The Official Cast Changes Discussion Thread

[Adamantium]

This is a thread where we can all discuss ....... CAST CHANGES! Our feelings on cast changes, which were good, which were bad, which were the most memorable and so on.

Here's my list of some of the most famous cast changes in sitcom history:
1. The Great Darrin Switch on "Bewitched." After five seasons as the mortal husband Darrin to Elizabeth Montgomery's Samantha, Dick York left the series due to a back injury (which brought on drug use). Darrin stayed, but would be played by Dick Sargent for the last three seasons of the show.

2. All the Changes in the 4077 of "M*A*S*H." First Henry and Trapper leave and are replaced by Potter and B.J. Then Frank leaves and is replaced by Winchester. And Radar leaves, only to be replaced by, a promoted Klinger. Throughout these changes, the series remained popular and high rated.

3. Diane Leaves "Cheers" and Rebecca Joins. After five seasons of the popular comedy, Shelley Long left "Cheers" for her movie career (one that didn't go so well). When they replaced her with Kirstie Alley, the show ended up lasting six more seasons.

4. Three Blonde Roommates for the Price of One on "Three's Company." Everyone now knows about Suzanne Somers wanting more money for her role as the dumb Chrissy Snow. She was forced to make cameo appearances from the telephone during the fifth season, while Jenilee Harrison played Cindy Snow, her cousin and Jack and Janet's new roommate. She, too would be gone when Terri Alden, a nurse, replaces Cindy as the latest (and final) blonde roommate.

Alright. Let the discussion begin. And remember, it doesn't have to be about my list, just about any cast change you want to talk about.

[Brian Damage]

Polly Holliday aka Flo on Alice left for her own spinoff and was replaced by Diane Ladd and then by Belle. (Whatever her name was) lol

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Polly Holliday aka Flo on Alice left for her own spinoff and was replaced by Diane Ladd and then by Belle. (Whatever her name was) lol

That Jolene lady.

John Amos' character being killed off on Good Times. The worst move ever by a sitcom.

[Adamantium]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Polly Holliday aka Flo on Alice left for her own spinoff and was replaced by Diane Ladd and then by Belle. (Whatever her name was) lol

I never understood why the felt Flo needed her own show. And after she left and her show failed, Polly Holiday didn't want to go back to "Alice" considering it to be a step back.

It's been years since I've seen a Belle or Jolene episode. I've just seen the DVD with the six Flo episodes. If I remember correctly, Belle was kind of funny. Didn't she have a different name for herself?

As a kid, my favorite cast changes occured in "My Three Sons." First Bub left and was replaced by Uncle Charley. And then Mike left and was replaced - in the family - by Ernie, the neighbor. I loved that show. I haven't seen it in years though.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I never understood why the felt Flo needed her own show. And after she left and her show failed, Polly Holiday didn't want to go back to "Alice" considering it to be a step back.

It's been years since I've seen a Belle or Jolene episode. I've just seen the DVD with the six Flo episodes. If I remember correctly, Belle was kind of funny. Didn't she have a different name for herself?

As a kid, my favorite cast changes occured in "My Three Sons." First Bub left and was replaced by Uncle Charley. And then Mike left and was replaced - in the family - by Ernie, the neighbor. I loved that show. I haven't seen it in years though.

I made a thread a long time back regarding the story behind the Flo fiasco. Polly was on Entertainment Tonight and they mentioned what occurred. I copied and pasted the story on the ALICE board. I will see if I can find it.

[catlover79]

This is an easy question for me. The Great Darrin Switch of 1969 will always be a part of pop culture and debated forever. Dick York was and will always be the ONLY Darrin Stephens in my book. Nothing against Dick Sargent, whom I liked in other roles, but he was no Darrin. The chemistry DY shared with Elizabeth Montgomery was so genuine, and they really looked and acted like a young couple in love. With DS, there was absolutely no chemistry. By that time, it was becoming more and more juvenile because the focus was shifting more to the kids.

On the Mary Tyler Moore Show, I missed Mary's weekly adventures with her best friend Rhoda. Once Valerie Harper left to star in her spinoff, that special dynamic was gone. Sure, MTM guested a few times on Rhoda and Valerie Harper turned up a few times again on the parent show, but it just wasn't the same.

I also really missed Gregory Sierra and his character Chano on Barney Miller. I know he left to do another show but I think Chano was one of the most interesting characters on the show and more could have been done with him. I go into more detail on the Barney Miller board about how they could've developed Chano if he'd stayed the whole run. Don't get me wrong...I liked Steve Landesburg/Dietrich too, but was prepared to dislike him at first since he basically took Chano's place along side the other 5 regulars at the 1-2.

[freshprinceofLA]

On charles in charge there was a big cast change. Exit the pembrokes enter the powell family. Everyone of the cast from the 1st season left except Scott Baio and Willie Ames. I like the pembroke cast better than the powell cast.

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by Adamantium

3. Diane Leaves "Cheers" and Rebecca Joins. After five seasons of the popular comedy, Shelley Long left "Cheers" for her movie career (one that didn't go so well). When they replaced her with Kirstie Alley, the show ended up lasting six more seasons.

Also on Cheers, Woody replaced Coach.

In my opinion M*A*S*H was the most successful with cast changes.

Others are:

Saved By the Bell-later years different kids
Boy Meets World-later years different kids
Facts of Life-kids changed after first year
Golden Girls-their kids were always different
Good Times-James left and couldn't be replaced
Andy Griffith-Barney left and couldn't be replaced
Munsters-a second Marilyn but hardly anyone noticed or cared
Charlies Angels-Jill left and Kris stepped in, Sabrina left and then came Tiffany and then Julie

[comedyfreak]

That 70's Show-Daughter Lauri was replaced by a different actress then disappeared from the show.

Happy Days- After Ron Howard left the show he was replaced by Ted McGinley. Big mistake the show should have ended right then.

Gomer Pyle- Crpl. Boyle left and was replaced by Slater, who was promoted from PFC to Crpl. No explanation for Boyle's departure.

[Scoobiedoo30]

Suzanne was Fired replaced by Miss Barnes

[Heather987]

Roseanne - Becky cast changes was unneeded in my opinion they could have just used the first Becky in special appearances instead of the 2nd Becky and then the alternating Beckys in the later episodes
Crystal leaving the show for whatever reason, I liked her character so having her leave was unfortunate IMO.

Mamas Family - The original NBC cast changes to the Syndicated cast, left to many questions and seemed like a different show all together to me. Iola was the worst change IMO.

Family Matters - Richies friend was annoying cant remember his name but he acted like a punk

Cosby Show - Olivia and Pam ruined the show for me

Growing Pains - Krissy, since she was added in the early seasons it wasnt as bad as some shows that add kids to make it better, was a decent addition

[blue4t]

There's the Chuck Cunningham Syndrome. It's when one of the children in a sitcom family disappears forever, like Chuck Cunningham who was played by at least 2 actors. Season 1 of HD, Richie is a middle child and makes references to it. One of my favorite episode is the one where he borrows the abnormal psychology book and thinks he's crazy.

Other cast changes:
Additions:
Full House: Becky, the twins, Steve, Gina
Family Matters: Steve Urkel, Waldo, Three J
Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Valerie, Mr. Kraft, Ms. Quick, Brad, Dreama, Morgan, Roxy, Josh, Miles
Step by Step: Cody, Flash, Rich, Jean-Luc, Lily
Brady Bunch: Cousin Oliver
Happy Days: Chachi, Jenny Piccolo, KC, Ted McGinley's character, Ashley & her daughter, Arnold, Al
Boy Meets World: Topanga, Morgan #2 (Lindsay Ridgeway), Mr. Turner, Eli, Angela, Jack, Rachel

Deletions:
Full House: Steve
Family Matters: Judy, Rachel
Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Jenny, Valerie, Libby, Brad, Dreama, Mr. Poole, Mr. Kraft, Ms. Quick, Miles, Hilda, Zelda, Josh
Step by Step: Cody, Flash, Jean-Luc, Penny, Carol's mother
Happy Days: Richie, Ralph, Arnold, Al, Ashley & her daughter, Chuck
Boy Meets World: Morgan #1 (Lily Nicksay), Minkus, Mr. Turner, Eli

[dawsongirl]

Originally Posted by blue4t

Deletions:
Full House: Steve

He should have stayed and Jesse and Becky's kids should have disappeared. I hated those kids.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Jenny, Valerie, Libby, Brad, Dreama, Mr. Poole, Mr. Kraft, Ms. Quick, Miles, Hilda, Zelda, Josh

Some of those sucked and some were ok. Dreama was fine. That girl couldn't act anyway. Not a Josh fan, but dang, he was A LOT better than Aaron.

[blue4t]

Not a Josh fan, but dang, he was A LOT better than Aaron.

I agree. I actually hate much of the cast changes on Sabrina. From what I hear, most of the female changes are because Melissa Joan Hart and her mom, Paula Hart, felt the female was overshadowing Melissa. When the show changed from ABC to WB, WB wanted to get rid of what was considered high school, so out were Harvey, Brad, Ms. Pool, Dreama, and Mr. Kraft. Josh was kept since he was in college. Fans complained so much that Harvey was brought back.

Some cast changes are needed or enjoyed like getting rid of Carol's extended family on Step by Step or making Topanga a full time character on BMW. But, some are just so wrong, like all the cast changes on Sabrina, Cousin Oliver on Brady Bunch, and Mr. Cancelled Show himself, Ted McGinley on Happy Days.

[fullhousefan91619]

Originally Posted by blue4t

Deletions: Full House: Steve

Steve left because Scott Weinger was going to college. And he wasn't one of their kids, and didn't vanish into thin air like the others you mentioned.