. And yes, Dee was hilarious.

[Sonny Carson]

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

LOL Rerun was not the star of the show. Dee and Shirley were.

I agree Dee helped make the show for season 1, but not after that. Raj and Shirley were the stars of the show!

[musictuff]

The show, in my opinion was in a downward spiral after season 2.

[mets82]

What's Happening could've been one of the most well known shows had it not been cancelled. It kind of reminds me of Welcome Back Kotter. Remember the 4th season?