Why did they not just write Maggie out instead of replacing her

[JoshLarson24]

I never understood why Dixie Carter had to be replace instead of them just writing that character out. Hell they wrote Kimberly out when Dana became a problem so they could have done the same with Maggie. I never really cared for the Maggie or Sam characters so they could have just written her character out and explained that she was away on some sort of trip or something.

The last season sucked eggs but the theme rocked out loud. One of the best themes in the series.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by JoshLarson24

I never understood why Dixie Carter had to be replace instead of them just writing that character out. Hell they wrote Kimberly out when Dana became a problem so they could have done the same with Maggie. I never really cared for the Maggie or Sam characters so they could have just written her character out and explained that she was away on some sort of trip or something.

The last season sucked eggs but the theme rocked out loud. One of the best themes in the series.

Dixie Carter left the show because she didn't get along w/ Gary Coleman. I'm guessing that Maggie was much harder to write out than Kimberly because Maggie was married to Phillip. I mean, you can't simply play w/ the plausibility/viewers' intelligence that much. We're inevitably gong to be asking where she's at (instead of acting like she's invisible or only "talked about").

The producers had a lot riding on their marriage and the addition of Sam in hopes of "saving the show". Therefore, you simply couldn't just have them get a quick divorce. And obviously, having Phillip twice-widowed would've been too dark and depressing.

[JoshLarson24]

Originally Posted by TMC

Dixie Carter left the show because she didn't get along w/ Gary Coleman. I'm guessing that Maggie was much harder to write out than Kimberly because Maggie was married to Phillip. I mean, you can't simply play w/ the plausibility/viewers' intelligence that much. We're inevitably gong to be asking where she's at (instead of acting like she's invisible or only "talked about").
The producers had a lot riding on their marriage and the addition of Sam in hopes of "saving the show". Therefore, you simply couldn't just have them get a quick divorce. And obviously, having Phillip twice-widowed would've been too dark and depressing.

That sounds like a false answer. I doubt Dixie would leave the show because she did not get along with Gary.

She would leave a paying job to show him? Not likely

I know her character and his on the show did not get along but I am pretty sure that's where the hatred ends.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by JoshLarson24

That sounds like a false answer. I doubt Dixie would leave the show because she did not get along with Gary.

She would leave a paying job to show him? Not likely

I know her character and his on the show did not get along but I am pretty sure that's where the hatred ends.

Shavar Ross (Dudley) said on that was the case on here (or forward that message) about 14 years ago. In effect, Dixie was fired, it wasn't exactly like she chose to leave on her own accord. And keep in mind, Gary Coleman was pretty much the "star" (I know that Conrad Bain was first-billed, but Gary/Arnold was the main drawing point) of the show. Dixie Carter on the other hand, had joined DS rather late into its run. So naturally, it's easy to assume that Gary had more say over what went the show at that point than Dixie.

[mets82]

Surprised that Gary and Dixie didn't get along. I just watched the Wedding episode and ironically, Arnold thinks Maggie is tyrant yet Maggie thinks the world of Arnold. She admits that to Phillip before they get married.

[rusty spike]

Maybe she could see the ship sinking.

The show was getting old which is hard to say even though I really like DS.

[Hughsgirl]

I know Gary was the "star", but I certainly would hope that these producers would not allow a child to call the shots on who stays and who goes. He was a cute little kid, but quite frankly he became a huge brat when he went into his teens - and obviously that was true of not just the Arnold character, but Gary himself because of his inflated ego.

[Natalie1969]

Maggie's feelings towards Arnold have to do with their characters not them in real life. In real life it was a difficult relationship.