How Did They Write Rerun Out Of WHN?

[Mr. Television]

I used to watch What's Happening all the time but I've only seen most of season 1 of WHN and a few episodes afterwards. I always wondered how Rerun's absence was explained on WHN. Did they say or did they make believe he never existed?

[ThomasE]

Well there was exit episode for him or any reference as to what happened to him. He was referred to in the second season when Raj was going to have a garage sale and came across Rerun's old pom poms from episode four of the original series. I hope that this helps.

[MikeLutton]

yeah dwayne showed them reruns hat and they all said yeah rerun like he died or something it was confusing u said there was exit for him or that was only thing metioned

[ThomasE]

LOL. True. I know how Rerun really died though. It was reported that he died of a Twinkie Overdose. He had one hostess too many.

[GSU2004]

I thought they just wrote him out with no explanation. Sitcoms are notorious for that when they fire people or cut their budgets and layoff actors. I do remember some references being made about him in later episodes.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by GSU2004

I thought they just wrote him out with no explanation. Sitcoms are notorious for that when they fire people or cut their budgets and layoff actors. I do remember some references being made about him in later episodes.

Maybe they also left it open ended so that if Berry came to his senses, he could return.

Berry was an idiot for leaving. He did nothing after the original show went off the air. He should have been grateful to be working with his old friends again.

[Mr. Television]

Thanks everybody. It's just something that I've wondered for years. lol

And Doc you are right about Fred Berry...he even changed his name to Rerun. It's who he was. He should have been happy to resume playing the character and he should have learned his lessons from the original series where he was probably as responsible as anyone for getting it canceled.

[faraj]

Originally Posted by ThomasE

LOL. True. I know how Rerun really died though. It was reported that he died of a Twinkie Overdose. He had one hostess too many.

Wow, looks like Rerun's eating habits had taken its toll.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I did not know that Rerun was write out of What's Happening Now

[Jrog]

Originally Posted by Walking Tall

I used to watch What's Happening all the time but I've only seen most of season 1 of WHN and a few episodes afterwards. I always wondered how Rerun's absence was explained on WHN. Did they say or did they make believe he never existed?

Well, as far as I can guess (and that's all it is), I don't think that writers ever really wrote him out, explained why he wasn't around as much, etc. Though when it happened I though (or maybe "fancied" was a better word) that the character had finally caught his (entertainment field) "big break" and was travelling overseas in pursuit of well deserved fame, etc. Back then I wasn't privy to a lot of entertinment/tabloid news so didn't know there was an issue between the Berry and the suits that ran show. In fact I spent virtually all of season two waiting for him to show up again . Have a good one, everybody.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by Jrog

Well, as far as I can guess (and that's all it is), I don't think that writers ever really wrote him out, explained why he wasn't around as much, etc. Though when it happened I though (or maybe "fancied" was a better word) that the character had finally caught his (entertainment field) "big break" and was travelling overseas in pursuit of well deserved fame, etc. Back then I wasn't privy to a lot of entertinment/tabloid news so didn't know there was an issue between the Berry and the suits that ran show. In fact I spent virtually all of season two waiting for him to show up again . Have a good one, everybody.

TVParty and Urbanite Magazine (Georgia State University) reported that Berry wanted more money for season two since he felt he was the REAL start of the show. He tried to get his castmembers to rally behind him for more money for everyone like he did with the original series but no one signed on. He was simply let go. It was reported within both that he was still using substances during the 80's revival of the series.

It's sad because Berry was more of a dancer than an actor. He should have been greatful to get a role on TV and looking back, he did nothing else major outside of the WH franchise in terms of acting. In fact, no one went big or major from WH or WHN.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Maybe they also left it open ended so that if Berry came to his senses, he could return.

Berry was an idiot for leaving. He did nothing after the original show went off the air. He should have been grateful to be working with his old friends again.

I always thought that too but by season three you notice that Ken Sagoes and Martin Lawrence were casted. Sagoes resembled a younger Berry in looks and antics on the last season. He could have been easily a long lost brother for Rerun on the show giving both of them an opportunity to bring in the laughs together.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by GSU2004

TVParty and Urbanite Magazine (Georgia State University) reported that Berry wanted more money for season two since he felt he was the REAL start of the show. He tried to get his castmembers to rally behind him for more money for everyone like he did with the original series but no one signed on. He was simply let go. It was reported within both that he was still using substances during the 80's revival of the series.

It's sad because Berry was more of a dancer than an actor. He should have been greatful to get a role on TV and looking back, he did nothing else major outside of the WH franchise in terms of acting. In fact, no one went big or major from WH or WHN.

Indeed, after doing nothing after the cancellation of the original show, Berry should have been thankful that he was getting another TV job and to work with his old castmates as well. But ego is a strange thing that turns and out-of-work has been into a player with a major ego. He shot himself in the foot as he never did anything after leaving the show and he hurt the show, too.

[GSU2004]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Indeed, after doing nothing after the cancellation of the original show, Berry should have been thankful that he was getting another TV job and to work with his old castmates as well. But ego is a strange thing that turns and out-of-work has been into a player with a major ego. He shot himself in the foot as he never did anything after leaving the show and he hurt the show, too.

Especially when the original version of the series was about to be renewed for a 4th season back in the 70's. I always thought that the show could have easily lasted to 81 or 82 ending with the graduation of Raj and everyone else moving on to new phases of their lives. Mabel King also had greviances and with the kids getting older, obviously there would have been less for her to do. The producers would have to eventually make a decision to either focus more on the post high school lives of the gang or provide more storylines for Mabel and Dee as she was starting high school.

But these are what ifs we'll never know. Berry should have had some vision for the series.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by GSU2004

Especially when the original version of the series was about to be renewed for a 4th season back in the 70's. I always thought that the show could have easily lasted to 81 or 82 ending with the graduation of Raj and everyone else moving on to new phases of their lives. Mabel King also had greviances and with the kids getting older, obviously there would have been less for her to do. The producers would have to eventually make a decision to either focus more on the post high school lives of the gang or provide more storylines for Mabel and Dee as she was starting high school.

But these are what ifs we'll never know. Berry should have had some vision for the series.

Where did you hear the show was going to be renewed for a fourth season?? I thought the ratings had tanked in season three, hence its cancellation in 1979.