Creative differences - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

KurtfromPitts · 03-14-2007, 12:31 PM

There have been so many examples of actors leaving shows due to money disputes, but, how many examples have there been of actors leaving due to "creative" disputes, having nothing to do with money?

GCW · 03-14-2007, 12:40 PM

JoMarie Payton left Family Matters because the show revolved too much around Steve Urkel. She tried submitting family-themed plots but they were constantly turned down.

Mabel King left What's Happening because she was not happy that her character was being phased out.

catlover79 · 03-14-2007, 03:29 PM

Gabriel Kaplan left Welcome Back Kotter due to friction with executive producer James Komack. If I remember correctly, they were at odds over the direction of the Kotter character and the show in general. Shortly thereafter, WBK's ratings went down the tank and the show was cancelled.

GCW · 03-14-2007, 04:32 PM

John Amos was fired and Esther Rolle left (although Rolle came back) due to several disputes with the producers regarding the JJ character and the direction of the show.

PrettyinPink55 · 03-15-2007, 01:53 AM

Robert Reed never left The Brady Bunch, but he always had a problem with the storylines. I think he thought they were too unrealistic. He didn't appear in the last Brady Bunch episode due to a dispute with Schwartz. I think they said he threatened to leave many times though.

freshprinceofLA · 03-15-2007, 01:56 AM

Suzanne Somers on three's company

She thought she was the star so she wanted to get paid more. I actually blame her husband more though.

comedyfreak · 03-15-2007, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink55

Robert Reed never left The Brady Bunch, but he always had a problem with the storylines. I think he thought they were too unrealistic. He didn't appear in the last Brady Bunch episode due to a dispute with Schwartz. I think they said he threatened to leave many times though.

Ditto for Carroll O'Connor and his disputes with Norman Lear, I think that's why we would never see a final show or reunion.

Although not a sitcom, Lost In Space creator Irwin Allen was at odds with the network brass on the budget for the show. Allen cancelled his show after season 3 after the network wanted him to cut his already shrinking budget.

treky · 03-16-2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCW

John Amos was fired and Esther Rolle left (although Rolle came back) due to several disputes with the producers regarding the JJ character and the direction of the show.

John Amos wasn't fired; he left when the producers said they would stop focusing on J.J.; but they didn't.

treky · 03-16-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyinPink55

Robert Reed never left The Brady Bunch, but he always had a problem with the storylines. I think he thought they were too unrealistic. He didn't appear in the last Brady Bunch episode due to a dispute with Schwartz. I think they said he threatened to leave many times though.

yea; he refused to appear in the final episode because he thought it was so ridiculous.
But he was never satisfied with doing the show anyway; he liked more dramatic roles.

mstewart · 03-17-2007, 11:33 PM

Bonnie Franklin had creative differences with Norman Lear and the producers of One Day At A Time in its first season. She was not happy with the way the show was going at first where it was silly slapstick sitcom. She wanted the show to be true to form in being about a show regarding a single mother striking on her own raising two daughers. She was learning to stand on her own as well after being under her father's wing and to her husband's wing. She had enough and left. Once they got rid of the boyfriend the show began to get true to what's it really about.

Her co-stars stated when Bonnie would come in the scripts would be marked up and approached it in a bulldog fashion. MacKenzie Phillips stated that Bonnie was in charge and anything lower than the standard that she put was unaccectable.

Scoobiedoo30 · 03-18-2007, 12:59 AM

I dont know if this Count's but Redd Foxx missed a few episodes because Trouble with his Contract

Janice · 03-18-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

John Amos wasn't fired; he left when the producers said they would stop focusing on J.J.; but they didn't.

According to this, Amos was fired. I always thought he left on his own too.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...ght=amos+fired

Scoobiedoo30 · 03-21-2007, 02:15 PM

I sure did miss John on Good Times

03-14-2007, 12:31 PM	#1
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,536	Creative differences There have been so many examples of actors leaving shows due to money disputes, but, how many examples have there been of actors leaving due to "creative" disputes, having nothing to do with money?

03-14-2007, 03:29 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Gabriel Kaplan left Welcome Back Kotter due to friction with executive producer James Komack. If I remember correctly, they were at odds over the direction of the Kotter character and the show in general. Shortly thereafter, WBK's ratings went down the tank and the show was cancelled.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013 Last edited by catlover79; 03-14-2007 at 04:46 PM.

03-15-2007, 01:53 AM	#5
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Robert Reed never left The Brady Bunch, but he always had a problem with the storylines. I think he thought they were too unrealistic. He didn't appear in the last Brady Bunch episode due to a dispute with Schwartz. I think they said he threatened to leave many times though.
	__________________ ♥♥♥

03-15-2007, 01:56 AM	#6
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	Suzanne Somers on three's company She thought she was the star so she wanted to get paid more. I actually blame her husband more though.
	__________________ My favorite show is... Who's the boss? #2 Three's Company #3 Moonlighting RELEASE ALL SEASONS OF WHO'S THE BOSS? ON DVD Watch ION at 9:00 to 10:00 I <3 SAMANTHA! RAIDERS SUCK R.I.P. PAC & BIG we miss yall

03-18-2007, 12:59 AM	#11
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I dont know if this Count's but Redd Foxx missed a few episodes because Trouble with his Contract
	__________________ Who Dat

03-14-2007, 12:40 PM	#2
GCW Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 708	JoMarie Payton left Family Matters because the show revolved too much around Steve Urkel. She tried submitting family-themed plots but they were constantly turned down. Mabel King left What's Happening because she was not happy that her character was being phased out.

03-14-2007, 04:32 PM	#4
GCW Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 708	John Amos was fired and Esther Rolle left (although Rolle came back) due to several disputes with the producers regarding the JJ character and the direction of the show.

03-17-2007, 11:33 PM	#10
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	Bonnie Franklin had creative differences with Norman Lear and the producers of One Day At A Time in its first season. She was not happy with the way the show was going at first where it was silly slapstick sitcom. She wanted the show to be true to form in being about a show regarding a single mother striking on her own raising two daughers. She was learning to stand on her own as well after being under her father's wing and to her husband's wing. She had enough and left. Once they got rid of the boyfriend the show began to get true to what's it really about. Her co-stars stated when Bonnie would come in the scripts would be marked up and approached it in a bulldog fashion. MacKenzie Phillips stated that Bonnie was in charge and anything lower than the standard that she put was unaccectable.

03-21-2007, 02:15 PM	#13
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I sure did miss John on Good Times