Could 'What's Happening' Have Survived Without Fred "Rerun" Berry??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-29-2010, 11:45 PM

No disrespect to the late Fred Berry, but if what everything I read is true, he was very difficult on the What's Happening set. His drug habits were out of control and he held out of the show for millions of dollars. (Ultimately leading to the sitcom's cancellation)

With all that said, would it have been wise to fire Fred and cast a new friend for Raj and Dwayne? Would it have worked out? Opinions?

1960'sTVfan · 12-09-2010, 08:52 PM

Well, Fred's character on the show was very popular so casting another actor for the role would probably have spelled disaster for the ratings. It's unfortunate if there were difficulties on the set. Based on the movie "Cooley High", this was one of those series that shot up quickly like a rocket, then fizzled out almost as quickly.

comedyfreak · 12-10-2010, 06:04 AM

Answer: No it was an ensamble cast and it wouldn't have worked without the rerun character.

catlover79 · 12-10-2010, 12:14 PM

Rerun was the main comic character. I say the show would not have worked without him.

dlemond · 12-10-2010, 12:42 PM

I don't think the show would have worked without Rerun or Roger.

I love Dwayne, but it might have worked without him depending if you kept Dee and Shirley. Not sure on this.

It really is the main 3 you could have kept and worked around the supporting cast, though Dee and Shirley certainly added. Especially Dee.

ThomasE · 05-01-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

I don't think the show would have worked without Rerun or Roger.

I love Dwayne, but it might have worked without him depending if you kept Dee and Shirley. Not sure on this.

It really is the main 3 you could have kept and worked around the supporting cast, though Dee and Shirley certainly added. Especially Dee.

You pretty much said everything I said before I read your post. Nice... very nice.

11-29-2010, 11:45 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Could 'What's Happening' Have Survived Without Fred "Rerun" Berry??? No disrespect to the late Fred Berry, but if what everything I read is true, he was very difficult on the What's Happening set. His drug habits were out of control and he held out of the show for millions of dollars. (Ultimately leading to the sitcom's cancellation) With all that said, would it have been wise to fire Fred and cast a new friend for Raj and Dwayne? Would it have worked out? Opinions?
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12-10-2010, 06:04 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	Answer: No it was an ensamble cast and it wouldn't have worked without the rerun character.
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12-10-2010, 12:14 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Rerun was the main comic character. I say the show would not have worked without him.
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12-09-2010, 08:52 PM	#2
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,115	Well, Fred's character on the show was very popular so casting another actor for the role would probably have spelled disaster for the ratings. It's unfortunate if there were difficulties on the set. Based on the movie "Cooley High", this was one of those series that shot up quickly like a rocket, then fizzled out almost as quickly.

12-10-2010, 12:42 PM	#5
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	I don't think the show would have worked without Rerun or Roger. I love Dwayne, but it might have worked without him depending if you kept Dee and Shirley. Not sure on this. It really is the main 3 you could have kept and worked around the supporting cast, though Dee and Shirley certainly added. Especially Dee.