Would "Spin City" had lasted a few more seasons... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 12-07-2015, 01:55 AM

*...had most obviously, Michael J. Fox not been forced to leave the series after the fourth season due to his health issues.

*Had 9/11 not happened prior to its final season? It seemed like after that event, it no longer made much sense to do a light-hearted political sitcom set in New York City.

Schmoopie · 12-08-2015, 03:49 AM

I say yes on both accounts. I know it was hard for Michael to leave that show because it seemed like he really enjoyed it. However I do love him on "The Good Wife".

TMC · 06-18-2020, 03:51 AM

I've often wondered if Charlie Sheen and to a lesser extent, Heather Locklear deserve blame for the overall decline in quality in Spin City during its last few years.

Think about it this way, Spin City under Charlie Sheen followed a sleazy guy (as if he was playing a slightly more sophisticated version of his future Two and a Half Men character) with some 'nice' moments. Before this, you can say that Michael J. Fox had been the overall nice guy with maybe a pinch of sleaze. Don't you agree that it was wrong dynamic for this particular show--and production team?

TMC · 10-20-2021, 02:28 AM

Reading some of the comments on Reddit it appears to some that Spin City was probably ahead of its time and probably would've been a bigger hit or made a bigger impact had it come out about five years after it ended.

Also, Spin City was a very New York show (to the point of glorification) not to mention, a political show. What that means is that while it may have been hugely popular in New York, where it was set, it wasn't exactly popular in say, somewhere like Cincinnati.

The abrupt casting changes (Nikki, James, and Jenelle are all written out after Season 4 with no explanation and aren't mentioned again) undoubtedly hurt the show in the long run. Not to mention that Charlie Sheen's tenure was decidedly weaker than Michael J. Fox's.

Chocolate Moose · 10-20-2021, 10:54 AM

it was definitely a very different show!

SarahBellum · 10-20-2021, 03:30 PM

Who might have been a better choice than Charlie Sheen to replace Michael J Fox?

TMC · 06-03-2023, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahBellum

Who might have been a better choice than Charlie Sheen to replace Michael J Fox?

I don't know how true this is, but Patrick Dempsey and Matthew Broderick were supposedly both considered for Michael J. Fox's replacement before they finally went with Charlie Sheen.

12-07-2015, 01:55 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,687	Would "Spin City" had lasted a few more seasons... ...had most obviously, Michael J. Fox not been forced to leave the series after the fourth season due to his health issues. Had 9/11 not happened prior to its final season? It seemed like after that event, it no longer made much sense to do a light-hearted political sitcom set in New York City.

12-08-2015, 03:49 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I say yes on both accounts. I know it was hard for Michael to leave that show because it seemed like he really enjoyed it. However I do love him on "The Good Wife".
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

10-20-2021, 02:28 AM	#4
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,687	Reading some of the comments on Reddit it appears to some that Spin City was probably ahead of its time and probably would've been a bigger hit or made a bigger impact had it come out about five years after it ended. Also, Spin City was a very New York show (to the point of glorification) not to mention, a political show. What that means is that while it may have been hugely popular in New York, where it was set, it wasn't exactly popular in say, somewhere like Cincinnati. The abrupt casting changes (Nikki, James, and Jenelle are all written out after Season 4 with no explanation and aren't mentioned again) undoubtedly hurt the show in the long run. Not to mention that Charlie Sheen's tenure was decidedly weaker than Michael J. Fox's.
	Last edited by TMC; 10-21-2021 at 02:43 AM.

10-20-2021, 10:54 AM	#5
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,885	it was definitely a very different show!
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

06-18-2020, 03:51 AM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,687	I've often wondered if Charlie Sheen and to a lesser extent, Heather Locklear deserve blame for the overall decline in quality in Spin City during its last few years. Think about it this way, Spin City under Charlie Sheen followed a sleazy guy (as if he was playing a slightly more sophisticated version of his future Two and a Half Men character) with some 'nice' moments. Before this, you can say that Michael J. Fox had been the overall nice guy with maybe a pinch of sleaze. Don't you agree that it was wrong dynamic for this particular show--and production team?

10-20-2021, 03:30 PM	#6
SarahBellum Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,873	Who might have been a better choice than Charlie Sheen to replace Michael J Fox?